Bus + Flight (via Hai Phong / Hanoi)
Fastest option, ferry + transfer to airport, then short flight to Da Nang
Train + bus (via Hanoi / Ninh Binh)
Sleeper train, more comfortable, but multi-step journey
Sleeper bus
Cheapest option, long journey with transfers
Direct travel
No direct route, always requires ferry and transfers
Quick answer: Traveling from Cat Ba Island to Da Nang is possible by a combination of bus, ferry, and flight or train. The fastest option is to take a bus and ferry from Cat Ba to Hanoi, then continue by plane to Da Nang. The journey can take from about 4 to 5 hours by flight (including transfers) or around 17–20 hours by train.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: approximately 850–900 km
- ⏱️ Travel time: ~4–5 hours (bus + flight) or 17–20 hours (bus + train)
- 💰 Price range: from ~800,000 VND to ~2,500,000 VND (depending on transport type)
- ✈️ Fastest option: Bus + flight via Hanoi
- 🚆 Scenic and relaxed: Bus + train from Hanoi to Da Nang
- 🚌 Most economical: Combined bus route (Cat Ba → Hanoi → Da Nang)
Last updated in March 2026
From Cat Ba to Hoi An you can travel by boat + bus, train or plane.
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- The distance from Cat Ba Island to Da Nang is about 900 km by land via Hai Phong and Ninh Binh. The fastest option is a bus + direct flight via Hai Phong. First travel by bus and ferry from Cat Ba to Hai Phong, then take a direct flight to Da Nang. Total travel time is about 6–7 hours and prices range from $60–130/pp.
- You can also travel by bus + train via Ninh Binh or Hanoi. This option takes about 20–26 hours and costs around $30–150/pp depending on the train type. Sleeper tourist buses are another cheaper option with a travel time of about 17–21 hours.
- From Da Nang you can easily travel to Hoi An, continue to Ho Chi Minh City or visit Cam Ranh.
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- Da Nang is the largest city in central Vietnam and an important transport hub with an airport, railway station and beaches.
- Popular attractions include the Museum of Cham Sculpture, nearby beaches and easy access to Hoi An. Before traveling, it is useful to check the weather conditions in Da Nang.
| Transfer Mode – Cat Ba to Da Nang | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist bus + Train (via Hanoi) | 20-26 hours | $30-150 per person |
| Tourist bus + Plane (via Hai Phong Airport) | 6-7 hours | $60-130 per person |
| Sleeper Bus | 17-21 hours | $34-45 per person |
How do I get from Cat Ba to Da Nang?
1. BUS + TRAIN from Cat Ba to Da Nang (via Hanoi)
👉 Cheapest long-distance option: bus + train from Cat Ba to Da Nang via Hanoi.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers and those comfortable with long journeys
- ✔️ Duration: ~19–22 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $28–135 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium to high (bus + sleeper train)
- ✅ Best option: Bus + ferry to Hanoi + overnight sleeper train to Da Nang
- 💡 Tip: Choose a sleeper berth for the Hanoi → Da Nang route and book tickets online in advance for both legs.
A popular low-cost option from Cat Ba Island to Da Nang is travel by bus and train via Hanoi. This route has 2 steps – first by bus from Cat Ba to Hanoi and then by train from Hanoi to Da Nang. It is a long journey, but suitable for solo and budget travelers.
The first step is a bus transfer from Cat Ba to Hanoi. Various companies operate on this route, including Cat Ba Express, Grouptour, Good Morning Cat Ba, Daiichi Travel or Luxury Van Limousine.
Buses usually depart from Cat Ba town and the trip takes about 3.5–4.5 hours. Tickets cost around $8–17/pp and usually include a short ferry transfer to the mainland.
Bus tickets from Cat Ba to Hanoi can be searched and booked online in advance. Timetables are long and there are many daily departures.
The second step is a train transfer from Hanoi to Da Nang. You can travel by regular Vietnam Railways trains or tourist sleeper trains such as Lotus Train, Livitrans Express or Laman Express.
The train journey from Hanoi to Da Nang takes about 15–17 hours. Sleeper berths are the best option for this long route, especially for overnight travel.
Train tickets from Hanoi to Da Nang cost about $20–50/pp for regular trains and $60–135/pp for tourist sleeper trains. Tickets can be booked online in advance.
BOOK TRAIN TICKETS to Da Nang ➜
2. BUS + FLIGHT from Cat Ba to Da Nang (via Hai Phong)
👉 Fastest option: bus + ferry + flight from Cat Ba to Da Nang via Hai Phong.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers who want to save time and avoid long overland journeys
- ✔️ Duration: ~4–6 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $65–150 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: high (combined transfer + short flight)
- ✅ Best option: Bus + ferry to Cat Bi Airport + direct flight to Da Nang (e.g. VietJet Air)
- 💡 Tip: Book flights in advance due to limited schedule and plan your transfer to the airport with enough time buffer.
If you are looking for a much faster option from Cat Ba to Da Nang, you can travel by bus + ferry to Hai Phong and then take a direct flight to Da Nang. This option has 2 steps and can save many hours compared to bus or train travel.
The first step is transport by bus + ferry from Cat Ba town to Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong. Companies such as Full Moon Party Tour offer combined transfers including bus, taxi and ferry services.
