Day trips from Key West to Cuba – can it be done? The short answer is:
YES, day trips from Key West to Cuba are possible. Go ahead and imagine taking one day out of your Key West holiday, scooping over to Havana in less than one hour, and walk the streets of the historic city!
I have traveled regularly from the US (and from Europe) to Cuba since 2019, and I know all the ins and outs of traveling to a Cuban airport. Here are four ways to do a Key West day trip to Cuba.
What Is The Best Way To Travel Between Key West And Havana, Cuba In 2024?
#Can we go from Key West to Cuba?
Yes, anyone can do Havana day tours (as long as you have a valid passport), and the best way to travel between Key West and Havana, Cuba is to book a seat on a chartered flight.
There are two “best” options for this: book the flight only or book a chartered flight that also has an itinerary of Havana to follow.
Consider getting a VPN that works well enough in Cuba.
Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months more.
Remember that you will only be able to get Cuban peso when in Cuba. Bring all the foreign currency you plan to spend in cash, Canadian dollars, US dollars, or euros.
Bring all the medicine you sometimes or regularly use. Cuban pharmacies are empty; you will not be able to get anything when in Cuba.
These trips are available on Tuesdays and Fridays and must be booked at least 48 hours prior to departure.
You will check in at Key West Airport at 7 a.m. in the morning and be back in Key West by 7 p.m. in the evening.
The itinerary for the Havana day tour, including activities with a tour guide in Cuba, is:
Guided tour of Ernest Hemingway’s home Finca Vigia in Havana with ground transportation
Cojimoar village visit, a picturesque fishing village outside Havana
Old Havana walking tour visiting important plazas and sights like La Bodeguita del Medio and the Plaza Vieja.
The price per person for this day trip with an itinerary from Key West to Havana is $1195, which includes airfare, visa, transportation in Cuba, local guide, taxes, fees, and entrances!
😎 Findall the information you need to research & plan your Cuba journey!
You can also join this charter trip to Havana without following the itinerary for the stay in Cuba and book only the flight to have free time in Havana.
In that case, you pay for the flight, and the Cuban tourist card and any other expenses are in addition to the flight price.
3. Charted Boat Trips From Key West To Cuba
#Day trips from Key West to Cuba by boat.
A slower but fun way to travel to Cuba (if you like the Atlantic Ocean) is by chartered boat.
There are a few companies that offer chartered boat trips from Key West to Cuba, and they typically depart from the Key West marina.
You can do a single-day round trip Havana day tour between Key West and Cuba, so it is actually possible to go on a day trip by boat.
The trip over takes a few hours, and it’s a convenient and fun way to get to Cuba for a day trip, even though quite a bit of the day is spent on the boat.
If you like boats, well, it probably is perfect. You can also make multi-day trips by boat to Cuba, where you are able to visit more than one port. You can contact the provider for information and possible itineraries for a Cuba boat charter.
One option is to not fly from Key West to Havana at all but drive up to Miami to find your Havana day tour option.
There are flights from Miami to Havana or Varadero every day in both directions, a great place to visit if resorts and white sandy beaches are your thing.
This flight is a lot cheaper than chartering a private jet, and it is around a 50-minute flight.
The drive from Key West to Miami is just under four hours and might be worth it if budget is a factor!
You can also get a Cuba flight from Key West with one stopover; fly from Key West Airport to Miami International with American Airlines, and from there, onwards to Havana, Cuba!
Remember, you still need the Cuban tourist card to enter Cuba, and you can buy one online beforehand or at the American Airlines check-in at the Miami International Airport before Cuba flights!
One thing to keep in mind when booking a chartered flight (or any flight) to Cuba is that you will need to obtain a Cubantourist card beforehand.
If your tour operators do not provide this, the easiest is to buy a visa from an online provider and have it sent right to your door before your trip.
I use Easy Tourist Card, which normally gets my Cuban tourist visa/tourist card to my mailbox in three days.
Ensure you have your visa before arriving at the airport (unless you can buy it there or the charter company has provided it for you), as you cannot board the plane without one.
(5. Slow Multi-Day Sail Trips From Key West To Cuba)
If you’re looking for a truly unique but slower way to travel from Key West to Cuba and around Cuba (so not just a day trip), sail trips are the way to go!
Sail trips from Key West to Cuba typically depart from the Key West marina. You can check out the various boat types, travel itineraries, and destinations here.
To-Do List Before Your Day Trip From Key West To Cuba
No matter how you choose to travel, there are a few things to keep in mind when planning your day trip to Cuba.
Money In Cuba
Cuba has a closed economy, so you need to know about money in Cuba before you go. The Cuban currency is the Cuban peso, also called CUP, and Moneda Nacional. You can only get this currency when in Cuba, not outside.
There are ATMs where you can withdraw cash, and some restaurants and shops accept credit cards, but most places don’t. Also, remember that US credit cards are not accepted in Cuba.
Be sure to bring enough cash, preferably in euros, dollars, or Canadian dollars, to cover whatever you intend to spend. Most Cubans prefer to be paid in foreign currency, for a variety of reasons.
