In recent years, Cat Ba has become one of the most popular destinations in the North of Vietnam. Cat Ba Island is 30 kilometers from Hai Phong city and 25 kilometers seaway to the South of Ha Long Bay. Looking at the town of Cat Ba to the Southeast, you can see Lan Ha Bay, a wonderful bay in the North of Vietnam. You can get to Cat Ba from Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Ha Long Bay. Let’s find out some ways for a convenient trip from Hanoi to Cat Ba with Handspan Travel Indochina!

Cat Ba Island

Through this article, you will find detailed information about these ways below.

Taking the tourist bus from Hanoi to Cat Ba

If you travel by tourist bus, it will take you about 3,5 hours to travel from Hanoi to Cat Ba. This is the fastest way for you to get there. 

From Hanoi to Cat Ba, there are many bus branch options for you to choose from. They include Good Morning Cat Ba, Cat Ba Express, Daiichi Bus, Full Moon, Cat Ba Discovery, etc. All of the buses are provided with comfortable seats, water, and wet tissues. These buses depart daily with three or four turns a day. Each of the turns is 2.5 to 3.5 hours apart. The earliest bus is at 7.30 a.m. and the latest is between 2.00 p.m to 2.30 p.m. Let’s find detailed information about some buses below.

• Good Morning Cat Ba

• Cat Ba Express

Cat Ba Express

• Daiichi Bus

The bus will pick you up in the Old Quarter area in Hanoi and take you directly to the center of Cat Ba Island. Following the Hanoi- Hai Phong Highway, you will get to the Got Pier in Hai Phong. After getting off the bus at Got Pier, you will take the ferry or high-speed boat to Cai Vieng harbors in Cat Ba. From Cai Vieng, you will continue using the bus to Cat Ba town. 

Train and boat from Hanoi to Cat Ba

Using the train and boat from Hanoi to Cat Ba will take you 3-5 more hours compared to using the bus. The itinerary will be as below.

• Taking a train from Hanoi to Hai Phong
• Transferring from Hai Phong Railway station to Pha Binh Harbor
• Taking a ferry, high-speed boat, or hydrofoil from Pha Binh Harbor to Cat Ba

First, you will go to Hanoi Railway Station to take the train to Hai Phong Railway Station. Hanoi Railway Station is located at 120 Le Duan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, which is about 15 minutes by car from Hanoi Old Quarter. Every day, there are four turns from Hanoi to Hai Phong. They are at 6.00 a.m., 9.17 a.m., 3.20 p.m., and 6.15 p.m. Staying on the train for 2,5 hours, you will reach Hai Phong Railway Station. You should consider taking the 6.00 a.m. or 9.17 a.m. train, as the last boat trip to Cat Ba is at 4.00 p.m. 

Getting off at Hai Phong railway station, you will take a taxi to Pha Binh ferry port. It will take you 10 minutes to get there. From Pha Binh ferry port, you will have three options to take.

The first option is by ferry. Using the ferry will take you 5 hours to get to Cat Ba. The second option is by high-speed boat. You will stay in the boat for 45 minutes to get to Cai Vieng harbor. From Cai Vieng, you will use the bus to the center of Cat Ba town. The last way is by hydrofoil. The hydrofoil will take you 45 minutes directly to the beach of Cat Ba. However, this way is not suitable for those who are seasick. 

Hydrofoil to Cat Ba

Transferring to Cat Ba from Ha Long

Another way for you to transfer from Hanoi to Cat Ba is through Tuan Chau Harbor in Ha Long. From Hanoi, you can go through the Hanoi- Ha Long highway to get to Tuan Chau Harbor. It will take you about two hours to get there. There are many limousine and coach companies taking you to Ha Long such as Kumho Viet Thanh, Phuc Xuyen, Van Don Xanh, Ninh Quynh VIP Limousine, etc.  

Tuan Chau Island is 10 kilometers to the north of Cat Ba Island. From Tuan Chau, you can take a boat or ferry to Cat Ba. Every day, there are six turns from Tuan Chau to Cat Ba. They are at 7.15 a.m., 8.30 a.m., 10.30 a.m., 1.00 p.m., 2.30 p.m., and 4.00 p.m. You will stay in the boat for about 30 minutes to get to Cat Ba. 

High-speed boat from Tuan Chau to Cat Ba

In conclusion, you have just learned about three main ways to transfer from Hanoi to Cat Ba. Let’s choose one way to get to Cat Ba and enjoy your best holiday!