How to Get from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island
Are you looking for the best ways to get from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island? Cat Ba is the most popular and largest island in Halong Bay, so don’t miss it on your Vietnam Itinerary.
Cat Ba Island is dotted with spectacular limestone karsts, sandy beaches, lakes, caves, coral reefs, and jungle.
Getting to Cat Ba Island may seem difficult, but depending on your time and budget, there are a few ways to get there. You can easily get to Cat Ba by bus+ferry, private car/taxi+ferry, or join a guided tour that includes transport.
In this ultimate guide, you will find all the ways to get from Hanoi to Cat Ba, such as the cheapest way to travel, journey times, and how much a bus ticket or private transfer will cost.
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Hanoi to Cat Ba Distance
The distance between Tuan Chau Harbor (Halong Bay) and Hanoi is about 150 km, which is 2 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport. Then, you can take a ferry transfer from Tuan Chau Harbor to Cat Ba Island, which takes about 30 minutes. After that, a 30-40 minute bus ride takes you to Cat Ba Town.
Scroll down for more information about which transport is the best for you, how long the journey takes, and how much a private transfer or bus ticket will cost.
Book a Lan Ha & Halong Bay kayak and snorkel boat tour from Cat Ba via Viator or GetYourGuide.
Hanoi Airport to Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba Island does not have its own airport! The nearest airport is Cat Bi International Airport (airport code HPH) in Hai Phong, a 50-minute drive from Tuan Chau Port.
There are no direct flights between Hanoi (Noi Bai International Airport) and Ha Pong. However, you can get direct flights to Hai Phong from Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh.
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Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights.
A taxi cost from Hanoi Airport to Cat Ba starts from 120 USD, depending on the number of passengers, time of day, etc. If you are not traveling alone, the price is affordable. The journey takes 3.5 hours, depending on traffic.
Before you get in the taxi, be sure to agree on a price with the driver. The taxi drivers do not accept card payments, so you should bring local money!
Alternatively, you can book a private transfer from Noi Bai Airport to Cat Ba Island (any hotel in Cat Ba Town) starting from 113 USD, and 4 pax are allowed.
Hanoi to Cat Ba by Train
There are no train services between Hanoi and Cat Ba. But from Hanoi, you can easily take a train to Hai Phong. Then take a taxi to Tuan Chau Port and a ferry+bus ride to Cat Ba Town.
Hanoi Railway Station is just a 30-minute walk or 10-minute taxi ride from the Old Quarter. You can easily reach Hanoi Train Station from the airport by bus, minivan, or taxi.
Hanoi to Hai Phong
The train journey to Hai Phong takes 2-2.5 hours. Trains depart several times a day between 06:00 and 18:47, and train tickets start from 5 USD.
Get train tickets via 12Go or Bookaway.
You can take a taxi from Hai Phong to the Tuan Chau Harbor in about 50 minutes, and from there, take a quick ferry to Cat Ba Island, then take a bus to Cat Ba Town.
Alternatively, you can take a 10-minute taxi ride from Hai Phong Railway Station to Pha Binh Port and then take a ferry to Cat Ba Island.
Hanoi to Cat Ba Day Trip
Most people spend 3 days on the Cat Ba Island. But you can explore Halong Bay and Cat Ba on a 2-day, 1-night boat trip. Alternatively, if you have limited time in Vietnam, you can easily join a full-day Halong Bay tour.
The tour price includes pick-up and drop-off around Hanoi Old Quarter, an English-speaking tour guide, kayak or bamboo boat, lunch, tea, bottled water, sunset party, visit the Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, Titov Island, all fees and taxes.
Book this excellent 1-Day Halong Bay Cruise via Viator or GetYourGuide.
Hanoi to Cat Ba by Bus
The cheapest way to reach Cat Ba is by bus+ferry. Many bus companies offer buses to Cat Ba. Each company has different departure and arrival stations, so you can choose the one that best suits you.
The total travel time is approximately 3.5-4.5 hours, depending on traffic. Buses depart several times a day from 06:00 to 14:30. We recommend you arrive at the bus station at least 30 minutes before departure.
The bus ticket with the ferry starts from 11 USD.
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Get bus+ferry tickets online through 12Go or Bookaway.
Where to Stay in Cat Ba
Cat Ba Island has some luxury resorts, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Cat Ba, Vietnam
- Luxury: Hôtel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba
- Mid-Range: Cat Ba Island Resort & Spa or Cat Ba Paradise Hotel
- Budget: Lynh’s Villa or Cat Ba Green Hotel
More Travel Guides about Vietnam
- How to Get from Hanoi to Da Nang
- How to Get from Hanoi to Sapa
- Ha Giang Loop in Vietnam for 3 Days
- How to Get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
- 9 Best Things to Do in Hoi An, Vietnam
- How to Get from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An
- How to Get from Hanoi to Hoi An
We hope our post on how to get from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island will help you plan your next trip to Vietnam. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Ferry/Transfer – 12Go
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