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2. Train / Bus to Hai Phong
3. Taxi / Car to Ha Long
4. Bus + Ferry to Cat Ba
5. Train to Ha Long town
🎫 Book a Tour in Ha Long
🎫 Book Ticket to Ha Long
How do you get from Hanoi to Halong Bay?
1. BUS / VAN from Hanoi to Ha Long
The most popular and cheapest option of transport from Hanoi to Ha Long or nearby places by the bay are buses or comfortable modern minibuses or minivans. It is an easy and fast way to get to different places in Ha Long, according to the needs of your accommodation.
Ticket prices start from 4 USD / per person, minibuses can be a bit more expensive, ranging from 7-14 USD / per person. Buses depart from various locations and stops in Hanoi and arrive at various locations and hotels in and around Ha Long City. The bus journey to Ha Long from Hanoi takes approximately 2.5-3.5 hours on main roads and approximately 4.5 hours from Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport.
BOOK BUS TICKETS on 12go.asia ➜
You can use various bus companies for transfer to Ha Long / Cat Ba Island such as Phuc Xuyen, Kumho Viet Thanh, Techbus VN, Hung Duc, GreenLion, Grouptour, Duy Khanh Transport, Van Donh Xanh, Co To Limousine, Daichi Travel or Cat Ba Express and others, these companies will transport you to Hon Gai, Tuan Chau, Bai Chay areas etc.
There are also buses in operation with the possibility of a ferry transfer to the island of Cat Ba. You can find and book bus / van tickets from Hanoi to Ha Long, Tuan Chau, Bai Chay or Hon Gai + Cat Ba online, easily and quickly. Transfer by bus or private comfortable minivan is the most popular way of transfer to Ha Long.
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2. TRAIN or BUS from Hanoi to Hai Phong
For those who want to use the transfer to Cat Ba Island, it is also possible to go by bus or train to the city of Hai Phong. This city is approximately 45 km from Ha Long city and can also be reached by boat transfer to Cat Ba Island. From there – from the nearby port and Cat Hai station, a modern and large cable car also leads to Cat Ba Island, which is an interesting attraction for tourists.
Boats also depart from this port to Cat Ba Island, this is a short transfer and from there you continue by bus to the city of Cat Ba in the south of this island. The train journey from Hanoi to Hai Phong takes about 2.5 hours and the bus journey takes about 1.5 hours, so you can get there relatively quickly and easily.
TICKETS to Hai Phong on Baolau ➜
Train and bus tickets from Hanoi to Hai Phong cost about 3-7 USD / per person and you can find and book them online in advance. Train is the most cheapest option of getting to Hai Phong. There are regular Vietnam Railways trains with seats and various modern seater buses or minivans and minibuses.
Trains depart from Gia Lam Railway Station (481 Ngọc Lâm) or Hanoi Railway Station (120 Le Duan) in Hanoi City and arrive to Hai Phong Railway Station, you can check Vietnam Railway Map. The city of Hai Phong itself is not as touristy as Ha Long and serves rather only as a stop or transfer station or a place from where you can try the cable car to Cat Ba Island.
The advantage of this city is also the nearby airport from where you can get to other places in Vietnam, so it can be used on the return trip from Ha Long Bay.
TICKETS to Hai Phong on 12go.asia ➜
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3. Private TAXI / CAR / VAN from Hanoi to Ha Long
The most comfortable, but at the same time the most expensive option of land transport from Hanoi to Ha Long is a private taxi / car. It’s a good option for people who don’t care about the budget and want luxury services at an appropriate price. The advantage is again the possibility of a transfer directly from the hotel in Hanoi or directly from Noi Bai airport to Ha Long, some private taxi services are also in operation from the airport.
Transport by private car / taxi to Ha Long from Hanoi costs around 45-170 USD / whole car even for multiple people, so it is suitable if you are traveling in a group of several travelers. This transport option is therefore probably not suitable for those who travel with the low-cost option.
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The journey time by private taxi from Hanoi to Ha Long is approx. 2-3 hours, it depends on the road situation, especially in larger cities, but usually this time is respected or varies only very slightly. Various private companies can be used from Hanoi to Ha Long such as Luxury Transport, Phuc Xuyen, Greenlion Bus, Rosa Eco Bus, Dichung Taxi, Ouros Travel, Tim Charter, Booking Car, Sapa Dragon Express, Taxi with VTS.
These private taxi companies will offer you luxurious comfort, modern smaller cars, but also luxury minibuses, jeeps and SUVs. Another advantage is that it is possible to book such cars online in advance and specify the departure point in Hanoi and the arrival point in Ha Long. You can also use a private transfer to Hai Phong City, but also to Cat Ba Island with a combination of ferry transportation.
