Shuttle bus / limousine
Door-to-door, best balance of comfort and price
Private car/taxi
Direct transfer, flexible, no waiting
Local bus
Lowest cost, less comfortable, no hotel pickup
Seaplane
Luxury experience, very high price
Quick answer: Traveling from Halong Bay to Hanoi is easy and affordable. Most travelers choose a tourist bus or limousine minivan because they are fast, comfortable and operate frequently. Private cars offer the fastest and most convenient transfer option.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: About 180–200 km.
- ⏱️ Travel time: Bus/minivan 2.5–4.5 hours | Train 6–7 hours | Private car 2–4 hours.
- 💰 Prices: Bus from US$5/pp | Train from US$3.50/pp | Private car from US$45/car.
- 🚍 Best option: Tourist bus or limousine minivan.
- 🚆 Train: Cheapest but slowest transport option.
- ✈️ Flights: No regular direct flights available.
- 🚕 Private transfer: Best for groups, families or travelers with luggage.
Last updated in March 2026
From Halong Bay to Hanoi you can get by bus/van, train, taxi/car.
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- Travel from Halong Bay to Hanoi covers about 180 km. The most popular option is a tourist bus or minivan with a travel time of 2.5–4 hours and tickets from $4.50–23/pp. Buses depart from Hon Gai or Tuan Chau areas.
- Private cars or taxis are the most comfortable option and take about 2–5 hours. Vietnam Railways trains are the cheapest option, but travel via Kép Station takes about 6–7 hours. Before visiting Hanoi, read also about the Weather in Hanoi.
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- There are no regular direct flights from Halong Bay to Hanoi, but sightseeing seaplane flights between Hanoi and Tuan Chau are available. Another faster train option is traveling from Hai Phong to Hanoi.
- Many travelers also visit Cat Ba Island, the largest island in Halong Bay. From Hanoi you can continue to Da Lat or Hoi An in central and southern Vietnam.
| Transfer Mode – Ha Long to Hanoi | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Bus / Van | 2.5–3.5 hours | $5–23 per person |
| Private Car / Taxi | 2–4 hours | $45–160 per car |
| Train – Ha Long to Hanoi (via Kep) | 7 hours | $3–4 per person, seat |
| Train – Hai Phong to Hanoi | 2–2.5 hours | $3–5 per person, seat |
How do I get from Halong Bay to Hanoi?
1. BUS / VAN from Halong Bay to Hanoi
👉 Budget-friendly and flexible bus or minivan from Ha Long Bay to Hanoi.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers, solo travelers, and small groups
- ✔️ Duration: ~2.5–4 hours
- ✔️ Price: $5–23 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium to high (classic buses or more comfortable minivans/limousines)
- ✅ Best option: Modern minivan/limousine services by companies like Arirang Travel, Kumho Viet Thanh or Cat Ba Express
- 💡 Tip: Choose a minivan for faster and more comfortable travel.
- ⭐ Extra tip: Sit in the front for a smoother ride—roads can be bumpy in some sections.
The most popular and cheapest way to travel from Ha Long to Hanoi is by bus, minivan or minibus. Many companies operate on this route, such as Phuc Xuyen, Techbus VN, Cat Ba Express, Duy Khanh, Grouptour or Kumho Viet Thanh.
Travel companies offer modern buses with seats as well as faster and more comfortable minivans. Because Ha Long Bay is one of the most visited places in Vietnam, there are many departures every day.
BOOK BUS TICKETS on 12go.asia ➜
Bus tickets from Ha Long to Hanoi cost about $5–23/pp depending on the vehicle type. Minivans are usually more comfortable and faster than larger tourist buses.
The buses and minivans depart from Ha Long City, Bai Chai, Tuan Chau or Ha Long International Cruise Port and arrive at different places in Hanoi or at Noi Bai Airport.
