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getting there

Halong Bay from Hanoi: every way to the cruise pier

Halong Bay from Hanoi is a drive: every way to the cruise piers goes by road on the expressway through Hai Phong, by limousine shuttle, bus or private car. The Ministry of Industry and Trade gives the Hanoi to Hai Phong expressway as 105.5 km and the Hai Phong to Ha Long segment as 25 km. The shared limousine on Klook states 2.5 to 3 hours from the Old Quarter to Halong City.

To get from Hanoi to Halong Bay on your own, a limousine shuttle from Hanoi to Halong, one way, per adult, costs VND 300,000 (about US$12, AUD 17 or GBP 8.8). Many cruises sell their own Hanoi transfer as an option; check the listing before you book a seat twice. The seaplane from Hanoi is no longer an option: its operator ended the service from 1 April 2026.

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The cable-stayed Bai Chay Bridge over the channel to Hon Gai.

by road

Hanoi to Halong Bay: every listed way, side by side

Each service with its mode, the pier or town it ends at, and the time and price as its operator or booking site lists them. Pick a pier to see only the ways that reach it; your cruise listing names the pier.

Show the ways to
Hanoi to the Halong piers, by road on the expresswayTimes and prices as each operator or booking site lists them, one way, read on 14 November 2026. 12Go prices are in Thai baht, as that site showed them.
ModeFromToTime, as statedPrice, as listedSold by
Shared limousine minivan Hanoi Old Quarter or Noi Bai AirportHalong City; drop-off chosen at booking 2.5 to 3 hours about US$12(listed asAUD 17.19) per person Hanoi - Halong Limousine and vice versa on Klook
Shuttle bus with a guide Hanoi, pickup point chosen at bookingHalong City; drop-off chosen at booking 3 hours (approx.) US$17.86 per person (about AUD 26 or GBP 13) Shuttle Bus Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay on Viator
Limousine bus HanoiTuan Chau Island 2 hours 30 minutes THB 498 per adult Cua Ong Limousine, on 12Go
Luxury bus HanoiTuan Chau Island 2 hours 30 minutes THB 561 per adult, one more class listed Good Morning Cat Ba, on 12Go
Bus HanoiTuan Chau International Marina 3 hours THB 401 per adult, two more classes listed Daiichi Travel, on 12Go
Limousine van HanoiHa Long International Cruise Port 3 hours THB 531 per adult Ha Lan Limousine, on 12Go
Tourist bus HanoiHa Long International Cruise Port 3 hours 30 minutes THB 374 per adult Sapa Dragon Express, on 12Go
Limousine van HanoiHalong City 2 hours 30 minutes THB 504 per adult Halong Travel Limousine, on 12Go
Limousine bus HanoiHalong City 2 hours 45 minutes THB 567 per adult Cat Ba Express, on 12Go
Shuttle van HanoiHalong City 3 hours THB 785 per adult April Adventure, on 12Go
Private car, up to 3 passengers HanoiTuan Chau International Marina 2 hours 40 minutes THB 2,483 per vehicle, all included; one more class listed Sapa Express, on 12Go
Private car or limousine bus Ninh BinhHalong Bay 3 to 3.5 hours, traffic near Hanoi permitting, as Bhaya Cruises states Not stated Sold by hotels and cruise operators
Limousine van Van Don International AirportHalong City One every 15 to 30 minutes, around the clock, as the airport states Not stated At the airport
Seaplane HanoiHalong Bay Stopped. Hai Au Aviation announced the end of its seaplane service from 1 April 2026, TTR Weekly reported.

The stated times run from 2 hours 30 minutes on the quickest limousine buses to 3 hours 30 minutes on a tourist bus. Traffic out of Hanoi varies by the hour, so leave a margin before a cruise check-in.

Two of these can be booked here. Hanoi - Halong Limousine and vice versa runs a shared minivan of nine seats or fewer between the Old Quarter, Noi Bai Airport and Halong City, with free cancellation up to a day before, as listed. Shuttle Bus Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay is a shuttle bus with a local guide and bottled water, from a pickup point you choose.

the expressway

Hanoi to Halong Bay distance, leg by leg

The road east from Hanoi is one expressway in named parts; the Ministry of Industry and Trade reported it open along its whole length on 1 September 2022.

  1. Leg 1, by road105.5 kmHanoi to Hai Phong on the expressway, the first leg of every shuttle and bus in the table.
  2. Leg 2, by road25 kmHai Phong to Ha Long, the segment that brings you to Halong City and its piers.
  3. Onward, by road176 kmThe whole Quang Ninh expressway, from Ha Long past Van Don to Mong Cai: the road to Van Don airport and the Bai Tu Long side.

