HaNoi to HaLong Bay transfer

Thanks to the new expressway, traveling from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, to the famous UNESCO World Heritage site, Ha Long Bay, now takes only about 2.5 hours. There are various means of transportation for you to choose from when going from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, and below is a detailed guide.

Ha Long Bay is a beautiful destination located along the coastline of Vietnam, approximately 163 km (101 miles) east of Hanoi. It offers tranquility and serenity, in stark contrast to the bustling atmosphere of Hanoi. Ha Long Bay features unique landscapes with impressive limestone karsts, tropical forests, and stunning beaches. Exploring and discovering the beauty of this place is a must-do. Fortunately, traveling from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay is very easy and convenient.

 

You can take a shuttle bus from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay with a time of about 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours. Fares range from 350,000 VND to 500,000 VND one way per person if the pick up and drop off point is located in Hanoi Old Quarter. If you are staying outside the Old Quarter, additional charges may apply.

Shuttle buses are considered an efficient means of transportation between Hanoi and Ha Long. It is a good choice if you want to save time and at the same time preserve your travel budget.

There are many types of shuttle bus from Hanoi to Ha Long, loved not only by locals but also foreign tourists. A variety of shuttle bus options, from economy to luxury, are guaranteed to meet every passenger's needs. All types of shuttles run on route 5B Hanoi - Ha Long Highway, travel time is about 2.5 - 3 hours. The bus departs from Hanoi Old Quarter at around 8am-9am.

The three main types of shuttle buses include:

• Standard buses: There are different capacity types, from 16-seat minivan, 29-30-seat bus, 35-seat bus and 45-seat bus.
• Luxury shuttle bus: Usually a 9-seat Limousine and a 19-seat Fuso, fully equipped with high-class facilities.
• Shuttle buses managed by tour companies: Many tour companies offer private shuttle bus services that pick up and drop off tourists at certain destinations.

Among the multitude of shuttles on the Hanoi - Ha Long route, the following brands are highly recommended:

 
Note: Although it is possible to buy tickets directly through the bus company's website, for added peace of mind, you should book tickets through travel agencies or travel agents.

• Time: About 2-3 hours on the road.
• Fares: Ranges from 100,000 VND to 250,000 VND per passenger each way.

Local buses can't compare to tour buses in terms of comfort and convenience, but that's offset by a cheaper price tag. For budget travel, you should consider using a local bus as it can be an affordable and cost-effective option.

Hanoi has three main bus stations for you to choose from when you want to go to Ha Long:

• My Dinh Station: Address 20 Pham Hung Street, My Dinh 2, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi. This is a large and modern bus station, about 11 km from Hanoi Old Quarter. My Dinh station is the first and most important bus station to connect Hanoi with the northern and northwestern provinces such as Quang Ninh, Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Hoa Binh, Ninh Binh,... From here, you can easily find many buses running to Bai Chay, Quang Ninh province to explore Ha Long Bay.
• Giap Bat Station: Address 6 Giai Phong Street, Hoang Liet Ward, Hoang Mai District. The distance from Giap Bat bus station to Hanoi Old Quarter is 7 km, it takes about 17 minutes to drive. This is the busy and chaotic gateway of Hanoi when you want to go to the central and southern provinces of Vietnam such as Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, and Ho Chi Minh City. Some buses also run the Hanoi - Ha Long route here.
• Gia Lam Station: Address 9 Ngo Gia Kham, Long Bien, Hanoi. This bus station is the closest to Hanoi Old Quarter, only 5.5 km away, but the number of buses to Ha Long here is quite limited. Gia Lam Station mainly provides public bus services to Bac Giang, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Thanh Hoa, Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang provinces.
 

To buy bus tickets to Ha Long Bay, you can go to the ticket offices at the bus station and do not need to book in advance.

One piece of advice from locals is that about 60% of bus trips to Ha Long Bay depart from My Dinh station. This means that there are many bus operators and pricing options to choose from.

• Time: 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours.
• Fares: Ranging from VND 2,300,000 to VND 4,000,000 for both ways (round trip).

This is the right choice for business travelers, families and groups of friends who want to move in privacy and comfort.

To book this service, you can contact travel service providers or travel agents. Alternatively, you can also hire a private taxi. The private car will pick you up and drop you off at the previously agreed upon points. This is the most convenient but also the most expensive way to get to Ha Long Bay.
Here are some reputable taxi companies and companies that have their own shuttle services:

 

Seaplane is a special and wonderful means of traveling from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay. It is the fastest and most enjoyable option for affluent travelers and couples who want to admire the stunning views of the bay from above.

• Time: 60 minutes
• Ticket price: Ranging from 4,100,000 VND to 9,000,000 VND (about 175 - 385 USD) per person.

The departure point of seaplanes is Noi Bai International Airport, at Counter E09, Hall E, Terminal 1, Hanoi. The destination is Tuan Chau Marina, in Tuan Chau ward, Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province, Vietnam.

To book a seaplane trip, you can contact the cruise operators to find out if any packages include a seaplane flight. The flight from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay is expected to take about 45 minutes.
Upon arrival, you can use a Grab taxi (similar to Uber) or a regular taxi to travel from Tuan Chau Cruise port to your final destination.

This is a good option for travelers on a tight budget and looking to enjoy the scenery along the way. The train reopened recently, offering an authentic Vietnamese experience at a slow pace that's easy to admire.

The ticket price is quite reasonable, only about 94,000 VND (equivalent to 4 USD) per person. This is suitable for those who want to explore but have a limited budget.

Train departs from Yen Vien station in Hanoi at 4:55 am daily and arrives at Ha Long station at 11:41 am, total travel time is about 6 hours 45 minutes. This allows you to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.

