2. FLIGHTS TO CUBA
One of our first and foremost tips is to find out what airlines fly direct from your departing country or see what countries you need to transit through. One of our favourite websites to is called Flight Connections, a site you can input departure and arriving countries to see different routes, layovers, and airline options.
From here you can search directly on each airline to compare prices, as well as using the trusty Skyscanner, and another favourite of ours, Trip.com (we like that includes luggage fees and you can set up an account to earn points and credits for more flights!) to find deals.
FLIGHTS FROM EUROPE TO CUBA:
Since we flew this route, we wanted to share the flights we found. And too be honest, we were quite surprised to see how easy it is to fly from Europe to Cuba, and at reasonable prices!
We paid €386each for a one-way ticket including a 23kg checked bag with Spain’s budget airline World2Fly. At the time Cora was still lap-sitting-age, so we only paid €80 for her (taxes and charges).
The airline’s routes start and end in Spain’s capital of Madrid. With routes to Havana (Cuba), Cancun (Mexico), as well as Punta Cana and Santiago in Dominican Republic. With flights starting as low as €290 per person. Even if you have to tag on a flight from your departing country to Madrid in order to catch this flight, prices may still work out cheaper than most airlines!
What we love about these airlines prices is that even if you were to book a flight leaving within the next week, the prices are still less than €380 per person. But you have to be slightly flexible with your departure days since flights to Cuba operate on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only.
If flying to Madrid from within Europe, Ryanair is the best budget airline to get you there. While their service can be debatable, their prices are too appealing to ignore. But since Spain is a busy capital with flight prices increasing dramatically during certain peak seasons throughout the year, it is best to set up price alerts, and sign up to the mailing list to secure deals. Maybe even book in advance.
Also note your flight arrival time into Madrid. Ryanair usually has those ass-crack-of-dawn flights that leave at 6am, arriving in Madrid after 8am which gives plenty of time to check in for World2Fly’s 2:45pm flight (it’s the same flight departure no matter the day).
You can spend the night before in Madrid, but since that will drive up your flight costs (if this happens, it’s worth checking other airlines as it might work out cheaper), your best bet is to fly in early, time it well and make sure to give yourself plenty of time in Madrid airport to collect and check in!
Quick Tip: If booking Ryanair flights and you want to check a bag in, stick to the basic ‘Value Deal’ (with no extra addons) and add your luggage in the third step. It works out much cheaper.
Don’t forget that thanks to Europe’s incredible rail system, you can take the train (ferry + train from Ireland and UK) sometimes bagging prices that are roughly the same as flights but without additional luggage costs. Two website worth checking are Omnio and Trainline.
The above flight makes the best sense from Europe since it’s so affordable and direct to Cuba – so you can skip any potential transit visas needed for other countries. From a personal experience, we highly recommend the airline itself and the flight times are ideal as you arrive at Havana, Cuba, a little after 6pm so it’s perfect for beating jetlag!
If travelling with kids, World2Fly class themselves as a family friendly airline so absolutely get in touch with them ahead of your flight to explain your kiddie situation. We did, and they kindly booked us a bassinet for Cora and placed us at the bulkhead – which has its pros and cons. The good news is they didn’t sit anyone next to us so we had a free seat, and Cora slept for the start of the flight in the bassinet which suited us too well as we were ‘living’ on Cuba time. You can read more about their Children and Infant Services – here.
We had also mentioned our dietary requirements ahead of the flight (minimum two days), and could pick from their extensive list with options from vegetarian and vegan to diabetic friendly meals, gluten free, halal and lactose free etc. Because Cora flew on an infant ticket, she didn’t get her own meal but we came prepared and shared! However, they also offer baby and kids menus, accommodating to food allergies etc. You can read more – here.
When we arrived to check in at Madrid airport, the World2Fly staff fast tracked us through because we had a kid and made the entire process very easy. Mid-flight, the staff would interact and entertain Cora (something every parent appreciates!). So overall the flight was as easy as with an infant and based on our personal experience, we are more than happy to suggest this airline.
FLIGHTS FROM USA TO CUBA:
Several airlines offer flights direct from the USA to Cuba, with others flying via Mexico and Panama. Some airlines have direct flights from various cities such as Miami, New York, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, New York, and more, to destinations in Cuba, including Havana, Varadero, and Santa Clara.
Here is a selection of airlines you should look into. As well as checking flights via Mexico and Panama (booked as two separate flights).
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- JetBlue Airways
- United Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
FLIGHTS FROM CANADA TO CUBA
When it comes to direct flights from Canada, Varadero is the top arrival destination for finding cheap flights between the two countries. And a beautiful starting point for your Cuba trip as Varadero is a hugely popular tourist destination with hotels, resorts and beautiful beaches.
Most flights to Cuba from Canada need to transit through USA, Mexico or Panama. However, there are direct flights to Havana from Montreal with Air Transat, with flights for as little as 380CAD. Air Transat also have many connecting flights from other Canadian cities such as Toronto and Vancouver for roughly the same price.
Other airlines worth searching are:
- Swoop (to Varadero)
- United Airlines
- CopAir
- Aeromexico
- American Airlines
The above provide direct flights from various cities in Canada, such as Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver, to destinations in Cuba, including Havana, Varadero, and Cayo Coco. However, it’s important to note that flight availability and routes may vary, so it’s recommended to check with the respective airlines or travel agencies for the most up-to-date information on flights.
