HANOI to HALONG BAY — Transport Options ☀️

1. Bus / Van to Halong Bay
2. Train / Bus to Hai Phong
3. Taxi / Car to Ha Long
4. Bus + Ferry to Cat Ba
5. Train to Ha Long town
6. Book a Tour Online 🎫
7. Book Ticket Online 🎫

How do you get from Hanoi to Halong Bay?

1. BUS / VAN from Hanoi to Ha Long (Best Budget Way)

The most popular and cheapest way to travel from Hanoi to Ha Long is by bus or modern minivan. It is a fast and convenient option with direct routes to Ha Long City and nearby areas.

Tickets cost about $4–14 per person, depending on the vehicle type. Buses depart from various locations in Hanoi and arrive at hotels or central stops in Ha Long.

Travel time is around 2.5–3.5 hours, or about 4.5 hours from Noi Bai Airport.

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Several reliable companies operate buses and minivans from Hanoi to Ha Long or Cat Ba Island, including Phuc Xuyen, Kumho Viet Thanh, Techbus VN, GreenLion, Grouptour or Cat Ba Express. These services typically arrive in areas such as Hon Gai, Tuan Chau or Bai Chay.

Some routes also include a ferry transfer to Cat Ba Island. Bus and minivan tickets to Ha Long or Cat Ba can be easily searched and booked online in advance. Transport by bus or minivan is the most popular and convenient option.

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2. TRAIN or BUS from Hanoi to Hai Phong

Another option to reach Cat Ba Island is to travel via Hai Phong, located about 45 km from Ha Long. From Hai Phong, you can continue by boat or cable car from Cat Hai to the island.

The journey from Hanoi to Hai Phong takes about 2.5 hours by train or 1.5 hours by bus. From the port, boats run to Cat Ba Island, followed by a short transfer to Cat Ba town.

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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 from Hanoi depart from Gia Lam Railway Station or Hanoi Railway Station and arrive at Hai Phong Railway Station. You can also view the Vietnam Railway Map.

Hai Phong is mainly a transport hub rather than a tourist destination, but it offers connections to Cat Ba Island and has a nearby airport for further travel in Vietnam.

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3. Private TAXI / CAR / VAN from Hanoi to Ha Long

The most comfortable but also most expensive way to travel from Hanoi to Ha Long is by private taxi or car. It offers door-to-door service from your hotel or Noi Bai Airport directly to your destination.

Prices range from $45–170 per car, making it a good option for groups, but less suitable for budget travelers.

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Travel time by private taxi from Hanoi to Ha Long is about 2–3 hours, depending on traffic. Various companies such as Dichung Taxi, Ouros Travel or Booking Car offer reliable services on this route.

Private transfers provide modern cars, SUVs or minibuses with high comfort. You can book them online in advance with flexible pickup in Hanoi and drop-off in Ha Long, Hai Phong or even Cat Ba Island (with ferry transfer).

4. BUS + FERRY from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island

Many travelers heading from Hanoi to Ha Long also visit the Cat Ba Island. You can travel there directly by bus or minivan without stopping in Ha Long or Hai Phong.

These routes include a short boat transfer from Tuan Chau or Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island. The journey takes about 3.5–5 hours and costs around $9–16 per person. Modern buses and comfortable minivans operate on this route.

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Several private companies operate buses and minivans from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island, including Cat Ba Express, Inter Bus Lines or Grouptour, offering good comfort at affordable prices.

The journey usually includes a short boat transfer from Hai Phong or Tuan Chau, often included in the ticket price. Some services also run directly from Noi Bai Airport to Cat Ba Island.

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5. TRAIN from Hanoi to Ha Long

You can also travel by Vietnam Railways train from Hanoi to Ha Long, but this option is slower and less convenient. The journey takes about 7 hours via Kép railway station, and departures are limited.

Trains depart from Yen Vien Station (about 10 km from Hanoi center) and arrive at Ha Long Railway Station.

Tickets cost about $3–4 per person, but this is a basic local train mainly used by locals, not a tourist service. A better alternative is to travel by train to Hai Phong and continue to Cat Ba Island.

6. Travel on a motorbike to Halong Bay

You can also travel from Hanoi to Ha Long by motorbike or scooter, but this option is suitable mainly for experienced riders with an International Driving Permit. The route follows main roads and traffic can be busy.

The journey takes about 4–5 hours. An advantage is the flexibility to explore places like Cat Ba Island, where you can take a ferry from Tuan Chau with your motorbike.

Motorbikes can be rented in Hanoi or booked online. Always check documents, have a valid license, and follow local traffic rules.

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7. Book a tour to Halong Bay / Lan Ha Bay

Private tours are a popular way to explore Ha Long Bay, especially boat cruises with accommodation, meals and activities like cave visits or beach stops.

Prices vary widely (about $50–1000+ per person) depending on the duration and boat quality. Some tours also include trips to Cat Ba Island or local cultural experiences.

Luxury options such as helicopter tours are also available. Tours and activities in Ha Long Bay can be easily searched and booked online in advance.

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8. FLIGHT from Hanoi to Ha Long (Seaplane)

• • 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

• • 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)

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🚍 Bus or Minibus from Hanoi to Halong Bay:

Travel from Hanoi to Ha Long takes about 2–3.5 hours. The most popular option is bus or minivan, offering direct routes to areas like Hon Gai, Bai Chay or Tuan Chau, often with hotel drop-off.

Tickets cost about $4–15 per person. Modern minivans are faster and more comfortable, making them the best choice for most travelers.

🚕 Private Taxi / Car from Hanoi to Halong Bay:

Private taxi or car is the most comfortable option, with travel time about 2–3.5 hours. Prices range from $45–170 per car depending on the vehicle and group size.

This option offers door-to-door service directly to your hotel and is ideal for groups or travelers seeking maximum comfort.

🚉 Train or Bus from Hanoi to Hai Phong:

Another option is travel via Hai Phong, especially if you plan to continue by boat to Cat Ba Island.

You can also travel by train to Ha Long (slower), book a private tour, or even take a scenic flight. Experienced riders can go by motorbike and take a ferry to Cat Ba Island.

Updated: March 2026