Overview

Located more than 163 kilometers from Hanoi, Halong Bay is a place not to be missed when visiting Vietnam. The excursion to Halong Bay from Hanoi will enable you to take in breathtaking natural beauty and engage in many intriguing experiences.

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Halong Bay view from seaplane

As you prepare for this trip, it is necessary to find out how to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Whether you’re looking for a trip with convenience, affordability, or a unique experience, let’s check out the following for the best ways to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi.

Have a look at:

route-map-from-hanoi-toha-long-bay
Route Map

The distance between Hanoi and Halong Bay

How far is Halong Bay from Hanoi? To answer this question, let’s see the distance from Hanoi city center and Noi Bai international airport to Halong Bay:

  • From Hanoi City Center to Halong Bay: The approximate distance from Hanoi to Halong Bay is about 170 kilometers.
  • From Noi Bai International Airport to Halong Bay: For those traveling by plane, the airport is located about 190 kilometers from Halong Bay.

Some other trip information:

Route Distance Time
Hanoi to Halong bay (Bai Chay bus station) 150 km 2 hours 15 minutes
Hanoi to Tuan Chau Port 145 km 2 hours 12 minutes
Hanoi to Halong city (city tour, Quang Ninh museum) 155 km 2 hours 18 minutes
Hanoi to Cai Rong port 206 km 3 hours 10 minutes
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) to Halong bay 174 km 2 hours 35 minutes
Hanoi to Halong bay International Port (Bai Tu Long Bay ) 156 km 2 hours 20 minutes

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

The Hanoi – Hai Phong Expressway (also known as National Highway 5B), and National Highway 18 are the two main routes to choose when traveling from Hanoi to Halong Bay. The trip takes an average of 2.5 to 3.5 hours by road.

You may like to read more about:

How-to-get-from-ha-long-bay-to-ninh-binh
From Hanoi you can easy to get Halong Bay, Sapa, Ninh Binh

The route you take and the method of transportation you select can have an impact on how long your trip takes. Compared to buses and trains, which normally move more slowly, traveling by a private vehicle or limousine can be faster. In addition, driving via Hai Phong city on the new National Highway 5B takes approximately 2.5 hours, while traveling through Bac Ninh province on National Highway 18 takes longer (about 3.5 hours).

How to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay?

There are numerous ways to get from Hanoi city center to Halong Bay, including private car, local bus, limousine, motorbike and train. Here is an overview of these options:

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Halong Bay is a popular tourist destination with many intriguing things to attract tourists

Traveling by shuttle bus

  • Distance: about 170 kilometers
  • Average travel time: 2.5 – 3 hours via new expressway
  • Ticket price: From 350,000 VND to 500,000 VND per person for a one-way trip with the pick-up and drop-off points in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. If your location is outside of this area, additional costs can be charged.

Shuttle buses are considered an effective travel option between Hanoi and Halong Bay. It is especially suitable for those who want to control their spending while saving travel time.

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shuttle bus from hanoi to halong bay

Types of shuttle bus

Shuttle buses or tourist buses from Hanoi to Ha Long are popular with both locals and foreigners. There are many shuttle bus options available, ranging from budget to luxury. Almost all shuttle buses run via the new National Highway 5B. The departure time is about 8 a.m to 9 a.m at pick-up points in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, and the trip takes only two to three hours.

There are two main types of shuttle buses: standard buses, and shuttle buses run by travel companies.

  • Standard shuttle buses have different passenger capacities, from 25 to 30-seat buses, 35-seat buses, and 45-seat buses.
  • Many travel companies also have their own shuttle services to pick up and drop off tourists at certain locations.

Here are some recommended shuttle bus service providers you can consider:

Some popular Hanoi – Halong local bus companies:

Bus Company Bus Station Frequency Hotline Ticket Price
Kumho Viet Thanh My Dinh Station + Gia Lam Station 28 times per day from 5:00 – 18:45 +84 2435 333 888 150,000 VND
Duc Phuc My Dinh Station + Gia Lam Station 12 times per day from 7:00 – 19:00 +84 977 266 909 150,000 VND
Ka Long My Dinh Station + Gia Lam Station 21 time per day from 6:00 – 22:30 +84 772 395 395 / 160.000 VND
Dai Phat Gia Lam Station Daily at 20:50 +84 983 472 299 160.000 VND

How to Book a Shuttble bus from Hanoi to Halong?

