Flight via Hanoi / Hai Phong
~1–2h flight + transfer
Train + bus
Sleeper, scenic, 2-step journey
Sleeper bus
Cheapest, ~16–19h journey
Motorbike
Very long distance, safety risk
Quick answer: Traveling from Da Nang to Ha Long Bay is easy with several options. By land, the journey is about 800 km and takes 15–19 hours by bus or 16–19 hours by train plus bus. For a faster trip, you can fly to Hai Phong (~1.5 hours) and transfer by bus or taxi (~1 hour). Private cars are also available for a flexible door-to-door journey.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: ~800 km
- ⏱️ Travel time: 15–19 hours (bus), 16–19 hours (train + bus), 5-7 hours (flight + transfer)
- 💰 Price range: $26–$800
- 🚌 Best for budget: Sleeper tourist bus (e.g., Grouptour, Duy Khanh Transport, New Way Travel…)
- 🚆 Train option: Train to Hanoi + bus/taxi to Ha Long Bay
- ✈️ Fastest option: Flight to Hai Phong + transfer to Ha Long Bay
- 🚗 Private car: Direct transfer (~16–18 hours)
Last updated in March 2026
From Da Nang to Halong Bay you can get by train + bus, sleeper bus or plane.
- Travel distance from Da Nang to Halong Bay is about 800 km by land. The fastest option is a direct flight from Da Nang to Hai Phong, about 50 km from Ha Long town.
- You can also travel by train + bus via Ninh Binh or Hanoi. Sleeper buses are the cheapest option, but travel time can take up to 15–23 hours.
- From Hai Phong you can continue by ferry to Cat Ba Island. Tourist buses also operate from Hanoi or Ninh Binh to Ha Long Bay.
- From Halong Bay you can continue by bus or taxi to Cao Bang, Hanoi or Sapa.
- Halong Bay is one of the most visited places in northern Vietnam, famous for limestone islands, caves and boat cruises.
- Before visiting, it is useful to check local conditions and read about Weather in Halong Bay.
| Transfer Mode – Da Nang to Halong Bay | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Train + Bus (via Hanoi) | 23 hours | $30+ |
| Plane (direct flight to Hai Phong) | 1.5 hours | $60–$150 |
| Sleeper Bus (or bus + van via Hanoi) | 15–19 hours | $26–$50 |
| Private Taxi/Car with a driver (via Hanoi) | 16–18 hours | $400-800/car |
How do I get from Da Nang to Halong Bay?
1. TRAIN + BUS from Da Nang to Ha Long (via Hanoi)
👉 Budget-friendly option with a train and bus transfer from Da Nang to Ha Long via Hanoi.
- ✔️ Good for: low-cost travelers and those who don’t mind longer travel with transfers
- ✔️ Duration: ~18–22 hours total (train 15–18h + bus 2.5–3.5h)
- ✔️ Price: $27–98 per person (train $22–75 + bus $5–23)
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (seats or sleeper trains; better comfort with tourist sleeper cabins)
- ✅ Best option: Sleeper train to Hanoi + minivan/bus to Ha Long
- 💡 Tip: Choose a 4-berth tourist sleeper for better comfort and consider stopping in Ninh Binh or Hanoi to break up the long journey.
A) Train from Da Nang to Hanoi
The transport used by low-cost travelers on the route from Da Nang to Ha Long Bay is a train + bus trip with a transfer in Hanoi. In theory, you can also go by train to Hanoi and from there by train to Hai Phong city, this is convenient for those who want to go from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island, for example.
However, it is usually more convenient and faster to go to Ha Long via Hanoi. There is no direct train connection from Da Nang to Ha Long. You can also go, for example, by train to Ninh Binh and then from there by bus to Ha Long, so there are a little more options for traveling by train. However, we will focus on the transfer, which includes changing to a bus in Hanoi.
There are several Vietnam Railways trains from Da Nang to Hanoi every day, and these trains also include more comfortable tourist sleeper trains. A cheaper option is regular trains, they have seats or sleeping beds, tourist trains such as Violette Train, Livitrans Express, Lotus Train or Laman Express only have sleeping beds, mostly in cabins for 4 passengers. Regular trains have cabins for up to 6 passengers. The train journey from Da Nang to Hanoi takes approximately 15-18 hours depending on the type of train.
Regular trains are also cheaper than tourist trains, the seats are the cheapest, but they are not very suitable for such a distance. Train tickets from Da Nang to Hanoi cost in the range of $22-45/pp (seats or sleepers) and tourist sleeper trains cost in the range of $60-75/pp, but they have better comfort and service.
Trains arrive at Hanoi Railway Station, which is a short distance from the popular and main Hoan Kiem district, and from this area, various buses depart for Ha Long City and/or Cat Ba Island (see Vietnam Railway Map). You can easily find and book train tickets from Da Nang to Hanoi online even in advance, read all the instructions about these tickets.
B) Bus / Minivan from Hanoi to Ha Long
The second step is to travel by bus or minivan from Hanoi to Ha Long, or to the popular island of Cat Ba, which is located in the bay. And there are many different buses, minivans or minibuses on this route, the journey time from Hanoi to Ha Long is approximately 2.5-3.5 hours and you can arrive at various places such as Bai Chay, Tuan Chau, Van Don and others.
