Hai Phong to Cat Ba island : The Definitive Travel Guide for 2024
This article is everything you need to know about getting from Hai Phong to Cat Ba island in 2023, including a complete transport guide on how to travel from Hai Phong to Cat Ba island on a day trip, overnight trip, or DIY.
Cat Ba island is Vietnam’s lesser-known and less-visited tourist spot than Halong Bay. More than 2.4 million people travel to Cat Ba island every year on land travel, taking a day trip on Lan Ha bay or staying overnight on cruises comparing to 6 million tourists to Halong each year.
What makes Cat Ba island so unique is the numerous limestone karst mountains emerging from the waters in the bay. There is lots of white sand tiny beaches which you may find your own private beach, your own paradise when taking a cruise trip on a wooden junk boat on Lan Ha bay.
The landscape is exactly the same like Halong Bay but way less touristy than Halong bay
In 2014, Cat Ba island was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From then, it becomes a more popular travel destination for travellers in the not of Vietnam. Still, Halong Bay is the first one to pop up in their mind.
Hai Phong, the third largest city in Vietnam, is the transit for Cat Ba island and Halong. But to find out how to get from Hai Phong to Cat Ba island which can be a bit confusing sometimes.
There are a few tour businesses that offer tours and packages from Hai Phong to Cat Ba island
This complete Hai Phong to Cat Ba island guide is a great source to help you travel Cat Ba island from Hai Phong like a pro with top travel experience. It includes three main sections
- Haiphong to Cat Ba island on day tours (Great choice for those who have a limited time budget)
- Lan Ha bay overnight cruises (good choice for those who have a little bit more time and money)
- Cat Ba island DIY trips from Hai Phong, Cat Bi airport (using car, bus, and ferry crossing/speed boats)
Table of Contents
Basic Information : Cat Ba island
I will guide you through basic information about Cat Ba island and my comment about “Is Cat Ba island worth it?”
If you have done the research, maybe skip it
WHERE IS CAT BA ISLAND?
Cat Ba island is situated off the coast of Northern Vietnam, and belongs to Hai Phong, which shares the sea border with Chian. The closest city is Hai Phong. Cat Ba island is about 52 km (If you are taking the Got Pier route with ferry crossing for half an hour) and about 42km (if you take the Binh pier route with 10 minutes on a speed boat)
Most cruises and boats to visit Lan Ha Bay depart from Got Pier, 30 km or 40-minute drive from Hai Phong City via land.
The heart of Lan Ha bay is from Beo Pier on Cat Ba island, not Got Pier, where boutique and small boats cruise among towering limestone kart mountains.
HOW FAR AWAY IS CAT BA ISLAND FROM HAI PHONG/ CAT BI AIRPORT?
Cat Ba island is approximately 1.5 hours travel time from Hai Phong/Cat Bi airport, Northern Vietnam’s biggest seaport city with the option of a speed boat and 2 hours with the option of the ferry crossing from Got Pier.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET FROM HAI PHONG/CAT BI AIRPORT TO CAT BA ISLAND?
Drive along the Tan Vu – Lach Huyen Expressway from Hai Phong to get to Got Pier, then a ferry crossing and transfer from Cai Vieng to the town of Cat Ba.
It usually takes 2 hours; if you miss the ferry, please wait another half an hour.
HOW LONG DO YOU NEED IN CAT BA ISLAND?
People generally spend 2 nights in Cat Ba island, if you have a time budget, spend a night.
If you spend 1 night on an overnight board which departs from Beo pier, you will have one complete day for cruising without transportation. Having a full day allow you to enjoy the beautiful landscape of towering limestone islands of Lan Ha bay, relax and chill out.
CAN YOU VISIT CAT BA ISLAND AS A DAY TRIP FROM HAI PHONG?
Yes, it is absolutely possible to visit Cat Ba as a day trip from Hanoi. In this post, I’ll show you exactly how.
This option is for those who have a time budget but want to see Cat Ba island. Leave your hotel in Hai Phong early at 7am (Ask the hotel to prepare to take away breakfast the night earlier) then transfer to Binh Pier for taking the speed boat at 8 am, you will be arriving Cai Vieng (Cat Ba) in half an hour, then half an hours transfer to Beo pier for taking a full day Lan Ha bay day cruise including kayaking and swimming on deserted beaches and hidden spots with very few tourists around you.