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4. BUS + FERRY from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island
Many travelers who go from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay also head to the popular tourist island of Cat Ba. However, some people want to go straight to Cat Ba Island without stopping in the cities of Ha Long or Hai Phong, and this transport option is suitable for them. And that’s why there are various private buses and minibuses available for this transportation that go from Hanoi to Cat Ba using a short boat transfer between Tuan Chau or Hai Phong and Cat Ba Island.
If you want to avoid the city of Ha Long and Hai Phong, use a bus transfer directly from Hanoi. Transportation by bus + boat from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island takes about 3.5-5 hours and the trip costs about 9-16 USD / per person. There are modern seater buses or comfortable modern minivans and minibuses operating between Hanoi and Cat Ba Island.
TICKETS to Cat Ba on 12go.asia ➜
There are several private transport companies on the route, among the popular and well-rated ones are, for example, Cat Ba Express, Hoang Long, Inter Bus Lines, Grouptour, Daichi Travel and Grouptour. These private transport companies will offer you nice comfort at a relatively low price.
This trip also includes a short boat transfer from the city of Hai Phong or Tuan Chau to Cat Ba Island, which is usually included in the price of the bus ticket, but may vary depending on the specific carrier. It is also possible to use a bus transfer directly from Noi Bai Airport to Cat Ba Island, some companies also operate between these places.
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5. TRAIN from Hanoi to Ha Long
It is also possible to travel by Vietnam Railways train from Hanoi directly to Ha Long City. However, this option also has disadvantages, mainly that it takes up to 7 hours, because the train goes through the Kép railway station and the train schedule is limited. The train departs from Yen Vien Station, about 10 km from the center of Hanoi, and arrives at Ha Long Railway Station in the city center, about 5 km from Tuan Chau Island.
It is a standard train with seats and train tickets from Hanoi to Ha Long cost only about 3-4 USD / per person. However, this train is mainly used as a transport train for vendors at the markets, it is definitely not a tourist train. This is therefore an option suitable only for travelers who want to try the experience of traveling by train and save money. However, it is rather better to take the train to Hai Phong city and from there continue to Cat Ba Island. In the future, there are some plans to build a faster and shorter railway to Ha Long city.
6. Travel on a motorbike to Halong Bay
You can also travel from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay by motorbike or scooter. This option may appeal to travelers, but it’s worth emphasizing that this is an option for more experienced drivers who have the appropriate International Driving Permit and know what to expect on Vietnamese roads. This route is also not an interesting one, it is mainly driven on the main roads until Ha Long city and moving around Ha Long city is not a very interesting choice of transport for tourists, they prefer taxis or shared rides.
The trip by motorbike from Hanoi to Ha Long can take about 4-5 hours, depending on how fast you drive and how experienced you are. It is definitely better as a tourist to drive more slowly and expect busy road conditions and drivers who do not follow the given regulations. However, the advantage is that you can also take a motorbike to Cat Ba Island and explore this interesting area on your own. E.g. from Tuan Chau it is possible to board a ferry for a fee and have it transferred to the northern part of Cat Ba Island.
You can rent a motorbike in Hanoi, there are many rental shops or you can also use some online platforms like Bikesbooking. Before renting a motorcycle, always ask for the appropriate documents for the motorcycle, have an International Driver’s License with a valid license to drive motorcycles in Vietnam. Always obey all road regulations and drive carefully in Vietnam.
BOOK Your MOTORBIKE in Vietnam ➜
7. Book a tour to Halong Bay / Lan Ha Bay
Various private tours and trips for 1 or more days are also a very popular option for foreign tourists to get to know and explore Ha Long Bay. These tours in Ha Long can be tailored to the client’s requirements and price range. A very common form are boat trips on various old and very new boats in Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay, which also include accommodation and meals directly on the boats. These boats line Ha Long Bay in large numbers, anchoring for example on isolated smaller islands and offering cave exploration or beach relaxation and activities by the sea.
The prices of such trips can vary depending on the number of days, the quality of the ship, the class, the accommodation options and the activities, but they can start from 50 USD and end up to 1000 USD per person. It really depends on the quality of the boat too, there are luxury boats but sometimes a bit older boats too. Some travel operators also offer related experiences on the island of Cat Ba or even getting to know authentic Vietnamese places, where you can get to know the culture and customs of the local residents.
Helicopter tours over Ha Long Bay are also on offer. Of course, all these private trips are more expensive and are therefore not an offer for low-cost travelers. Many such tours and activities in and around Ha Long Bay can be searched and booked on the Klook platform.