Depending on where and where you go and what bus you use, bus ticket prices also vary, the trip from Hanoi to Ha Long costs between $5-23/pp. Older buses are the cheapest, modern or luxury minivans for more people are usually the most expensive. You can use buses in Hanoi from various departure points, you will always see this information when searching for tickets online.
You can easily search and book bus tickets from Hanoi to Ha Long online well in advance. If you don’t want to take the train via Hanoi, you can get off the train at Ninh Binh, which is a very interesting place, about 90 km south of Hanoi, and from there you can also travel by bus or minivan to Ha Long.
2. FLIGHT + FERRY from Da Nang to Cat Ba Island
👉 Fast and comfortable option with a flight and ferry transfer from Da Nang to Cat Ba Island.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers who want to save time and reach Cat Ba Island quickly
- ✔️ Duration: ~4–6 hours total (flight 1.5h + transfer and ferry)
- ✔️ Price: $66–157 per person (flight $60–150 + ferry/bus $6–7)
- ✔️ Comfort: high (short flight + convenient transfer options)
- ✅ Best option: Direct flight to Hai Phong + transfer to Bến Phà Got Port + ferry to Cat Ba
- 💡 Tip: Book a combined bus + ferry ticket from Hai Phong to Cat Ba for an easier and cheaper transfer.
If you would like to get from Da Nang to Ha Long Bay as quickly and comfortably as possible, you can consider a direct flight to Hai Phong. This city is approximately 50 km from Ha Long city and it is good to use this if you want to go by boat to Cat Ba island. It is from the port of Bến Phà Got near the city of Hai Phong that boats go to Cat Ba Island.
So the first step is air transfer from Da Nang to Hai Phong and in this step you can use direct air connection from VietJet Air. The direct flight time from Da Nang to Hai Phong (Cat Bi Airport, see Vietnam Airports Map) is approximately 1.5 hours and flights cost between $60-150/pp (Economy, Deluxe, SkyBoss).
It is also possible to use various direct flights to Hanoi and from there continue by bus as in the previous step. Cat Bi Airport is located approximately 27 km from Bến Phà Got Port, so if you want to go directly here, you have to use a private taxi or other transfer. Boats or ferries to Cat Ba Island depart from this port, or there is also a cable car to Cat Ba Island.
BOOK DIRECT FLIGHT to Hai Phong ➜
Alternatively, you can go to Hai Phong city and use the bus + boat connection from Hai Phong to Cat Ba. These buses will take you to this port and from there there is a short boat transfer to the island and then continue again by bus to the city of Cat Ba in the south of the island. The bus and boat transfer from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island costs only about $6-7/person and you can also buy tickets online.
There are also bus services and other private minibuses between the cities of Hai Phong and Ha Long, so you can also move to the city of Ha Long and from there take trips to the surrounding area or to Cat Ba Island. So this step has more options and you can decide for yourself how to get to Ha Long, but this way is more suitable for those who want to go to Cat Ba Island from Hai Phong. You can search and book tickets or flights from Da Nang to Hai Phong / Ha Long online.
BOOK TICKETS to Cat Ba Island ➜
3. SLEEPER BUS from Da Nang to Ha Long
👉 Cheap long-distance option with a sleeper bus from Da Nang to Ha Long.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers who are okay with very long overnight journeys
- ✔️ Duration: ~13–19 hours
- ✔️ Price: $30–45 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium to high (modern sleeper buses, but can be tiring for long distances)
- ✅ Best option: Direct sleeper bus or combined transfer via Hanoi with companies like Grouptour or Duy Khanh Transport
- 💡 Tip: Consider splitting the trip (e.g. stop in Phong Nha or Vinh) if you want a more comfortable journey.
Another low-cost option that you can use for transportation from Da Nang to Ha Long Bay is to travel by sleeper bus, or even a minivan when transferring. There are also very modern and new to luxurious sleeper buses on this route, which offer great comfort, but the journey is really very long. And for some, this mode of transport may not be suitable, then it is better to use a sleeper train than a sleeper bus.
From Da Nang to Ha Long you can use several companies such as Grouptour, Duy Khanh Transport, New Way Travel, Sapa Discovery Travel, Vietnam Easy Go Travel, Vietnam Luxury Travel. Some of these companies have combined transfers, i.e. they first go to Hanoi or another city and continue there by e.g. minivan or minibus to Ha Long. You will see this information when ordering tickets online.
Bus travel from Da Nang to Ha Long costs between $30-45/pp and you can easily find and book tickets online. The travel time of these buses to Ha Long from Da Nang is 13-19 hours, each company has this differently. It depends on how many stops the buses make before reaching their destination in Ha Long.
