Official airport taxis
The standard, safest option is a yellow official taxi from the rank outside arrivals. The airport-to-city run is a well-understood fixed journey rather than a metered mystery, so agree the price before you get in. Expect the ride into central Havana, Vedado, or Old Havana to take roughly 25–40 minutes depending on the hour and traffic. Have small denominations ready; drivers rarely carry much change.
Private transfers and casa pickups
If you have booked a casa particular, ask the host to arrange a pickup. Many will send a driver — often in a classic American car — for a rate comparable to the taxi rank, with the advantage that someone is holding your name at arrivals. This is the smoothest option for a late-night landing, when negotiating at the rank is least appealing. Confirm the price and the meeting point when you book.
What to avoid
Skip the unmarked drivers who approach you inside the terminal; use the official rank or a pre-arranged transfer. Public buses technically serve the area but are impractical with luggage and not designed for airport transfers. And do not assume you can pay by card — settle the fare in cash. Getting this one leg right sets the tone for a trip where a little preparation goes a long way.
The trip back to the airport
The return journey deserves the same forethought. Ask your casa or hotel to arrange a taxi the night before your flight rather than hoping to flag one at dawn, and agree the fare in advance as you did on arrival. Give yourself a comfortable margin: traffic on the airport road is unpredictable, international check-in closes early, and the airport's currency booths let you spend or change any remaining pesos before you leave. A calm, unhurried departure beats a scramble at the gate.