Quick answer: If you’re travelling from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island, the main options are by speedboat/catamaran, by bus + ferry, or private transfer with taxi and ferry. The direct boat is fastest, the bus + ferry is more budget-friendly. You can book ferry tickets, join tickets or private transfer to Cat Ba easily online in advance.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: approximately 40–45 km by sea.
- ⏱️ Travel time: Speedboat / catamaran ~1 hour from Hong Bang/Hồng Bàng port • Bus + ferry ~1.5 hours.
- 💰 Price range: Speedboat / catamaran from ~US$9.50/person (~250,000 VND) • Bus from Hai Phong town + ferry from ~US$6–7/person.
- 🚢 Best for speed: Direct boat/catamaran from Hai Phong port to Cat Ba.
- 🚌 Best for budget: Bus + ferry combination.
- 🚕 Private transfer: It is possible to travel by private car + ferry from Cat Bi Airport
Last updated in October 2025
How do I get from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island?
1. CATAMARAN from Hai Phong to Cat Ba
The fastest way to travel from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island is by catamaran transfer from Hong Bang Port (Cảng Hồng Bàng, 432 Hùng Vương), which is located in the northwestern part of the city. The best way to get to the port from the city center is by taxi. The journey by this modern and fast catamaran from Hai Phong, Hong Bang Port to Cat Ba Island takes only 1 hour and the arrival point is Dong Ho Bay Pier – Cat Co 3 Beach.
The advantage is also the opportunity to see the city from a different perspective. A minor disadvantage of this option is the fact that the schedule is relatively very limited and usually 2 catamarans run per day.
The catamaran transfer from Hai Phong to Cat Ba costs about 9.50 USD/person, making it a relatively cheap option for transportation between these places and is suitable for tourists. It is advisable to search and book catamaran tickets to Cat Ba Island online in advance, which is easily possible.
| Ferry Service | Departs in Hai Phong | Arrival in Cat Ba | Ferry Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat Ba Island | 09:00 (Hong Bang Port) | 10:00 | From $9.50 |
| Cat Ba Island | 13:00 (Hong Bang Port) | 14:00 | From $9.50 |
2. BUS + BOAT / FERRY from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island
Traveling by bus and ferry from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island via Bến Phà Got port is the most used mode of transport among solo travelers as well as regular tourist groups. This is a low-cost travel option and there is a bus with seats on this route, which is followed by a ferry connection from Bến Phà Got port to Bến Phà Cái Việng port and from there continue by bus to the city of Cat Ba in the south of the island.
This transport variant therefore has a total of 3 steps. The bus goes over the long Tan Vu-Lach Huyen Bridge, beyond which is the port for ferries and ships. The vast majority of buses go to the city of Cat Ba, which is the base for all travelers visiting this island and where the largest offer of accommodation and other services for tourists is available.
This is a comfortable and convenient transfer, where you already have an arranged bus connection to the city of Cat Ba, but also a transfer by ferry. 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.
The bus and ferry ride time from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island (to Cat Ba City) takes about 1.5 hours and the combined bus + ferry fare will cost you about $6-7/person. It is possible to take a backpack with a maximum weight of 20kg on this transfer, but always read any supplementary and up-to-date information if you will be ordering tickets to Cat Ba Island online in advance, which is possible.
| Bus + Ferry Service | Departs in Hai Phong | Arrival in Cat Ba | Ferry Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat Ba Island | 06:00 (Phà Bính) | 07:30 | From $5.40 |
| Cat Ba Island | 07:40 (Phà Bính) | 09:10 | From $5.40 |
| Cat Ba Island | 09:00 (Phà Bính) | 10:30 | From $5.40 |
| Cat Ba Island | 12:10 (Phà Bính) | 13:40 | From $5.40 |
| Cat Ba Island | 14:10 (Phà Bính) | 15:40 | From $5.40 |
| Cat Ba Island | 15:50 (Phà Bính) | 17:20 | From $5.40 |
3. TAXI + FERRY from Cat Bi Airport to Cat Ba Island
Another way to travel to Cat Ba Island is to use a private transfer / taxi from Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong. Cat Bi is the nearest airport to Cat Ba Island and is approximately 27 km from Bến Phà Got Port. With this transport option, you are therefore guaranteed a private transfer from Cat Bi airport to the city of Cat Ba, including a ferry transfer from the port of Bến Phà Got.