The two legs to Halong City are given separately by the ministry, not as one Hanoi to Halong Bay figure. Tuan Chau and the cruise port in Bai Chay lie about 7.6 km (4.7 mi) in a straight line apart, so the last kilometers depend on your pier. From Ninh Binh the road is longer: 200 km by road, Bhaya Cruises, a cruise operator, states.

the piers

Which Halong pier your cruise leaves from

"Halong Bay" on a ticket can mean three places. The Ha Long Bay Management Board states that day routes depart from Tuan Chau International Marina or Ha Long International Cruise Port; its coastal route VHL8 also names Nam Cau Trang in Hon Gai.

Tuan Chau International Marina is on Tuan Chau Island, joined to the mainland by road. Many day boats and cruises board here, and the limousine buses that end on Tuan Chau Island drop you close to it.

Ha Long International Cruise Port is in Bai Chay. Sun Group, which runs it, states that its domestic terminal has 4 berths for Halong Bay cruise and sightseeing boats, beside an international terminal for ocean cruise ships. Two of the listed buses end here.

Nam Cau Trang in Hon Gai, across the bridge, is on the coastal route; check your listing if it names Hon Gai. Each pier, with the cruises that use it, is on Halong Bay piers and ports.

Ha Long International Cruise Port (Bai Chay)
The Bai Chay cruise pier with a large cruise ship and tour boats alongside, from the cable car.Photo: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

who drives you

The cruise shuttle or your own transfer

Most cruise and day-tour listings sell a Hanoi pickup with the trip, either in the price or as an option at checkout. Where it is an option, compare it with a seat you book yourself. The cruise's own shuttle is timed to its boarding and its return, with an Old Quarter hotel pickup where the listing says so; a seat you book yourself runs on the bus company's timetable.

If you book the transfer yourself, take one that reaches your pier, not only "Halong", and arrive before the check-in time on your cruise listing. A limousine shuttle from Hanoi to Halong, one way, per adult, is VND 300,000; the cruise's own option brings you to its own pier. What each cruise adds for the transfer, the fee and the cabin is on Halong Bay cruise prices.

Only have one day? A Halong Bay day trip from Hanoi spends both drives on the same day; how many hours that leaves on the water, boat by boat, is on the Halong Bay day cruise page.

flying in

From Noi Bai airport or Van Don airport

Both airports are e-visa entry points: the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism lists Noi Bai (Hanoi) and Van Don International Airport (Quang Ninh) among them.

Noi Bai. Flying into Hanoi, you can go straight to the coast without a night in the city: the Klook shared minivan lists Noi Bai Airport as a pickup beside the Old Quarter. The road is the same expressway, east through Hai Phong, so plan the same time as from town.

Van Don. The closest airport to the bay opened on 30 December 2018, north-east of Halong City, about 42 km (26 mi) in a straight line from the cruise port in Bai Chay. The airport states that limousine vans to Halong City and Hanoi leave around the clock, one every 15 to 30 minutes. Check your flight lands in time for check-in.

no longer an option

The Halong Bay seaplane has stopped

A seaplane used to link Hanoi with the Halong side. Hai Au Aviation, its operator, announced in a Facebook post that the service would end from 1 April 2026, TTR Weekly reported.

Older guides and some listings still describe a seaplane leg. Plan on the road instead, and if a package names a seaplane, ask the seller in writing how you will reach the pier before you pay.

Seaplane at Tuan Chau
Photo: kitmasterbloke / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Passengers boarding a seaplane at the Ha Long terminal, before the service stopped.

on the ground

Taxis, Grab and offers at the station

A private car leaves when you want and goes door to door: the Sapa Express car in the table states 2 hours 40 minutes to Tuan Chau for up to three passengers, priced per vehicle.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises using pre-arranged transport or official ride-hailing apps that supply licensed cabs, naming Grab or XanhSM, in its advice of 21 September 2026. It also warns that offers of free bus transfers to hotels you did not arrange in advance may be scams. For the boat itself, the US Department of State advises travelers to make sure it is properly registered and follows Vietnamese maritime law (page updated 2 July 2026). More on choosing an operator is on Halong Bay safety.

the way back

Halong Bay to Hanoi, and on from Halong

The way back is the same road. The Klook minivan is sold in both directions, and the cruise shuttles meet the boats when they return.

Overnight cruises are back at the pier around midday on their last day, day boats in the early evening, so you reach Hanoi in the afternoon or late evening. Book an evening train or flight out of Hanoi only with a wide margin: storms can hold boats in port, and the road takes as long as on the way in.

