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Route overview from CatBa to Hanoi
| Transport mode | Duration | Costs | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | 3,5 hours | 200.000 VND (€8) | Check bus tickets |
| Train | 4h excl transit time | 340.000 VND (€13) | Check train tickets |
Option 1
Combined Bus + Ferry Ticket from CatBa to Hanoi (recommended)
3,5 hours, 200.000 VND (€8)
With a combined bus and ferry ticket from CatBa to Hanoi, you will arrive in Hanoi within 4 hours. This method is the easiest, fastest and also the cheapest way to travel from CatBa Island to Hanoi. The trip offered by the local travel agent ‘Alibaba’ is fast and convenient, but if you want a more luxurious option we recommend to book with Cat Ba Express.
Option 2
Ferry + Taxi + Train from CatBa to Hanoi
4 hours excl transit, 340.000 VND (€13)
The closest railway station to CatBa is Hai Phong railway station. To reach this, you need to take a ferry to Hai Phong Harbour and then a taxi to the railway station. This is an interesting option if you want to transfer to another train after you arrive in Hanoi. If not, then you are much better off booking a combined bus ticket. Buses are often cheaper and bring you directly from CatBa to Hanoi.
Option 1: Bus
Route: Cat Ba Hanoi
Duration: 3,5 hours
Costs: 200.000 VND (€8)
You can book a combined bus and ferry ticket with Cat Ba Express. They operate new buses (Feb 2017), including free wifi and USB charger and receives very good reviews. The ticket includes transport to the ferry station in CatBa, the ferry to Hai Phong harbour and the bus ride to Hanoi.
A second bus company is Inter Bus Line Company. Their tickets used to sell for 270.000 VND (€10), but recently they raised their price to the same level as Cat Ba Express. Since Cat Ba Express has newer buses and includes wifi, we recommend only to book with Inter Bus Line if the first one is sold out.
Third, you can also ask one of the local agencies and book your ticket to Hanoi for just 200.000 VND (€8). These buses take more time since they use a different harbour/ferry, but save you some money. Also, don’t expect the same comfort as offered by one of the previous options.
Cat Ba Express
| Bus | Departure/Arrival | Duration | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat Ba Express | 09:00-12:30 12:00-15:30 15:30-19:00 | 3h 30m | 326.000 VND (€12,50) + free pick-up |
| Good Morning Cat Ba | 09:00-12:00 12:30-15:30 16:00-19:00 | 3h | 280.000 VND (€11) + free pick-up |
| Daiichi Travel | 07:30-11:30 09:00-13:00 13:30-17:30 16:00-20:00 | 4h | 233.000 VND (€9) + free pick-up |
| Orient Travel | 13:00-16:30 16:00-19:30 | 3h 30m | 233.000 VND (€9) + free pick-up |
This bus picks you up at your accommodation in CatBa and drop-off at your hotel when you are staying in the Old Quarter of Hanoi.
Inter Bus Line company [temporarily unavailable]
Costs: 360.000 VND (€14), duration: 4 hours
The bus leaves from the Center of CatBa and drops you off next to Old Quarter.
Read More or book your ticket at Inter Bus Line.
Option 2: Ferry + Taxi + Train
Route: Cat Ba Hai Phong Hanoi
Duration: 4h excl transit time
Costs: 340.000 VND (€13)
We advise booking a combined bus 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 ferry to Hai Phong Harbour, a taxi to the train station in Hai Phong and then a train to Hanoi.
Ferry: Cat Ba Hai Phong Harbour
Duration: 1 hour
Costs: 220.000 VND (€8,50)
The cost of a ferry ticket to Hai Phong will be between 150.000 VND (€6) and 240.000 (€9). Notice that this is almost the same price as a combined ticket to Hanoi. There are two hydrofoil speed ferries operating between CatBa and Hai Phong. These are “Cat Ba Island Resort and Spa” and “Mekong Hoang Yen”.
Another option is to travel with one of the slow ferries of “Thong Nhat 05” or “Hadeco”. The ferry companies don’t have their own offices, so you have to book the ferry tickets with a local agency. Or even better, book your ticket in advance for 220.000 VND (€8,50) by clicking the button below.
Notice that a combined bus and ferry ticket to Hanoi is even cheaper!
Taxi: Hai Phong Harbour Hai Phong Railway Station
Duration: 10min
Costs: 50.000 VND (€2)
The ferry port where you will arrive depends on the ferry company you booked with. Most ferries arrive at Pha Binh Harbour which is about a 10-minute taxi drive or a 20-minute walk to the railway station in Hai Phong. A taxi costs around 50.000 VND (€2).
The lower priced ferry tickets often don’t go to Pha Binh Harbour, but drop you off at Dinh Vu Harbour. This is a shorter ferry ride and this route is often used to transfer to a bus to Hanoi or Ninh Binh. From Dinh Vu Harbour to Hai Phong railway station almost takes 1 hour, so you are better off booking a ferry ticket to Pha Binh instead.
Train: Hai Phong Hanoi
Duration: 2h 30min
Costs: 70.000 VND (€3)
We suggest to take one of the following trains:
| Train | Departure/Arrival | Duration | Soft Seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| LP2 | 06:10-08:46 | 2h 36m | 70.000 VND (€3) |
| LP6 | 09:05-11:40 | 2h 35m | 70.000 VND (€3) |
| LP8 | 15:00-17:38 | 2h 38m | 70.000 VND (€3) |
| HP2 | 18:40-21:06 | 2h 26m | 70.000 VND (€3) |
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 hours
Visit the world 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
My favourite places to stay in Hanoi
Ancient Lane Hotel
Looking for a room in the middle of the Old Quarter? Ancient Lane Hotel offers very clean rooms nicely decorated with ancient attributes. The hosts Thuy and Tuan will make sure you'll have a great stay!
Double room from: €26
Nova Luxury Hotel
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 center, but completely isolated from all the noise.
Double rooms with city view from: €38
Visiting Halong Bay
Halong Bay and Cat Ba are one of the highlights of Vietnam. From both locations, you can make beautiful boatrips and cruise through the beautiful landscape filled with karst mountains.
You can opt to travel to Halong Bay independent. but also book an organised tour including transport from Hanoi. We recommend to book a boat cruise incl. transport from Hanoi as you will have more choice and tours are often cheaper in Hanoi than tours sold by agencies in Halong Bay.
Tours sell as cheap as €31 for a day-trip and €117 for a 2D1N cruise.
See here our 2 favourite tours from to Halong Bay:
- Halong Bay Day trip (from €31)
- Halong Bay Cruise (from €117)
*Both tours include free pick-up and drop-off in Hanoi.
If you have a few extra days to spend, you can also visit Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba. But if you are short in time, Halong Bay is definitely a better option.
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