landmark
Habana Vieja (Old Havana) + Plaza Vieja
UNESCO-adjacent colonial old town — Plaza de Armas, Cathedral, Plaza Vieja. Full afternoon walking. Free.
José Martí International Airport (HAV) · Cuba
24-Hour Layover in Havana: What To Do
By AirConnect Editorial
Photo: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.
Quick answer
Can you leave the airport on a 24-hour layover in Havana?
Entry
REQUIRES Cuban Tourist Card (Tarjeta de Turista) — buy at check-in from airline for CUC 25-100 (varies by carrier) OR at HAV airport on arrival CUC 20 cash only. US citizens: OFAC-authorized categories only (not tourism per US law — support for the Cuban people is the common workaround). Bring cash — Cuban banking accepts limited international cards.
Into town
Official airport taxi: Depends on traffic, Agree the fare before you set off.
Time outside
18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip
Times from HAV arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.
Top Havana: Where to Go
The sights in Havana worth leaving the airport for.
neighbourhood
Malecón + El Vedado
Iconic seaside promenade + former upscale district. Sunset walking + salsa dancing at Casa de la Música (CUC 10-15 entry).
landmark
Plaza de la Revolución
Massive plaza with José Martí memorial + iconic Che Guevara + Camilo Cienfuegos steel murals. Free. Photograph the murals.
4Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC)
Cutting-edge art gallery + club + performance space (open Thu-Sun 20:00-03:00 only). CUC 3 entry. THE Havana modern culture experience.
Photo: Jersey Devil, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Itinerary ideas for Havana
Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.
24 hours
You are here24 hours in Havana
18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip
Insider tip
Take the official taxi from the rank at arrivals and agree the fare before you set off, or arrange a pickup with your casa particular or hotel. Cuba withdrew the convertible peso (CUC) in 2021, so ignore any price quoted in CUC. Check entry requirements, including the tourist card, with your airline before you fly.
Into Havana
Getting to Havana City Centre
| Mode | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Official airport taxi | Agree the fare before you set off | Depends on traffic |
| Casa particular or hotel pickup | Ask your host | Depends on traffic |
| Pre-booked private transfer | Price shown when you book | Depends on traffic |
Eat like a local
Eat Like a Local in Havana
Ropa vieja (shredded beef in tomato). Moros y cristianos (black beans + rice). Lechón asado (roast pork). Yuca con mojo. Congrí. Cuban mojitos + daiquiris. Cuban coffee (strong, sweet).
24 hours in Havana
24-Hour Itinerary
1
Day 1 — Arrival
Into Havana and check in to your hotel
Take Official airport taxi (Depends on traffic, Agree the fare before you set off). Most hotels hold bags before check-in.
2
Day 1 — Afternoon
Habana Vieja (Old Havana) + Plaza Vieja
UNESCO-adjacent colonial old town — Plaza de Armas, Cathedral, Plaza Vieja. Full afternoon walking. Free.
3
Day 1 — Evening
Dinner like a local
Ropa vieja (shredded beef in tomato). Moros y cristianos (black beans + rice). Lechón asado (roast pork). Yuca con mojo. Congrí. Cuban mojitos + daiquiris. Cuban coffee (strong, sweet).
4
Day 2 — Morning
Malecón + El Vedado
Iconic seaside promenade + former upscale district. Sunset walking + salsa dancing at Casa de la Música (CUC 10-15 entry).
5
Day 2 — Late morning
Plaza de la Revolución
Massive plaza with José Martí memorial + iconic Che Guevara + Camilo Cienfuegos steel murals. Free. Photograph the murals.
6
Day 2 — Departure
Back to José Martí International Airport
Head back to José Martí International Airport by Official airport taxi (Depends on traffic, Agree the fare before you set off). Be at the airport at least 2–3 hours before an international flight.
Your questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for a 24-hour layover in Havana?
REQUIRES Cuban Tourist Card (Tarjeta de Turista) — buy at check-in from airline for CUC 25-100 (varies by carrier) OR at HAV airport on arrival CUC 20 cash only. US citizens: OFAC-authorized categories only (not tourism per US law — support for the Cuban people is the common workaround). Bring cash — Cuban banking accepts limited international cards. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.
Is 24 hours enough to leave José Martí International Airport?
18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip. Getting into Havana by Official airport taxi takes Depends on traffic each way.
How do I get from José Martí International Airport to Havana centre?
Official airport taxi: Depends on traffic, Agree the fare before you set off. Casa particular or hotel pickup: Depends on traffic, Ask your host. Pre-booked private transfer: Depends on traffic, Price shown when you book.
Getting out of José Martí International Airport
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.Things to do in Havana
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Havana and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse HavanaJust need timed-entry attraction tickets in Havana? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Havana.Trains & buses from Havana
Compare overland routes — often cheaper, more scenic and skip the airport queue.
Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels.
Hotels near Havana Airport
With 24 hours, a day-use hotel room is worth it — shower, sleep, and recharge before your next flight.
Find hotels in Havana
Hotels, hostels & more · Trip.com
Search hotels
Also useful for your Havana trip
Stay connected abroad — no roaming bills
Buy a travel eSIM before you fly and install it by QR code.
Airlines that fly to Havana
See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from HAV.
Aerogaviota route mapCubana de Aviación route mapAeromexico route mapAir Century route mapAir China route mapAir Europa route mapAlaska Airlines route mapAmerican Airlines route mapArajet dba Flycana route mapBahamasair route mapCaribbean Airlines route mapConviasa route mapCopa Airlines route mapDelta Air Lines route mapFinnair route mapSKYhigh Dominicana route mapSouthwest Airlines route mapSunrise Airways route map
Havana travel deals
Weekly layover, flight + hotel deals. No spam.
How a layover in Havana works
01
Check you can leave
REQUIRES Cuban Tourist Card (Tarjeta de Turista) — buy at check-in from airline for CUC 25-100 (varies by carrier) OR at HAV airport on arrival CUC 20 cash only. US citizens: OFAC-authorized categories only (not tourism per US law — support for the Cuban people is the common workaround). Bring cash — Cuban banking accepts limited international cards.
02
Head into town
Official airport taxi: Depends on traffic, Agree the fare before you set off.
Photo: Artem Yellow on Pexels.
03
Back in time for your flight
Head back to José Martí International Airport by Official airport taxi (Depends on traffic, Agree the fare before you set off). Be at the airport at least 2–3 hours before an international flight.
Ready for Havana?
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.