The young Cuban TikToker Yuneisy (@yuneisycubanita) shared a video detailing her experience traveling by train to the eastern part of the island. Her journey was marred by a series of incidents, from departure delays to hygiene issues and technical breakdowns.
The train departed an hour late, but that was just the beginning of the inconveniences. During the trip, the train broke down in the middle of a forest, forcing passengers to wait a grueling four hours until the technical issue was resolved.
In addition to the delay, the TikToker highlighted the lack of sanitary conditions, especially due to the presence of German cockroaches crawling all over the train cars. This infestation is a severe hygiene issue that significantly affects the travel experience.
Regarding the train's conditions, Yuneisy explained that only some cars have air conditioning, while the rest have open windows and ceiling fans in an attempt to alleviate the heat.
Onboard, food is sold. A simple sandwich with cheese and a soda costs 150 Cuban pesos.
Yuneisy's ordeal didn't end there. After reaching her destination, she had to take a bus from Ómnibus Nacionales to Baracoa. Unfortunately, this bus also broke down on the Farola highway, leading to several more hours of waiting for the passengers.
This experience reflects the numerous challenges Cubans face when traveling within the country, where the deterioration of public transportation, fuel shortages, and poor sanitary conditions are constant obstacles to internal travel.
Recently, the Russian Railways company (RZD by its Russian acronym) announced they would resume a multimillion-dollar plan to recover and modernize the Cuban railway system. At the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, they detailed the contract they intend to revive with Cuba, despite previous suspensions and delays primarily due to the Cuban government's inability to make payments.
FAQs About Train Travel in Cuba
Given the numerous issues highlighted in Yuneisy's experience, travelers may have several questions about train travel in Cuba. Here are some common inquiries and their answers:
What are the common issues faced when traveling by train in Cuba?
Travelers often encounter delays, technical failures, poor sanitary conditions, and infestations of pests like cockroaches.
How much does food cost on Cuban trains?
A simple sandwich with cheese and a soda typically costs around 150 Cuban pesos.
What efforts are being made to improve the Cuban railway system?
The Russian Railways company (RZD) has announced a plan to modernize and recover the Cuban railway system, with details discussed at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.