Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay

There are 4 main ways to transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay: public bus, shuttle bus, and train.  If you want to get to Halong Bay without Junk Boat trip already booked or just get there to see the city, here is what to expect.

How far from Hanoi to Halong Bay

Distance from Hanoi to Halong Bay: 165 km
Duration: 3.5 hours

Getting to Halong Bay from Hanoi By Train

The cheapest way to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi is taking TRAIN.
Every day runs a train depart from Yen Vien Railway Station (Gia Lam District, Hanoi) for Halong (Quang Ninh station) at 7.05 am and arrive at 12.00 am.The terminal Quang Ninh station is about 50km away from the harbour. So you need to take a taxi or private car from Quang Ninh station to Halong Bay habour. You should expect train delays and cancellations without notice. Price is US$10 one way. There is only hard sleeper option available

On the way back, Train from Halong Bay departs at 3:00pm to get back Hanoi at 8:05pm. Alternatively: catch train to Haiphong and then transfer to ferry terminal for hydrofoil to Cat Ba.

As reviewed, this train schedule is not convenient and takes longer time than shuttle bus

Once reaching Quang Ninh, you can transfer among the province by taxi or taxi motorbike. Here are some suggested taxi companies:
Halong Taxi, Tel: 033 3 626 262
Mai Linh Taxi, Tel: 033 3 628 628
Hon Gai Taxi, Tel: 033 3 848 484

Once in Halong Bay. there are huge selections of 3 star Halong Bay toursand 4 star Halong Bay tours to choose from. Making the right selection could make or break your holiday. 

Alova Cruise 1 day tour: 42 USD/ 1 pax (Join Tour)

Deluxe Oriental Sail 2D1N: 125 USD/ 1 pax

Calypso Cruise 2D1N: 160 USD/ 1 pax

Getting to Halong Bay by bus

If you go to Halong with tight budget, taking bus from Hanoi center to Halong bay is the best and cheapest option. From Hanoi, tourists can catch a high quality bus going to Quang Ninh at My Dinh, Luong Yen or Gia Lam Terminal.

• Gia Lam bus station (Ngoc Lam St, Hanoi) is the place for buses to points northeast of Hanoi. Bus ticket: 2 USD. The bus station is 2km northeast of the centre – cross the Song Hong (Red River) to get there. Cyclos can’t cross the bridge, so take a taxi (around 30, 000d) or motorbike.
• Loung Yen bus station is in the southeast of town, serving the same places, plus Cao Bang (80, 000d, eight hours) and Ha Giang (76, 000d, seven hours).
• Giap Bat bus station (Giai Phong Street, Hanoi) serves points south of Hanoi, including Ninh Binh (28, 000d, two hours) and Hué (80, 000d, 12 hours). It is 7km south of the Hanoi train station.
• My Dinh bus station (Pham Hung Street) is another option in the west of town, which serves a range of destinations, including Halong City, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Ha Giang and Dien Bien Phu.

All the buses from other provinces when travelling to Quang Ninh stop at Bai Chay Terminal, which is located quite near Vuon Dao tourism center. Travellers can consider “xe om” (motor-taxi) service (with about VND15,000) or a taxi (from VND20,000-VND30,000) to Vuon Dao Area, where tourists are supposed to reach before heading to Ha Long bay.

Bai Chay Harbor, where travellers can find cruises sailing to Ha Long Bay, is only 2 km from Vuon Dao area. The most convenient way to get there is to use “xe om”, which costs about VND20,000 or a taxi (from VND20,000-VND30,000) to Vuon Dao Area, where tourists are supposed to reach before heading to Ha Long bay.. At the harbor, many kinds of cruises from the three-star, four-star to five-star one and even luxurious private cruises, which are well-prepared with professional services, are provided.

Tips to take local bus to Halong Bay

• Baggage will have to be placed in front of you since these public buses pack up everything at the back in the middle and their storage for people sending their items to the buses destination.
• No one in the bus can speaks English or foreign languages. So you should use your body language now, or ask your reception in Hanoi write down some important Vietnamese words on paper
• Please bring with you Vietnam Dong (currency) as USD is not accepted.

Getting to Halong Bay by private car

If you go to Halong Bay with big group or with kids, private transfer from Hanoi to Halong bay is the best option. You will have more space and comfortable for you and family

Price: 95 USD/ 4 seat car/ 1 way
Or 130 USD/ 4 seat car (2 days 1 night)

This rate includes parking fee, tolls, petrol, driver. 

Book private carrental from Hanoi to Halong Bay online at www.yourlocalbooking.com

Important note:

• If you are landing via a international flight, you have to clear Immigration first, so allow up to 1 hour for that. Please be aware that sometime flight delay and it will affect your schedule. Traffic in and around Hanoi is always very congested
• Most Junks depart the pier at 1200-1230
• Our advice: you would go into Hanoi a night, enjoy the Old Quarter and city life, and depart to Halong Bay from Hanoi center

Getting to Halong Bay by shuttle bus

Shuttle bus from Hanoi to Halong Bay is only available in Hanoi center. Shuttle bus leaves Hanoi around 08:00 and return at 12:00 from Halong Bay every day. If your hotel is located in Hanoi Old Quarter, you will be picked up from the hotel. Otherwise, you have to take a taxi to the meeting point. There are maximum 14 people on shuttle bus – the Ford Transit minivan.
Meeting point in Hanoi: In front of Opera House, N0 1 Trang Tien Street, Hanoi
Ending point in Halong Bay: Bai Chay habour
Cost: 12US$/person/way.

You can contact Yourlocalbooking.com agent to reserve your bus ticket

Hanoi airport transfers: 30 USD/ 2 ways