Currently, you can use the US dollar, although formally, it was rendered illegal after a change of law in Cuba in the summer of 2021.
As the dollar is still flooding the informal currency market, the government decided to create an amnesty for the dollar, and because of this, you can still pay most places with the US dollar in cash.
Take it from a Scandinavian who has traveled regularly to Havana for five years; here are the best things to prioritize in Havana when you have only one day.
I assume your flight from Key West takes off super early in the morning, so you have the entire day to spend in Cuba’s iconic capital.
Walking tour of the old town: Old Havana
Classic American Old Car tour of the wider vibrant city of Havana
Have lunch at El Dandy or Km Zero
Walk the Prado Avenue and get some artsy memorabilia
Cocktail at Floridita, a favorite hangout for Ernest Hemingway
Take a break on the Malecon and have a Cristal Cerveza
Casa de la Musica Havana or Salsa Havana are two of the best places to shake your dancing feet to live music (if you are allowed to stay out late)
American Tourists Visiting Cuba
The Havana Malecon boardwalk
Because of the travel restrictions, most United States visitors’ travel reason is to “help the Cuban people”, and not as “tourists”.
There is no paperwork connected to this; you just need to state your reason if anyone asks.
As an American citizen, you will still need to buy the pink tourist card before entering the country, as opposed to the green one that the rest of the world is using.
If you plan on staying for a few days at a hotel or casa particularin Cuba, you also need to make sure it isnot on theUS restricted list. Most are not, so don’t worry, but it is smart to check before you make your booking.
Remember that Cuba is a (mostly) cash-only economy and that the US dollar was formally banned in Cuba.
However, as there are plenty of dollars in circulation on the black currency market, the Cuban government has issued an amnesty to change US dollars in the banks.
Therefore, you can still use dollars in cash in Cuba now.
Be sure to bring enough cash to cover whatever you plan on doing, and again, remember that US credit cards can not be used in Cuban ATMs or anywhere else due to the ongoing sanctions.
Lastly, be respectful of the Cuban people and culture. Cuba is a wonderful place to visit, with lots of natural beauty and historic sites, and I hope you enjoy your day trip!
You will still not be able to book a commercial flight from Key West to Cuba. Currently, it is not possible to foresee any changes to that situation.
Your option for finding a flight from Key West to Cuba is to book a seat on the chartered flight that departs twice a week.
You can do this in two ways: either book the flight with a one-day itinerary included, or book just the flight and then spend the day as you prefer.
Why make a Key West Day Tour To Cuba?
The amazing little town of Key West is not only the southernmost point of the entire United States, but it is also just around 90 miles from the shores of Cuba and Havana.
Had the relationship between the US and Cuba been different; there probably would’ve been commercial ferries crossing the short distance over to Havana.
You will not have a lot of time if you do a day trip from Key West to Cuba, but if that is all you have time for, you will be able to explore a bit of the enigmatic Cuban capital for a few hours.
Did you know Ernest Hemingway had homes in both places?Both are museums and both are open for visitors.
Why Havana Day Trips From Key West To Cuba?
Well, a Havana day trip from Key West is done in less than one hour; it is a super short distance flight distance.
Situated in the northern Caribbean region around 100 miles from the Florida Keys, Cuba is a beautiful island nation, rich in culture, history, architecture, nature, and so much more.
In fact, in the first half of the 21st Century, the relationship between Cuba and the US was great.
US and Cuba – Before!
In the first half of the last century, trade was blooming, and lots of American companies had businesses in Cuba, trading in rum, sugar, honey, and more.
During the prohibition period in the US, in the 1920ies and 30ies, there was an “invasion” of bartenders and bar owners buying and opening local bars, restaurants, and clubs in Cuba – where there was no prohibition at all.
That was before Fidel Castro, the revolution, the Cuba crisis, the failed invasion of Playa Giron, and all the details in Cuban history.
Despite the short physical distance between Duval Street in Key West and Obispo Street in Havana, Cuba, the distance in any other way is bigger than from the Earth to Mars, which impacts how you can travel to Cuba from Key West or anywhere else in the US.
Despite the sanctions, it is not illegal to travel to Cuba for Americans, Canadians, Europeans, or anyone today.
Yes, Cuba is very safe for travelers. The Island is one of the safest travel destinations in the region.
One reason for that is that in Cuba, there are stiff penalties, including prison, for even petty crimes like theft against foreigners.
Can I travel to Cuba from Key West?
Yes, you can travel to Cuba from Key West, and there are two ways to travel via plane. You can charter a private plane or book a ticket for a seat on a chartered plane. There are scheduled flights for Cuba that depart for Havana twice a week.
This way, it is possible to do Havana day trips or stay for longer if you want to learn about Cuba and get to know the island and culture!
Cheap Flights to Cuba
If you want cheap flights to Cuba, you will not find this from Key West.
The cheapest flights to Cuba are from Miami, probably with Delta Airlines or American Airlines, which have departures for Havana every day.