Of course, it is necessary to take into account that this is the most expensive transport option, but those who are not on a budget can use this convenient transfer option. Private transfer from Cat Bi Airport to Cat Ba Island is offered by Ouros Travel, APT Travel Limousine, Saigon DMC and Amazing Vietnam Travel a verified and well-rated taxi companies that offer several types of cars or private comfortable modern minivans.
BOOK TAXI / CAR from Cat Bi to Cat Ba ➜
A classic smaller car, an SUV for up to 4 passengers or even a comfortable minivan for up to 9 people, all cars are of course air-conditioned. You can also book your private transfer from Cat Bi to Cat Ba Island online in advance, always carefully read all additional information about this transfer.
Driving time by private taxi and ferry from Cat Bi Airport to Cat Ba Island is approximately 1.5-2 hours and costs between $40-140/car. Ouros Travel also accepts mobile tickets as e-tickets. If you only need a taxi transfer from Cat Bi Airport to Bến Phà Got Port, that is also possible, the transfer takes about 40 minutes and costs about $30-40/car.
| Taxi Service | Travel Time | Price (Car) |
|---|---|---|
| Ouros Travel | 01:30 | From $80.00 / Comfort 3pax |
| Ouros Travel | 01:30 | From $90.00 / SUV 4pax |
| Ouros Travel | 01:30 | From $125.00 / Van 9pax |
| Saigon DMC | 01:30 | From $77.00 / Comfort 3pax |
| Saigon DMC | 01:30 | From $87.00 / SUV 4pax |
| Saigon DMC | 01:30 | From $120.00 / Van 9pax |
| APT Travel Limousine | 01:30 | From $47.00 / Comfort 3pax |
| APT Travel Limousine | 01:30 | From $55.00 / SUV 5pax |
| APT Travel Limousine | 01:30 | From $94.00 / Limousine 9pax |
| APT Travel Limousine | 01:30 | From $118.00 / Limousine 19pax |
| Amazing Vietnam Travel | 02:00 | From $60.00 / Comfort 3pax |
| Amazing Vietnam Travel | 02:00 | From $70.00 / SUV 6pax |
| Amazing Vietnam Travel | 02:00 | From $130.00 / Minibus 15pax |
3. CABLE CAR from Cat Hai to Cat Ba Island
If you don’t want to take a ferry/boat to Cat Ba Island from Phà Got Port, there is another unique and very interesting way to get to Cat Ba Island. And that is the use of the cable car that starts at Phà Got harbor and is operated by Sun World. So you can transport, for example, from Cat Hai station (Cáp treo Cát Hải) to Phu Long station (Ga cáp treo Phù Long), which is already part of Cat Ba island, this is a route about 4 km long.
In the future, the cable car should also go to the city of Cat Ba in the south of the island. A cable car ticket from Cat Hai Station to Phu Long Station costs around VND 100,000 and can be purchased on site. The cable car is also occasionally closed for maintenance, this information can be found on the official website of Sunworld.
📍 Ha Long Bay / Cat Ba / Quan Lan – Map:
❓ FAQ – Travel route from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island:
1. How to book and buy tickets from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island?
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- Book your tickets from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
- you can also change your travel route, e.g. Cat Ba to Hanoi, Cat Ba to Ninh Binh…
2. Do you want to book a cruise for Ha Long Bay or Cat Ba?
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- It is not a big problem, you can search and book a boat tour / cruise to Ha Long Bay with KLOOK.
3. What is the travel time from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island?
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- Travel by catamaran from Hai Phong (Hong Bang Port) to Cat Ba Island takes about 1 hour.
- Travel by bus + ferry / boat from Hai Phong (Pha Binh port) to Cat Ba Island takes about 1.5 hours.
- Travel by taxi + ferry from Cat Bi Airport to Cat Ba Island takes about 1.5-2 hours.
