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
3-Hour Layover in Havana: What To Do
By AirConnect Editorial
Photo: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.
Quick answer
Can you leave the airport on a 3-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
Stay airside — 3h is too tight
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.
3 hours
You are here3 hours in Havana
Stay airside — 3h is too tight
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).
3 hours in Havana
3-Hour Itinerary
1
0–30 min
Stay airside and find your departure area
With 3 hours, leaving José Martí International Airport is risky: passport control, the trip into Havana and security on the way back take most of the time.
2
30–120 min
Eat, rest or use a lounge airside
Check the departures board for your gate before you settle in.
3
120–180 min
Go to your gate
Allow at least 30 minutes for security checks and the walk to the gate.
Your questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for a 3-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 3 hours enough to leave José Martí International Airport?
Stay airside — 3h is too tight. 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.Trains & buses from Havana
Compare overland routes — often cheaper, more scenic and skip the airport queue.
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
Allow at least 30 minutes for security checks and the walk to the gate.
Ready for Havana?
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.