Flight + Bus (via Da Nang → Hanoi)
Fastest and most practical
Flight + private transfer
Smoothest journey with fewer hassles
Sleeper bus
Cheapest but very long (18–20h)
Train combo
Too many transfers, very time-consuming
Quick answer: Traveling from Hoi An to Halong Bay involves a combination of transportation methods due to the distance and lack of direct routes. The fastest option is to fly from Da Nang to Hai Phong, followed by a bus to Halong Bay. Alternatively, you can take a train from Da Nang to Hanoi or Ninh Binh, then continue by bus or minivan to Halong Bay. For a more scenic route, consider a tourist bus that includes both travel and sightseeing.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: Approximately 920 km overland
- ⏱️ Travel time: Flight + bus 4–5 hours | Train + bus 22–26 hours | Tourist bus 20–25 hours
- 💰 Price range: Flight + bus $25–$50 | Train + bus $35–$70 | Tourist bus $27–$40
- ✈️ Best for speed: Flight from Da Nang to Hai Phong
- 🚆 Best for comfort: Train from Da Nang to Hanoi/Ninh Binh, then bus to Halong Bay
- 🚌 Best for budget: Tourist bus with sightseeing included
Last updated in March 2026
From Hoi An to Ha Long you can travel by plane, train, bus + van, car.
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- From Hoi An to Halong Bay spans approximately 920 km overland, with options including bus or train travel. The quickest and most convenient route is by air from Da Nang to Hai Phong. With a direct flight to Hai Phong from Da Nang, travelers can efficiently reach their destination. Hai Phong, located about 75 km from Halong town, is well-connected to Halong Bay by various local buses. Alternatively, travelers can opt for a train journey from Da Nang to Hanoi (or Ninh Binh), followed by a bus or minivan ride to Halong or Cat Ba Island.
- Traveling by bus and train from Hoi An to Halong Bay via Da Nang and Hanoi takes approximately 22-25 hours, with costs ranging from $35 to $70 per person. It’s worth noting that trains from Da Nang to Ninh Binh take about 13 hours, with onward travel options to Halong or Cat Ba Island via bus or minivan taking an additional 3-4 hours. While sleeper buses from Hoi An/Da Nang to Hanoi and buses from Hanoi to Halong are available, they may not offer the same level of comfort for long journeys. Travelers can conveniently search for and book tickets or flights from Hoi An / Da Nang to Halong Bay in Quang Ninh province online. From Halong, travelers can travel to Hanoi or Sapa town.
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- Halong Bay stands as a pinnacle of tourism in northern Vietnam, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the globe annually. A quintessential experience here involves cruising along the bay’s mesmerizing waters. As a bustling modern city, Ha Long continues to evolve, with nearby Tuan Chau Island emerging as a hotspot boasting a variety of hotels and resorts. From Tuan Chau, travelers can embark on boat trips to explore the enchanting landscapes of Halong Bay, including its myriad of small islands and hidden caves. Notable among these is Cat Ba Island, accessible by boat or ferry from Halong (Tuan Chau Island) or Hai Phong.
| Transfer Mode – Hoi An to Halong Bay | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Train + Bus (via Da Nang, Hanoi) | 22-26 hours | $35-70 per person |
| Plane (Da Nang to Hai Phong) | 1.5 hours | $25-50 per person |
| Tourist Bus (via Ninh Binh) | 20-25 hours | $27-40 per person |
| Train (Da Nang to Hai Phong) | 20 hours | Varies |
How do I get from Hoi An to Halong Bay?
1. BUS + TRAIN from Hoi An to Ha Long (via Hanoi)
👉 Bus + train via Da Nang and Hanoi is the cheapest way from Hoi An to Ha Long.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers and those who want to experience train travel
- ✔️ Duration: ~20–24+ hours total
- ✔️ Price: $26–70 per person (more with tourist sleeper trains)
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (best with sleeper train for long distance)
- ✅ Best option: Bus to Da Nang + Vietnam Railways sleeper train to Hanoi + minivan to Ha Long
- 💡 Tip: Choose a sleeper berth for the long train ride and consider breaking the journey in Hanoi for rest.
