Public Transport

The reality for many people

Even though there are many transport types, many Cubans find daily travel difficult. Buses and local services often struggle to serve all people who need them — waiting times can be long and buses overcrowded.

For rural or less-connected areas, public transport may be even more irregular. Sometimes older vehicles or less safe transport forms are the only option.

The cost can also matter. While some services remain cheap, the instability of fuel supply and general shortages mean that transport can become more unreliable. Many people must plan their trips carefully and may wait longer than expected.

What this means for everyday life

Because transport is often slow, crowded, or unreliable, daily routines are harder. People may struggle to get to work, school, or buy food and supplies. For those living outside big cities, isolation can increase when buses or shared transport are limited.

For visitors, things are complicated too: it may take much longer than expected to move between cities, and schedules can be unpredictable. But at the same time, the variety of transport — from buses to classic cars and taxi-kollektivos — reveals how people adapt and find ways to connect despite difficulties.