How to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay: transfer, car, bus

One of Asia's most scenic landmarks, Halong Bay is listed as one of the world's greatest natural wonders. This stunningly beautiful bay is famous for its striking limestone karsts and islets, and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

If you are sightseeing in Vietnam's capital city, you must go from Hanoi to Halong Bay to see this beautiful bay in person. Halong Bay is about 170 kilometers east of Hanoi and covers a vast area of about 1,500 square kilometers. There are many ways to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay.

Different route options between Hanoi and Halong Bay

As mentioned above, there are many different ways to travel from Hanoi to Halong. Often your decision will depend on budget and timing, as some options are faster than others, and they can vary greatly in cost.

Organized tours are often seen as a reliable way to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay, although not without their drawbacks (see below for more on this), and if you are trying to save your pennies, a public bus is definitely an affordable way to travel. Minibuses, buses, and private cars are additional options, and there is even a train option, although we don't recommend it for various reasons.

Organized tours from Hanoi to Halong Bay

If you're a traveler who prefers to have someone drive and show you the sights while you sit back and relax, an organized tour may be a good solution.

While it is certainly more expensive than other options, the opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds of Vietnam is worth the extra expense. Nevertheless, tours vary greatly, so be sure to do your own research before booking. A tour that seems to provide good value for money may end up being expensive because other fees are added, or tourists are persuaded to buy additional tours along the way.

Most of these organized tours will first head to Cat Ba Island, a tourist port in Bai Chai, where there are even more opportunities for tour companies to sell you their services. So if you read reviews, etc., before you choose a tour company, you should be able to find a proven tour.

Minibus from Hanoi to Halong Bay

Buy your minibus tickets directly at the ticket office and they should cost about 5€, which makes this mode of transportation very affordable. The minibus will take you to the city of Halong. Its route ends in the tourist area of the city known as Bai Chai. This is a tourist port for boats traveling on Halong Bay and is mainly oriented to tour companies bringing tourists from Hanoi. If you haven't already left by boat, you will be approached by many people trying to sell expensive tickets. It is best to buy tickets at their real price at the ticket office inside the building on the waterfront.

If you choose the minibus option from Hanoi to Halong Bay, the trip by minibus will take 4 to 5 hours, depending on traffic conditions. Get on the bus at Gia Lam, but plan to leave no later than 10:00, or you will have trouble getting to Bai Chay in time, that is before the last ferry to Cat ba leaves at 3:00 pm.

Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay

Buses from Hanoi to Halong Bay offer a similar service: transfer from the Hanoi Old Quarter Hotel. The travel time will again be 4 or perhaps as much as 6 hours, depending on the number of stops, and the cost is about 10 € one way.

Cheaper bus to Halong Bay

Minibuses are often more convenient than public buses, but this is not necessarily the case when traveling from Hanoi to Halong Bay. If you are staying closer to the My Dinh bus station in Hanoi, consider taking a bus from there. It's even cheaper than a minibus, and oddly enough, is considered more convenient and faster!

Private car from Hanoi to Halong Bay

If you want more time flexibility and a better level of comfort, a private car is the best way to travel. Traveling this way, you can take your time and make enough stops along the way to see the sights, or, if you prefer to get to your destination in record time, you can drive straight from A to B without having to worry about making several stops to collect other passengers.

If you're traveling with several friends or family members, a rental car can actually be quite affordable if you split the cost between you.

If a private car sounds like a good option, but you are not sure you know the local roads well, there is another option. A private car driven by a local driver should cost somewhere around 85€ per car, so, again, when splitting the price between several travelers, it really is quite affordable. One- or two-day trips can be arranged starting at 150€. Private cars can be taken directly from Hanoi, and you could probably arrange a transfer directly from the hotel for added convenience.