Hanoi to Cat Ba: Bus and Ferry Combo vs Private Car

Hanoi to Cat Ba runs 3 main ways: a bus and ferry combo ticket that takes 4 to 5.5 hours, a private car that takes 3 to 4 hours but still crosses by ferry, or a train to Hai Phong followed by a high-speed boat. This guide compares what each option costs, clears up a ferry terminal change that trips up even some guides, and covers which option fits your trip.

How to get to Cat Ba Island from Hanoi

Hanoi to Cat Ba covers about 150 to 180 km, and the route breaks into 2 legs: the drive or train to the Hai Phong area, then a short crossing onto the island itself, since Cat Ba still has no direct bridge. Most visitors cover both legs on 1 combo ticket.

Hanoi to Cat Ba travel time runs anywhere from 3 to 6 hours depending on which option you pick. Most visitors land in Cat Ba Town on the island's east side, which is also where most hotels, restaurants, and boat trips into Lan Ha Bay are based.

Sources: vietnamtourism.com's Cat Ba Island transport guide and localvietnam.com's Cat Ba ferry and cable car pages, checked October 2026.

The Got ferry closed in 2024, here's what runs now

The Got ferry pier that older guides still mention stopped running crossings in March 2024, and the Dong Bai to Cai Vieng crossing is the main route onto the island now, with a 20-minute car ferry and a faster 10-minute speedboat. Hai Phong's 2017 bridge gets you to Dong Bai by highway, but the island still needs this final crossing.

We still see travelers asking whether the 2017 bridge means the ferry is gone entirely, which is a fair assumption given how much of the trip is now a smooth highway drive. It isn't gone, it's just a different pier than the one most blog posts and even some official-sounding guides still name, so don't be surprised if your driver or bus ticket says Dong Bai rather than Got. Our Vietnam travel tips checklist covers this kind of buffer-time planning for routes elsewhere in the country too.

Private car, cable car, or the train and speedboat route

A private car costs 1,500,000 to 2,500,000 VND (~60 to 100 USD) per vehicle, with the ferry fare for the car included, and covers the Hanoi-Hai Phong expressway in 3 to 4 hours door to door, making it the fastest option for a small group splitting the cost.

The Cat Hai to Phu Long cable car is a scenic alternative to the ferry crossing itself, running the nearly 4km gap in 10 to 15 minutes for 50,000 to 70,000 VND one way, though it lands at Phu Long on the island's north side, about 20km from Cat Ba Town, so you'll still need a taxi or transfer to finish the trip.

The train and speedboat route suits travelers who'd rather skip the road for part of the trip: a 2 to 2.5 hour train from Hanoi to Hai Phong, then a 30 to 45 minute high-speed boat from Ben Binh Ferry Terminal straight to Cat Ba Town. It's rarely faster than the direct combo ticket once you add the taxi between Hai Phong's train station and the port, but it trades a bus seat for a train seat and a sea crossing with a view.

Which option fits your trip?

The bus and ferry combo suits most travelers: it's a single ticket, runs several times daily from Hanoi's Old Quarter or My Dinh station, and needs no extra planning once booked. A private car suits a group splitting the cost, and the cable car suits those wanting the view.

If you're spending a night or 2 in Hanoi before heading out, our guide to Hanoi covers where to stay and what to see first. Once you're on the island, our guide to Cat Ba Island covers where to stay, what to do, and how many days are worth setting aside.

FAQ

How long does the Hanoi to Cat Ba ferry take?

The car ferry across to Cat Ba Island itself takes about 20 minutes, or about 10 minutes on the speedboat for foot passengers. The full Hanoi to Cat Ba trip, including the bus ride and ferry wait, takes 4 to 5.5 hours in total.

What is the Hanoi to Cat Ba bus like?

It's a single combo ticket covering the bus, the ferry crossing, and sometimes a shuttle from the port into Cat Ba Town, run by companies including Cat Ba Express, Good Morning Cat Ba, and Cat Ba Discovery.

Is there a direct ferry from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island?

No, since Hanoi is inland. Every route to Cat Ba Island from Hanoi combines road transport with 1 ferry, speedboat, or cable car crossing near Hai Phong.

Where does the Dong Bai ferry Cat Ba crossing leave from?

Dong Bai pier on Cat Hai Island, reached from Hai Phong by the Tan Vu-Lach Huyen bridge, with sailings to Cai Vieng on Cat Ba running frequently through the day, though weekend and holiday traffic can mean a longer wait than the sailing itself.

Is the trip different in bad weather?

Ferry and cable car services can pause briefly in strong wind or storms, which is worth factoring into a tight schedule, though this is uncommon outside the typhoon season from roughly July to November.