If you want a night on land before or after the cruise, Bai Chay and Tuan Chau are next to the piers; the areas are compared on where to stay for a Halong Bay cruise.

On to Cat Ba Island. No road runs all the way; the ways in by speedboat, car ferry and cable car are on Hanoi to Cat Ba Island.

On to Ninh Binh. Many trips pair the bay with Ninh Binh's river valleys. A plan with the road between them is on the Halong Bay and Ninh Binh itinerary.

asked often

Hanoi to Halong Bay questions

How long does it take to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay?

By road on the expressway, the shared limousine on Klook states 2.5 to 3 hours and the Viator shuttle bus 3 hours (approx.). Bus companies on 12Go state 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes, depending on the bus and the pier. Leave a margin before your cruise check-in.

What is the distance from Hanoi to Halong Bay?

The Ministry of Industry and Trade gives the two expressway legs separately: Hanoi to Hai Phong is 105.5 km and Hai Phong to Ha Long is 25 km, both by road. Tuan Chau and the cruise port in Bai Chay lie a few kilometers apart, so the last stretch depends on your pier.

How much is a shuttle from Hanoi to Halong Bay?

A limousine shuttle from Hanoi to Halong, one way, per adult, costs VND 300,000 (about US$12, AUD 17 or GBP 8.8). Buses on 12Go are listed in Thai baht, and a private car for up to three passengers at THB 2,483. Many cruises sell their own Hanoi transfer as an option.

Is there still a seaplane from Hanoi to Halong Bay?

No. Hai Au Aviation, the Halong Bay seaplane operator, announced that its service would end from 1 April 2026, TTR Weekly reported. Every way from Hanoi to the Halong piers now goes by road on the expressway, by shuttle, bus or private car.

Can I go from Noi Bai airport straight to Halong Bay?

Yes. The Klook shared minivan lists Noi Bai Airport as a pickup beside the Old Quarter, on the same expressway route to Halong City. Van Don International Airport, closer to the bay, states that limousine vans to Halong City leave around the clock, one every 15 to 30 minutes.

