FlyerTalk Forums - Cheap Package to Cuba!

TS 750 Toronto - Varadero

Winter is a great time for Canadians fed up with the freezing cold to escape south. Sun, beach, and plenty of warm temperatures. Cuba is a popular vacation spot for Canadians, who are not restricted from visiting like the Americans. Besides the mainline carriers Air Canada and Westjet, charter airlines like Transat and Sunwing offer very competitive packages to Varadero, the main resort area east of Havana.

Despite being peak season, I scored an air and hotel package for 4 nights for about CAD 750 per person, double occupancy. The downside is a very early 7am departure out of Toronto, which was very challenging by public transport at that hour.

Air Transat recommends arriving at the airport 3 hours prior to departure. Packing light, I checked in online earlier so theoretically I wouldn't even need to visit the check-in counters at all, giving me some more sleeping time. However, the bottleneck would be security, which I have experienced some issues at Terminal 3. When I left for the airport at around 5am, the expected line-up time on the security website showed 30 minutes for T3 international.

Check-in has been streamlined to kiosk, then bag drop. It was easy to print my boarding pass and luggage tag at the kiosk, while the line to the bag drop counter moved steadily and it only took about 5-10 minutes to send my suitcase to the hold. By now, the security waiting time had improved to about 15 minutes. At this hour, there were plenty of charter flights to warmer sun destinations.

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0199.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0198.jpg

Terminal 3 is an aging facility and there are not enough seats for a full narrowbody flight. My plane had already parked by the time I reached the gate, which had people flowing out of the nicer bar table seats with the ipads. There were also long lines at several of the food outlets for breakfast at this hour.

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0201.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0206.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0203.jpg

Boarding was timely and first impressions were it's an old plane. It was tidy and leg room was decent from a budget carrier expectation. My knees didn't bump into the seat in front of me. Today's flight time would be 3.5 hours and we left the gate on-time.

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0209.jpg

We taxied to the de-icing area to clean off before departure. There were plenty of trucks waiting to do the job, but I noticed there was no colour residue unlike some of the other de-icing I have gone through elsewhere.

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0211.jpg

We took off towards the west with the snow-covered city below. There were some clouds so we had a few bumps on the ascent. The crew offered headsets and amenity kits at an extra charge. The headset would be used to watch the movie on the overhead screen. An announcement was also made that portable electronic devices could be used throughout the flight as long as they are in flight mode.

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0213.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0217.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0219.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0220.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0221.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0222.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0224.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0225.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0228.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0230.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0231.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0232.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0246.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0251.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0249.jpg

Cuba arrival cards were distributed and the crew went through how to fill these out, emphasizing they don't have extras and we would need to purchase one for a fee on arrival if we made a mistake. These cards are expensive to buy if flying a US carrier or overseas passport holders but are included in the price of my package, which is typical for flights departing from Canada. These cards are not exclusive for Canadians so if you live overseas and don't want the hassle of finding a Cuban embassy for one of these, just book a flight out of Canada.

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0263.jpg

The paid bistro cart came and went and behind it was the complimentary drinks cart. The rest of the flight was uneventful and by the time I woke up, we were over the Florida Keys and the descent into Varadero began.

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0255.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0258.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0266.jpg

Air Transat portrays itself as a lower-cost leisure airline. It is not designed to entice premium passengers to pay the extra buck for a lie-flat seat to the Caribbean. While they don't fly the newest planes with the best amenities, the seats are comfortable enough. After all, the Caribbean isn't really that far from Canada, and the really rich folks probably wouldn't be interested in my cheap package and find a more expensive vacation in the Maldives.

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0270.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0267.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0264.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...3/IMG_0265.jpg

I was excited to see Cuba's coastline. However, the weather deteriorated as Varadero was having a cloudy day.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...3/IMG_0273.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...3/IMG_0276.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...3/IMG_0281.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...3/IMG_0282.jpg

We touched down at a fairly empty airport on schedule. A lot of the passengers were excited to be in warmer lands and an applause erupted out.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...3/IMG_0286.jpg

The airport looked old but functional and the line at immigration was manageable. It was confusing at first since you can't see any of the agents. Each counter is an enclosed cubicle with frosted glass. A working counter would be lit inside.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...3/IMG_0288.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...3/IMG_0291.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...3/IMG_0290.jpg

Once processed, my luggage came out fairly quickly and soon I was land-side. An Air Transat representative was at the exit and I went to ask for my bus to the resort. To the left of the exit is the cadeca to exchange some Cuban convertible pesos, a different currency from what locals use but for tourists, this is the currency we use in the country.

A lot of Chinese-made buses were parked at the exit but it was easy to find my bus. An enthusiastic guide accompanied us to the hotel, giving advice on what not to do in Cuba during the 40 minute ride into town. Don't exchange money with individuals on the street, attend the welcome meeting with the tour rep at the hotel tomorrow, book excursions with the tour rep, and remember to tip!

