By ship
Due to political circumstances, it is difficult to enter Cuba by sea. Visiting mariners need to make arrangements in advance of entering port to avoid difficulties. Also, most ports are closed to unauthorised visitors.
By train
Most trains in eastern Cuba have been suspended due to poor track conditions. Only the following trains were operating to Havana in September 2007. All services run on alternate days only.
The express Tren Frances, overnight from Santiago de Cuba via Matanzas, Santa Clara and Camagüey every other day note that several hours have recently been added to the schedule due to the poor track conditions.
An overnight local train from Santiago de Cuba, operating on alternate nights when the Tren Frances does not run.
An overnight train from Moron with stops in Matanzas and Santa Clara.
An overnight train from Sancti Spiritus with stops in Matanzas and Santa Clara.
A daytime train from Camagüey with stops in Matanzas and Santa Clara this is the only daytime service to Havana on the main line.
A very slow daytime train from Cienfuegos.
A slightly faster evening train to Matanzas and Cienfuegoes, returns to Havana overnight.
An overnight local train to Pinar del Rio that returns to Havana during the day.
Since these trains run every other day when they are operating at all, you will need to confirm in advance that they are running on the day you wish to travel.
There is also the Hershey electric train running several times a day between Havana Casa Blanca station and Matanzas 'downtown' - not the main Matanzas station. The Hershey train cars are very dilapidated and will appeal certainly to die-hard train enthusiasts - but will be a good adventure for many others. The trip takes a minimum of four hours regardless of what the schedule says. Most of the seats are at least partially broken - but you should be able to find someplace to sit down. At any point of time there are two trains running on this single-track railway: one Matanzas-bound and one Casablanca-bound, provided that both trains are operational. Theoretically you can get off at Hershey and catch the train way back by walking across the platform - either train will wait for another's arrival because technically a train cannot leave Hershey station which serves as the midway dual-track meetup point while another is still occupying the only track of its onward leg.
By bus
Viazul (http://www.viazul.com/) operates an inter-city coach service to/from most major destinations including Camagüey, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santa Clara, Santiago de Cuba, Trinidad, Varadero and Viñales. The main Viazul bus terminal is 3km southwest of central Havana. Departing buses also stop at the central Astro bus terminal, but arriving buses do not. If you are using the central bus terminal, you buy tickets and wait for the bus in a separate air-conditioned office near the west entrance of the terminal. Schedules are posted on the Viazul website.
Astro can get you from Havana to almost anywhere in Cuba.
By car
Hiring a car in Cuba will cost you from 33 to 106CUC per day. The car will have a special tourist plate, which means you will be required to give generous tips every time you park your car in a crowded place. Taking into account the all-around unreliability of Cuban transport, hiring a car can be the right choice for those who don't want any hassle whatsoever. Please keep in mind that picking up hitchhikers is almost a moral obligation for the "aware" tourist, especially when travelling between cities. Picking up a hitchhiker can be the best way to arrive to your destination without getting lost.