How to Get to Halong Bay: Best Routes & Tips

Halong Bay is among Vietnam’s most iconic locations, renowned for its emerald seas and hundreds of soaring limestone islands. But how do you get to Halong Bay? There are many choices to fit every budget and travel style whether your trip from Hanoi or another area of Vietnam. Let MOTOGO Tours find it.

How to Get to Halong Bay from Hanoi

Halong Bay is a handy but thrilling location for visitors since it is just 170 kilometers east of Hanoi. From Hanoi, the trip presents a range of transportation choices, each fit for different budgets, tastes, and travel style.

By Bus or Shuttle Bus

One of the most reasonably priced and often used methods to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay is bus or shuttle bus. Based on traffic and the particular path, buses usually run two to four hours. Particularly popular among visitors are shuttle buses since they offer a more pleasant and practical experience than public buses.

Usually leaving from the Old Quarter of Hanoi, shuttle busses provide hotel pick-up services. With roomy seats and stops for food or restroom breaks, these air-conditioned vehicles From My Dinh or Gia Lam Bus Station, you can board public buses if your budget is tighter. Although public buses are less expensive, their frequent stops along the way can increase the travel duration even if they are packed sometimes.

Many Halong Bay cruise packages offer shuttle bus services as extra convenience. For those who want to have everything scheduled and ready ahead of time, this is a great choice.

By Private Car or Taxi

Hiring a private car or cab is a great way to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay if your values comfort, privacy, and flexibility. Traffic and the chosen path will determine how long this kind of transportation usually takes—2.5 to 3 hours. For families, small groups, or those on a tight schedule, the advantages usually exceed the expense even if this is more costly than riding a bus.

You can arrange the departure time that best for you, take breaks whenever you want, and straight to your hotel or the harbour without needless stops using a private automobile. For others seeking a more direct transfer, taxis can offer a dependable choice. To prevent overpaying, meanwhile, always verify the fare before beginning the journey.

By Luxury Limousine Van

Those who want comfort without sacrificing their budget have come to love luxury limousine vehicles. These luxury vans get you a first-rate trip experience and drive roughly 2.5 to 3 hours from Hanoi to Halong Bay.

The improved facilities luxury limos provide define them from others. Usually including reclining leather seats, free Wi-Fi, USB charging connections, and complementary bottled water or snacks, the vans Usually with 7–9 people on board, the ride is far quieter and more roomy than typical shuttle buses. Most luxury limousine companies offer door-to—door pick-up and drop-off, so saving you travel time.

By Train

Take the train if you choose a slower, more picturesque path to Halong Bay. Although its six to seven hour length makes this the least popular choice, it provides a different viewpoint of rural Vietnam along the way.

Starting Yen Vien Station in Hanoi, the train reaches Halong Station. The train ride lets you see lovely countryside scenes, rice terraces, and tiny towns at a leisurely pace even although the travel is long. On the train, though, the facilities are somewhat poor, hence you should control your expectations.

Once at Halong Station, you still have to make plans for a taxi or other local vehicle to get to your lodging or the main harbor. If you prefer leisurely travel and have the time, this can be a unique and real way to see northern Vietnam.

By Motorbike

Riding a motorbike from Hanoi to Halong Bay is an exciting approach for ambitious people to see Vietnam’s countryside. Depending on your riding speed and the path you decide upon, the trip takes four to five hours.

Two main paths exist: Highway 18, which passes through nearby cities and rural settings, and the speedier but less picturesque Expressway CT06. Riding a motorbike gives you the opportunity to stop whenever you want—for a meal, pictures, or a visit to a little town on route.

But since Vietnam’s roads can be crowded and difficult to negotiate, this alternative is best fit for experienced riders. Before beginning the journey, make sure your motorbike is in good shape, schedule rest stops, and don appropriate safety gear. Companies like MOTOGO and Hanoi Motorcycle Rental offer motorbike rentals in Hanoi.

How to Get to Halong Bay from Hai Phong

For those trying to save travel time, Hai Phong is the nearest big city to Halong Bay.

