How to get to Cat Ba Island from Hanoi, Hai Phong, Halong, and Ninh Binh, hugely popular with all travelers, from backpackers to well-heeled honeymooners.

Join Cat Ba Express to find out the simplest, most convenient, and best way to get to Cat Ba.

How to get to Cat Ba from Hai Phong

Since you may not be familiar with the mentioned locations, let me outline three key parts of the journey, including the island, port, ferry terminal, and flyover.

(1) We have a very important spot in Hai Phong City (mainland): Binh ferry terminal.

(2) Then we have the transit island called Cat Hai Island. Please remember the Dong Bai ferry terminal and Got Speedboat pier on this island.

(3) Finally, our final destination – Cat Ba Island. There are two spots to remember: Cai Vieng ferry terminal and Phu Long port and Cat Ba Town.

See the map below to have a better visualization

Now, it’s time to choose the route that fits you the best.

Option 1: Book a Lan Ha Bay day tour from Hai Phong City → Click to Book or here

Option 2: Take a speedboat from Binh ferry terminal and go directly to Cat Ba Island (~250,000 VND – 60 mins). It’s fast but expensive.

Timeline of Binh Speedboat

Binh to Cat Ba	Cat Ba to Binh
09h00	10h00
13h00	14h00

The speedboat will temporarily stop operating from September to April next year.

Option 3: Go to the Tan Vu – Lach Huyen flyover, which connects the mainland to Cat Hai Island.

There’s a parking lot at the Dong Bai Ferry terminal where you can park your motorbike/car, or you can bring them with you and pay some extra fees.

Then, from Dong Bai ferry terminal on this island, you take the ferry (10,000 VND – every 30 minutes from 5 AM to 6 PM - duration: 30 mins). → view Dong Bai Pier map

Or, a speedboat at Got Pier (80,000 VND – duration: 8 mins) to Cat Ba Island. → view Got Pier map

Depending on what you choose, you will arrive in different places in Cat Ba Island. When you arrive in Cat Ba Island, take the bus to the town center. Distance 23km.

Dong Bai ferry price

Ticket type	Price
Traveler	10,000 VND / person
Motorbike	45,000 VND / bike
Under-9-seat car	190,000 VND / car
9-to-24-seat car	210,000 VND / car
24-to-32-seat car	240,000 VND / car
Over-32-seat car	330,000 VND / car

Timeline of Got speed boat

Time for Got	Time for Phù Long
7h30	7h20
9h30	9h20
10h30	10h20
13h30	13h20
14h30	14h20
16h30	16h20

Option 3: Bus Hai Phong to Cat Ba

Bus Hai Phong to Cat Ba

Price from:	150.000đ/ pax
Vehicle:	Car & Speed Boat

Timeline of bus

From Binh	From Cat Ba
Morning
5h45	5h30
9h00	8h50
Afternoon
12h20	12h10
14h00	13h50
15h50	15h50

Office address and pick-up point: 16 Ben Binh and 41 Ben Binh, Hong Bang, Hai Phong

How to get to Cat Ba island from Hanoi

The nation's beating heart, Hanoi, can seem chaotic, but respite can be found on an island just 3 hours away from the capital.

A wide variety of new bus and tour services now connect Hanoi to Cat Ba and Sapa to Cat Ba and vice versa, making it easier than ever to access the island's must-visit destinations.

Recommend: Book Lan Ha Bay day tour from Hanoi (pick-up 7:00 - 7:30) → Click to book

By Cat Ba Express Bus

Cat Ba Express provides the best transportation in the area with just: 13 USD for a variety of choices of buses. So the transportation options to get to Cat Ba Island are a Junk boat, Ferry, Speed boat, and Cable Car.

With one combo package ticket (Bus, speed boat, water, snacks...) Cat Ba Express will handle all the logistics of your journey from Hanoi to Cat Ba.

This package offers hotel pick-up in Hanoi and a quick transfer to Cat Ba town via Eco Bus and speed boat, ensuring a comfortable trip.

We will drop you at your hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter area for the return way. This also aims to avoid taxi scams at the local bus station in Hanoi.

Free hotel pickup at your hotel if you stay in Hanoi Old Quater; otherwise, please arrive at Cat Ba Express Offices: 214 Tran Quang Khai, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.

Book a tour

Round-trip bus Hanoi to Cat Ba timetable

Bus time Hanoi - Cat Ba

DEPART IN HANOI	ARRIVE IN CAT BA TOWN
7:30	11:00 - 11:30
10:45	14h00 - 14h30
14:00	17:15 - 17:30

Bus time Cat Ba - Hanoi

DEPART IN CAT BA TOWN	ARRIVE IN HANOI
9h30	12h15 - 12h30
12:30	16:15 - 16:30
15:30	18:45 - 19:15

How to book?

Book online with the booking box on this website. We will confirm your booking immediately → here
Book in our office at 214 Tran Quang Khai, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Call our hotline to book: +84 84 824 4999
Send your request to info@catbaexpress.com

Local bus – boat – bus package

You can choose some local bus companies such as Anh Huy (My Dinh bus station), Hai Au (Gia Lam bus station), and Doan Xuan (Yen Nghia bus station)...