If you are thinking about land transport from Hoi An to Ha Long, the most used low-cost option is the bus and train route via Da Nang and Hanoi. However, it is good to know that this option takes a lot of time and has a total of 3 steps. The first step is to take a bus from Hoi An to Da Nang, from there take a train to Hanoi, and then take a bus from Hanoi to Ha Long. In theory, you can also take a train from Da Nang to Ninh Binh and from there a bus to Ha Long. However, this description will refer to the trip through Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam.
The first step is to travel by bus from Hoi An to Da Nang. This is a very popular shorter route, approx. 30 km, which is served by many buses, smaller minivans and even private cars. You can use from a number of different companies such as Barri Ann Travel, Hoi An Food Tour, Viet Nam Travel Bus, April Adventure, Vietnam Explore Travel, Duc Duong, iHome Transfer, Techbus VN, Queen Cafe, Hoi An Express and others.
These companies offer connections throughout the day, some even go directly to Da Nang train station. The journey time by bus or minivan to Da Nang from Hoi An is approx. 1-1.5 hours, depending on the travel route operated by the company. And tickets are relatively cheap, bus / minivan transfer from Hoi An to Da Nang costs $2-17/pp. You can easily find and buy bus tickets to Da Nang online, or you can also book a private car/taxi.
The second step will be a train transfer from Da Nang to Hanoi. It is also a very frequent travel route, used mainly by solo travelers. The train is also the cheapest transfer option to Hanoi, you can use the seats here, which are the cheapest, or sleeping beds. Regular trains of Vietnam Railways have seats or sleeping beds, and tourist sleeping trains such as Violette Train, Livitrans Express, Lotus Train, Laman Express only have sleeping beds.
For this long route, which takes about 15-18 hours, it is advisable to choose sleeping beds. Tourist sleeper trains are popular, especially among foreign travelers, they offer you even better comfort and convenience than regular trains. Train tickets from Da Nang to Hanoi costs $20-50/pp and tourist trains cost about $65-135/pp. Sleeper buses are also an alternative on this route, but it is rather better to choose sleeper trains.
The third and last step is a bus trip from Hanoi to Ha Long city, or even to Cat Ba Island. Again, this is a very popular land route with lots of buses and minivans from different companies such as Techbus VN, Phuc Xuyen, Luxury Transport, Sapa Dragon Express, Grouptour, Kumho Viet Thanh, Hung Duc, GreenLion, Cat Ba Express, Daiichi Travel and more.
The bus ride to Ha Long from Hanoi takes about 2-4.5 hours and tickets cost between $4.00-20/pp, depending on the type of bus or minivan. Smaller and more comfortable minivans and minibuses are usually cheaper transfer options. You can take the bus to various popular places such as Tuan Chau, Bai Chay, Hon Gai or Cat Ba Island.
Buses depart from various locations in Hanoi, you will always see this information when ordering tickets. You can search and buy bus tickets to Ha Long from Hanoi easily online.
2. FLIGHT + BUS from Da Nang to Cat Ba Island
👉 Flight + bus/ferry via Hai Phong is the fastest way from Da Nang to Cat Ba Island.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers short on time and those heading to Cat Ba Island
- ✔️ Duration: ~3–5 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $66–157 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: high (short flight + easy transfer by bus and ferry)
- ✅ Best option: Direct flight (VietJet Air) to Hai Phong + combined bus & ferry transfer to Cat Ba
- 💡 Tip: Book a combined ticket from Hai Phong to Cat Ba to simplify the transfer and check limited flight schedules in advance.
If you would like to use the fastest and most convenient transfer option from Da Nang to Ha Long, you can use a direct flight to the city of Hai Phong. This city is about 50 km from Ha Long city and can be convenient for those who would like to continue to Cat Ba Island from there. From Hai Phong, you can use a combination of bus and ferry to this island. Alternatively, you can use some local buses to transfer from Hai Phong to Ha Long city. But Cat Ba Island should not be missed if you are already traveling to Ha Long Bay.
So the first step is a direct flight to Hai Phong city from Da Nang. Flights are operated to Cat Bi International Airport in Hai Phong from Da Nang International Airport (check the Vietnam Airport Map). These flights are operated by the low-cost company VietJet Air, which, however, is also rated very well by other travelers. However, it is good to know that the flight schedule between Hai Phong and Da Nang is limited and there may be, for example, only 2 flights in 1 day.