4. What is the travel distance from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island?
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- Travel distance from Hai Phong (Pha Binh port) to Cat Ba Island is about 40 km by ferry or boat. Of course, this distance can change, depending on where you start from and where you are going on Cat Ba Island.
5. How much does it cost to get from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island?
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- Transport by catamaran from Hai Phong (Hong Bang Port) to Cat Ba Island costs about $9.50/pp.
- Transport by bus + ferry / boat from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island costs about $5-7/pp.
- Transport by taxi + ferry from Cat Bi Airport to Cat Ba Island costs about $40-140/car.
6. Is there also another way how to get to Cat Ba Island?
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- You can also travel by boat from Tuan Chau Island. Boats from Tuan Chau Island go to the northern part of Cat Ba Island. Tuan Chau Island is an tourist island full of resorts and hotels and it is about 5 km from Ha Long town. You can travel by bus/van or private transfer from Hanoi to Tuan Chau.
7. How to go back from Cat Ba Island to Hai Phong?
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- From Cat Ba Island to Hai Phong you can travel by bus + ferry / boat. It is the same way how you came to Cat Ba Island. There are some buses from Cat Ba town to Hai Phong. There are also buses from Cat Ba Island to Hanoi.
8. How to get to Cat Ba Island by cable car?
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- If you want to travel by cable car to Cat Ba Island, first you have to travel to Cat Hai. From Cat Hai you can travel by cable car to Phu Long station on Cat Ba Island, it is about 4 km. This is the first travel route of this project, in the future it would be possible to travel by cable car from Cat Hai to Cat Ba town in the south of the island.
9. How and where to book a cruise to Ha Long Bay?
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- You can search and book the best cruise in Ha Long Bay in this article: 15 Best Ha Long Bay Cruises.
10. Which islands you can also visit in Vietnam?
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- There are various popular and tourist islands in Vietnam. You can read this article: 10 Best Islands in Vietnam. If you are already in Halong Bay, you can also visit Quan Lan Island and Co To Island.
11. How to travel solo in Vietnam?
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- Embarking on a solo adventure in Vietnam involves securing the necessary visa, meticulous budgeting for accommodation, meals, and activities, prioritizing health with vaccinations and a well-equipped first aid kit, familiarizing yourself with basic Vietnamese phrases for effective communication, and staying connected through translation apps to navigate the diverse landscapes and vibrant culture seamlessly.
| ⭐ 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 |
From Hai Phong to Cat Ba you can get by catamaran or bus + boat.
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- From Hai Phong town to Cat Ba Island, you can embark on a seamless journey via a combination of local bus and boat, passing through Cai Vieng or there is also a direct catamaran transfer. This efficient route offers the quickest means to reach Cat Ba town from Hai Phong. The transfer by bus and speedboat or ferry from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island (Cat Ba Pier) typically costs around $6-7 per person and takes approximately 1.5 hour and travel by catamaran takes about 1 hour. Opting for the bus and speedboat / ferry combination from Hai Phong to the town of Cat Ba provides the best, most comfortable, and fastest transportation option to reach Cat Ba Island.
- Cat Ba town, located in the southern part of Cat Ba Island, boasts numerous hotels and guesthouses for accommodation and most tourists arrive mainly in this site. It’s advisable to book and purchase your boat / ferry tickets online in advance for a hassle-free experience. It is also possible to travel by private taxi + ferry from Cat Bi Airport to Cat Ba Island. Additionally, from Cat Ba, you can also travel by bus and boat to Hanoi. Refer to the instructions below on how to reach Cat Ba Island from Hai Phong. Furthermore, from Hai Phong, you can explore other destinations such as Ninh Binh by bus or private car—a highly appealing tourist spot.
Cat Ba Island is the biggest tourist island in Ha Long Bay.
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- Ha Long Bay is a premier tourist destination and a breathtaking natural wonder in northern Vietnam. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay draws thousands of travelers and tourists each day. Ha Long Bay offers scenic boat rides, various tourist activities, relaxation on the beaches and visits to caves and more remote and uninhabited islands. Tourists also go on boat trips to Lan Ha Bay which is another top tourist and interesting place. Before embarking on your journey to Cat Ba Island, it’s advisable to review the weather forecast.