How to Get to Cat Ba Island From Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, & Haiphong
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Cat Ba island is easy to reach from all areas of north Vietnam. Whether you’re coming from Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, or Haiphong, here are instructions on how to get to Cat Ba and booking your transportation.
From Hanoi
Bus + boat
Travel time: 4 hours
Cost: $12 – 14 USD
How to book: 12Go.Asia or ask your accommodation.
Taking a bus is the best option for most people, as it’s convenient, cheap, and straightforward. I took Cat Ba Express, which I highly recommend. They picked me up close to my hotel, dropped me off at my hostel on Cat Ba, and the entire trip was smooth. There was a company rep that joined us on the bus and guided us through all the transfers, including the transfer to the boat and the transfer back on to a bus once we reached the island.
You don’t have to go with Cat Ba Express, as there are lots of companies that run this route. There are multiple buses that leave every hour – just be aware that the last bus leaves at 2:30 PM.
Train + boat
Travel time: 3 hours + transfer time
Cost: $6.50 USD + cost of taxi/mototaxi
How to book: 12Go.Asia or ask your accommodation about booking your train ticket. Buy your boat ticket at the pier when you arrive.
Going by train to Cat Ba island requires the most transfers, so I don’t recommend it. But if you prefer taking the train over the bus, you’ll need to take the train from Hanoi to Haiphong first. Haiphong is the largest city near Cat Ba. Then, you’ll have to take a taxi or mototaxi to the Got ferry terminal, where you’ll catch the boat.
It takes about 30 minutes to arrive at Cat Ba. You’ll dock at Cai Vieng, which is 22 km from the main tourist area. From there, you can take a bus or you’ll need to arrange your own transportation to your accommodation.
Taxi + boat
Travel time: 2.5 hours
Cost: $55+ USD
How to book: 12Go.Asia or ask your accommodation.
If price isn’t a concern, getting a taxi is the best option for speed and comfort. It’s a two-hour drive from Hanoi to the Got ferry terminal. Have your driver drop you off there. Then, buy your ferry ticket. Ferries leave every 30 minutes, so you shouldn’t have to wait too long.
It takes about 30 minutes to cross the water to Cat Ba. When you arrive at Cai Vieng port, you’ll need to take a taxi or bus to where you’re staying.
From Halong Bay
Boat
Travel time: 55 minutes
Cost: $3.36 USD
How to book: Buy your ticket online, or go to Tuan Chau harbor to buy your ticket in person.
From Halong Bay or Halong city, you’ll sail over to Cat Ba. Taking the public ferry is as simple as showing up at Tuan Chau harbor. I recommend getting there early so you can take one of the first boats. Halong is a popular departure point for getting to Cat Ba, so the boats can get crowded.
Tickets are 80,000 VND or a little over $3 USD. However, it’s only 60,000 VND if you buy online. There are some reports of tourists getting ripped off, so beware of getting charged a higher price if you buy your ticket in person. Before you head to the ferry port, you can also confirm the price with your accommodation.
Ferries run roughly every two to four hours, depending on the season. You can see the schedule on Tuan Chau’s website.
You’ll be dropped off at Gia Luan pier, located at the north end of Cat Ba. It’s 20 km to the center of town, so you’ll need to take the bus or a taxi. You can also ask your accommodation beforehand if they can provide a car to pick you up.
From Ninh Binh
Bus + boat
Travel time: 5 hours
Cost: $12 – 14 USD
How to book: 12Go.Asia or ask your accommodation.
When booking your bus, make sure to confirm where it will pick you up – either in Ninh Binh city or Tam Coc. It’d be stressful to realize at the last minute that you actually need to catch a taxi to reach your bus!
The bus ride from Ninh Binh is straightforward. Your ticket includes transferring to the boat that takes you to Cat Ba island, and in most cases, it also covers the bus to your accommodation on Cat Ba.
Between the low price and the convenience of having all the transfers taken care of for you, taking the bus is the best choice. There isn’t a direct train between Ninh Binh/Tam Coc and Haiphong (the city closest to Cat Ba), so the bus is your only budget, public transportation option.
Taxi + boat
Travel time: 3.5 hours
Cost: $80+ USD
How to book: 12Go.Asia or ask your accommodation.
Taking a taxi cuts down the travel time between Ninh Binh and Cat Ba by quite a bit. But it’s expensive and you’ll have to navigate the ferry and transportation to your accommodation on Cat Ba yourself. A taxi makes the most sense if you can share it with others, so I only recommend it if you’re traveling with family or friends.
The destination you should give your taxi driver is Got ferry terminal. This is where you can buy your ferry ticket to cross over to Cat Ba. Ferries run every 30 minutes, and the ride itself is also 30 minutes.
The ferry will pull up at Cai Vieng port, which is on the northeast side of the island. The tourist area, where most people stay, is in the southwest. You can either take the bus or a taxi to get to your accommodation. If you plan in advance, you can also ask your accommodation if they can help you with transportation.
From Haiphong
Boat
Travel time: 30 minutes
Cost: $0.50 USD
How to book: Go to Got ferry terminal to buy your ticket.
Haiphong is across the water from Cat Ba, so you only need to take a boat to get to the island. Get yourself to Got ferry terminal, buy your ticket for the incredibly cheap price of $0.50 USD, and board the next available ferry.
It’s that simple and easy. Once you arrive on Cat Ba island, you can take the bus or a taxi into the main area where most accommodations are.
More resources for traveling Vietnam
- 5 Complete Itineraries to See North Vietnam in 7 Days
- How to Solo Travel Vietnam
- 5 Best Hostels and Homestays I Stayed at in Vietnam
- Two-Day Halong Bay Cruise With Cat Ba Ventures: Tour Review & Recap