Sources

  1. OpenStreetMap places Tuan Chau International Marina (port) at (lat, lon) 20.922632, 106.990659 decimal degrees WGS84. OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), queried via Nominatim/Overpass, 14 November 2026.
  2. OpenStreetMap places Ha Long International Cruise Port (port) at (lat, lon) 20.95327, 107.05571 decimal degrees WGS84. OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), queried via Nominatim/Overpass, 14 November 2026.
  3. OpenStreetMap places Van Don International Airport (airport) at (lat, lon) 21.117753, 107.416807 decimal degrees WGS84. OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), queried via Nominatim/Overpass, 14 November 2026.
  4. The Ha Long Bay Management Board states that day routes depart from Tuan Chau International Marina or Ha Long International Cruise Port. Ha Long Bay Management Board, route pages 'Ha Long Bay Itinerary 1-5' (halongbay.com.vn/en/tours).
  5. The US Department of State advises boat travelers in Vietnam to make sure the boat is properly registered and follows Vietnamese maritime law. US Department of State, Vietnam travel advisory and country information (page last updated 2 Jul 2026; advisory issued 24 Jun 2026), 2 July 2026.
  6. The UK FCDO warns that offers of free bus transfers to hotels not arranged in advance may be scams. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  7. The UK FCDO advises using pre-arranged transport or official ride-hailing apps that supply licensed cabs, naming Grab or XanhSM. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  8. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism lists Noi Bai airport (Hanoi) among e-visa entry points: yes. Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel), Vietnam Visa Requirements, 26 October 2026.
  9. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism lists Van Don International Airport (Quang Ninh province) among e-visa entry points: yes. Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel), Vietnam Visa Requirements, 26 October 2026.
  10. Klook lists Hanoi - Ha Long Limousine and vice versa at From AUD 17.19 per person (Buy 2 get 10% off shown). Klook product page (as listed on the read date).
  11. Klook lists Hanoi - Ha Long Limousine and vice versa with a stated duration of 2.5 - 3 hours. Klook product page (as listed on the read date).
  12. 12Go lists Hanoi to Tuan Chau International Port: Sapa Express taxi (3 passengers) at THB 2,483 per vehicle, all included (1 more class from THB 2,865) THB 2,483. 12Go product page (as listed on the read date).
  13. 12Go lists Hanoi to Tuan Chau Island: Cua Ong Limousine bus with a stated duration of 2h 30m. 12Go product page (as listed on the read date).
  14. 12Go lists Hanoi to Halong International Cruise Port: Sapa Dragon Express tourist bus with a stated duration of 3h 30m. 12Go product page (as listed on the read date).
  15. 12Go lists Hanoi to Tuan Chau International Port: Sapa Express taxi (3 passengers) with a stated duration of 2h 40m. 12Go product page (as listed on the read date).
  16. Viator lists Shuttle Bus Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay at From US$17.86 per person. Viator product page (as listed on the read date).
  17. Viator lists Shuttle Bus Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay with a stated duration of 3 hours (approx.). Viator product page (as listed on the read date).
  18. Saigon Giai Phong (SGGP English, 30 Dec 2018) reports that the Prime Minister attended the inauguration of Van Don International Airport on 30 December 2018. Nhà Đầu Tư, 'Khai trương sân bay Vân Đồn, Cảng tàu khách du lịch quốc tế Hạ Long và cao tốc Hạ Long - Vân Đồn' (search snippet), 30 December 2018.
  19. Van Don International Airport (operated by Sun Group) states that limousine vans to Ha Long City and Hanoi run around the clock from Van Don, one every 15 to 30 minutes. Van Don International Airport, 'Vận chuyển công cộng' page, 14 November 2026.
  20. TTR Weekly (23 Apr 2026) quotes a Facebook post by Hai Au Aviation, the Halong Bay seaplane operator, announcing that its seaplane services cease operations from 1 April 2026. TTR Weekly, 'Halong Bay's flights call it a day', 23/04/2026, quoting the operator's Facebook post, 23 April 2026.
  21. Bhaya Cruises, a Halong Bay cruise operator, states the road distance from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay as roughly 200 km by road. Bhaya Cruise Company Limited (Halong Bay cruise operator), travel guide page 'Ninh Binh to Halong Bay: How to Get There in 2026', 24 June 2026.
  22. Bhaya Cruises, a Halong Bay cruise operator, states the Ninh Binh to Halong Bay trip by private car or limousine bus (via the Quang Ninh expressway, traffic near Hanoi permitting) takes about 3 to 3.5 hours by road. Bhaya Cruise Company Limited (Halong Bay cruise operator), travel guide page 'Ninh Binh to Halong Bay: How to Get There in 2026', 24 June 2026.
  23. Ha Long International Cruise Port in Bai Chay is operated by Sun Group, which states its domestic terminal has four berths handling 200 to 300 Halong Bay cruise and sightseeing boats a day; the berth count is 4 berths. Sun Group, 'Ha Long International Cruise Port - The Gateway to the Heritage Bay for the World', 08/04/2025, 8 April 2025.
  24. The Ha Long Bay Management Board's official routes name Tuan Chau International Marina (Cảng tàu khách quốc tế Tuần Châu), Ha Long International Cruise Port and Nam Cau Trang port (Hon Gai) as passenger ports on route VHL8. Ha Long Bay Management Board website, route list.
  25. The Hanoi to Hai Phong expressway, the first leg of the expressway route from Hanoi to Ha Long City, is, as stated by Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade, long 105.5 km. Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, 'Chính thức thông xe toàn tuyến cao tốc kết nối vùng dài nhất Việt Nam', 01/09/2022, 1 September 2022.
  26. The Hai Phong to Ha Long expressway segment, as stated by Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade, is long 25 km. Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, 'Chính thức thông xe toàn tuyến cao tốc kết nối vùng dài nhất Việt Nam', 01/09/2022, 1 September 2022.
  27. The expressway across Quang Ninh province (Ha Long to Van Don to Mong Cai) was completed when the 80 km Van Don to Mong Cai section opened; the whole Quang Ninh expressway is long 176 km. Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, 'Chính thức thông xe toàn tuyến cao tốc kết nối vùng dài nhất Việt Nam', 01/09/2022, 1 September 2022.
  28. Headline costs. Added up from the listed prices, bay fees and fares each cost names; each part has its own source in this list
  29. Distances in a straight line. Measured on the site from OpenStreetMap coordinates (great circle, 6,371 km earth radius). A straight line between two points, not a sailing or road distance. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
  30. Exchange rates. VND per unit of each currency. USD: State Bank of Vietnam (Ngân hàng Nhà nước Việt Nam), Tỷ giá page, 14 November 2026; AUD: State Bank of Vietnam (Ngân hàng Nhà nước Việt Nam), Tỷ giá page, 12 November 2026; GBP: State Bank of Vietnam (Ngân hàng Nhà nước Việt Nam), Tỷ giá page, 12 November 2026

Photographs

  1. Bai Chay bridge. Photo: Martin Lewison from Forest Hills, NY, U.S.A. / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
  2. Ha Long International Cruise Port (Bai Chay). Photo: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
  3. Seaplane at Tuan Chau. Photo: kitmasterbloke / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0