Getting to Cat Ba Island from Hanoi usually takes about 3 to 4 hours.
The fastest way is the direct bus + speedboat combo, costing around 280,000 VND one way.
If you prefer to go at your own pace, you can travel through Hai Phong City, then take a short cable car, ferry or speedboat across Lan Ha Bay.
A Bit About Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba lies about 160 km southeast of Hanoi, off the coast of Hai Phong City. It’s the largest island in Lan Ha Bay, known for its cliffs, calm beaches, and easygoing pace of life.
Unlike Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba still feels local. You’ll see fishermen mending nets at dawn, kids swimming near the docks, and the smell of salt, diesel, and grilled squid all mixed together.
That’s Cat Ba – not polished, just honest.
Option 1: The Direct Route (Bus + Speedboat Combo)
If you want the easiest way, go with the direct transfer.
One ticket covers everything: the bus from Hanoi, the speedboat or cable car across the bay, and a final bus to Cat Ba Town.
Companies like Good Morning Cat Ba and Cat Ba Luxury Trans run this route daily.
They pick you up from your hotel in the Old Quarter, usually around 7:30, 10:30, 12:30, 14:00, and drop you off at your stay on the island.
The trip goes like this:
You leave Hanoi → stop halfway for a quick coffee → roll onto the ferry → and finish the last stretch along the island’s winding coastal road.
It’s smooth, no transfers to worry about.
- Duration: 3–4 hours total
- Price: 280,000 VND (~$11) one-way / 560,000 VND (~$22) round-trip
- Pickup: Hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter
- Booking: info@goodmorningcatba.com | WhatsApp +84 913 096 281
Book Bus Hanoi to Cat Ba one way
This option is best if you’re staying in Hanoi Old Quarter and don’t want to change vehicles.
It’s also the fastest and most reliable way to get to Cat Ba Island from Hanoi.
👉 If you found this guide useful, share it with another traveler or check my local post about Bus from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island – Updated 2025 for real ticket info.
Option 2: Go Through Hai Phong
If you like to travel slower or cheaper, you can reach Hai Phong first, then cross to Cat Ba Island.
Step 1: Hanoi → Hai Phong
You have two main choices:
- Bus: from Gia Lam or Giap Bat station, about 2–3 hours, 150,000 VND.
- Train: from Hanoi Railway Station, 2.5 hours, scenic countryside views.
Both arrive in central Hai Phong, not far from the ferry terminals.
Step 2: Hai Phong → Cat Ba Island
From Ben Binh Port, you’ll see small ticket booths for ferries and speedboats.
Two main options:
| Option | Duration | Cost | Departures | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus + Ferry | ~1.5 hours | 150,000 VND | Every 1–2 hours | Local-style combo via Ben Binh Port |
| Express Speedboat | 30–40 min | 200k–250k VND | 9:00, 11:30, 14:00 | Direct to Cat Ba Town, summer only |
The speedboat from Hai Phong to Cat Ba is short and scenic – limestone mountains rising straight from the water.
If you travel in summer (May–August), book early since morning departures fill fast.
If you’re starting your journey from Ninh Binh instead of Hanoi, the route is almost the same — you’ll just reach Hai Phong from the south first.
I shared the full details here: 👉 How to Get to Cat Ba Island from Ninh Binh (Local Sharing – 2025)
Local Travel Tips (Real Experience)
- Carry cash. ATMs on Cat Ba Island often run out of money.
- Travel light. You’ll need to carry your bag during ferry transfers.
- Rent a scooter (120.000 – 150.000 VND/day) – best way to reach Cat Co Beaches, Cannon Fort, Hospital Cave, Trung Trang Cave and Cat Ba National Park.
- Check the weather. Strong winds can delay ferry, speedboat, cable car.
- Book early in summer months – weekend seats go fast.
- Morning departures (7:00–8:00 AM) are safest if you want calm seas.
If you’re on a tight budget, the local bus + speedboat combo via Hai Phong is the cheapest way to go to Cat Ba Island – only about 150,000 VND total.
What Happens When You Arrive
When the ferry or speedboat touches Cat Ba pier, the smell of the sea hits first – salt, seaweed, maybe a bit of engine oil. Then you’ll see small shops, motorbikes, and locals waving people toward taxis.
Cat Ba Town is small. You can walk along the main street in 15 minutes. Hotels, hostel, homestays, resort and cafés line the seafront. If you go a bit further, Cat Co 1, 2, and 3, Tung Thu beaches are within walking distance.
For the best view, ride up to Cannon Fort in the late afternoon. From there, the bay looks endless – dotted with boats and floating houses.
At night, the town slows down. Locals sit by the waterfront with cold beer and seafood, chatting until the lights reflect on the waves.
Why This Trip Sticks in Your Memory
The journey to Cat Ba isn’t just about getting there fast. It’s about watching Vietnam shift in front of you – from busy streets to open roads, to rice fields, then to quiet blue water.
I still remember my first trip years ago. I took the morning bus, dozed off, and woke up on the ferry just as sunlight hit the water. No one spoke. Everyone just looked at the sea.
That’s what Cat Ba does to people – it slows you down, even before you arrive.
Quick Answers
How long does it take to get to Cat Ba Island from Hanoi?
About 3–4 hours with the direct bus and speedboat, cable car or ferry combo.
How to get from Hanoi Old Quarter to Cat Ba Island?
Book a direct ticket from your hotel – operators pick you up daily.
Can I bring my motorbike?
Yes. Drive to Dong Bai Ferry Terminal in Hai Phong and board the vehicle ferry.
Is there a night ferry?
No. The last ones usually leave around 5:00 PM.
What’s the cheapest way to go to Cat Ba Island?
Take the local bus from Hanoi to Hai Phong, then the public ferry to Cat Ba (around 150,000 VND total).
Getting to Cat Ba Island isn’t just about buses and ferries — it’s the feeling of leaving the noise behind and watching the sea get closer, little by little.
Whether you go from Hanoi, through Hai Phong, or even from Ninh Binh, the trip is simple now.
Every route gives you a small piece of northern Vietnam — the highways, the coffee stops, the smell of salt before the island appears.
When the ferry reaches Cat Ba and the engine slows, you’ll see the cliffs rise from the water like green walls.
That’s the moment everyone goes quiet.
So don’t worry too much about which route is best.
Just pick one, pack light, and go.
By the time you step off the boat, you’ll understand why people say the journey to Cat Ba is already part of the destination.