1. Bus to Cat Ba Island
2. Bus + Train + Boat
3. Taxi / Car to Cat Ba
4. Bus to Ha Long Bay
🎫 Book a Tour Online
🎫 Book Ticket Online
Cat Ba Island – the largest tourist island in famous Ha Long Bay.
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- Wondering how to travel from Sapa to Cat Ba Island? There are several routes and modes of transportation available for this journey. A popular choice is to travel via Hanoi by bus, train + bus, or private car. While some tourist buses offer direct routes from Sapa to Cat Ba Island without a stopover in Hanoi, keep in mind that this option typically takes around 11 hours, with ticket prices ranging from $25 to $34 per person. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Ha Long and then a boat from Ha Long (Tuan Chau Island) to Cat Ba Island. Another option involves taking a train from Lao Cai to Hai Phong via Hanoi, followed by a speedboat journey to Cat Ba Island.
- Easily secure your e-tickets from Sapa to Cat Ba online
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- You can also opt for traveling by regular train from Lao Cai (25 km from Sapa) to Hanoi, where you can then catch a bus (+ferry from Hai Phong) to Cat Ba Island. A brief boat/ferry transfer awaits in Hai Phong (Bến phà Gót port) to reach Cat Ba Island (Cái Viềng port). With a travel distance of about 500 km from Sapa to Cat Ba Island, expect considerable travel time. You can conveniently book bus, train, or ferry tickets to Cat Ba Island online. From Cat Ba, you can further journey to central Vietnam, such as Da Nang by train/bus or plane – Vietnam’s 4th largest city. Ensure a smooth journey by carefully reviewing instructions on reaching Cat Ba Island from Sapa and Lao Cai, and secure your tickets effortlessly online.
| Transfer Mode – Sapa to Cat Ba: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Bus + Ferry | 11-12 hours | $25 – $34 |
| Train + Bus + Ferry | 15-17 hours | $25+ |
How do I get from Sapa to Cat Ba Island?
1. BUS from Sapa to Cat Ba Island
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- there are some tourist sleeper busese from Sapa to Cat Ba Island
- semi-sleeper and comfortable bus of Techbus VN, Cuong Lan, Ket Doan, Good Morning Cat Ba, Grouptour
- travel by bus from Sapa to Cat Ba Island takes about 10-11 hours
- one-way bus ticket from Sapa to Cat Ba Island costs about $25-34/pp
- if you do not find your tickets try to change your date of departure
- Book and buy bus tickets from Sapa to Cat Ba Island online on 12go.asia ➜
- you will receive your bus e-ticket to Cat Ba Island by email, ready to print or carry in your mobile phone or tablet and present when boarding the bus in Sapa, read carefully the information on 12go.asia
2. BUS from Sapa to Cat Ba Island (with stop in Hanoi)
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- there are also another buses to Cat Ba Island with stopover in Hanoi
- bus companies: Ket Doan, Good Morning Cat Ba, Inter Bus Line, Hung Thanh, Hason Haivan, EcoSapa…
- travel by bus from Sapa to Cat Ba Island with stop in Hanoi takes about 10-13 hours
- bus ticket from Sapa to Cat Ba (with stop in Hanoi) costs about $25-40/pp
- if you do not find direct bus connection, try to change your arrival place (Sapa to Hanoi > Hanoi to Sapa)
- Book bus tickets from Sapa to Cat Ba Island (with stop in Hanoi) on Baolau ➜
- you will receive your bus e-ticket to Cat Ba by email, ready to print or carry in your mobile phone or tablet and present when boarding the bus in Sapa, read carefully the information on Baolau
3. BUS + TRAIN + BOAT to Cat Ba Island (via Hai PHong)
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- It is another way how you can reach Cat Ba Island from Sapa – by bus + train + boat via Lao Cai, Hanoi and Hai Phong. You can take a local bus or taxi from Sapa to Lao Cai Railway Station (about 30km), from Lao Cai you can take a train to Hanoi, from Hanoi another train to Hai Phong and from Hai Phong you can travel by speedboat to Cat Ba Island. Travel by bus + train + boat to Cat Ba from Sapa takes a lot of time, so it is better to travel by bus directly from Sapa. There are sleeper tourist trains from Lao Cai to Hanoi. You can book tickets for these travel routes easily online.