Disembark at Beo pier around 4pm then transfer to Got Pier for ferry crossing or taking a last speed boat at 4.50pm to head back Binh Pier, which is pretty close to Hai Phong city center.
IS CAT BA ISLAND WORTH VISITING?
In my opinion, yes. It’s worth it.
It’s great for those who have a time to spend a few days in the island, relax and enjoy a slow pace of travelling. Also it takes 3.5 hours to get to Cat Ba from Hanoi that some people may be afraid of long travel distance.
Honestly, Cat Ba island is way less touristy than Halong (Apart from the summer time from May to the middle of August which is the peak season for Vietnamese travellers)
Also, Cat Ba island is an UNESCO Site. It’s a nice place for people who love green.
There are 2 boat tours in Lan Ha Bay
Opt 1 : Bright cave and Dark cave, Viet Hai village : This route is more touristy than a route in the Opt 2 since it’s a popular routes for overnight cruise that departs from Got Pier.
Op2 : Ba Trai Dao (Three Peach Beaches) – Less touristy than the Option 1 and the landscape is amazing.
IS LAN HA BAY THE SAME AS HALONG BAY?
Lan Ha Bay and Halong Bay are two different bays. Lan Ha Bay is located on the west of Halong bay.
Lan Ha Bay has become more popular as an alternative to Halong Bay. Still, it is a place for backpackers, budget travellers and travellers who want to take the beach gateway. I know some travelers spend a week in a luxury hotel in Cat Ba island
How to get to Cat Ba island from Hai Phong
Hai Phong to Cat Ba island by ferry
Drive along Tan Vu – Lach Huyen Road to reach Got Pier. Then travel with your motorbike or car on the ferry to reach the other side. An additional cost is applied if you want to travel with your own vehicle.
Each ferry ride takes 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the tide. Price starts from 12.000VND per person (without vehicle), 45.000VND ($2) with your own motorbike and 190,000VND ($8) for the car under 9-seaters.
When you reach Cai Vieng (Cat Ba island), it takes 30 minutes drive to get to the town of Cat Ba, the distance is 22 kilometers ( 13.8 miles).
Got Ferry Terminal: Price and Timetable
Dong Bai Ferry Price
| Type of Vehicle | Price |
| Travellers without vehicle | 10.000VND |
| Travellers with motorbike/motorcycle | 45.000VND |
| Car under 9 seaters | 170.000VND |
| 9-seaters car to 24-seaters bus | 210.000VND |
| 24-seaters bus to 32-seaters bus | 240.000VND |
| 32-seaters bus to 47-seaters bus | 330.000VND |
Dong Bai Ferry timetable
| Ordinal Number | Got Pier | Cai Vieng |
| 1 | 5.30am (Big ferry) | 5.00am (Big ferry) |
| 2 | 6.30am (Big ferry) | 6.00am (Big ferry) |
| 3 | 7.00am (Small ferry) | 6.30am (Small ferry) |
| 4 | 7.30am (Big ferry) | 7.00am (Big ferry) |
| 5 | 8.00am (Small ferry) | 7.30am (Small ferry) |
| 6 | 8.30am (Big ferry) | 8.00am (Big ferry) |
| 7 | 9.00am (Big ferry) | 8.30am (Big ferry) |
| 8 | 9.30am (Small ferry) | 9.00am (Small ferry) |
| 9 | 10.00am (Big ferry) | 9.30am (Big ferry) |
| 10 | 10.30am (Small ferry) | 10.00am (Small ferry) |
| 11 | 11.00am (Big ferry) | 10.30am (Big ferry) |
| 12 | 12.00pm (Small ferry) | 11.00am (Small ferry) |
| 13 | 1.00pm (Big ferry) | 12.00pm (Big ferry) |
| 14 | 1.30pm (Small ferry) | 1pm (Small ferry) |
| 15 | 2.00pm ( Big ferry) | 1.30pm (Big ferry) |
| 16 | 2.30pm ( Small ferry) | 2.00pm (Small ferry) |
| 17 | 3.00pm ( Big ferry) | 2.30pm ( Big ferry) |
| 18 | 3.30pm ( Small ferry) | 3.00pm ( Small ferry) |
| 19 | 4.00pm ( Big ferry) | 3.30pm ( Big ferry) |
| 20 | 4.30pm ( Big ferry) | 4.00pm ( Big ferry) |
| 21 | 5.00pm ( Small ferry) | 4.30pm ( Small ferry) |
| 22 | 5.30pm ( Big ferry) | 5.00pm ( Big ferry) |
| 23 | 6.30pm ( Big ferry) | 6.00pm (Big Ferry) |
Note : During the peak season, there will be an additional ferry ride until 8pm (Especially dủring the weekend.