BOOK a PRIVATE TOUR in Ha Long ➜
8. FLIGHT from Hanoi to Ha Long (Seaplane)
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- several direct flights from Hanoi to Ha Long (Tuan Chau Island) are operated by Hai Au Aviation
- fly between Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport and the Tuan Chau Island Marina
- along the way, enjoy fabulous aerial views over the Red River Delta
- transfer by sightseeing plane from Hanoi to Halong Bay (Tuan Chau) takes about 45 minutes
- traveling with seaplanes gives you a totally unique experience compared to any other kinds of transportation
- these sightseeing flights to Halong Bay by Cessna Grand Caravan 208B-EX
- you can also fly by helicopter to Halong Bay (helicopter is operated by Vietnam Helicopter Tours)
9. SPEEDBOAT from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island
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- speedboat from Hai Phong goes directly to the south part of the Cat Ba Island, to the town of Cat Ba
- this route takes about 1 hour, boats from the Pha Binh Port in Hai Phong
- the one-way boat/ferry ticket from Hai Phong to Cat Ba costs about $7.80/pp
- Pha Binh Port is only about 2 km from Hai Phong Railway Station
- there are also boats from Bến Phà Got (there is also a cable car to Cat Ba Island)
BOOK TICKETS – Hai Phong to Cat Ba ➜
📍 Halong Bay / Cat Ba Island – Travel Map:
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🚍 Bus from Hanoi to Halong Bay – Schedule / Times + Bus Tickets:
Bus Schedule – Hanoi to Ha Long: | Departs in Hanoi | Arrival in Ha Long | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Phuc Xuyen | 08:15 | 11:40 | Price from $5.10 |
Phuc Xuyen | 09:15 | 12:40 | Price from $5.10 |
Phuc Xuyen | 10:15 | 13:40 | Price from $5.10 |
Phuc Xuyen | 10:45 | 14:10 | Price from $5.10 |
Phuc Xuyen | 11:15 | 14:40 | Price from $5.10 |
Phuc Xuyen | 11:45 | 15:10 | Price from $5.10 |
Phuc Xuyen | 12:15 | 15:40 | Price from $5.10 |
Phuc Xuyen | 12:45 | 16:10 | Price from $5.10 |
Phuc Xuyen | 13:15 | 16:40 | Price from $5.10 |
Phuc Xuyen | 13:45 | 17:10 | Price from $5.10 |
Phuc Xuyen | 15:45 | 19:10 | Price from $5.10 |
Phuc Xuyen | 16:15 | 19:40 | Price from $5.10 |
Phuc Xuyen | 16:45 | 20:10 | Price from $5.10 |
Phuc Xuyen | 17:15 | 20:40 | Price from $5.10 |
Kumho Viet Thanh | 06:00 | 09:30 | Price from $4.35 |
Kumho Viet Thanh | 08:00 | 11:30 | Price from $4.35 |
Kumho Viet Thanh | 09:00 | 12:30 | Price from $4.35 |
Kumho Viet Thanh | 06:00 | 09:30 | Price from $4.35 |
Kumho Viet Thanh | 11:00 | 14:30 | Price from $4.35 |
Kumho Viet Thanh | 13:00 | 16:30 | Price from $4.35 |
Kumho Viet Thanh | 15:00 | 18:30 | Price from $4.35 |
Kumho Viet Thanh | 18:00 | 21:30 | Price from $4.35 |
Grouptour | 08:00 | 12:00 | Price from $9.00 |
TheSinh Tourist | 07:45 | 12:00 | Price from $12.00 |
Hung Duc | 06:30 | 09:30 | Price from $6.50 |
Hung Duc | 13:30 | 16:30 | Price from $6.50 |
Hung Duc | 16:30 | 19:30 | Price from $6.50 |
Hung Duc | 07:50 | 10:50 | Price from $6.50 |
Hung Duc | 09:45 | 12:45 | Price from $6.50 |
Hung Duc | 15:50 | 18:50 | Price from $6.50 |
Hung Duc | 19:15 | 22:15 | Price from $6.50 |
Luxury Transport (Van) | 05:30 | 07:30 | Price from $15.10 |
Luxury Transport (Van) | 06:30 | 08:30 | Price from $15.10 |
Luxury Transport (Van) | 07:30 | 09:30 | Price from $15.10 |
Luxury Transport (Van) | 08:30 | 10:30 | Price from $15.10 |
Luxury Transport (Van) | 09:30 | 11:30 | Price from $15.10 |
Luxury Transport (Van) | 10:30 | 12:30 | Price from $15.10 |
Luxury Transport (Van) | 11:30 | 13:30 | Price from $15.10 |
Luxury Transport (Van) | 15:30 | 17:30 | Price from $15.10 |
Luxury Transport (Van) | 16:30 | 18:30 | Price from $15.10 |
Luxury Transport (Van) | 17:30 | 19:30 | Price from $15.10 |
Grouptour (Van) | 07:30 | 11:30 | Price from $15.00 |
Grouptour (Van) | 08:30 | 12:30 | Price from $15.00 |
Grouptour (Van) | 09:30 | 13:30 | Price from $15.00 |
Grouptour (Van) | 10:30 | 14:30 | Price from $15.00 |
Grouptour (Van) | 11:30 | 15:30 | Price from $15.00 |
Grouptour (Van) | 13:30 | 16:30 | Price from $15.00 |
Grouptour (Van) | 14:30 | 18:30 | Price from $15.00 |
Grouptour (Van) | 15:30 | 19:30 | Price from $15.00 |