4. TAXI / CAR from Sapa to Cat Ba Island
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- You can also travel from Sapa to Cat Ba Island by private taxi / car. This way has 2 steps – you have to take a private taxi from Sapa to Hanoi (or Noi Bai Airport) and from Hanoi (or Noi Bai Airport) you can travel by another private taxi to Cat Ba Island. Transfer by private car to Cat Ba Island is the most expensive option of transport, but it is the most comfortable and fast. Transfer by private taxi / car from Sapa to Cat Ba (via Hanoi) costs about $240-350/car and you can book your private car with 12go.asia. There are modern cars, vehicles or comfortable luxury private minivans.
How to travel from Sapa to Ha Long Bay?
1. BUS from Sapa to Ha Long
You can also travel from Sapa to Ha Long Bay (Bai Chay bus station) in the town by bus. From Bai Chay bus station in Ha Long you can take a taxi to Tuan Chau Island (about 5 km) and in Tuan Chau Island you can travel by boat to Cat Ba Island (to the northern part of Island – Gia Luan port). From Gia Luan port you can take a local bus to the town of Cat Ba. You can also travel from Sapa to Ha Long Bay by combination of train from Lao Cai and bus from Hanoi, but it takes a lot of time, read this > How to get from Sapa to Ha Long Bay?
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- there is a tourist sleeper bus from Sapa to Ha Long (Bai Chay bus station)
- sleeper tourist bus of Phuc Xuyen company
- departures from Sapa: 8:00, 11:00, 16:00 (check Baolau)
- travel by bus from Sapa to Ha Long takes about 9-10 hours
- one-way bus ticket from Sapa to Ha Long costs about 400 000 viet.dongs ($15)
- Book and buy bus e-tickets from Sapa to Ha Long online on Baolau ➜
- you will receive your bus e-ticket to Ha Long by email, ready to print or carry in your mobile phone or tablet and present when boarding the bus, read carefully the information on Baolau
📍 Cat Ba Island + Halong Bay – Tourist Map:
Baolau – search and book tickets online
– you can book train, bus, ferry tickets, flights – Vietnam (+tickets for Laos and Cambodia, Thailand…)
– flights of Vietnamese airlines, Air Asia, JetStar, VietJet Air as well as flights to neighbouring countries
– ferry tickets in Vietnam (eg. ferry to Cat Ba, ferry to Phu Quoc, ferry to Nam Du, ferry to Quan Lan, ferry to Con Dao…)
– tickets for travel routes in Vietnam (eg. Da Nang to Ninh Binh, Hue to Nha Trang, Da Lat to Hoi An…)
– the price of tickets or flights is from the official price of transport company or airlines
– you can use online train ticket in mobile phone in Vietnam (I recommend to print a ticket)
– read in the order any other information about ticket, read also frequently asked questions
12go.asia – search and book tickets online
– you can book train, bus, ferry tickets, flights mainly in Thailand (+ Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, China..)
– ferry/boat tickets in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, eg. ferry to Vung Tau, Koh Rong, Koh Chang, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Tao…
– tickets for the main routes in Thailand, eg: Bangkok to Hua Hin, Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bangkok to Krabi…
– you can use an online train e-ticket in your mobile phone in Vietnam
– read also information about train tickets and trains in Thailand
– if you book a ticket of private trains in Vietnam to Lao Cai on 12go.asia, Baolau (King Express, Sapaly…), you must pick it up at the station
❓ FAQ + Tips – Travel route from Sapa to Cat Ba Island:
1. How to book and buy tickets from Sapa to Cat Ba Island?
2. How to search and book a tour to Cat Ba in Ha Long Bay?
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- You can search and book a tour or cruise to Cat Ba Island with KLOOK.
3. How long does it take to travel from Sapa to Cat Ba Island?
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- Travel by bus from Sapa to Cat Ba Island takes about 11-12 hours.
- Travel by train+bus from Sapa to Cat Ba Island takes about 15-17 hours.
4. How much does it cost to travel from Sapa to Cat Ba Island?
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- Travel by bus/minivan from Sapa to Cat Ba Island costs about $25-34/pp.
- Travel by train+bus from Sapa to Cat Ba Island costs about $25+/pp.