Travel time from Ha Long to Hanoi is about 2.5–4 hours. Tickets can be searched and booked online in advance.
| Bus Company | Departs in Ha Long | Arrival in Hanoi | Bus Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phuc Xuyen (Van) | 03:20 | 07:00 | From $12.00 |
| Phuc Xuyen (Van) | 04:20 | 08:00 | From $12.00 |
| Phuc Xuyen (Van) | 05:20 | 09:00 | From $12.00 |
| Phuc Xuyen (Van) | 06:20 | 10:00 | From $12.00 |
| Phuc Xuyen (Van) | 07:20 | 11:00 | From $12.00 |
| Phuc Xuyen (Van) | 08:20 | 12:00 | From $12.00 |
| Phuc Xuyen (Van) | 09:20 | 13:00 | From $12.00 |
| Phuc Xuyen (Van) | 10:20 | 14:00 | From $12.00 |
| Phuc Xuyen (Van) | 11:20 | 15:00 | From $12.00 |
| Phuc Xuyen (Van) | 12:20 | 16:00 | From $12.00 |
| Phuc Xuyen (Van) | 13:20 | 17:00 | From $12.00 |
| Phuc Xuyen (Van) | 14:20 | 18:00 | From $12.00 |
| Phuc Xuyen (Van) | 15:20 | 19:00 | From $12.00 |
| Phuc Xuyen (Van) | 16:20 | 20:00 | From $12.00 |
| Van Don Xanh | 03:45 | 06:45 | From $15.00 |
| Van Don Xanh | 04:45 | 07:45 | From $15.00 |
| Van Don Xanh | 05:45 | 08:45 | From $15.00 |
| Van Don Xanh | 06:45 | 09:45 | From $15.00 |
| Van Don Xanh | 07:45 | 10:45 | From $15.00 |
| Van Don Xanh | 08:45 | 11:45 | From $15.00 |
| Van Don Xanh | 09:45 | 12:45 | From $15.00 |
| Van Don Xanh | 10:45 | 13:45 | From $15.00 |
| Van Don Xanh | 11:45 | 14:45 | From $15.00 |
| Van Don Xanh | 12:45 | 15:45 | From $15.00 |
| Van Don Xanh | 13:45 | 16:45 | From $15.00 |
| Van Don Xanh | 14:45 | 17:45 | From $15.00 |
| Duy Khanh | 05:00 | 08:00 | From $13.00 |
| Duy Khanh | 06:00 | 09:00 | From $13.00 |
| Duy Khanh | 07:00 | 10:00 | From $13.00 |
| Duy Khanh | 08:00 | 11:00 | From $13.00 |
| Duy Khanh | 09:00 | 12:00 | From $13.00 |
| Duy Khanh | 10:00 | 13:00 | From $13.00 |
| Duy Khanh | 11:00 | 14:00 | From $13.00 |
| Duy Khanh | 12:00 | 15:00 | From $13.00 |
| Duy Khanh | 13:00 | 16:00 | From $13.00 |
| Duy Khanh | 14:00 | 17:00 | From $13.00 |
| Duy Khanh | 15:00 | 18:00 | From $13.00 |
| Ha Long Bus Travel | 06:45 | 09:15 | From $12.00 |
| Ha Long Bus Travel | 06:45 | 09:15 | From $12.00 |
| Ha Long Bus Travel | 07:45 | 10:15 | From $12.00 |
| Ha Long Bus Travel | 08:45 | 11:15 | From $12.00 |
| Ha Long Bus Travel | 09:45 | 12:15 | From $12.00 |
| Ha Long Bus Travel | 10:45 | 13:15 | From $12.00 |
| Ha Long Bus Travel | 11:45 | 14:15 | From $12.00 |
| Ha Long Bus Travel | 12:45 | 15:15 | From $12.00 |
| Ha Long Bus Travel | 13:45 | 16:15 | From $12.00 |
| Ha Long Bus Travel | 14:45 | 17:15 | From $12.00 |
| Ha Long Bus Travel | 15:45 | 18:15 | From $12.00 |
| Techbus VN | 08:00 | 11:30 | From $12.00 |
| Techbus VN | 09:00 | 12:30 | From $12.00 |
| Techbus VN | 10:00 | 13:30 | From $12.00 |
| Techbus VN | 11:00 | 14:35 | From $8.00 |
| Techbus VN | 12:00 | 15:30 | From $12.00 |
| Techbus VN | 13:00 | 16:30 | From $12.00 |
| Techbus VN | 14:00 | 17:30 | From $12.00 |
| Techbus VN | 15:00 | 18:30 | From $12.00 |
| Techbus VN | 16:00 | 19:30 | From $12.00 |
| Techbus VN | 17:00 | 20:30 | From $12.00 |
| Techbus VN | 18:00 | 21:30 | From $12.00 |
| Techbus VN | 19:00 | 22:30 | From $12.00 |
2. TRAIN from Hai Phong (Ha Long) to Hanoi
👉 Cheapest but less direct train option from Hai Phong to Hanoi.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers and those coming from Cat Ba Island
- ✔️ Duration: ~2–2.5 hours (train only, extra time needed to reach Hai Phong)
- ✔️ Price: $3–4 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (basic Vietnam Railways seat trains)
- ✅ Best option: Train from Hai Phong Railway Station to Hanoi with Vietnam Railways
- 💡 Tip: Consider total time including transfer from Ha Long to Hai Phong.