How Do You Get From Florida Keys To Cuba?
You either book a seat on a chartered flight (or a private plane) from Key West to Cuba, or you need to travel to Miami to book a standard commercial flight from Havana International Airport to a Cuban airport.
How Long Is The Ferry From Key West To Cuba?
There is currently no commercial ferry option for travel from Key West to Cuba due to ongoing sanctions.
The distance from the southernmost point of Key West to Havana is 106 miles in a straight line across the sea!
How Long Is The Boat Ride From The Keys To Cuba?
First, you need to know that there are no commercial boats or ferries running between Key West and Cuba.
Secondly, that would depend on which key you depart from and what kind of boat you are driving!
The fastest crossing of the ocean between Key West and Cuba was done in a speed boat in 2017, and that crossing took 1 hour and 18 minutes!
How Long Is A Boat Ride From Miami To Cuba?
If you have your own speed boat, you would be able to do the boat ride from Miami to Cuba in about 4 hours!
The fastest-ever boat trip from Key West, all the way on the southernmost tip of the US to Cuba, took one hour and 18 minutes.
This boat ride was conducted in 2017 by Nigel Hook and Jay Johnson, and they raced the distance at more than 100 miles per hour!
Is It True You Can See Cuba From Key West?
No, unfortunately, it is not true that you can see Cuba from Key West.
Even though it is not very far, it is too far- and the curation of the heart also will hinder you from seeing across to Cuba from Key West! You can read the whole explanationif you are interested.
Is Key West 90 Miles From Cuba?
Yes, Key West is more or less 90 miles from Cuba.
That number is the most commonly referred to when talking about the distance between Key West and Cuba.
However, if you do a straight-line check with Google Maps, you will see that the distance between Key West and Havana will be pretty much exactly 100 miles!
Can You Do A Day Trip To Cuba?
Yes, it is possible to do a day trip to Cuba.
If you travel from a destination with direct flights, like Miami or Fort Lauderdale, the flight time to Havana, Cuba, is around one hour.
As long as you have your Cuban tourist card and passport and have registered your entry at the d’viajeros.cu home page, you can enter and exit Cuba in one day!
Although, I would recommend you stay longer!
Can You Get A Ferry From Key West To Cuba?
No, there are currently no commercial Cuba ferries from Key West in the United States over to Cuba.
How Much Is A Day Trip From Key West To Cuba?
A day trip from Key West to Cuba is going to cost you, as the only option is to charter a private plane or a boat.
So, you are probably looking at $ 5,000 or more for a return private flight.
Are There Boat Trips From Key West To Cuba?
There are currently no commercial boat trips from Key West to Cuba. The only option is to charter a private boat if you want to visit Cuba across the sea.
Why are US citizens not allowed to travel to Cuba?
This is NOT correct. US citizens ARE ALLOWED to travel to Cuba.
Technically, US citizens are NOT allowed to travel to Cuba as a tourist. Americans choose between 12 pre-approved reasons for Cuba travel, among which the most common one is “to help the Cuban people”.
American citizens still need to buy a tourist card, also called a tourist visa, to enter Cuba.
Proof of travel insurance, including health insurance
Fill out the d’viajero.cu digital document before your journey
Do Americans need to be vaccinated to enter Cuba?
No, there is no requirement for specific vaccines prior to entering Cuba.
Your country’s health department probably has recommendations for what vaccines you should consider before entering Cuba.
How Do I get a tourist card for Cuba?
You can buy a tourist card online from Easy Tourist Card, or from the Cuban embassy in your country.
You might also be able to buy a Cuban tourist card from your airline or at the airport prior to departure. It is possible to buy a tourist card at Miami International Airport at the check-in counter with American Airlines and Delta Airlines.
How Do I Get A Tourist Visa For Cuba?
A tourist visa is the same as a tourist card for Cuba. You can buy it from the following places:
Buy one at the airport of departure if they offer this
Buy one from the Cuban Embassy in your country
Is Travel To Cuba Allowed Right Now?
Yes, Cuba travel is allowed right now.
There are no current restrictions on international travelers entering Cuba, although US citizens must travel in accordance with the regulations determined by the US government.
Wrap-Up Day Trips From Key West To Cuba
It is not cheap, but you CAN take a day trip from Key West to Cuba and Havana and check out the authentic ventanitasin Old Havana.
You can also travel commercially from Miami to Havanafor a day trip, which might be a good (and cheaper) idea.
Or, go to Cuba for the weekend instead? Or what about one week in Cuba?
There are plenty of things to do and experience in Havana and its surroundings; you will not regret it! Havana is a natural habitat for dancers, for example!
Hege Jacobsen is a solo female traveler and the founder of Epic Nomad Life. She is also a former military officer, veteran and Master of Political Science. She has traveled solo all her life, the last four years as a full time digital nomad. A life long solo and slow traveler, Hege also did a TEDx talk in 2023 about how to communicate better with A Traveler's Mindset!
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