The direct flight time to Hai Phong from Da Nang is approximately 1.5 hours and the flight price ranges from $60-150/pp (you can choose Economy, Deluxe or SkyBoss class). These flight prices may change during the year, they may even be lower, depending on the promotional offers of VietJet Air.
If you want to get to Ha Long as quickly as possible, this flight is the best transfer option from Da Nang. This way you will save a lot of your travel time. Due to the higher price, it will probably not be suitable for low-cost travelers.
BOOK DIRECT FLIGHT to Hai Phong ➜
The second step is a bus transfer + ferry from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island. For this step, you can use the Cat Ba Island company, which will offer you a combined transfer by bus and boat to the city of Cat Ba in the south of the island.
The bus from Hai Phong departs from Pha Binh port in Hai Phong (41 Bến Bính), which is north of the city center and continues to Bến Phà Got port. After that there is a short ferry transfer to the island and then we continue again by bus to the city of Cat Ba.
Transportation by bus and ferry to Cat Ba Island from Hai Phong takes about 1.5 hours and is the cheapest transportation option suitable even for solo low-cost travelers. The bus and boat trip to Cat Ba Island from Hai Phong city costs about $6-7/person and is the cheapest transfer option. The island cannot be reached by air, the island is only accessible by boat transfer from Hai Phong or from Tuan Chau.
BOOK BUS + FERRY TICKET to Cat Ba ➜
3. BUS (+MINIVAN) from Da Nang to Ha Long
👉 Sleeper bus (+ minivan) is the cheapest direct way from Da Nang / Hoi An to Ha Long.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers and those who prefer a direct land journey
- ✔️ Duration: ~20–22 hours
- ✔️ Price: $28–50 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: low to medium (long journey, sometimes with transfers)
- ✅ Best option: Modern sleeper bus with companies like Green Bus Tourist, Vietnam Luxury Travel or Sapa Discovery Travel
- 💡 Tip: Expect possible delays and consider routes via Ninh Binh for more flexibility or slightly lower prices.
The last way you can travel from Hoi An to Ha Long is by sleeper bus and possibly another connection by minivan. However, it is good to know that the journey by sleeper bus is very long, the travel time from Hoi An to Ha Long is approx. 20-22 hours and may include a transfer to another route.
Modern sleeper buses are mostly on this route, but there may also be a connection with a transfer to, for example, a minivan or a smaller bus, depending on the specific company. Companies that offer bus transfers from Hoi An to Ha Long are e.g. Sapa Discovery Travel, Cua Ong Limousine, Green Bus Tourist, Vietnam Luxury Travel, New Way Travel, Vietnam Explore Travel, Duy Khah Transport, but several other companies run between Da Nang – Hanoi – Ha Long.
You can also take a bus through Ninh Binh, for example, from Hoi An to Ninh Binh and then from Ninh Binh to Ha Long, there are also bus connections on this route. The bus trip from Hoi An to Ha Long costs about $28-50/pp, if you search for other routes, e.g. through Ninh Binh, the price can be even lower.
Buses to Ha Long may depart from various locations in Hoi An or Da Nang, you will always see this information when ordering your tickets, please review this information carefully. Also, take into account that buses in Vietnam may be delayed on departure and thus also on arrival, unfortunately this happens in this country.
You can search and buy bus tickets from Hoi An to Ha Long easily online and in advance. Traveling by bus or in combination with a minivan is mainly suitable for solo low-cost travelers.
| Bus Company | Departs in Hoi An | Arrival in Ha Long | Bus Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sapa Disc. Travel | 20:00 | 10:05 | From $49.00 |
| Cua Ong | 14:00 | 08:30 | From $28.00 |
| Duy Khanh Trans. | 04:30 | 23:00 | From $41.00 |
| Duy Khanh Trans. | 13:00 | 07:30 | From $41.00 |
| Duy Khanh Trans. | 16:00 | 10:30 | From $41.00 |
| New Way Travel | 13:30 | 08:30 | From $42.00 |
| Green Bus Tourist | 13:30 | 07:30 | From $43.00 |
| Vietnam Luxury Travel | 13:30 | 08:30 | From $48.00 |
| Vietnam Luxury Travel | 20:00 | 12:00 | From $45.00 |
4. TAXI / CAR from Hoi An to Ha Long (via Hanoi)
👉 Private taxi/car via Hanoi is the most comfortable but most expensive way from Hoi An to Ha Long.