Grouptour (Van) | 16:30 | 20:30 | Price from $15.00 |
Grouptour (Van) | 17:30 | 21:30 | Price from $15.00 |
Rosa Eco Bus | 07:30 | 11:20 | Price from $23.00 |
Green Lion Bus | 08:00 | 12:30 | Price from $14.00 |
Cat Ba Express | 07:00 | 10:00 | Price from $13.00 |
Cat Ba Express | 08:15 | 11:15 | Price from $13.00 |
BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Halong Bay ➜
🚕 Taxi from Hanoi to Halong Bay – Schedule / Times + Prices:
Taxi Schedule – Hanoi to Ha Long: | Departs | Travel time | Price (Car) |
---|---|---|---|
Cat Ba Express | Any time | 04:00 | From $89.00 |
Sapa Dragon Express | Any time | 02:00 | From $97.00 |
Booking Car | Any time | 01:55 | From $110.00 |
Booking Car | Any time | 01:55 | From $176.00 |
Tiim Group | Any time | 04:00 | From $146.00 |
Tiim Group | Any time | 05:00 | From $148.00 |
Hai Van Transport | Any time | 03:30 | From $142.00 |
Hai Van Transport | Any time | 03:30 | From $158.00 |
⭐ The Best Rated Cruises in Ha Long Bay:⭐ | |
---|---|
➡️ Signature Halong Cruise | ➡️ Alise Cruise Halong |
➡️ Victory Star Cruise | ➡️ Halong Athena Cruise |
➡️ La Regina Legend Cruise | ➡️ Era Cruises Halong |
➡️ Paradise Luxury Sails Cruise | ➡️ Victory Cruise |
➡️ Halong Sapphire Cruise | ➡️ Santa Maria Cruise |
➡️ Royal Palace Cruise | ➡️ Peony Cruise |
🚍 Bus or Minibus from Hanoi to Halong Bay:
The journey from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay or Ha Long City is relatively fast, it takes about 2-3.5 hours, as some of the roads have been newly built. You can go from Hanoi to Ha Long by bus, minivan/minibus, private car/taxi, train (preferably to Hai Phong), motorbike, or you can book a private tour or even a sightseeing flight from Hanoi over Ha Long Bay. There are a lot of options, the most used being transport by bus or minibus. Taking a bus to Ha Long or taking a minibus / minivan to various places around the bay is even better, as the minivans will take you to specific popular spots such as Hon Gai, Bai Chay, Tuan Chau and sometimes even directly to your hotel. A bus / minibus from Hanoi to Ha Long costs around 4-15 USD / per person, so it is a cheaper but fully adequate transport option. Minivans are modern and faster cars even for more people, with great comfort, even better than ordinary buses with seats or trains, and are therefore probably the best option of transportation to Ha Long Bay.
🚕 Private Taxi / Car from Hanoi to Halong Bay:
Another popular option is booking a private car or taxi. Again, this transport option has its advantages and disadvantages. The journey by private taxi/car from Hanoi to Ha Long also takes approximately 2-3.5 hours, depending on where you depart from and where you arrive. Various private carriers operate between Hanoi and Ha Long such as Luxury Transport, Phuc Xuyen, Greenlion Bus, Rosa Eco Bus, Dichung Taxi, Ouros Travel, Tim Charter or Booking Car and offer very modern and comfortable cars, but also minibuses for groups more persons. The cost of private taxi transportation from Hanoi to Ha Long is approximately USD 45-170 / whole car, depending on the type of car and the number of passengers. The advantage is that these companies will take you directly to the hotel where you will be staying, so you will save some travel time.
🚉 Train or Bus from Hanoi to Hai Phong:
Some other transportation options from Hanoi to Ha Long are by train to Hai Phong (good if you want to take a boat to Cat Ba Island), by train to Ha Long (unfortunately with a longer transfer time), or a private tour for 1 or more days. The most interesting and fascinating experience is also the possibility of a sightseeing flight thanks to Hai Au Aviation. Experienced drivers with an international driver’s license can also ride a motorbike and can take the motorbike to Cat Ba Island, thanks to the ferry transfer from Tuan Chau Island. There are a lot of options, but the most suitable option remains transport by bus or minibus, the minibus is better, faster and the ticket prices are adequate for the length of the trip.
🎫 Book and buy your tickets from Hanoi to Ha Long + Schedule:
(You can change your departure, arrival, e.g. Hanoi to Sapa, Hanoi to Ninh Binh…)