Hanoi To Cat Ba Island: 3 Best Ways To Travel with Ease

Cat Ba island has become a promising destination for tourists, just after Halong Bay, particularly during the peak summer season. However, an increasing influx of visitors puts a strain on the ferry system, causing ferry congestion. If you are departing from Hanoi, here are the best routes to effectively resolve this issue and get to Cat Ba island effortlessly.

Trip: 150km / 4 hours

By private car/ taxi

Transfer time: Around 4 hours

With a distance of about 150 kilometers (94 miles) including 100 kilometers of road transfer and 50 kilometers of water transport, driving your own car or renting a private taxi is an optimal way to approach Cat Ba island. From Hanoi, you follow the Hanoi-Hai Phong expressway then pass the Dinh Vu - Cat Hai bridge to Got pier. Many may think of using their private car to travel around the island but it is not necessary because the island is quite small and the high volume and density of private vehicles cause traffic jams on the ferry.

Usually, upon arrival at Got pier, you’ll park your car there and then take a ferry to Cai Vieng pier (Cat Ba island). The ticket price is only 12.000 VND/per person/ one way without personal vehicle and the total transfer time is around 30 minutes. Ferries depart daily every 30 minutes during the daytime so you can easily transfer at any time.

Got - Cai Vieng ferry schedule

Alternatively, you can take a hydrofoil speedboat which costs from 120.000 VND to 250.000 VND/ per person/one way. You can book from notable brands such as Cat Ba Island Resort & Spa and Mekong Hoang Yen.

If you are in Hai Phong city and choose Cat Ba Island Resort & Spa hydrofoil, there is also a shuttle bus to pick you up to Got pier with a ride cost of only 30.000 VND. Meanwhile, the hydrofoil ticket price is 120.000 VND/per person/one way.

Cat Ba Island Resort & Spa hydrofoil schedule

From Got pier to Cat Ba island

	Morning route	Afternoon route
Pick up at Binh ferry station	9:00	13:00
Arrive at Got pier	9:40	13:40
Arrive at Cat Ba center harbor	10:00	14:00

From Cat Ba island to Got pier

Once you arrive at Cat Ba island, you can take a stroll, a public bus, or an electric car to access and explore the town center. If you must take your vehicle directly to the island, you should avoid traveling during the peak hours between 8 am and 11 am.

By high-quality tourist bus

Transfer time: Around 4 hours

There are many tourist buses serving the Hanoi - Cat Ba route such as Good Morning Catba, Discovery, Daiichi, and Catba Express which depart several times during the day. All bus operators pick you up at their offices in the Hanoi Old Quarter then follow the new Hanoi-Hai Phong expressway to Got ferry. From there, you’ll board a ferry or high-speed boat to Cai Vieng pier (the bus will not get on the ferry). Subsequently, another bus will take you to your designated destination on Cat Ba island.

The total travel time is approximately 4 hours and you need to pay around 300.000 VND/per person/one way.

Good Morning Catba

Good Morning Cat Ba is a reputable bus company serving routes from Cat Ba to Hanoi, Sapa, Ninh Binh, Ha Giang, and vice versa. The ride is smooth, time-saving, and pre-arranged with buses on both sides of the port, thus you do not have to book your own bus on the island.

Ticket and schedule

Address: 9B, Cho Gao street, Hang Buom ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi

Website: https://goodmorningcatba.com/

Catba Express

Cat Ba Express provides high-class and comfortable buses to Cat Ba island from destinations such as Hanoi, Sapa, and Ninh Binh. Additionally, there are offers for tours and cruises on Halong Bay for you to explore the area with affordable prices and inclusive services.

Ticket and schedule

Address: 106 Tran Nhat Duat street, Hang Buom ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi

Website: https://catbaexpress.com/

Daiichi Travel Cat Ba

The bus operator specializes in a variety of transfer routes namely Cat Ba - Sapa, Hanoi - Cat Hai - Cat Ba, Ninh Binh - Cat Ba, Ninh Binh - Halong, and so on. The company offers new and high-quality buses with free mineral water and guarantees time efficiency, bringing you the utmost comfort while traveling.

Ticket and schedule

Address: 96 Nguyen Huu Huan street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi

Website: https://daiichitravel.com/

By cable car

Transfer time: Around 3.5 hours

Getting to Cat Ba island by Cat Hai - Phu Long cable car is an extraordinary and fantastic way for you to admire the scenery from a high altitude. You still have to drive your own car or take a taxi to Cat Hai Cable Car station which is about 3 kilometers from Got pier. The ticket price is 100.000 VND/per person/one way.

Note: The cable car system has been temporarily closed from October 2023 until the latest announcement.

Summary

Ways to travel	Pros	Cons
By private car/taxi	Fastest and most convenient	The most expensive way to transfer You are advised to park your vehicle before boarding the ferry
By tourist bus	Hassle-free with a pre-arranged bus schedule to pick you up at the designated destination  in Hanoi and at the island’s port Time and money-saving	Quickly fully-booked Quite crowded and uncomfortable
By cable car	A chance to admire panoramic scenery Money-efficient	There are only a few trips throughout the day

Suggested Hanoi - Cat Ba island day trip

• 8:00: The tourist bus picks you up from your hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter to Got pier.
• 11:30: You get on a ferry to Cat Ba island. Another bus will transfer you to your location on the island.
• 12:00: Have lunch with local specialties such as horseshoe crab, mantis shrimp, garrupa, and shrimp noodles.
• 13:00: Head to Cat Ba National Park and start trekking to Ngu Lam peak, passing through Kim Giao forest. You have a chance to enjoy photography of panoramic views over Lan Ha Bay.
• 14:30: You’ll then transfer to Cat Co beach 1, the largest and most beautiful beach among Cat Co 1,2, and 3.
• 16:00: Get on the bus and return to Hanoi.