- ✔️ Good for: groups, families, and travelers seeking maximum comfort
- ✔️ Duration: ~18–20 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $500–1000 per car
- ✔️ Comfort: very high (modern air-conditioned cars, SUVs or minivans with driver)
- ✅ Best option: Private transfer with companies like Dichung Taxi, Ouros Travel or Booking Car
- 💡 Tip: Split the cost in a group and consider an overnight stop in Hanoi to break up the long journey.
The most expensive transfer option from Hoi An to Ha Long is transport by private car/taxi with driver via Hanoi. This transport option must therefore be implemented in 2 steps with a transfer in Hanoi. For private transfers in modern cars, you can use companies such as Hue Happy Travel on the way from Hoi An to Hanoi and from Hanoi to Ha Long, other companies 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 or others. Transport by private car/taxi from Hoi An to Ha Long via Hanoi takes a total of about 18-20 hours and costs a total of about $500-1000/car.
However, you can calculate the fare for individual passengers in the car and, for example, a minivan trip can also be advantageous in the case of group travel. You will have at your disposal modern and comfortable air-conditioned cars of various types, such as classic smaller cars for 2-3 passengers or SUVs and minivans for 3-10 passengers.
The advantage of a private transfer is the choice of your departure and arrival point, the disadvantage is the higher price of transport. Transport by private car to Ha Long from Hanoi is a suitable transfer option mainly for travelers with a larger budget, it will not be a suitable option for ordinary low-cost travelers.
2. BOOK TAXI / CAR to Ha Long ➜
❓ FAQ – Travel route from Hoi An to Halong Bay:
1. How to book tickets or flights from Hoi An (Da Nang) to Halong Bay?
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- Book train/bus tickets from Hoi An / Da Nang to Halong Bay on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
- You can also book another route, e.g. Da Nang > Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh > Ha Long Bay…
2. What is the travel time from Hoi An to Halong Bay?
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- Travel by train + bus from Hoi An to Halong Bay (via Da Nang, Hanoi) takes about 22-26 hours.
- Travel by plane from Da Nang to Hai Phong takes about 1.5 hour.
- Travel by tourist bus from Da Nang to Halong Bay (via Ninh Binh, Hanoi) takes about 19-22 hours.
- Travel by train from Da Nang to Hai Phong (via Hanoi) takes about 20 hours.
3. How much does it cost to travel from Hoi An to Halong Bay?
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- Travel by train + bus from Hoi An to Halong Bay (via Da Nang, Ninh Binh) costs about $35-70/pp.
- Travel by plane – direct flight from Da Nang to Hai Phong costs about $25-50/pp.
- Travel by tourist bus + van from Da Nang to Halong Bay (via Ninh Binh) costs about $28-50/pp.
- Travel by private taxi/car from Hoi An to Halong Bay (via Hanoi) costs about $500-1000/car.
4. What is the travel distance from Hoi An to Halong Bay?
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- Travel distance from Hoi An to Halong Bay is about 920 km by train+bus or about 700 km by plane to Hai Phong.
5. What is the best way to get from Hoi An to Halong Bay?
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- The best, comfortable and fastest option how to reach Halong Bay is to travel by plane from Da Nang to Hai Phong. There is a direct flight between these cities. There are also some flights from Da Nang to Van Don. From Hai Phong you can travel by ferry or speedboat to Cat Ba Island – the largest island in Halong Bay. The closest airports to Ha Long town are Cat Bi Airport and Van Don Airport.
6. What is the cheapest way of transport from Hoi An to Halong Bay?
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- The most cheapest option how to reach Halong Bay from Hoi An or Da Nang is to travel by tourist bus via Ninh Binh. Bus ticket via Ninh Binh costs about $27-40. But it is good to know – there are low-cost direct flights to Hai Phong.
7. How to travel by train from Hoi An to Halong Bay?
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- If you want to travel by train to Ha Long from Hoi An, first you have to go to Da Nang. From Da Nang you can travel by sleeper train to Hanoi (15-18 hours) and from Hanoi you can take a train to Hai Phong (about 2.5 hours) or train to Ha Long town (via Kep Railway station, about 7 hours). There is no direct train from Da Nang to Ha Long. It is better to travel by train to Hai Phong, from Hai Phong you can travel by boat to Cat Ba Island.