- ⭐ Extra tip: Sit by the window for views of rural landscapes and rice fields.
Another low-cost transfer option from Ha Long or Hai Phong to Hanoi is transport by train. Ha Long city has a railway station, but from there there are trains to Hanoi via Kep railway station and this option can take up to 7 hours. So it is rather better to choose the train route from the city of Hai Phong, but it is about 45 km from the city of Ha Long.
Therefore, you would first have to take a local bus from Ha Long to Hai Phong and then travel by train. It is therefore a good idea to consider whether this option even makes sense in terms of travel time. So the train journey from Hai Phong is more suitable for those who are on Cat Ba Island and it is close to this city.
TRAIN TICKETS – Hai Phong to Hanoi ➜
There are about 4 Vietnam Railways seat trains from Hai Phong to Hanoi every day, so the schedule is relatively limited, but the transfer is very cheap. Train travel time from Hai Phong to Hanoi is approximately 2-2.5 hours and train tickets cost approximately $3-4/pp. Trains arrive at Hanoi Railway Station, but you can also get off at Gia Lam or Long Bien stations.
Hai Phong train station is in the city center and if you would like to go here from Cat Ba Island, you can use a combined bus and boat transfer via Bến phà Gót port. Train tickets from Hai Phong to Hanoi can be searched and booked online even in advance. Regular trains also accept mobile phone tickets, so it is not necessary to print them.
3. TAXI / CAR from Halong Bay to Hanoi
👉 Most comfortable but more expensive private car or taxi from Ha Long Bay to Hanoi.
- ✔️ Good for: groups, families, or travelers seeking comfort and door-to-door service
- ✔️ Duration: ~2–4 hours
- ✔️ Price: $45–160 per car
- ✔️ Comfort: high (modern cars, SUVs or minivans with driver)
- ✅ Best option: Private transfer with companies like Ouros Travel, Dichung Taxi or Tiim Group
- 💡 Tip: Split the cost in a minivan to make it more affordable.
- ⭐ Extra tip: Ask for a stop at a local roadside café or viewpoint along the way.
A private car or taxi transfer from Ha Long to Hanoi is the most comfortable option, but also more expensive than buses or trains. Companies such as Cat Ba Express, Dichung Taxi, Ouros Travel, Tim Charter or Booking Car operate modern private transfers on this route.
You can choose from comfortable cars, SUVs or minivans for groups of travelers. Private transfers are available from Tuan Chau, Bai Chay or Ha Long city and can also go directly to Noi Bai Airport.
Private transport from Ha Long to Hanoi costs about $45–160/car depending on the vehicle type and number of passengers.
Travel time by private car or taxi is about 2–4 hours. Minivans can be a good option for groups because the price is shared between passengers.
Private cars to Hanoi can be searched and booked online in advance.
| Taxi Provider | Departs | Travel Time | Price (Car) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi with VTS | Any time | 02:30 | From $47.00 |
| Taxi with VTS | Any time | 02:30 | From $51.00 |
| Taxi with VTS | Any time | 02:30 | From $86.00 |
| Mui Ne Sky Travel | Any time | 03:10 | From $62.00 |
| Mui Ne Sky Travel | Any time | 03:10 | From $71.00 |
| Mui Ne Sky Travel | Any time | 03:10 | From $120.00 |
| Ouros Travel | Any time | 02:00 | From $45.00 |
| Ouros Travel | Any time | 02:00 | From $85.00 |
| Ouros Travel | Any time | 02:00 | From $111.00 |
| Saigon DMC | Any time | 02:00 | From $46.00 |
| Saigon DMC | Any time | 02:00 | From $84.00 |
| Saigon DMC | Any time | 02:00 | From $109.00 |
| Cat Ba Express | Any time | 04:00 | From $89.00 |
| Cat Ba Express | Any time | 04:00 | From $105.00 |
| Hai Van Transport | Any time | 03:30 | From $142.00 |
| Hai Van Transport | Any time | 03:30 | From $168.00 |
| Grouptour | Any time | 04:00 | From $93.00 |
| Grouptour | Any time | 04:00 | From $120.00 |
| Grouptour | Any time | 03:30 | From $137.00 |
| Tiim Group | Any time | 04:00 | From $146.00 |
| Tiim Group | Any time | 04:00 | From $176.00 |
| Tiim Group | Any time | 05:00 | From $148.00 |
4. BOAT + BUS from Cat Ba Island to Hanoi
👉 Convenient combined boat and bus transfer from Cat Ba Island to Hanoi.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers staying on Cat Ba Island looking for an easy transfer
- ✔️ Duration: ~3.5–5 hours
- ✔️ Price: $8–17 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (combination of ferry/boat and bus or minivan)
- ✅ Best option: Combined tickets with companies like Cat Ba Express, Good Morning Cat Ba or Techbus VN
- 💡 Tip: Check reviews and confirm departure point on Cat Ba.