• By Ferry or Speedboat: Travelers from Got Ferry Terminal in Hai Phong can board a ferry or speedboat from which Halong Bay is reached, with a trip time of roughly 45 minutes to an hour. Those additionally visiting Cat Ba Island find this approach especially appealing since it links important tourist destinations.
• By Private Car or Taxi: In just 1.5 hours, a private automobile or cab provides a straight and pleasant journey to Halong Bay. Families or organizations that value ease will find it perfect.
• By Bus: Frequent busses run around two hours from Hai Phong to Halong City. These reasonably priced buses charge between $5 and $10.

How to Get to Halong Bay from Ninh Binh

Another well-liked location that fits nicely with Halong Bay is Ninh Binh, sometimes described as the “Halong Bay on land. It is really easy to go between these two lovely areas.

• By Bus or Shuttle Van: Direct buses, either bus or shuttle van, link Halong Bay with Ninh Binh during a 4 to 5 hour travel. There are departures from Tam Coc or Ninh Binh Bus Station; dependable services are provided by operators including Cat Ba Express and The Long Travel. Tickets cost anything between $10 and $15.
• By Private Car or Taxi: Hiring a private automobile is best if you want a quicker and more cosy choice. Usually costing between $80 and $120, the travel takes three to four hours.
• By Motorbike: Renting a motorbike might be an interesting approach for ambitious visitors to explore the area between Ninh Binh and Halong Bay. The trip, meanwhile, takes five to six hours and calls for meticulous planning.

How to Get to Halong Bay from Cat Ba Island

Often included on Halong Bay trips is Cat Ba Island, which is breathtakingly beautiful near Halong Bay. Between Cat Ba Island and Halong Bay, travel is easy.

• By Ferry or Speedboat: Usually, one travels from Ben Beo Pier on Cat Ba Island to Tuan Chau Marina in Halong Bay via ferry or speedboat. The trip runs one to one and a half hours and costs $5 to $15.
• By Tour Boat: Many operators provide planned excursions combining visits to Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island. This is a quick and fun way since these trips include boat transfers and usually stop at important sites.

How to Get to Halong Bay from Sapa

Nestled in the northern mountains, Sapa presents a rather different scene than the calm waves of Halong Bay. There are numerous ways one could get from Sapa to Halong Bay:

• By Overnight Bus: Overnight sleeper buses link Sapa to Halong Bay, therefore optimizing time and cost on the travel. The travel last eight to ten hours, and companies like Sapa Express and Queen Cafe Bus offer reasonably priced choices ranging in cost from $20 to $30.
• By Private Car or Taxi: Hiring a private car or cab would provide additional freedom if you so want. The excursion last eight hours and costs between $150 and $200.
• By Train (via Hanoi): Another way is by train from Sapa to Hanoi, then a bus, vehicle, or seaplane to Halong Bay. This approach lets you tour Hanoi along the way and split up the travel.

How to Get to Halong from Ho Chi Minh City

Halong Bay is in the northern portion of Vietnam, hence getting there from Ho Chi Minh City calls for crossing a great distance.

• By Flight: The fastest approach is to fly from Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City to either Cat Bi Airport (Hai Phong) or Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi). Flights take roughly two hours, then a one to three hour journey to Halong Bay. Daily flights run by airlines include Vietjet Air and Vietnam Airlines.
• By Bus or Train: Long-distance buses and trains are accessible for budget visitors but demand considerable journey time—30 to 35 hours. Though less expensive, this approach is advised just for individuals with flexible schedules.

How to Get to Halong from Da Nang and Hoi An

Popular tourist destinations in central Vietnam, Da Nang and Hoi An must be carefully planned before one can reach Halong Bay.

• By Flight: The most handy choice is direct flights from Da Nang International Airport to Hai Phong or Hanoi. From there, you might drive, bus, or seaplane to Halong Bay. Flights run roughly 2 hours.
• By Bus or Train: Long-distance buses and trains link Da Nang and Hoi An to Hanoi, with 16 to 18 hour trip periods. Once in Hanoi, you can get Halong Bay using any of the previously described approaches.

Arriving at Halong Bay is simpler than you would have guessed. There is an inexpensive bus ride, a nice private automobile, or a fancy seaplane trip to suit everyone. Plan your vacation, decide on the correct mode of transportation, and get ready to discover one of Vietnam’s most captivating locations!