8. Are there any airports in Quan Lan and Co To islands?
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- No, there is no airport in Quan Lan and Co To Island. If you want to get to these islands you have to travel to Cai Rong port. From Cai Rong port you can take a boat to Co To or Quan Lan Island.
9. How long to stay in Halong Bay?
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- It is good to know that Halong Bay is a large site and offers various nice sites in the whole area. One week is really a bit limited. 1 day in Halong Bay does not make a sense for visit this site.
10. How to go to Halong Bay from Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi?
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- Travel from Noi Bai Airport to Halong Bay – the most convenient option is a private transfer via minivan / minibus or taxi / car, offering direct and comfortable transportation. Alternatively, travelers can opt for a combination of train and bus, with the train journey starting from Hanoi Railway Station to Hai Phong City, followed by a bus or ferry to Halong Bay. Choose the option that best suits your preferences, budget, and schedule.
11. What you should visit if you travel from Hoi An to northern Vietnam?
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- You can not miss Da Nang – about 20 km from Hoi An. There are also various nice interesting places on this route to northern Vietnam, eg. from Hoi An to Phong Nha-Ke Bang. You can also travel to Hue in central Vietnam by bus or train, from Hue you can travel by train/bus or plane to Hanoi.
12. Which islands you can also visit in Vietnam?
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- There are various popular and tourist islands in Vietnam. One of the most popular and visited island is Phu Quoc in southern Vietnam. You can read this article: 10 Best Islands in Vietnam.
13. How to travel solo in Vietnam?
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- Discover the wonders of solo travel in Vietnam as you explore ancient temples, cruise through scenic landscapes or karst sceneries, hike various national parks and ethnic villages and connect with the warm-hearted locals, creating a personalized journey of cultural immersion and breathtaking experiences.
| ⭐ 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 |
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Hoi An to Ha Long Bay
These tips are based on real travel options and traveler experience for the long journey from the historic town of Hoi An up to the iconic Ha Long Bay in northern Vietnam. The route requires planning as there are no direct services, and it involves multiple segments by air, train or bus over roughly 900 km.
Start by Getting to Da Nang Early
Since Hoi An itself has no major airport or long-distance train station, the first leg is usually to Da Nang. Taxis, motorbike taxis or shuttle vans can get you there in about 30–45 minutes. Planning this early in the day gives you more flight or rail options northward. Scheduling your transfer with some buffer ensures you don’t miss your next connection.
Break the Journey with a Fly‑and‑Bus Combination
The fastest and least tiring way to cover most of the distance is to fly from Da Nang to an airport near Ha Long Bay, such as Cat Bi in Hai Phong, and then continue by bus or taxi to your final bay departure point. Cat Bi Airport is roughly 70 km from Ha Long Bay, and the onward road transfer takes around 2–3 hours.
Prepare for a Long Overland Route if Flying Isn’t an Option
If you prefer overland travel, prepare for a full day or more on the road and rails. Trains from Da Nang to Hanoi take about 16–18 hours, and from Hanoi you can catch a bus or short transfer to Ha Long Bay. Another practical land route is via Ninh Binh, changing there for Ha Long buses or transfers. These options give you countryside views and can be cheaper than flying.
Choose Bus Operators with Good Amenities
Tourist buses from Da Nang (or Hoi An via Da Nang) to Ha Long Bay often include air‑conditioning, reclining seats and onboard stops. They typically take 20–25 hours, so a night bus lets you rest while you travel and arrive early the next day. Make sure you check departure points and expected arrival times before booking.
Final Road Transfer After Arrival
Whether you fly into Cat Bi or reach Ha Long Bay by bus/train to Hanoi, you’ll usually finish the last part of the journey by road. If arriving in Hai Phong, taxis or shared vans take you roughly 2–3 hours to Ha Long Bay. From Hanoi, a road transfer typically takes about 3–4 hours. Booking this leg ahead of time avoids waiting at busy terminals.
Tip: Flights, trains and long‑distance bus tickets can be searched and booked online in advance, which helps secure your preferred departure time and smoother connections — especially useful on busy travel days and holiday periods.