- ⭐ Extra tip: Keep essentials in a small bag—luggage is handled separately during transfers.
Since the largest and most popular island of Cat Ba belongs to Ha Long Bay, a lot of travelers also head back to Hanoi from there. So if you will be on this island and want to travel to Hanoi, you can use a combined transfer by boat and bus, mostly through the city of Hai Phong.
Most buses depart from Cat Ba town in the south of the island, then go to Bến phế Cái Viềng harbor and from there take a boat to Bến phà gót harbor and then continue by bus to Hanoi again. There are many companies operating these routes, some of the famous ones are Cat Ba Express, Full Moon Party Tour, Grouptour, Good Morning Cat Ba, Daiichi Travel, Luxury Van Limousine, Techbus VN, King Express Bus, Ha Long Bus Travel, To Vietnam Travel, VietNam Travel Bus, Ha Giang Limousine Bus or Duc Duong.
BOOK TICKETS – Cat Ba to Hanoi ➜
The travel time by bus and boat from Cat Ba to Hanoi is approximately 3.5-5 hours, and combined tickets with boat transport cost between $8-17/pp. You can search and book combined tickets from Cat Ba to Hanoi online in advance. It is also a good idea to read some reviews of individual connections, as they are rated by other travelers.
❓ FAQ + TIPS – Travel from Halong Bay to Hanoi:
How to book tickets or private car from Halong Bay to Hanoi?
You can book tickets from Halong Bay to Hanoi online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
How long does it take to travel from Halong Bay to Hanoi?
Travel by bus or minivan takes about 2.5–4.5 hours. Private car transfer takes about 2–4 hours.
How much does transport from Halong Bay to Hanoi cost?
Bus or minivan tickets cost about $5–23/pp. Private taxi transfer costs about $45–160/car.
What is the distance from Halong Bay to Hanoi?
The travel distance from Halong Bay to Hanoi is about 180–200 km by road.
Is there a flight from Halong Bay to Hanoi?
There are sightseeing seaplane flights operated by Hai Au Aviation.
Is there a train from Hai Phong to Hanoi?
Yes, you can also travel by train from Hai Phong to Hanoi. Read: How to go from Hai Phong to Hanoi?
What is the best transport option?
The most popular option is to travel by tourist bus or limousine minivan because it is fast, cheap and comfortable.
What is the cheapest way to travel to Hanoi?
The cheapest option is a tourist bus or minivan. The lowest ticket prices start from about $5/pp.
Where can you travel from Hanoi?
From Hanoi you can travel to Sapa, Ha Giang, Cao Bang or Phong Nha-Ke Bang.
Where to stay in Hanoi?
Check these recommendations: Best hotels in Hoan Kiem and Luxury hotels in Hanoi.
Practical Travel Tips for Ha Long Bay to Hanoi
Traveling from Ha Long Bay to Hanoi is one of the most popular routes in northern Vietnam. You can travel by tourist bus, limousine van, train via Hai Phong or private car.
- Best Option: Tourist buses and limousine vans are the fastest and most popular choices.
- Travel Time: The journey to Hanoi usually takes about 2.5–4.5 hours by road.
- Choose Drop-Off Carefully: Some buses stop near Hanoi Old Quarter, others at bus stations.
- Traffic Near Hanoi: Travel times may increase during busy afternoon hours.
- Bring Essentials: Carry water, snacks and a light jacket for air-conditioned buses.
- Book Early: Tickets can sell out quickly during weekends and holidays.
Tip: Bus, shuttle and private transfer tickets can be searched and booked online in advance.