Living Cheaply in Havana - Real Havana: Explore Cuba Like a Local and Save Money - page 138

The train schedule is listed below, but note that it can change without notice,
mostly due to equipment failures. On some days, when there are electrical prob-
lems, the train doesn't operate at all.
Schedule (in 24h time)
Havana to Matanzas
Matanzas to Havana
Special Note: Some guides mention that the Hershey Train is an excellent way to
get from Havana to the Playas del Este. This is misleading. If you simply want to
experience a train ride in Cuba, this can be a fun outing, but if your intentions are
to go to the beach easily and cheaply, this will not be the best choice of route. As
mentioned, a taxi particular will take you from Havana to Guanabo beach in about
30 minutes and cost you 50 pesos (MN) (about 2 CUC). The Hershey train will
cost you slightly less (1.40 CUC), but you will have to take a ferry to Casablanca,
and then take the train, and hope that both of these services are operational. For-
getting about all the other common delays, the train ride from Havana to Guanabo
usually takes over 45 minutes, and the actual train stop is located in an empty
field, several kilometers outside of Guanabo. It can easily take you an additional
hour to walk all the way to the beach. If you want an adventure, it can be a fun
trip. If you just want to get to the beach, it's a hassle, and it can take more than 2
hours, on a good day.