If you would not like to travel such a long distance by bus, you can travel, for example, from Da Nang to Phong Nha or Vinh and then continue by another bus to Ha Long. When ordering tickets, also read all transfer instructions, most companies also accept tickets on mobile phones.
| Bus Company | Departs | Arrives | Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cua Ong | 14:45 | 08:30 | From $26.00/pp |
| Duy Khanh | 14:00 | 07:30 | From $37.00/pp |
| Duy Khanh | 17:00 | 10:30 | From $37.00/pp |
| Duy Khanh | 05:00 | 22:30 | From $37.00/pp |
| Luxury Van Lim. | 17:00 | 08:30 | From $39.00/pp |
| New Way Travel | 14:00 | 09:00 | From $30.00/pp |
| New Way Travel | 15:30 | 10:30 | From $30.00/pp |
| Green Bus | 14:00 | 07:00 | From $33.00/pp |
| Green Bus | 15:30 | 08:30 | From $33.00/pp |
| Sapa Discovery Travel | 20:45 | 11:00 | From $41.00/pp |
| Sapa Discovery Travel | 17:00 | 09:30 | From $42.00/pp |
| Vietnam Easy Go | 17:00 | 11:00 | From $51.00/pp |
4. TAXI / CAR from Da Nang to Ha Long (via Hanoi)
👉 Most comfortable but very expensive option with a private car transfer to Ha Long via Hanoi.
- ✔️ Good for: groups or travelers seeking maximum comfort and flexibility
- ✔️ Duration: ~16–18 hours total (2 transfers)
- ✔️ Price: $400–800 per car
- ✔️ Comfort: very high (modern AC cars, SUVs or minivans with driver)
- ✅ Best option: Private transfer (Da Nang → Hanoi → Ha Long) with companies like Taxigo or Ouros Travel
- 💡 Tip: Split costs and consider a stop in Hanoi for better comfort.
The most expensive transfer option from Da Nang to Ha Long is transport by private car/taxi with driver via Hanoi. This option must therefore be implemented in 2 steps, first it is a trip from Da Nang to Hanoi and then a trip by another car from Hanoi to Ha Long, or to Cat Ba Island. Companies that offer private transfers from Da Nang to Ha Long are offered by companies such as Taxigo vn, Hue Happy Travel – for the trip to Hanoi and for the trip from Hanoi to Ha Long, companies such as Saigon DMC, Hanoi VIP Transfer, Tiim Group, Ouros Travel, Viet Technologies Travel, Halong Transportation, Mui Ne Private Car, Mui Ne Go Travel, Mui Ne Sky Travel, Grouptour, Dichung, GoAir Travel, Cat Ba Express and others.
All of these companies offer modern and comfortable air-conditioned cars for transfers to Ha Long and Hanoi. Transport by private cars from Da Nang to Ha Long via Hanoi takes a total of about 16-18 hours and costs a total of $400-800/car.
Prices vary depending on the type of car, with smaller cars always being a cheaper option than larger SUVs or minivans for more people. However, you can calculate the fare for each passenger in the vehicle and you can also choose the departure and arrival points. You can easily search and book your private car/taxi from Da Nang to Hanoi and from Hanoi to Ha Long online in advance.
2. BOOK TAXI / CAR to Ha Long ➜
❓ FAQ + Tips – Travel from Da Nang to Halong Bay:
How to book tickets or flights from Da Nang to Halong Bay?
You can book tickets and flights online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
How long does it take to travel from Da Nang to Halong Bay?
Train + bus transfers via Hanoi take about 23 hours. Sleeper buses take about 15–19 hours and direct flights to Hai Phong about 1.5 hours.
How much does transport from Da Nang to Halong Bay cost?
Bus tickets cost about $26–50/pp, train + bus transfers from $30/pp and flights about $60–150/pp.
What is the travel distance from Da Nang to Halong Bay?
The travel distance is about 800 km by land.
What is the fastest way to get to Halong Bay?
The fastest option is a direct flight from Da Nang to Hai Phong and then a bus or ferry transfer.
What is the cheapest transport option?
The cheapest option is usually a sleeper bus, but travel time is long.
How to travel from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island?
You can travel by ferry or speedboat. Read: How to travel from Hai Phong to Cat Ba?
How to travel from Tuan Chau Island to Cat Ba Island?
You can travel by local ferry or boat from Tuan Chau Island to Cat Ba Island.
How to travel from Noi Bai Airport to Halong Bay?
The best option is a private minivan, bus or taxi transfer from Noi Bai Airport to Halong Bay.
What other places can you visit on this route?
You can also visit Hue, Hanoi or Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
You are searching for a cruise in Halong Bay or Cat Ba Island?
Carefully consider a selection and book the best boat cruise.
| ⭐ 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 Da Nang to Ha Long Bay
Traveling from Da Nang to Ha Long Bay is a long journey across Vietnam. You can travel by sleeper bus, train + bus or plane.
- Fastest Option: Direct flights to Hai Phong are the quickest way to reach Ha Long Bay.
- Cheapest Option: Sleeper buses are budget-friendly but travel time is very long.
- Comfortable Travel: Train + bus transfers via Hanoi offer a more comfortable overland option.
- Bring Essentials: Pack water, snacks, chargers and a neck pillow for long journeys.
- Offline Maps: Save maps and tickets before departure in case of weaker mobile signal.
- Book Early: Flights, trains and buses can sell out during weekends and holidays.
Tip: Bus, train and flight tickets can be searched and booked online in advance.