If you’re wondering how to get to Cat Ba Island from Hanoi, or simply looking for ways to get to Cat Ba from other cities in northern Vietnam, this article explains all the available options so you can plan your trip in the best possible way.
Cat Ba Island is located about 3 hours from the capital, Hanoi. However, since there is no bridge connecting the island to the mainland, you must first reach the port and then take a ferry to the island.
If you’re thinking of visiting Cat Ba and aren’t sure how to get there, keep reading, because in this post we,ll explain all the available options for traveling from Hanoi to Cat Ba, as well as alternatives for getting there from other places in northern Vietnam, such as Ninh Binh or Ha Giang.
And if you still don’t know what to do in Cat Ba, we explain it in this other post.
In this post
How to get from Hanoi to Cat Ba
Traveling to Cat Ba from the country’s capital, Hanoi, is the most common option among those of us who travel through the north of the country, so if this is your case, you are in the right place.
It’s a simple and straightforward journey, which, depending on the transport you choose to get from Hanoi to Cat Ba, will take you approximately 3 to 4 hours.
Although prices vary slightly depending on the transport options you choose, we explain the main ones here.
The best option to get to Cat Ba: combined bus – ferry ticket
The best way to get to Cat Ba from Hanoi is to buy a combined bus + ferry ticket, which basically means you’ll do the first part to the port by bus or minivan, and once there, you’ll take the boat to Cat Ba Island.
The great thing about this option is that it’s affordable, comfortable, includes the speedboat instead of the regular ferry, and they usually pick you up in the historic center of Hanoi, so you avoid complications and unnecessary travel.
Companies such as Cat Ba Express, Good Morning Cat Ba, Cat Ba Discovery, and Hoang Long, among others, make the journey and manage the entire trip, including the fast ferry, until they drop you off on the island.
- The journey takes around 3-4 hours.
- Prices range from 325,000 to 450,000 VND per trip, all inclusive.
- Pro Tip: Limousine-style buses with reclining seats, Wi-Fi, USB outlets, and air conditioning are the best option.
You can see prices and schedules, as well as book, at this link.
Alternative option: bus and cable car to Cat Ba
If you don’t like boats, a different option to the ferry is to opt for the last part of the journey to the island using the Cat Ba cable car instead of the ferry.
You can hire the bus from Hanoi and buy the cable car separately (55,000 VND per trip), the duration and price are similar to the first option.
The cable car station is located very close to the port of Dong Bai, where you take the ferry.
The advantage of doing it this way is, without a doubt, the panoramic views from the cable car, provided you’re not afraid of heights, of course.
Train to Hai Phong + ferry
If you prefer traveling by train, from Hanoi you have the option of combining train and ferry
From both Hanoi Station and Long Bien (in the old town) several trains depart daily for Hai Phong City, taking between 2.5 and 3 hours, depending on where you start to complete the journey.
The train ticket costs around 200,000 VND per person.
However, upon arrival you will have to negotiate with a taxi or order a Grab (recommended to avoid scams) to get to the port of Äá»ng BĂ i, the new ferry terminal to Cat Ba.
From there you can take the boat to the island; the ferry fare is 12,000 VND per person. Tickets are sold at the port; no advance booking is necessary.
There are departures approximately every 30 minutes from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Here are the train schedules.
Pro Tip: This option is really only worthwhile if you absolutely must use the train, or especially if you’re traveling by motorcycle.
Book a cruise tour from Hanoi
A very good idea for visiting Cat Ba if you are not too interested in sleeping on the island is to do so via a boat tour from Hanoi.
It’s a more expensive option, but it allows you to explore both Lan Ha Bay and the main attractions of Cat Ba Island without having to worry about the logistics of organizing everything, and it’s also an excellent, less crowded alternative to Halong Bay.
Here’s our top-rated day tour, and if you prefer a two-day tour, pick this one
From Hanoi to Cat Ba by private car or taxi
Hiring a private car is the fastest and most flexible way to get to Cat Ba Island.
The benefits are clear: they pick you up at your hotel at the time you want and it only takes about 2-2.5 hours to get to the port of Dong Bai, where you take the ferry.
However, comfort comes at a price: a private transfer costs between 2,000,000 and 4,000,000 VND depending on the type of vehicle and the number of seats. You can negotiate the price in Hanoi or ask your accommodation to arrange it for you.
Once at the port, take the ferry or the speedboat.
From Hanoi to Cat Ba by motorbike
If you love the freedom of traveling by motorbike, or are simply exploring Vietnam this way, riding a motorbike to Cat Ba is an excellent option. If you don’t have a motorbike, you can rent one in Hanoi (around 225,000â300,000 VND per day).
If you choose the main route, follow National Highway 5 and the Tan Vu â Lach Huyen bridge, although if you are not in a hurry and leave early, you can always create your own route along smaller, less-traveled roads.
In its shortest mode, it is about 135 km to Dong Bai port from Hanoi, which takes about 4-5 hours to travel.
Once you arrive at the port, all you have to do is take your motorcycle on the ferry to the island. The price is 50,000 VND per motorcycle.
How to get to Cat Ba from Ninh Binh
If you are in Ninh Binh and intend to visit Cat Ba as your next destination, but you still don’t know how to get from Ninh Binh to Cat Ba, the easiest way is, just like from Hanoi, to do it with a combined bus and ferry ticket.
Normally, you are picked up in Tam Coc, where you probably have your accommodation, and taken directly to the port to then take the boat to the island.
Departures from Ninh Binh are usually from early morning until 2:00 PM.
- The entire journey takes around 5 hours, depending on traffic.
- Prices are somewhat more expensive than from Hanoi and range from 300,000 â 700,000 VND, including the ferry, depending on the type of bus you choose.
- As with Hanoi, we recommend taking the Limousine-type bus.
You also have the option of hiring transport only to Dong Bai port and taking the ferry there on your own; the journey takes about 4 hours to the port, depending on traffic.
You can view schedules and book here.
How to travel from Ha Giang to Cat Ba
Ha Giang is located in the far north of Vietnam, already close to the border with China, so it is quite far from Cat Ba.
If you’re there, it’s probably because you’ve just finished the Ha Giang Loop, one of Vietnam’s must-do activities. However, if you’re wondering how to get from Ha Giang to Cat Ba, besides keeping in mind that there’s a considerable distance between the two, remember this: the best option is to take the overnight bus.
Night bus from Ha Giang to Cat Ba
In our opinion, the best option for getting from Ha Giang to Cat Ba is to take an overnight bus, sleeping on the bus overnight and connecting early in the morning with the ferry to Cat Ba.
The total journey time is between 10 and 12 hours, including the ferry crossing. From Ha Giang, buses depart daily from late afternoon, arriving at the port to catch the ferry to Cat Ba early the next morning.
Although you can find them starting from 550,000 VND, we recommend spending a little more and taking the cabin bus, which is more expensive but much more comfortable.
You can find the schedules and book through this link.
Alternative via Hanoi
If you prefer to make a stop in the capital, you can first travel to Hanoi on the overnight bus (about 6 hours from Ha Giang) and then, whenever you want, continue to Cat Ba with one of the options we explained at the beginning of the article.
Pro Tip: During peak season, it’s best to book a few days in advance, as the Cabin-type buses, in particular, fill up quickly. It’s usually chilly on the bus due to the air conditioning, so we recommend bringing a sweatshirt.