5 Ways to Travel from Hanoi to Cat Ba – The Most Detailed Guide

Cat Ba, a beautiful island located in Lan Ha Bay, is an ideal destination for nature lovers seeking a relaxing getaway. However, traveling from Hanoi to Cat Ba often faces ferry congestion, especially during holidays. Below are 5 of the fastest ways to travel from Hanoi to Cat Ba that you can refer to for a smooth and enjoyable trip.

3 Stages to Reach Cat Ba from Hanoi

Stage 1: Hanoi – Hai Phong
From Hanoi, you can take various modes of transportation such as train, private car, or bus to reach Hai Phong.

Stage 2: You have 3 options:

• Option 1: Take the ferry from Dong Bai Port (Hai Phong) to Cai Vieng Port (Cat Ba). The journey takes about 45 minutes.
• Option 2: Take the ferry from Tuan Chau (Ha Long) to Gia Luan Port. The travel time is between 50 minutes to 1 hour.
• Option 3: Take the cable car from Cat Hai Station to Phu Long. In just 15 minutes, you can enjoy panoramic views without worrying about ferry delays.

Stage 3: Ferry Port/Cable Car Station – Cat Ba Town
After arriving at Cai Vieng or Gia Luan Port, you will continue your journey to Cat Ba Town. The travel time from the port to the town is about 15-30 minutes.

Travel to Cat Ba by Private Car (Family Car)

One of the main causes of ferry congestion is the high volume of private vehicles (4-7 seat family cars) heading to Cat Ba during holidays. If you have your own car, it’s advisable to park at Dong Bai Port and take the ferry to Cat Ba. Currently, Sun Group is building a 2-hectare parking lot at the Cat Hai ferry terminal, providing you with more parking options.
If you still prefer to use your personal vehicle and need to take the ferry, check the ferry schedule and ticket prices in advance to manage your travel time. A more optimal option is to travel from Ha Long via Tuan Chau ferry to Cat Ba, which helps reduce traffic and ferry congestion. From Hai Phong, it takes about 45 minutes to reach Tuan Chau ferry port. The fare for Tuan Chau – Gia Luan ferry is 60,000 VND/ticket/one way, and the travel time is approximately 60 minutes. After that, you will continue for about 40 more minutes to reach the tourist center of Cat Ba.

Book High-Quality Bus Tickets from Hanoi to Cat Ba (No Ferry)

Currently, many high-quality bus companies operate from Hanoi to Cat Ba with departures at times like 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2:30 PM. You should choose the earliest trip to explore Cat Ba more. Companies like Discovery, Daiichi, and Catba Express offer services that include high-speed boats or priority boarding on ferries, saving you time. The total travel time is about 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours, with ticket prices around 300,000 VND/person/one way.

If you find it inconvenient to travel to the old town to catch a bus, you can book a limousine to pick you up at your location for about 400,000 VND/person/one way. Since there is only one limousine service operating this route, it’s advisable to book tickets 3-4 days in advance to avoid sold-out tickets.

Book a Combo of Bus from Hanoi to Cat Ba + Cable Car Ticket

Since last year, Sun Group has launched the Cat Hai – Phu Long cable car line, providing an exciting experience for travelers. You can travel to Phu Long cable car station (near Got Port) and purchase a cable car ticket to Cat Ba. The price for the cable car + shuttle bus is 180,000 VND/person/one way, and if you book a round trip, it will be cheaper at only 260,000 VND/person. Taking the cable car not only helps you avoid ferry congestion but also gives you the chance to enjoy a panoramic view of Cat Ba Island from above.

Read more & Book ticket : Bus Hanoi to Cat Ba

Travel by High-Speed Boat from Hai Phong to Cat Ba

If you want to completely avoid ferry congestion, the high-speed boat is the most effective solution. You just need to go to Hong Bang Port (432 Hung Vuong Street, Hai Phong) and buy a high-speed boat ticket to Cat Ba for 250,000 VND/ticket/one way. The travel time by high-speed boat is about 60 minutes, saving you time and providing an enjoyable trip.

Train from Hanoi – Dong Bai Ferry/Cable Car – Cat Ba

Another interesting option for train enthusiasts is to combine the Hanoi – Hai Phong train with a rental car in Hai Phong.

Hanoi – Hai Phong Train

The travel time by train is about 2 hours 25 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, with ticket prices ranging from 85,000 to 135,000 VND. This is an enjoyable experience that allows you to admire the beautiful scenery along the way; traveling by train also gives you a different feeling compared to other modes of transport. After that, you will continue from Hai Phong Station to Dong Bai Ferry and then to Cai Vieng Ferry. If you are worried about ferry congestion, you can choose to take the cable car, enjoying the view without the worry of long waits.

Conclusion

Traveling from Hanoi to Cat Ba is no longer a concern if you know how to choose the right transportation method. Whether you opt for a private car, high-quality bus, cable car, high-speed boat, or a combination of train and car rental, each option has its unique advantages. Plan your trip and enjoy wonderful moments in Cat Ba!