Short answer
Book a combined bus-and-crossing ticket with pick-up in Hanoi's Old Quarter. The trip takes about 3 to 4 hours and costs roughly 280,000–400,000 VND one way. Leave in the morning if you can.
01Combined tickets: the easy way
Several companies run this route as a package, among them Good Morning Cat Ba, Cat Ba Express and Daiichi Travel. Your hotel or hostel can book it, or you can reserve online and pay the driver or the office. Departures run from early morning to early afternoon; in 2026 operators list pick-ups from about 07:00 to 14:00.
Pick-up in Hanoi
A shuttle or the bus itself collects you from your hotel in or near the Old Quarter. Be in the lobby 15 minutes early.
Expressway to the coast
About two hours on the Hanoi–Hai Phong expressway, usually with one short rest stop.
Across to Cat Hai
The bus crosses the long Tan Vu–Lach Huyen sea bridge to the Dong Bai area on Cat Hai island.
The crossing
Depending on the company and time of day, you ride the cable car to Phu Long or take a ferry or speedboat. Luggage travels with you or on the vehicle.
Last leg into town
A connecting bus drives you across the island to Cat Ba Town, about 30–40 minutes. Most companies drop off at or near your hotel.
02Shuttle or limousine?
| Option | Seats | Typical price | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard shuttle bus | 29–45 seats | ≈ 280,000 VND | Budget travellers, groups |
| Limousine van | 9–11 reclining seats | ≈ 350,000–400,000 VND | More legroom, faster boarding |
| Private car | 4–7 seats | From ≈ 2,000,000 VND per car | Families, late starts, flexibility |
Prices were checked in 2026 and vary with the season and the company. Round-trip tickets are usually twice the one-way fare, but booking the return in advance locks you into a date.
03The budget route by train
Trains run from Hanoi to Hai Phong in about two and a half hours and cost very little. From Hai Phong station take a taxi (about 40 minutes) or a local bus to Dong Bai, cross on the foot-passenger ferry or the cable car and take the local bus into Cat Ba Town. Allow most of a day and expect to change several times. It is a nice option if you enjoy slow travel; it is not a time-saver.
04Driving yourself
By car, follow the expressway to Hai Phong, then signs to Dinh Vu and the Tan Vu–Lach Huyen bridge to Cat Hai and the Dong Bai ferry. Foreign driving licences are only valid in Vietnam in specific cases, so most visitors hire a car with a driver instead. Riding a scooter all the way from Hanoi is possible but the expressway is closed to motorbikes, so you would use slower national roads.
05Returning to Hanoi
The same companies run the reverse route, with pick-ups from Cat Ba Town hotels from early morning to early afternoon. Book your return a day ahead in summer. If a storm suspends crossings, companies usually move you to the next available departure.
?Questions people ask
How long does it take from Hanoi to Cat Ba?
Usually 3 to 4 hours from hotel pick-up to arrival in Cat Ba Town on a combined ticket. Independent travel by train and local transport takes 5 to 7 hours.
Where do Hanoi to Cat Ba buses leave from?
Most combined tickets include pick-up from hotels in the Old Quarter and nearby districts. Some companies also have an office where you can board.
Can I go from Noi Bai airport straight to Cat Ba?
Yes, with a private transfer, shared luxury limousine van, or by taking a taxi into the Old Quarter for a bus. A direct transfer via the expressway takes just 2.5 hours - for full terminal pickup details and prices, check out the Hanoi Airport (HAN) to Cat Ba Island transfer guide on From-Airport.com.
Is the cable car included in the ticket?
With most companies, yes, either the cable car or a ferry or speedboat. Check what your ticket covers when you book, because it can depend on the departure time.