How to get from Hanoi to Halong ?

Ha Long is a natural heritage of the world and one of the new seven natural wonders of mankind, is the leading tourist attraction in the North of Vietnam with many important traffic routes. It is 170km from Hanoi capital and there are some routes to select for your trip.
From Hanoi to Halong by National Road No 5 takes around 3 hours and you can choose some means of transportation as below:

Details as following:

1. Transfer from Hanoi to Halong by Local Bus

Starting from My Dinh or Gia Lam bus station and end at Bai Chay Bus Station, Halong city and Cam Pha City.

•     Travel route: Hanoi – Hai Duong – Hai Phong – Ha Long.
•     Time schedule: From 5 AM to 18.30. Every 30 minutes
•     Travel time: 4 hours
•     Price: 100.000 – 180.000 VND
•     Advantages: Low cost, local experience.
•     Disadvantages: You have to go by taxi to bus station in Hanoi and taxi from bus station in Halong city to hotel or Halong pier.
•     Could not communicate with driver for the right drop off bus station, if get off the wrong bus station, it may be to lost the way.

For the limited time, Halong Bay day trip, it should not be use local bus. You may miss the check in time for the cruise.
Reference to book the local bus ticket at: Vexere.com or directly at bus station.
Some local bus companies: Kumho Viet Thanh, Phuc Xuyen, Ka Long.

2. Transfer from Hanoi to Halong by tourist Bus

2.1 High quality bus from Hanoi to Halong

In contrast to local bus, the tourist buses bring the greater convenience and comfort. These buses are owned by the travel agency. They focus on meeting the needs of foreign visitors. The route starts from the Old Quarter or a central shutter point in the center of Hanoi. Passengers can easily take a taxi to the pick-up point.

•     Price: Depends on the services, it would be around 13 – 15 USD/pax
•     Travel time: 4 hours by old highway and 3 hours by new highway
•     Advantages: good clean bus, pick up and drop off at one place. It is rare to meet the trouble on the way. If any, the bus companies will immediately have the alternative solutions.
•     Disadvantages: if you have only 1 day for Halong, please consider to start before 8 AM, this will guarantee for you to enough time to enjoy Halong Bay before returning to Hanoi. Please note the drop off point in Halong for your transfer to Halong pier to check in cruise in time.

Reference for the booking bus services:

    Cat Ba Express Bus
    Add: 43 Nguyen Huu Huan, Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
    Tel: 02438734999
    Web: catbaexpress.com
    Price: 250.000 VND/pax
    Time schedule: From 5 AM to 21.00, every 1 hour.
    Pick up place in Hanoi: All  hotels in the city center – Hoan Kiem dist
    Drop off place: Tuan Chau Island and Halong city

   Green Bus
    Add: 16E, Phung Hung, Hoan Kiem dist, Ha Noi
    Hot line: +84 98 470 9669
    Web: greenlionbus.com
    Price: 170.000 – 240.000 VND/pax
    Time schedule: From 8.30 AM daily.
    Pick up place: 16E, Phung Hung, Hoang Kiem dist, Ha Noi
    Drop off place: Vin Pearl Halong, Halong city.

    Aloha Bus
    Add:43/5, group F361, An Duong str, Tay Ho, Hanoi
    Tel: 090 129 1290
    We: xealoha.vn
    Price: 270.000 VND/pax
    Time schedule: From 5 AM. Every hour.
    Pick up and drop off place:
    Hanoi: All hotels in the city
    Halong: hotels/ports in Halong city

2.2 Tourist bus of Halong Bay cruise companies

In the booking package of Halong Cruise, some cruises include the bus services, some does not. They will surcharge for this service. We recommend to book the cruise’s bus when you book the cruise package for the following facilities:
Cruise’s bus usually pick up and drop off at hotel in Hanoi old quarter.
Tourists do not need to find the cruise’ dock or waiting lounge in Halong. As the cruise’s bus will have staff to take care of you.
No waste time to find the bus and do not have to move much between points.
Price: 15 – 27 USD/pax
Travel time: 3.30 – 4.00 hours

>>>You may have some reference about cruise’ bus ticket as well as cruise package at this link:Halong Bay Cruise and bus price

3. Transfer from Hanoi to Halong by motorbike

This is the choice for most of tourists. However, it is good for those who are interested in adventure.

•     Price: 12 – 15 USD/motorbike/day.  Not included gasoline.
•     Travel time: 4 hours
•     Advantages: Proactive in time, adventure experience
•     Disadvantages: For amateur, it is dangerous to driver motorbike, to be sure you understand well the routes and ready to face with the risk.

Reference information to rent motorbikes
Flamingo Travel
Add: 66 Dao Duy Tu str, Hoan Kiem Dist
Tel: 024 3 926 0938
web: flamingotravel.com.vn

4. Transfer from Hanoi to Halong by taxi

This is the easy way to travel, even though, it is not the most economical way. As the taxi costs will be the same as the private car (about 2.000.000 VND – 2.500.000 VND) Travel time is about 4 hours and the driver will not be professional as private car’s driver. If you are unlucky, you may get the unlicensed taxi with much higher cost. So not many people choose this.

 5. Transfer from Hanoi to Halong by train

This is another public transport which is used by locals. Travelling by train will provide a good chance to enjoy the beautiful landscapes both sites of the railways.

•     Travel time: 7 hours
•     Price: 80.000 VND/pax
•     Advantages:  Good chance to enjoy the landscapes
•     Disadvantages: starting time is at 4.55 AM from Yen Vien railway station and arrive in Halong at 11.45. one train per day. You have to get up very early to go to the station.

    Reference to book the train ticket
    Hanoi railway station 118 Le Duan Str or Yen Vien Railway station: Yen Vien, Gia Lam, Hanoi.
    Tel: 19000109
    Web: dsvn.vn

6. Transfer from Hanoi to Halong by seaplane

Seaplane is another luxurious transportation at the affordable price that you should try.

•     Travel time: 60 minutes included 15 minutes enjoy Halong from above ( 1 way)
•     Schedule: Noi Bai airport to Tuan Chau and Vice versa
•     Price: 427 USD/pax
•     Advantages: save time, enjoy panorama view of Halong Bay. It suites for those who do not want to seat in the car for long time.
•     Disadvantages: High cost, enjoy Halong Bay from above is short. Tourists have to take taxi to Noi Bai Airport to use this service. The flight maybe cancelled in the bad weather.

    Reference for seaplane services
    Hai Au Aviator
    Tel: +84 24 3943 9966
    >>>or at this link for the package with great price: Hai Au seaplane package tour

7. Transfer from Hanoi to Halong by private car

Traveling in 3 hours with private car will be the best choice for those who have kids, many luggage or many people in the group and need private space.

•     Travel time: 2.30 – 3 hours
•     Price: 2.200.000 VND – 2.500.000 VND ( Sedan or SUV)
•     Advantages: Proactive in time, safe, and the route is guaranteed, more private space, No waiting time.
•     Disadvantages: High cost rather than other public transportations.

    >>> Reference for the price of private car from Hanoi to Halong