I am interested in booking a 2-day/1-night cruise in Lan Ha Bay on a medium-sized traditional junk boat for 3 adults. I am planning the...
Traveling from a busy city like Hanoi to the stunning beach of Cat Ba Island has never been easier. Significant infrastructure improvements like the Tan Vu – Lach Huyen sea-crossing bridge and the impressive Sun World cable car have drastically reduced travel times. Whether you're a budget backpacker luxury traveler or adventure enthusiast there’s an ideal route for everyone.
In this guide, Vietnam Travel Price will break down every transportation option compare cost and travel time and help you choose the best route based on your travel style.
1. The Gateway to Cat Ba Island
2. Distance & travel time
3. Tourist bus - ferry
4. Private car and the VIP limousine
5. The Scenic Way - Train - Speedboat
6. The Sun World cable car
7. The Adventurer’s choice - Motorbike
8. Pro tips for your trip
1. The Gateway to Cat Ba Island
If you're tired of the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and want a peaceful place with beautiful scenery of cool blue sea and tranquil limestone mountains Cat Ba Island is the perfect destination for you. Cat Ba Island is part of the Cat Ba Archipelago and is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty. It boasts lush jungles, stunning limestone cliffs sandy beaches and diverse marine life. With several famous attractions such as Cat Ba National Park – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, perfect for hiking and wildlife spotting – or Lan Ha Bay – a less crowded place than Halong Bay, it offers beautiful landscapes and serene waters and you can also experience the charm of fishing villages and traditional Vietnamese cuisine.
With so much to see and do Cat Ba Island is an adventure waiting to unfold!
2. Distance & travel time
The distance from Hanoi to Cat Ba is approximately 150km and the total travel time is 3 - 4 hours. Cat Ba is an island located in northern Vietnam so to get there from Hanoi you will need to combine land travel (Hanoi - Hai Phong highway) and water travel (ferry/speedboat). However, in 2026 thanks to the completion of the Tan Vu - Lach Huyen sea bridge and the Sun World cable car system the journey will be significantly improved shortening travel time and offering visitors more unique experiences on their way to Cat Ba.
3. Tourist bus - ferry
If you're traveling solo or visiting Cat Ba Island for the first time, we recommend using a Tourist Combo tour. These all-in-one services provide everything you need: bus, ferry/speedboat and even a final transfer to your hotel in Hanoi. With one ticket for the whole trip it is a convenient choice for you to make.
You'll need to discuss with your travel company whether they can pick you up at your hotel or at a designated pick-up point. After a 2-hour bus ride, you'll arrive at the airport to board the ferry/speedboat to the island. The cost is around $10-$15 (250,000-370,000 VND) and the journey takes about 3 - 3.5 hours. If you suffer from motion sickness remember to bring motion sickness medication or ask your travel company for assistance. The experience of sitting high above and admiring the limestone mountains is well worth it!
The advantage of this option is that you won't need to negotiate with taxi drivers or worry about ferry schedules. A bus will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter take you to the beach then transfer you by speedboat to your hotel in Cat Ba Town. You don't need to worry about language barriers or getting lost because everything is arranged for you.
However, the number of participants required for a group tour can be very high, so you may experience waiting times. If you prefer to explore specific locations you might find it uncomfortable to follow a fixed itinerary provided by a travel agency. This is especially true during the Vietnamese summer (May-August) when tourist numbers can become overwhelming leading to crowded pier areas.
4. Private car and the VIP limousine
If you want convenience but still want privacy, you could consider hiring a private car or upgrading to a limousine. Don't confuse them with the limousines used by A-list celebrities limousines in Vietnam are 9 or 11 - seater vans with comfortable reclining seats USB charging ports massage seats and some even offer Wi-Fi throughout the journey which ensures maximum comfort.
This option is suitable for families with young children groups of friends or those with tight flight schedules from Noi Bai Airport. With a private car or limousine, you can travel directly from Noi Bai Airport to Cat Ba and vice versa, avoiding central Hanoi, preventing traffic jams, and saving a lot of time. Of course, the travel time will be shorter, only about 2.5 - 3 hours with a cost of around US$15 - US$120 (VND 380,000 - VND 3,800,000) depending on your choice of limousine or private car.
Aside from this it's crucial to know that not many drivers in Vietnam speak foreign languages, so you should have Google Translate or AI translation tools downloaded on your mobile phone beforehand. Confirming the price before using any service is also important to avoid being overcharged at the end of your trip which could negatively impact on your travel experience.
5. The Scenic Way - Train - Speedboat
If you have a bit more time and want to experience beautiful Vietnamese sightseeings on the way this option is for you. Traveling by train allows you to enjoy a unique opportunity to see rural landscapes rice paddies and charming villages along the way. It brings a vintage and slow travel vibe opposite from a busy city.
To go to Cat Ba by train first you take the train from Hanoi Railway Station (or Long Bien Station) to Hai Phong Station, which takes about 2.5 hours, costing $4–$6. Next you grab a quick taxi from the station to Binh Pier or Got Pier (about 10 minutes drive). Then you board a 45 minute speedboat to Cat Ba Island.
The biggest challenge in this option is you have to book all the transportation on your own. It might be difficult due to the language barrier but if you are an adventurous person, it’s totally worth trying.
6. The Sun World cable car
Since its opening, the Cat Hai – Phu Long cable car has become an attraction itself. As one of the longest over-water cable cars in the world it offers stunning views of the limestone karsts and floating fishing villages.
Many bus companies now offer a "Bus + cable car" combo. Instead of taking the speedboat you are dropped at the Cat Hai station for a 15-minute scenic ride. The cable car ticket is very reasonable, only ~100,000 – 150,000 VND ($4–$6) each person.
One tip before your trip is don’t forget to check the schedule beforehand. The cable car typically closes on Tuesdays and it also has specific break times during the day. Make sure you are well-prepared to solve any problems that arise.
7. The Adventurer’s choice – Motorbike
For many backpackers, riding a motorbike from Hanoi to Cat Ba is a must-do at least for once. This adventurous route allows you to explore at your own pace, feeling the wind through your face fully enjoying the beauty of the countryside. Tan Vu – Lach Huyen Bridge is the longest sea-crossing bridge in Vietnam so you can feel like you are surrounded by the ocean.
How to go: You take the route that heads toward Hai Phong, then follow signs for the Tan Vu – Lach Huyen Bridge. Take the Dong Bai Ferry (motorbikes allowed) to the island. Keep in mind not to go into highway 5B because it is a high-speed expressway where motorbikes are prohibited. You should take the older QL5 road which can be dusty and busy with trucks so take a face mask with you. Besides make sure you have an international driving license just in case being checked by the police.
8. Pro tips for your trip
You should book in advance for weekends. Cat Ba is incredibly popular with locals, especially on weekends. If you’re planning to travel on a Friday or Saturday make sure to book your bus and accommodation before few weeks
Checking weather is a must during typhoon season (July – September). There could be sudden high wind or coming storms that make ferries and speedboats be canceled at short notice. Always check the forecast 24 hours before your departure.
To avoid scammers, you should book via an official website or legit booking sites like Klook, Traveloka,...
There is a limit of luggage to bring on speedboat, so make sure your stuff is light and easy to carry
Conclusion
Traveling from Hanoi to Cat Ba is no longer a hard thing if you are well-prepared. The easiest way is taking a combo bus, however, it could be a regret if you miss the cable car. There are plenty of options that can enhance your experience to Cat Ba Island and we believe you have chosen the way that suits you most. Once you arrive, the emerald waters of Cat Ba will make the journey more than worthwhile.
