What to expect when visiting Hanoi
Hanoi is Vietnam’s bustling capital, where heritage and modernity collide. At its heart is the iconic Old Quarter bustling with cosy hotels, old residential buildings and neighbourhood cafes. Composed of 36 streets, just walking around this area will reward you with many amazing discoveries.
Must-visit sites include the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the 19th-century gothic St. Joseph’s Cathedral. We recommend munching on as much street food as you can, strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake, and our favourite: watching the world go by from one of the many coffee shops in Hanoi.
4 ways to get from CatBa to Hanoi
There are 4 ways to travel the distance of 150 kilometers (93 miles) from CatBa to Hanoi by bus (3 hours to 6 hours 30 minutes), Limo van (2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours), private Transport (2 hours) and train (3 hours 35 minutes to 4 hours 20 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 2 hours to 6 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by private transport. The lowest priced tickets start from 273,000 VND ($11) for the bus.Where to stay in Hanoi?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Hanoi at the bottom of this page.
CatBa to Hanoi by Bus
There are at least ten companies operating combined bus & ferry rides from CatBa to Hanoi.
We recommend travelling with Good Morning CatBa because they get good reviews and also offer free hotel pick-up & drop-off. A combined bus & ferry ticket costs 275,000 VND ($11.10).
The bus and ferry journey from CatBa to Hanoi takes around 3 hours to 6 hours 30 minutes. The tour operator takes care of all your transfers, so you won’t have to worry about anything throughout the journey.
Departure and arrival station
Different companies have varying departure and arrival points. Make sure to check these details before booking your ride.
Better yet, just choose a company that will pick you up from your hotel in CatBa and drop you off at your destination in Hanoi.
Bus schedule from CatBa to Hanoi
For easy booking and a comfortable ride, buy your ticket beforehand via BookAway.
You can also book your bus & ferry ticket with one of the local agencies in CatBa. Their rates might be a bit cheaper, but note that their buses take more time since they usually use a different harbour or ferry. Also, don’t expect the same comfort as offered by one of the previous options.
CatBa to Hanoi by Train
We advise booking a combined bus and ferry ticket from CatBa to Hanoi since this is a cheaper and more convenient option.
However, if you prefer to split this journey or want to do it independently, you can also take a combination of ferry, taxi, and train from CatBa to Hanoi.
Step 1: Cat Ba to Pha Binh Harbour by Ferry
There are at least eight ferry trips available daily from CatBa to Hai Phong’s Pha Binh Harbour.
You can catch a ferry from 05:30 in the morning to 15:50 in the afternoon. These ferries depart from CatBa Pier, located just within the town centre. You shouldn’t have a problem getting here on foot from your hotel.
The journey takes about 1.5 hours, depending on which ferry you take. Ticket prices start from 160,000 VND ($6.40).
Ferries dock at Pha Binh Harbour, also called Ben Binh. From here, Hai Phong Railway Station is about 2 km away.
It’s best to book online beforehand through Baolau to ensure ferry seats on your desired date and time.
You can also book a ferry through the local agencies on the island. Thong Nhat 05 and Mekong Hoang Yen operate daily ferry trips from CatBa to Pha Binh Pier. They are a bit cheaper (around 120,000 VND ($4.80)) but also slower.
Why we don’t recommend taking a ferry to Dinh Vu Harbour
First of all, there is no direct ferry from CatBa to Dinh Vu Harbour. If you choose to arrive at Hai Phong’s Dinh Vu Pier, your itinerary will look like this:
- Step 1: Take a 45-minute bus from CatBa Town to Cai Vieng Port.
- Step 2: Take a 20-minute ferry to Got Harbour.
- Step 3: Transfer to a 30-minute bus to Ninh Tiep Pier.
- Step 4: Hop on a 45-minute ferry to Dinh Vu Harbour.
- Step 5: Take a 30-minute taxi to Hai Phong Railway Station.
Looks complicated, right? Because it is. This is why we highly recommend that you take a direct ferry from CatBa to Pha Binh Harbour instead.
Step 2: Pha Binh Harbor to Hai Phong Railway Station by Taxi
From Pha Binh Harbour, you will then have to take a short taxi ride to Hai Phong Railway Station.
Taxi fares start from 50,000 VND ($2) and the journey takes just around 10 minutes.
If you’re not carrying a lot of luggage, you can also consider walking to the train station for about 20 minutes.
Step 3: Hai Phong to Hanoi by Train
Vietnam Railways operates at least four daily trips from Hai Phong to Hanoi.
Note that the last trip departs at 18:40. You should still have enough time to catch this even if you take the last ferry trip from CatBa, just make sure to not make unnecessary stops.
Train fares start from 98,000 VND ($4) and travel time is around 1h 54m - 2h 42m. Trains depart from Hai Phong Railway Station in Hai Phong city centre.
You are to get off at Gia Lam Railway Station, located 5 km northeast of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. You can take a 10-minute taxi to get to your hotel. Taxi rates start from 94,000 VND ($3.80).
We recommend booking your tickets online through BookAway. Their site is intuitive, provides a clear picture of what you can expect, and offers great customer service. If you’re eyeing the best deals, you might occasionally find slightly cheaper tickets on Baolau.
Where to travel next?
- Hanoi to Sapa: 6-9 hours
Explore the rice fields in Sapa
- Hanoi to Ninh Binh: 2-3 hours
Paddle through the Tam Coc or Trang An river while passing karst mountains and rice fields
- Hanoi to Phong Nha: 3.5-11 hour
Visit the world’s largest caves in Phong Nha
- Hanoi to Hoi An: 3-17 hours
Enjoy the great atmosphere of Hoi An with a mixture of Japanese, Vietnamese and French influences
CatBa to Hanoi by Limo Van
A more luxurious alternative to the combined bus & ferry ride is a combined limo van and ferry.
With this option, you’ll get a more spacious ride with even more comfortable seats. Some also offer Wi-Fi and charging ports.
Travel time with a combined limo van & ferry from CatBa to Hanoi takes around 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours. Ticket prices start from 402,000 VND ($16.20).
Departure and arrival station
Like the buses, limo vans don’t have designated departure and arrival stations. They usually depart from their office in CatBa and park at their corresponding office in Hanoi.
Make sure to double-check beforehand if they offer free hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Limo Van Schedule from CatBa to Hanoi
CatBa to Hanoi by Private Transport
A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from CatBa to Hanoi.
Rates start from 2,730,000 VND ($110) for a 4-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about 683,000 VND ($28) per person.
Private Transport options from CatBa to Hanoi
Best places to stay in Hanoi
Siva Luxury Hotel - Budget Friendly
Just landed in Hanoi? In this hotel, you will get the best night of sleep you had since ages. The friendly staff will give you a warm welcome and serve a wonderful breakfast buffet the next morning! Located in the middle of the centre, but completely isolated from all the noise.
Double rooms with city view from: $42
Frequently Asked Questions about CatBa to Hanoi
What is the distance from CatBa to Hanoi?
The distance from CatBa to Hanoi is 150 kilometers (93 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from CatBa to Hanoi?
The fastest way to get from CatBa to Hanoi is by private transport and takes 2 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from CatBa to Hanoi?
The cheapest way to get from CatBa to Hanoi is by bus with ticket costs starting from 273,000 VND ($11).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from CatBa to Hanoi. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