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...3/IMG_0293.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...3/IMG_0295.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...3/IMG_0297.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...3/IMG_0296.jpg

Air Transat offered an affordable package option to Cuba. Everything went quite smoothly and I was particularly impressed with the airport transfers at Varadero, which were very organized and makes visiting a new country quite hassle-free.

More photos on my website : Air Transat Flight Report : Toronto - Varadero Roundtrip

TS 2621 Varadero - Toronto

My package includes complimentary airport transfers to/from my resort. Air Transat's airport bus was late arriving at my hotel, but punctuality is not a popular thing in Cuban time anyway. I was not at all worried thanks to a huge margin of error in timing before my flight and as it was the airline's shuttle, they would be responsible if we couldn't catch our flight.

Tensions aside, the bus was accompanied by a guide who made a few jokes during the 50-minute journey to the airport, with a final reminder on the processing at the airport (check monitor for the counter numbers, get in the correct check-in line, shops, and immigration), and not to go through security too early as it would get a bit boring in the gate lounge.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1827.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1831.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1799.jpg

There aren't too many flights during the afternoon, and note so many of these go to Canada.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1826.jpg

The check-in areas were not too big but there weren't many departures on the monitors. 2 long lines snaked out of Air Transat's plebian economy counters. Having checked in online earlier in the morning, I was surprised that the web check-in line was empty. So instead of waiting at least half an hour to drop my bag, I was done in 10 minutes.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1822.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1805.jpg

There are a couple of shops land-side selling typical souvenirs such as rum and cigars. The unmanned post office sold only 1 type of postcard, some maps, but no stamps in the glass cabinets. The busiest shop was the cafe.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1802.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1807.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1810.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1815.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1820.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1821.jpg

I looked up the monitors and noticed a revised departure time of 1630. I slowly made my way to the immigration counter, which wasn't crowded anyway. You can see the frosted windows behind the shop in the photo. A cheerful officer processed me and stamped me out albeit slowly. A few more hours to kill from now on.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1813.jpg

Air-side, there were plenty of seats, shops selling pretty much the same fare as outside, and a couple of restaurants. Prices were over the roof. International prices would feed quite a lot of families in Cuba.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1838.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1840.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1848.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1850.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1851.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1854.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1853.jpg

Wifi is not free in the terminal. Instead, you need to buy certificates with a scratch cold to get on the net. Unlike the ones I buy at the hotel, which are from the same operator, the airport ones only last half as long at 30 minutes.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1847.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1868.jpg

I wasn't interested in buying American-branded items in the duty-free here, but would you trust buying medicine here? Stethoscope, anyone?

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1855.jpg

The tarmac seemed fairly quiet after the American jet departed.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1836.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1858.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1862.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1865.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1873.jpg

I was a bit hungry and eventually caved in to buy a toasted sandwich, paying a crazy amount of money but what else could I do?

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1866.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1872.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1883.jpg

Soon, I saw my plane arrive. On my itinerary, it had a "operated by Smartwings" note, which was a bit worrying as the forums have not been kind to this airline. I was relieved to see Air Transat's colours, albeit with an orange addition?

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1878.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1882.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1884.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1888.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1874.jpg

Delayed, everyone frantically boarded and the line backed up. Everyone is in the last zone on this leisure airline.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1891.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1892.jpg

We ended up departing 2 hours late. The 737 is a comfortable plane with decent legroom. Smartwings is from the Czech Republic, which is why there is an Eastern European language on the safety card.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1895.jpg

As we taxied for take-off, I noticed an Icelandair jet parked on the tarmac. Charter?

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1900.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1903.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1912.jpg

We turned north shortly after take-off, but I was able to make out Varadero's long peninsula that makes this place so popular with foreign tourists.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1908.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1917.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1921.jpg

Refugees fleeing the communist government once took to the seas to reach Florida. On the plane, it was a short ride before America came into view.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1922.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1928.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1949.jpg

With a delayed departure, the short 3-hour flight would cross the dinner hour. I ended up buying a sandwich as well.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1946.jpg

The menu looked quite nice, a good marketing effort to encourage spending.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1960.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1961.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1965.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1959.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1966.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1967.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1969.jpg

Transat is a hybrid type of airline. It isn't really a low-cost airline, as free checked bags were included in my package. They even had a traditional duty free magazine like a full service carrier.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1970.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1973.jpg

Instead, they refer themselves as a leisure airline. Look at all the sun destinations they fly to from various Canadian cities. Varadero has a respective amount of connectivity.

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1981.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1978.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1984.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...7/IMG_1954.jpg

The skies darkened and we were back in the Canadian winter. We flew over Toronto before looping back for touchdown.

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...7/IMG_1995.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...7/IMG_1990.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...7/IMG_2005.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...7/IMG_2006.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...7/IMG_2014.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...7/IMG_2016.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...7/IMG_2021.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...7/IMG_2026.jpg

Welcome back to winter.

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...7/IMG_2033.jpg

More photos on my website : Air Transat Flight Report : Varadero - Toronto