The transfer from Cat Ba to Cat Bi Airport takes about 2 hours and costs around $14/pp. Private taxis are also available, but prices are higher, around $70–120/car.
Tickets for transfers to Cat Bi Airport can be searched and booked online in advance.
BOOK TICKETS to Cat Bi Airport ➜
The second step is a direct flight from Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong to Da Nang. Cat Ba Island has no airport, so Cat Bi is the nearest airport for flights to central Vietnam.
Direct flights from Hai Phong to Da Nang are limited, usually operating a few times per day. More flights are also available from Hanoi if needed.
Flights from Hai Phong to Da Nang are operated mainly by VietJet Air and take about 1 hour 15 minutes. Flight prices range from $50–130/pp depending on season and availability.
Flight tickets to Da Nang can be searched and booked online in advance. Always read airline conditions and baggage information before departure.
BOOK FLIGHT – Hai Phong to Da Nang ➜
3. SLEEPER BUS from Cat Ba to Da Nang
👉 Budget long-distance option: sleeper bus from Cat Ba to Da Nang.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers who don’t mind very long journeys
- ✔️ Duration: ~17–21 hours
- ✔️ Price: $34–45 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (sleeper buses, some modern)
- ✅ Best option: Sleeper bus with companies like Full Moon Party Tour or Vietnam Luxury Travel
- 💡 Tip: Consider splitting the journey with a stop along the way to make the trip more comfortable.
Another low-cost transfer option from Cat Ba Island to Da Nang in central Vietnam is a long-distance sleeper bus trip. You should be aware that it takes about 17-21 hours to travel by bus to Da Nang from Cat Ba, so this method may not be convenient at all in the end.
Or it is better to divide such a transfer into 2 steps and visit, for example, another interesting place before arriving in Da Nang. The companies that operate these intercity bus routes from Cat Ba to Da Nang are Full Moon Party Tour, Sapa Discovery Travel, Vietnam Luxury Travel, Vietnam Easy Go Travel or Daiichi Travel.
These companies will offer you classic sleeper buses, some are very modern and comfortable. A sleeper bus transfer from Cat Ba to Da Nang costs approximately $34-45/pp, these prices may change during different seasons.
Buses can depart from various locations in Cat Ba and also arrive at various locations in Da Nang, you will always see this information when ordering tickets online. This transfer again includes a short ferry ride from the island to the mainland, after which it continues again by bus.
You can easily buy bus tickets from Cat Ba to Da Nang online in advance. Always read all transfer conditions and ticket instructions and other information carefully to avoid any complications.
Traveling by bus in Vietnam is more suitable for low-cost travelers, it takes a long time, so it is advisable to consider this mode of transport. But on the other hand, some buses can be relatively and very comfortable.
4. Book a Private Tour / Tickets in Da Nang
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- It is possible to book a private tour + tickets for tourist attractions in Da Nang + Hoi An
- It is possible to book various types of tourist tours (boat trips, adventure, bicycle tours…)
- These private tours to interesting sites in Da Nang and Hoi An by local tour guides from Vietnam
- You can also book private transfers between Da Nang and Hoi An or Da Nang Airport
- Book a private tour / trip or other tourist activity in Da Nang and Hoi An in central Vietnam online
❓ FAQ – Travel route from Cat Ba Island to Da Nang:
How to book tickets or flights from Cat Ba Island to Da Nang?
Book tickets or flights online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
Where to rent a motorbike or scooter in Da Nang?
You can rent a motorbike or scooter online with Bikesbooking ➜.
What is the travel time from Cat Ba Island to Da Nang?
Bus + plane takes about 6–7 hours, sleeper bus about 17–21 hours and bus + train about 20–26 hours.
How far is Da Nang from Cat Ba Island?
The distance from Cat Ba Island to Da Nang is about 900 km by land.
How much does it cost to travel from Cat Ba Island to Da Nang?
Travel costs about $30–150/pp by train, $60–130/pp by plane and $34–45/pp by sleeper bus.
What is the best way to travel from Cat Ba to Da Nang?
The best option is bus + ferry to Hai Phong and a direct flight to Da Nang.
What is the cheapest way to get from Cat Ba to Da Nang?
The cheapest option is a sleeper tourist bus, but low-cost flights can save time.
Is it possible to travel by luxury tourist train to Da Nang?
Yes, first travel to Hanoi and from there take a tourist sleeper train to Da Nang.
Where can you travel from Da Nang or Hoi An?
You can continue to Nha Trang, Mui Ne or Phu Quoc Island.
How to travel from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An?
You can travel by bus, minivan or taxi. Read more: Da Nang Airport to Hoi An.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Cat Ba Island to Da Nang
Traveling from Cat Ba Island to Da Nang is a long route that combines ferry, bus, train or flight transfers across central Vietnam.
- Plan Ferry Connections: Cat Ba requires a ferry or boat transfer to the mainland before continuing south.
- Start Early: This route can take a full travel day, especially by train or sleeper bus.
- Check Weather Conditions: Coastal weather around Cat Ba may affect ferry schedules during storms or heavy rain.
- Bring Snacks & Water: Long-distance buses and trains may have limited refreshment stops.
- Flights Save Time: The fastest option is transfer to Hai Phong Airport and a direct flight to Da Nang.
- Use Offline Maps: Save accommodation details and maps before departure for easier transfers.
Tip: Ferry, bus, train and flight tickets can be searched and booked online in advance.