How to get to Cat Ba island from Hanoi City

Being one of the biggest island in the north of Vietnam – Cat Ba island is isolated from the main land with the South facing to ocean of East Sea, North East covered by Ha Long Bay and the West facing to Hai Phong city. So the options of transportation to get here are: Junk boat, Ferry, Speed boat and Hydrofoil

1. Hoang Long public bus package

This is great package with reasonable price for the whole way from Hanoi to Cat Ba island with out extra cost on the way. It’s good eough for budget travelers

- Route: Bus (Hanoi – Hai Phong city) – Speed boat (Hai Phong city to the North of the island) – shuttle Bus (transferring to Cat Ba town)

- Departure: 05:20; 07h20; 11h20; 13:20

- Cost: 240.000 VDN/one way ticket

- Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes

- Bus company: Hoang Long

- Bus station: LUONG YEN

Note: You should show up at the bus station 20 minutes before departure time

2. Private van (best choice for traveling with children)

Being more expensive than other options but it deserves for the convenient and comfort and punctual. You will be pick up by private van for transferring to Hai Phong city (the third largest costal line city in Vietnam), then connecting with hydrofoil to Cat Ba town.

- Route: Private van (Hanoi – Hai Phong) – Hydrofoil (Hai Phong – Cat Ba island)

- Departure: 06h30; 09h30; 12h00

- Private Van Cost: 1.650.000 VND ($75USD)/one way/group for the van from 4 – 7 seats

- Hydrofoil: 200.000 VND ($15USD)/ one way ticket with reservation and operation fees included

- Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

- Pick up: Hotel in Hanoi
 

Hydrofoil

3. Train (recommended for slow travel)

Being built by French Colonial in the late 19 century, the railway system in Vietnam aimed to transferring the natural resources back to France. Nowadays this railway system is becoming a new travel experience for local and international tourist.

- Route: Train  (Hanoi – Hai Phong) – Taxi (Train station in Hai Phong – Ben Binh pier) Hydrofoil (Ben Binh pier – Cat Ba island)

- Departure: 08h30

- Train ticket: 60.000 VND ($3USD)/one way ticket

- Hydrofoil: 150.000 VND ($7.5USD)/ one way ticket

- Duration: 3hours

- Train station in Hanoi: Long Bien