Hanoi to Cat Ba Island Bus

Hanoi to Cat Ba Island bus is a high-quality service provided by Cat Ba Express with a speedboat and only 3h 30min, making you enjoy the journey to the best.

Hanoi to Cat Ba Island Bus

Bus Hanoi to Cat Ba Island, provided by Cat Ba Express, guarantees your comfort during the whole trip with personal power outlets, reclining leather seats, extra legroom, no middle seats, and an amiable and funny tour guide fluent in both English and Vietnamese.

Recommend → Cat Ba Island - Lan Ha Bay full-day tour from Hanoi (pick-up 7:00 - 7:30 am).

You can click to book the bus below:

1. Round-trip bus Hanoi to Cat Ba tickets
2. Halong Bay to Hanoi bus
3. Hanoi to Halong Bay bus
4. Halong Bay to Cat Ba bus
5. Hanoi to Ninh Binh bus
6. Hanoi to Sapa bus
7. Cat Ba to Ninh Binh bus
8. Ninh Binh to Cat Ba island bus
9. Ninh Binh to Halong Bay bus
10. Halong Bay to Ninh Binh bus

Read what people say about Cat Ba Express on TripAdvisor before booking.

Cat Ba is about 150km from Hanoi; therefore, travelers have many options to go to Cat Ba. Some take bikes and pay an extra fee to bring them to the island.

Some travel by private cars and leave on the mainland at the port to take the ferry to Cat Ba Island. The most hassle-free way is to take a tourist bus or Cat Ba Express.
 

Which types of vehicles does CÁT BÀ EXPRESS operate?

• Kia Granbird Tracomeco 2024: 45–47 seats.
• Universe Noble 2017: 35 standard seats.
• Universe Noble 2017: 45 standard seats.
• Thaco 2020: 33-seat version modified to 28 premium seats.
• High-speed boat: transporting passengers between Đồng Bài Pier and Phù Long Pier (round trip).
• Cát Bà Cable Car tickets (with surcharge).

Itinerary Hanoi to Cat Ba Island Bus

1. Hotel pick-up if you are staying in Hanoi Old Quarter. Otherwise, please arrive at Cat Ba Express office (20 minutes before departure): No. 214 Tran Quan Khai Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
2. Travel via Highway 5B to Got Speed Boat Terminal (2 hours, including a 15-minute break).
3. Travel to Cai Vieng (Phu Long) from Dong Bai Port by SPEEDBOAT or Cabla Car (not ferry) (8 minutes).
4. Travel to Cat Ba Town by bus (40 minutes). At Cat Ba Express in Cat Ba Town, No.191, Road Mot Thang Tu.

Bus to Cat Ba from Hanoi timetable

How long is the bus ride from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island?

~ 3 hours 15 minutes (excluding 30 minutes pick-up)

Bus Cat Ba Express includes

• Bus & speedboat.
• Hotel pick-up is in Hanoi Old Quarter, and Cat Ba Express is in Cat Ba Town, No.191, Road Mot Thang Tu.
• English-speaking guide.
• Water, wet wipes.

​How to book a bus from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island?

Book online with the booking box on this website. We will confirm your booking via Email/WhatsApp/Message as soon as possible.

1. You can book at Cat Ba Express Office No. 214 Tran Quan Khai Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
2. Call our hotline to book: +84 84 824 4999 (Whatsapp is available).
3. Send your request to info@catbaexpress.com.

Bus Picture

34-seat Hyundai Universe Noble

29-seat bus

Arrival in Cat Ba

Public speedboat

Note: - On national holidays and vacations (September 1, 2, 3 and 4; December 30, 31; etc.), surcharge 20% is added

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Cat Ba Express a reputable bus operator?

Yes. Cat Ba Express is highly rated by travelers for service quality and punctuality. You can check real reviews on TripAdvisor.

How do I receive booking confirmation and verify my ticket?

When you book a Hanoi – Cat Ba ticket with Cat Ba Express, we will confirm directly by:

• Invoice (if booked at our office)
• Online confirmation via messaging apps (Zalo, Messenger, WhatsApp) or email.

Our official contact channels are displayed on the right side of the screen, at the top and bottom of our website. We are not responsible for any communication outside of these official channels.

To verify your booking, simply call our Hotline at 0848 244 999 and provide the following information: Full Name, Travel Date, Route, and Booking Phone Number. Our operations team will then confirm your ticket details.

How far is it from Hanoi to Cát Bà?

The distance is about 156 km, with three stages of travel:

1. Bus from Hanoi
2. Crossing the river by Ferry, High-speed Boat, or Cable Car
3. Bus transfer from the pier to Cát Bà Town center.

How long does the journey take from Hanoi to Cát Bà?

The total travel time with Cát Bà Express is approximately 3 hours 15-30 minutes, including the high-speed boat transfer.

Does the Hanoi – Cát Bà bus go by ferry?

No. We use either the high-speed boat (8 minutes) or the Cable Car (10 minutes) for the river crossing. This ensures a fast, smooth transfer without waiting time.

What is the child policy?

Currently, Cat Ba Express does not apply a specific child fare policy. Children aged 1–4 years old and under 1 meter tall may share a seat with an adult free of charge.

If parents prefer a separate seat for their child, the ticket price is the same as for adults. For children over 1 meter tall, a ticket for the high-speed boat or cable car is required, even if they share a seat with parents on the bus.

Does Cat Ba Express provide door-to-door pickup service in Hanoi?

At the moment, we do not offer home pickup in Hanoi for the following reasons:

• Detouring to pick up passengers causes delays and inconvenience.
• Door-to-door service would increase ticket prices.
• The journey to Cát Bà involves a fixed schedule with the high-speed boat/cable car, so timing must align perfectly for smooth connections.

However, we offer free pickup at hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter, as well as at Aeon Mall Long Biên and our office at 214 Tran Quang Khai, Hoan Kiem.

Does Cat Ba Express drop passengers off at hotels in Cat Ba?

Yes. Our Hanoi – Cat Ba service drops passengers at hotels in the town center or as close as possible if buses cannot reach the entrance.

Special cases:

• Flamingo Cat Ba Resort: During peak season, drop-off is at a point 200m from the entrance (as large buses cannot enter). Guests can request the hotel’s buggy service at the drop-off point. During low season, we drop off directly at the lobby.
• Mgallery Cat Ba: Drop-off at the slope entrance, about 150m from the hotel.

Can I bring pets on board?

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed for the safety and comfort of all passengers. If we introduce a suitable pet-friendly service in the future, details will be announced.

What is the luggage policy?

Each passenger is allowed:

• 1 medium-sized suitcase
• 1 small carry-on bag

For oversized luggage, special items, or extra baggage, please inform us in advance when booking for proper arrangements.

Prohibited items on board:

• Explosives, flammable substances, weapons, or hazardous materials
• Goods prohibited by law
• Live animals (unless exceptionally approved)
• Strong-smelling items affecting other passengers (e.g., durian, improperly packed fish sauce)

Finally, we wish you a pleasant trip to Cát Bà, filled with wonderful experiences and joyful moments with your family and friends.

Thank you!

Read more →

1. → Cat Ba Island, Vietnam
2. → The top 15 hotels on Cat Ba Island
3. → Lan Ha Bay – the forgotten paradise