How to get to Cat Ba from Van Don Airport? The shortest way to go from Van Don Airport to Cat Ba Island is to go to Tuan Chau Island then head to Gia Luan port by ferry since there's no road that leads to the island.

Cat Ba Island is regarded as the sleeping beauty on her wakening. It has the pure charm of sky and sea, covered by the jungle green coat.

As well as the peaceful sun and sand holiday, there’s a huge range of activities on hand including kayaking, cruising, trekking, motorbiking to name a few! The friendly atmosphere and wide range of activities means that it has become particularly popular with young couples and groups.

Thousands of arrivals everyday to Cat Ba, both domestic and international. Usually, travelers get here from Hanoi and other provinces in the North of Vietnam. Recently, however, a large number of travellers get to Van Don Airport first then go directly to Cat Ba Island.

This route is newly established so if you are not sure how to travel to the island, you now are in the right place to get the newest information and updates on transportation options from Van Don Airport to Cat Ba Island.

The shortest way to go from Van Don Airport to Cat Ba Island is to go to Tuan Chau Island by bus then head to Cat Ba Island at Gia Luan port by ferry since there's no road that leads to the island.

To get to Cat Ba Center Town from Gia Luan port, take the local bus or a taxi.

Leg 1: Travel from Van Don Airport to Tuan Chau Island

Shuttle buses from on the route Halong to Van Don Airport now are available since Dec 30, 2018, under management of Department of Transport in Quang Ninh. The shuttle bus (number 14A and 14B) runs every 90 minutes between Halong and Van Don Airport.

Public shuttle bus is the fastest, cheapest and easiest means of traveling from the bus terminal to the city center.

For those who want to visit Tuan Chau International Recreation Center (Khu du lịch quốc tế Tuần Châu), there’s transit service to pick-up point in Highway 18 and vice versa. If you travel in group from 5, pick-up at your group’s hotel is available if the hotel is on the route.

bus halong to van don airport

How to take the bus

Bus 14A

Catch the bus 14A at the gate of Halong Flower Park, where it starts. The bus then turns down Tran Quoc Nghien stress and passes Big C Halong, Quang Ninh traditional Hospital, Mega Halong, Cam Pha cement plant, Cua Ong coal company. The route ends at Van Don Int’ Airport.

Route map

Bus 14B

The bus 14B is another bus that transit passengers from city to aiport. It begins at Sunworld Complex Halong and continues along highway Halong – Van Don.

The 14B passes New Life Tower – Honda dealer. Then it’s on to Hoang Quóc Viet street, passes Gas Station 81 (on Highway 18) before gets to Van Don Airport.

The shuttle bus (number 14A and 14B) runs every 90 minutes between Halong and Van Don Airport. If you want to require private shuttle bus for your group, refer to the timetable below:

Bus timetable Van Don Airport to Halong Bay

Starting point	Departure time	Based on airlines itinerary
Halong – Van Don Int’ Airport	7:00 – 7:15	Vietnam Airlines
	13:30 – 13:45	Vietnam Airlines
	6:30 – 6:45	VietJet Air
	13:30 – 13:45	Vietnam Airlines

For the route from Halong to Van Don Airport, the bus begins 3.5 hours prior to departure time of your group’s flight.

Booking time:

You are advised to book your tickets at least 60 minutes prior to departure time of the bus.

How to book:

1/ Contact your travel agent to ask for help.

2/ Book in the bus company’s website: http://phucxuyen.com.vn/bussanbay.

*Note: the website is in Vietnamese.

3/ Call the hotline: 02 033 827 827 or 1900 6799.

When you book your ticket, this is information that you need to provide:

Your name
Your phone number
Your pick-up address
Airplane ticket

LEG 2: Travel from Tuan Chau Island to Gia Luan Port

You will get to Cat Ba at Gia Luan ferry terminal. There are different options for you to choose to travel to Cat Ba Island:

By bus Son Tung Express (Halong Bay to Cat Ba Town) → Book here.
By 7 to 12 seat canoe: 120 - 150 USD / way.
By ferry from Tuan Chau Island to Gia Luan port: 3.5 USD / ticket.

Summer schedule (30/04 - 30/09)

Tuan Chau – Gia Luan: 7:30, 9:00, 11:30, 13:30, 15:00

Gia Luan – Tuan Chau: 9:00, 11:30, 13:00, 15:00, 16:00

Winter schedule (01/10 - 29/04)

Tuan Chau – Gia Luan: 07:30, 11:30, 15:00

Gia Luan – Tuan Chau: 9:00, 13:00, 16:00

LEG 3: Travel from Tuan Chau Island to Gia Luan Port

At Gia Luan Port, there are always local buses waiting to pick you up (no bookingad in advance is required). The local buses will take you to Cat Ba Center Town with only 30,000 VND (about 1.5 USD).

If you prefer a taxi to Cat Ba Center Town from Gia Luan Port, you can pay 250,000 - 300,000 VND (11 - 13 USD) for a 4-seat taxi.

Cat Ba town

Now, welcome to Cat Ba Island! Now, standing in the center of town next to the ocean, you just need to take a deep breath and think about What to do in Cat Ba Island.

Ngu Lam Peak

ENJOY YOUR TRIP!

Want to get to Cat Ba from other places? Read more:

Want to go to Cat Ba Island from Hanoi center? Read HERE

Want to go to Hanoi center from Cat Ba Island? Read HERE

Read more →

How to get to Cat Ba Island from Van Don Airport

Leg 1: Travel from Van Don Airport to Tuan Chau Island