Cuba Railways: timetable, fares and information

[HainanWel.com(e)!]

Railways in Cuba was opened much earlier, than in many developed countries in Europe. Cuban Railways has been operational since 1837, earlier than in any other Spanish-speaking country. The first railway section between Havana and Santiago de Behukal was put into operation on November 19, 1837.
Cuban Railways (Ferrocarriles de Cuba) - state-owned enterprise, which includes railways common length of 5,219 km with a width of 1435 mm, including 199 km of electrified roads (DC 1200) and lines with a total length of 7,742 km with a width of 1435 , 914 and 760 mm, intended for seasonal transportation of sugar cane.
The most important railway lines:
Havana - Guines - Cienfuegos,
Santa Clara - Moron - Puerto Taraf,
Marty Bayamo - San Luis.
Ferrocarriles de Cuba carry about 4.4 million tons of cargo and 11 million passengers a year, operates about 800 million ton-kilometers and 1.45 billion passenger-kilometers, or 6.2 million train km in cargo traffic and 1.8 million in passenger.
Foreigners pay higher fares than Cubans. Foreigners used to have to pay in US dollars, but since November 2004 US dollars are no longer accepted in Cuba and foreigners pay train fares in 'convertible pesos'. 1 convertible peso = around US$1.20 Foreign visitors can buy train tickets at the special LADIS booking office on the side of Havana Estacion Central. At other stations, you can book at the normal ticket office.
Children aged 0 to 4 travel free, children aged 5 to 11 travel at half fare, children aged 12 and over pay full fare.
When you go to the station to catch your train, you first need to go to a window in the middle of the station where you confirm your ticket.
Fast trains 3 and 4 (renumbered from 1 and 2 in 2007, for some reason) between Havana and Santiago now use comfortable stainless-steel air-conditioned coaches bought second-hand from French Railways and now known as the 'Tren Francés'. These coaches were originally used on the premier 'Trans-Europe Express' service between Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. They were shipped to Cuba in 2001.
There are no sleeping-cars or couchettes, just seats in two classes - 'primera' (first class) and 'primera especial' (special first class). 'Primera' is the old European 2nd class, with vinyl padded seats 2-abreast on each side of the aisle. 'Primera especial' is the old European first class, with much more space and fabric seats arranged 2-abreast on one side of the aisle, one-abreast on the other side, as shown in the photo below. The train is getting a little worn and grubby, but the seats are comfortable, there is powerful air-conditioning, a café, and even piped music.
In particular, the new 'Tren Francès' from Havana to Santiago is a safe, comfortable and (contrary to popular opinion) now reasonably reliable way to make the trip from one end of Cuba to the other, much better than taking a cramped long-distance Viazul bus or worse, a flight. Since 2009 it's been running every third day, but you'll have to check which days it runs locally, by asking at the information office or looking for posters at the station in Havana. This is the recommended train to take, air-conditioned and contrary to what some guidebooks say, reasonably reliable. It is a fast service using comfortable air-conditioned stainless steel coaches with reclining seats bought second-hand from France. It offers two classes of seating, basic leatherette 'Primera' and quite luxurious (albeit grubby) 'Primera Especial'.

[HainanWel.com(e)!]

Cuba Railways 1.jpg (37.05 KiB) Просмотров: 1752

Cuba Railways 2.jpg (49.14 KiB) Просмотров: 1752

Cuba Railways 3.jpg (59.29 KiB) Просмотров: 1752

Cuba Railways 4.jpg (50.74 KiB) Просмотров: 1752

Cuba Railways 5.jpg (41.4 KiB) Просмотров: 1752

Cuba Trains Timetable and Fares 1.jpg (93.96 KiB) Просмотров: 1752

Cuba Trains Timetable and Fares 2.jpg (91.88 KiB) Просмотров: 1752

[HainanWel.com(e)!]

Railways Cuba

Cuba - a kind of a country that has experienced the consequences of the economic blockade. The consequence of the crisis is a difficult situation with transport services. Railroads of Cuba in need of modernization. Before they progress very far: to operate the trains are old and in need of repair railway tracks.
The situation on the railway

Cuba was the first Latin American country in which built railway lines. Despite this, its railways decline. The railway sector is dominated by the state. Transport Features poorly debugged. Cuban trains are late, and the scheme of their movements are constantly changing. In some cases, the case of long delays - 15-20 hours or more. The railway system is in a state of stagnation and falls far short of the standards of Europe and the United States. Cuban train has a bad reputation with the exception of a special composition, which runs along the route Havana - Santiago de Cuba. Railways connect with each other Cuban cities and villages. For long-distance travel is better to use the train, which is more convenient and cheaper than the bus. Buy w / tickets can be at the station for a few hours before the flight. Service is available pre-booking of tickets.
F / tickets and main routes

Ticket prices in the country is fixed. For tickets locals pay its currency, as foreigners use convertible pesos, which is about equal to the US dollar. In fact, tourists spend a lot more tickets than Cubans. Local resident can be reached from Havana to Camaguey for 20 pesos, and a foreigner - for $ 20. Train tickets are available at any time. With a limited budget of the train would be a good option to move around the country.

Railroads of Cuba stretches for 9300 km. Of these, only 240 km are electrified. In recent years, tourism in the country is developing very actively. In spite of this, passengers have to travel on the old trains. Train travel is not popular. Departure passenger trains often overturned. Passengers are offered spartan conditions: worn-out cars, equipped with seating, unsanitary conditions. Some cars are no numbers. In addition, the trains of Cuba there is no division into classes. Rail transport is characterized by discomfort and delays. The most comfortable train the country is part of Havana - Santiago de Cuba. This train passengers offering refreshments and snacks. To see the beautiful landscape, you can use the route Casablanca - Matanzas.