Unless you would like to have real local experiences, we do not recommend this option anymore.

Hanoi - Hai Phong	Hai Phong - Binh	Binh - Cat Ba Island
Local bus	Taxi	Speed Boat or Local Bus

Train (recommended for slow traveling)

Being built by French Colonial in the late 19 century, the railway system in Vietnam transfers natural resources back to France.

This railway system is becoming a new travel experience for local and international tourists.

Route

Hanoi - Hai Phong	Hai Phong - Binh	Binh - Cat Ba Island
Train	Taxi	Speed Boat or Local Bus

Note

Departure time: 08:30
Train ticket: 60,000 VND (~3 USD) / one-way ticket
Hydrofoil: 200.000 VND (~7.5USD) /one-way ticket
Duration: 3 hours
Book online → here

Read more → Get to Cat Ba Island from Hanoi

How to get to Cat Ba island from Halong

Get to Cat Ba from Ha Long

You will get to Cat Ba at Gia Luan ferry terminal from Tuan Chau, Halong. There are different options for you to choose to travel to Cat Ba Island.

- By 7 - to - 12-seat canoe: 120 - 150 USD / way
- By ferry from Tuan Chau Island to Gia Luan port: 3.5 USD / ticket
- Book ticket online → here

Read more: → Lan Ha Bay one day from Cat Ba

Then you can rent a motorbike or a taxi to the center of Cat Ba town. This service is available at Gia Luan Ferry terminal.

Summer schedule Tuan Chau ferry (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 Tuan Chau ferry (01/10 - 29/04)

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

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

From Ninh Binh to Cat Ba Island

Travel to Cat Hai Island via Highway 10, then take a speedboat or ferry to Cat Ba Island. If you take the bus from Ninh Binh, it costs around 300,000 VND and takes 5 hours.

Book a ticket bus Ninh Binh to Cat Ba island → here or here

Need help?

Come to our office at 214 Tran Quang Khai, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Call our hotline: +84 84 824 4999
Send your request to info@catbaexpress.com

FAQs about How to Get to Cat Ba Island

1. What is the easiest way to get to Cat Ba Island from Hanoi?

The most convenient and time-saving way is by a direct bus with a speedboat transfer, such as Cat Ba Express, which takes only around 3.5 hours.

he combo ticket includes hotel pickup in Hanoi, a smooth transfer via the Tan Vu Bridge, and a short speedboat ride to Cat Ba.

2. Can I drive my own car or motorbike to Cat Ba Island?

Yes, you can. Simply drive across the Tan Vu – Lach Huyen Bridge to Cat Hai Island, then take the Dong Bai ferry or Got speedboat to Cat Ba.

You’ll need to pay an additional vehicle fee at the pier, but it’s a great option for those who prefer flexible travel.

3. Is there a ferry from Halong to Cat Ba Island?

Absolutely. You can take the Tuan Chau – Gia Luan ferry, which offers scenic views of the bay. It’s one of the most popular routes, especially for travelers already visiting Halong Bay, and connects directly to Cat Ba Island by road.

4. How long does it take to travel from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island?

Depending on the route you choose, it takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. The fastest option is a speedboat from Binh Pier (about 60 minutes). If you prefer to bring a vehicle, the Dong Bai ferry is the most practical choice.

5. Are there direct buses from Ninh Binh to Cat Ba Island?

Yes, several companies now operate direct buses between Ninh Binh and Cat Ba, usually taking around 5 hours. These buses include both the land transfer and a short ferry or speedboat ride, saving you the hassle of changing vehicles.

6. Can I take a train to Cat Ba Island?

Not directly. You can take a train from Hanoi to Hai Phong, then continue with a taxi or local bus to Binh Pier, and finally a ferry or speedboat to Cat Ba. It’s a slower but more scenic journey for travelers who enjoy rail experiences.

7. What’s the best option if I’m traveling on a budget?

The Dong Bai ferry route is the cheapest. A full trip from Hai Phong to Cat Ba via local bus and ferry can cost less than 200,000 VND, though it takes a bit longer than express buses or speedboats.

8. When is the best time of year to travel to Cat Ba Island?

The best time is from April to September, when the weather is warm, the sea is calm, and ferries operate more frequently. However, visiting during the low season (October–March) means fewer crowds and cheaper prices.

9. Do I need to book ferry or bus tickets to Cat Ba Island in advance?

It’s highly recommended, especially during weekends and holidays. You can easily book online through reputable operators like Cat Ba Express, which provides instant confirmation and flexible schedules.

10. Is there a cable car to Cat Ba Island?

A Hai Phong – Cat Ba cable car system was built to shorten the travel time and offer panoramic views, but it may not always operate year-round. Always check the latest schedule or confirm with your tour operator before planning to use it.

Enjoy your trip!

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How to get to Cat Ba Island