5. What is the travel distance from Sapa to Cat Ba Island?
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- Travel distance from Sapa to Cat Ba Island is about 500 km by train/bus/minivan + ferry.
6. Is it possible to travel by plane from Sapa to Cat Ba Island?
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- No, it is not possible to travel by plane because there is no airport in Sapa and on Cat Ba Island.
7. What is the fastest option of transport from Sapa to Cat Ba Island?
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- The most fastest way how to get to Cat Ba Island from Sapa is to travel by bus/van from Sapa to Hanoi (about 6 hours) and from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island by bus+ferry (about 4-5 hours).
8. Is it possible to get by private taxi from Sapa to Cat Ba Island?
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- Yes, it is possible, there are some private taxi companies from Sapa to Hanoi and from Hanoi to Cat Ba. You can book your private car to Cat Ba also online with 12go.asia.
9. What is the bus schedule from Cat Ba to Hanoi?
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- There are various buses from Cat Ba to Hanoi, read this article: Buses from Cat Ba Island to Hanoi. Travel by ferry+bus from Cat Ba Island can take up to 4 hours and bus tickets cost about $11-17/pp.
10. How to travel from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh?
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- Another popular tourist travel route – Cat Ba to Ninh Binh. There are various tourist buses from Cat Ba to Ninh Binh, read this article> How to get from Cat Ba to Ninh Binh?
11. 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.
12. How to travel solo in Vietnam?
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- Discover the wonders of solo travel in Vietnam as you explore ancient temples, cruise through scenic landscapes or karst sceneries, hike various national parks and ethnic villages and connect with the warm-hearted locals, creating a personalized journey of cultural immersion and breathtaking experiences.
13. What are the most interesting things or facts about Vietnam?
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- Vietnam, a country with a captivating allure, is celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, including the mesmerizing limestone karsts of Halong Bay, the terraced rice fields of Sapa, and the bustling waterways of the Mekong Delta. Its rich history unfolds through ancient temples in Hanoi, the imperial city of Hue, and the Cu Chi Tunnels, providing a glimpse into Vietnam’s resilience during wartime. The country’s vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality further enhance the allure of this Southeast Asian gem. Read this: 15 Interesting Things of Vietnam.
14. What to expect from Vietnam Culture?
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- Expect a vibrant cultural tapestry in Vietnam, characterized by traditional values, a strong sense of community, and a deep-rooted respect for family. You’ll encounter a fusion of French, Chinese, and indigenous influences in art, architecture, and cuisine. Traditional water puppetry, folk music, and dance performances showcase the country’s artistic flair. The importance of rituals and festivals in daily life adds a colorful dimension, while the warmth and friendliness of the Vietnamese people make for a welcoming and enriching cultural experience.
BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Halong Bay ➜
| ⭐ 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 |
3 Ways of Transfer from Sapa to Cat Ba Island:
| 1. BUS from Sapa to Cat Ba Island | |
|---|---|
| Bus Options | Tourist sleeper buses (Techbus VN, Cuong Lan, Ket Doan, Good Morning Cat Ba, Grouptour) |
| Bus Type | Semi-sleeper and comfortable buses |
| Travel Time | About 10-11 hours |
| Bus Ticket Price | About $25-34/pp (one-way) |
| 2. BUS + TRAIN + BOAT to Cat Ba Island (via Hai Phong) | |
| Transport Route | Bus + train + boat (Sapa – Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong – Cat Ba Island) |
| Travel Time | Long journey, not recommended |
| Sleeper Trains | Tourist sleeper trains available from Lao Cai to Hanoi |
| 3. TAXI / CAR from Sapa to Cat Ba Island | |
| Transport Route | Private taxi / car (Sapa – Hanoi – Cat Ba Island) |
| Travel Time | About $240-350/car (via Hanoi) |
| Transport Options | Modern cars, vehicles, luxury private minivans |
🎫 Book your bus, train or ferry tickets from Sapa to Cat Ba Island:
(you can change your departure and arrival, eg. Sapa > Hanoi, Hanoi > Cat Ba, Hai Phong > Cat Ba)
Hanoi to Mu Cang Chai｜Hoi An｜Ha Long｜Lung Cu Tower｜Dong Van Geopark｜Ninh Binh｜Ban Gioc Falls｜Ma Pi Leng Pass｜Ninh Binh to Hue