If you want to fully experience Halong Bay, when the ship arrives in Ha Long City, you need to arrange additional transportation to reach your hotel or cruise port.

When you want to return to Hanoi, you can choose the return train. Train departs from Ha Long station at 13:50 and arrives in Hanoi at 20:31, total travel time is 6 hours 46 minutes.

Remember that trains not only save money, but also give you the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way, and create memorable memories in your journey to discover Ha Long Bay.

 

Are you an adventure seeker? If you like flexibility in terms of time, travel route and are passionate about experiencing thrills, then renting a motorbike to drive yourself to Ha Long Bay will be an interesting choice for you. In Hanoi, there are many places to rent motorbikes with prices from 118,000 to 164,000 VND a day, equivalent to about 5-7 USD. You can ask the hotel for help or contact the motorbike rental center directly.

Here are some popular brands that offer motorbike rentals:

• 13535 Hanoi motorbike rental
• Happy Zip Hanoi motorbike rental & sale
• Phung motorbike and Tigit Hanoi motorbike

Rent ranges from 118,000 VND to 164,000 VND per day.

To move from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, you have two main options:

From Hanoi, you drive along Highway 5 about 10km to Sai Dong junction, then continue to go another 23km along Highway 1to reach Bac Ninh province. Then continue to follow Highway 18 about 122km to Ha Long city.

This route is a bit longer but more convenient. From Hanoi, you go to Nam Sach town, Hai Duong province and then drive along Highway 183 to Ha Long city.

 

 

If you want to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay or vice versa, there are several easy transportation options to choose from.

If you have a clear plan for your trip, book round-trip tickets from bus companies or private car transfers. This will help you have a smooth and comfortable ride.

Thanks to the construction of the new National Highway 5B, day trips between Hanoi and Ha Long Bay are easier than ever.

The best way to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay is to use a shuttle bus or rent a private car. This will save you money, but if you want more convenience and speed, you can choose to rent a private car, although the price will be more expensive. For solo travelers, the bus is a reasonable choice with prices ranging from VND 230,000 to VND 351,000. If you are a group of friends or a large family, renting a private car will be more suitable.

When you arrive in Ha Long, you can easily buy a yacht ticket to visit Ha Long Bay for the day. There are two popular routes you can choose from:

• Route 1: Tuan Chau Port - Thien Cung Cave - Dau Go Cave - Dinh Huong - Drum Island (4 hours)
• Route 2: Tuan Chau Port - Dinh Huong - Drum Island - Sung Sot Cave - Ti Top Island (6 hours)

Sightseeing tickets usually cost from 290,000 VND ~ 13 USD per person for route 1 or line 2. You can buy tickets at Tuan Chau Port, Ngoc Chau Ward, Tuan Chau, Ha Long.

Alternatively, a more convenient and hassle-free option is to book a day cruise with transfers from Hanoi to Ha Long. There are many day cruises on Halong Bay for you to choose from, such as Estella Premium Day Cruise, Genesis Day Cruise, Amazing Sails, Orchid Day Cruise, Phoenix Day Cruise and Paradise Luxury Day Cruise.

If you are traveling alone and on a tight budget, the best way to get to Ha Long Bay from Hanoi is by taking a shuttle bus (about VND 351,000 - VND 460,000 round trip) or a local bus (approximately 230,000 - VND 460,000 round trip) 460,000 VND round trip). Total travel time is from 2.5 - 3 hours one way. Another but not much recommended option is to drive a motorbike, which will take about 4 hours but the picturesque scenery along the way pays off.

Traveling in groups or as a family means you have to travel with others and the safety of children especially comes first. Therefore, the most suitable way is to rent a private car with different capacity depending on the number of people. Round trip price is about 2,300,000 - 3,500,000 VND and takes 2.5 - 3 hours to arrive.

If money is not an issue, you should experience seaplane, the best way to get to Ha Long Bay from Hanoi. Prices range from 4.1 million to 9 million VND/pax depending on the tourist season.

To get to Ha Long Bay from Hanoi, you can choose to book a direct transfer with car companies or through travel agencies. However, booking through travel agencies is highly recommended as this can be more beneficial. You are likely to get better prices, discounts and guaranteed seats in advance. In addition, booking through a travel agency often helps avoid the difficulty of contacting car service providers in an emergency.

If you want to travel by road, there are two fastest ways to get to Ha Long Bay: shuttle bus and private car. Both of these routes go straight with no stops in between, saving travel time. In addition, if you have a generous budget, you can also choose to go by seaplane from Noi Bai international airport to Ha Long city.

Of course, you can totally take a day trip to Halong Bay and that's a very popular choice. Just buy a round-trip ticket by shuttle bus, luxury limousine or travel agency's car, you can easily access Ha Long Bay in just 3 hours. Once you reach your destination, you will have many routes to choose from on Halong Bay and many outstanding tourist attractions to explore. Several day excursions also offer unique itineraries to notable attractions. Here is a list of some of the best day cruises on Halong Bay: Phoenix Day Cruise, L'Azalée Day Cruise, Orchid Day Cruise, Jade Sails, Genesis Day Cruise and Estella Premium Day Cruise.

If you want to travel by luxury Limousine, you will have to pay a slightly higher fee than using the shuttle bus. The average price ranges from 930,000 to 1,050,000 VND per person for round trip. However, it is worth noting that the Limousines are not actual limousines but are often upgraded versions of Ford Transits with leather seats and TVs. Even so, Limousines are still much more comfortable than standard buses and there is a difference in value.

• HaLong Bay cruise