Although tickets can be purchased directly through the bus company’s website, it is recommended to book tickets through the cruise companies or tour operators for better deals.

kumo-viet-thanh-bus
Kumo Vietthanh Bus from Hanoi to Halong Bay

Traveling by local bus

  • Travel time: It takes about 3 hours to travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay by local bus via the new highway. However, it may take longer as buses can pick up more passengers at bus stops.
  • Ticket price: From about 150,000 to 250,000 VND/person for a one-way trip. For those traveling on a budget, traveling by local bus may be the best option.
    Travel distance: about 170 kilometers

If you are looking for an economical way to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay, taking the local bus is an option worth considering. There are three main bus stations where you can catch the Hanoi bus to Halong Bay, including:

duc-phuc-bus
A Local Bus company from Hanoi to Halong
  • My Dinh Bus Station: Address: No.20 Pham Hung street, My Dinh 2 ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi. (This bus station is about 11 kilometers from Hanoi city center and offers many different bus operators to Ha Long). Open on Google Map
  • Gia Lam Bus Station: Address: No.9 Ngo Gia Kham street, Long Bien District, Hanoi. (This is the nearest bus station from Hanoi city center, which is 5.5 kilometers, but bus operators to Ha Long are very rare.)
  • Giap Bat Bus Station: Address: No.6 Giai Phong Street, Hoang Liet Ward, Hoang Mai District. The distance from Giap Bat bus station to Hanoi Old Quarter is 7km, about 17 minutes drive. This bus station is the busy and chaotic gateway from Hanoi to the central and southern provinces of Vietnam such as Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Ho Chi Minh City. There are also several buses running the Hanoi – Ha Long route.

Tickets can be purchased straight from the ticket offices located in bus stations without making a reservation in advance.

Traveling by private car

  • Travel distance: about 170 kilometers
  • Average travel time: About 2 – 2.5 hours via new expressway
  • Cost: from 2,300,000 – 4,500,000 VND for a round trip, depending on vehicle type (4, 7 or 16 seats), tour length (1, 2 or 3 days) or your pick-up/drop-off location.
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Private car from Hanoi to Halong bay

If you are looking for flexibility and privacy, renting a private car from Hanoi to Halong Bay is a great idea. This option allows you to plan your own itinerary freely.

You can book this service through reputable travel companies and travel agents in Hanoi or directly contact Hanoi Explore Travel Team for advice.

Click-here

Limousine Bus – The best means of transportation from Hanoi to Halong Bay

  • Travel distance: About 170 kilometers
  • Average travel time: About 2.5 hours via the new highway
  • Cost: About 575,000 VND per person for a one-way ticket
  • Limousines usually have 9 seats and Fuso has 19 seats with full luxury amenities.
Limousine-bus-transfer
Limousine Bus Transfer

The limousine is a great option for individuals looking for comfort when traveling. Top-notch features offered in these vehicles include massaging chairs, LCD screens, radio systems, complimentary Wi-Fi, and automated doors. A time-saving trip experience is also guaranteed by limousine transportation from Hanoi to Halong Bay, particularly when it utilizes the new highway.

Some popular Hanoi – Halong limousine bus companies

Bus Company Ticket Price Hotline
VIP Anh Huy Limousine From 250.000 VND to 300.000 VND  +84 911863919
Trung Thanh Limousine From 250.000 VND to 300.000 VND + 84 966896896
Hoang Phu Bus From 250.000 VND to 300.000 VND 1900 1085

By Motorbike

For adventurous, budget-minded travelers wanting to explore local life and landscapes, there’s no better way than driving a motorbike from Hanoi to Ha Long.
There are two popular ways to move from Hanoi to Halong Bay:

  • Route 1: Hanoi – Bac Ninh – Ha Long (155 kilometers): From Hanoi, drive along Highway 5 for about 10 kilometers to Sai Dong intersection and then continue driving another 23 kilometers along Highway 1 to Bac Ninh province. Follow Highway 18 for about 122 kilometers to reach Ha Long city.
  • Route 2: Hanoi – Hai Duong – Ha Long (170 kilometers): This route is a bit longer but more convenient. From Hanoi, you go to Nam Sach town, Hai Duong province and then drive along Highway 183 to Ha Long city.
Motorbike from hanoi to ninh binh

