Visit Türkiye with a Cuban passport: direct flights and prices

Did you know you can visit Türkiye with just a Cuban passport and no tourist visa? There are currently direct flights from Havana. How can you travel to this country from the island today?

Türkiye has become an unexpected destination for many Cubans seeking new opportunities outside the island. In March 2025, the airline Turkish Airlines maintains numerous direct flights from Istanbul to Havana and vice versa.

Although officially, "Cuban holders of ordinary passports require a visa to enter Turkey," while "official passport holders are exempt from visas for trips of up to 90 days." However, it is possible to visit Turkey without the aforementioned visa.

In 2022, the Embassy of Türkiye in Cuba In communication with our media he clarified that although the Cubans They are exempt from a transit visa for stays of less than 24 hours. They cannot leave the airport, pass through any checkpoint or check in, and visit Istanbul without this document.

They therefore recommended that for stays of more than 12 hours, a transit visa be requested. How do I apply? Some requirements are:

• Valid passport, at least 60 days from the expiration date of the visa.
• Photocopy of the useful pages of the passport.
• Printed and signed visa form that can be downloaded from www.visa.gov.tr

Can you explore Türkiye from Cuba without a tourist visa or just with a Cuban passport?

Other Cubans who have made long layovers at Istanbul Airport report that through a tour purchased with a Turkish Airlines ticket, Cubans can explore the beautiful Turkish city with just their passport.

«Thanks to the Touristambul of @turkishairlines I had the opportunity to visit Istanbul. From ancient Byzantium, then Constantinople, and now Istanbul, the city is full of stories and interesting places. From the old hippodrome with its obelisks to the new mosque, passing through Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, to the Spice Market, it's a city worth remembering. The Tourist Ambul is intended for passengers with stopovers of more than six hours who meet the country's entry requirements. accurate a Cuban tiktoker.

The airline, which offers direct flights from Havana to Istanbul, states on its website: "If you are on an international flight with a connection in Istanbul and a stopover between six and 24 hours, you can enjoy Touristanbul. If your stopover is between six and 24 hours, and the tours offered are tailored to your stopover time."

Turkish Airlines' direct flights to Cuba in March: José Martí International Airport (Havana):
- Lunes, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays to and from Istanbul.

Flight prices? According to recent data, one-way prices start at approximately €906, including taxes and fees. Round-trip prices are also available starting at $1.111, approximately €1.000, including taxes and fees.

Cubans in Türkiye: emigrate

In a recent YouTube interview, a Cuban couple who have been in Türkiye for almost three years shared their firsthand experiences, the challenges they faced, and how they have managed to settle in this country.

For many emigrants, a trip to Türkiye isn't always a planned plan. In Mari and Ali's case, the opportunity arose through a letter of invitation from a friend.

This type of visa is one of the most common waysunes for Cubans to legally enter Turkey, since the requirements depend largely on the person who issues the invitation.

One of the main challenges for Cubans in Türkiye is language. The language barrier can make communication difficult, especially when it comes to procedures such as renting a home and searching for a job.

Mari and Ali found their first home a month after arriving, after visiting several real estate agencies. To do so, they had to pay six months' rent in advance, a strategy that allowed them to secure a place to live without having a primary residence.

In recent years, Turkish immigration policy has changed significantly. While two years ago obtaining residency could take just a few weeks, today the process has become more complex.

Even property purchases, which previously guaranteed residency, have seen an increase in the minimum required amount, from $75,000 to $250,000 USD, limiting this option for many foreigners.

Language has been the main adaptation challenge for Mari and Ali. Despite having lived in Turkey for several years, they find Turkish difficult to learn. With the new immigration restrictions, their future in Turkey is uncertain.