Traveling by train

  • Travel distance: About 164 kilometers
  • Average travel time: 6 hours 45 minutes
  • Cost: About 92,000 VND per person for a one-way trip
  • Information about booking tickets:
  • Supplier: Vietnam Railways
  • Website: dsvn.vn
  • Phone: 1900 0109
train-departure-ha-noi
Departure from Hanoi by Train

For an experience like a real Vietnamese, you might consider taking a train to Halong Bay and leisurely watching the scenery pass by. This option not only offers a gentle pace to enjoy the scenery, but is also the most budget-friendly way to get to Halong Bay.

To start this train experience, take train number 50501, which departs once a day from Yen Vien station in northeast Hanoi at 4:55 a.m. and arrives at HaLong station in the east of Bai Chay city at 11:41 am.

By seaplane – To enjoy a beautiful panorama of Halong Bay

Taking a seaplane is a special and fastest way to get to Halong Bay. In addition, taking use of this air service will allow you to have an amazing seaplane flight with aerial views of the bay. Each flight from Hanoi to Halong Bay should take 45 minutes on average.

  • Travel time: 45 minutes
  • Price: 4,100,000 VND – 9,000,000 VND ~ 175 – 385 USD/person
  • Port of departure: Noi Bai International Airport: Counter E09, Hall E, Terminal 1, Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi
  • Port of arrival: Tuan Chau Marina: Villa T7 Tuan Chau Commercial Urban Area, Tuan Chau Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam
seaplane-to-halong
Halong bay seaplane

How to book seaplane tickets

Seaplane tickets can be booked through Hai Au Aviation’s website: seaplanes.vn

Alternatively, you can contact travel providers to find out whether any packages include a seaplane flight. The aircrafts depart from Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and arrive at Tuan Chau Marina in Halong Bay. Once you arrive, you can take a taxi to your final destination.

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Halong Bay view from above

How to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi airport ?

There are several options available to travel from Noi Bai Airport to Quang Ninh, including bus, 9-seat limousine and taxi.

By bus

Buses offer a budget-friendly option compared to taxis or limousines. Buses are among the greatest choices if you’re traveling in a group because they’re less expensive and can accommodate a lot of luggage.

Take the public bus then a private bus company: first take bus number 17, operating from 5:10 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. everyday and get off at the stop near Gia Lam Bus Station. Then, walk to Gia Lam Bus Station to buy tickets to Halong Bay from many bus companies such as Dai Phat, Quy Ngoc, Hai Phuong. Ticket prices range from 150,000 to 250,000 VND per person.

Note: Most buses operate during the day. Traveling after 7 p.m can make it difficult to find a bus, so you should consider choosing a taxi or private car after this time.

noi-bai-airport-to-ha-long-bay
Route Map from Noi Bai Airport to Halong bay

By Taxi

Choosing a taxi gives you the freedom to go wherever you choose and go at any time of day or night. So how much is the taxi price from Hanoi to Halong Bay? Typically, a four-person cab ride costs between 1.9 and 2.3 million VND. A 7-seat cab, which costs roughly 2.6 million VND each journey, can be a more cost-effective choice if you are traveling in a larger party.

transfer-from-ha-noi-airport
Private taxi from Noi Bai airport to Halong bay

By limousine

Limousines with 9 seats are a common option because of their smaller size, quick travel, and comfortable seatings. Co To Limousine and Tam Bao Anh Limousine are a couple of recommended travel services you might check out. Both companies depart from Pillar 9, Floor 1, Terminal A, T1, Noi Bai Airport. Limousine ticket prices usually range from 400,000 – 450,000 VND/trip.

When coming to Halong Bay, you definitely cannot miss exploring many spectacular places such as Tuan Chau island, Ti Top beach, Thien Cung cave, Dau Di cave, Cua Van floating village, Thien Canh Son cave, night market etc.

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Limousine Bus from airport to halong

In order to guarantee a smooth trip, it is crucial to know how to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay. With the help of this in-depth information, we hope you can choose the ideal travel option to fit your schedule and budget. Thus, get started on your travel arrangements right away for an unforgettable trip to Halong Bay!

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