Hai Phong to Cat Ba island by speedboat
There are a few companies that offer speedboat services either from Binh Pier or Got Pier to Cat Ba island including Cat Ba island and resort, Hadeco and Hoang Yen. In my opinion, Cat Ba island and Resort is the best choice.
The speed boat runs daily from 7am to 5pm.
Timetable of Cat Ba speed boat by Cat Ba island and resort company
| Route | Timetable | Price per person (One way) | Company name | ||||
| DongBai Pier – Cat Ba | 7.00am, 8.30am, 10.10am, 1.10pm, 3.10pm, 4.50pm | 80.000VND | Cat Ba island and resort | ||||
| Cat Ba – Dong Bai pier | 6.50am, 8.15am, 10.00am, 1.00pm, 3.00pm, | 80.000VND | Cat Ba island and resort | ||||
| Cat Ba – Dong Bai pier | 6.50am, 8.15am, 10.00am, 1.00pm, 3.00pm, | 80.000VND | Cat Ba island and resort |
Schedule for speed boat from Binh Pier to Cat Ba island
| Route | Timetable | Price per person (One way) | Company name |
| Binh Pier – Cat Ba | 7.00am, 9.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm, 6.45am (daily), 12.10pm (daily) | 250.000VND | Hoang Yen |
| Cat Ba – Binh pier | 8am, 10am, 2.30pm (daily), 2.45pm, 16.30pm, 5.45am (daily), 12.30pm (daily) | 250.000VND | Hoang Yen |
| Hong Bang pier – Cat Ba | 9am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm | 250.000VND | Cat Ba island resort |
| Cat Ba – Hong Bang pier | 10am, 11am, 2pm, 3.10pm, 4pm, 5pm | 250.000VND | Cat Ba island resort |
| Binh Pier – Cat Ba | 7.00am, 8.00am, 10.00am, 1pm, 3pm, 4pm | 150.000VND | Hadeco |
| Cat Ba – Binh Pier | 7.45a, 8.45am, 10.45am, 1.45pm, 3.45pm, 4.45pm, 4.45pm | 15o.000VND | Hadeco |
Note : The schedule and price can be changed without pier notice; please contact the speed boat companies before booking a ticket
That will be the best way to get from Hai Phong to Cat Ba island during the summertime since it goes directly to Cat Ba island, which is faster than taking a bus, you may save 1 hour.
You will be taking to Cong Chao Cat Ba (Cat Ba welcome gate), from here, you need to take a taxi of 23 USD to get to the town of Cat Ba or taking a bus which costs half a dollar per person (Every 30 minutes)
Some days, the speed boat goes directly to Ben Beo (Beo pier), which is only 1 mile away from the town of Cat Ba. Please double check where the speed boat drops you off.
Tips when taking a ferry during the peak season from May to August
- Show up at the ferry at least 1 hour before your planned schedule
- Travel only with your belongings when crossing the ferry without the vehicle
- Prepare umbrellas, hats etc because you might be walking 10 to 15 minutes due to the traffic jam to get to the ferry without the car
- Book a car from the ferry to the town of Cat Ba in advance
- If you are seasick, take a pill half an hour before departure
- If the car get stuck, walk with your belongs and taking a ferry, the car on the otherside
Hai Phong to Cat Ba by bus
For budget travelers and backpackers, it would be the best options
More information for bus from Hai Phong to Cat Ba
| Company name | Cat Ba island resort |
| Ticket fare | 150.000VND/ person/one way |
| Departure from | 41 Binh Pier, Hai Phong |
| Duration | 1 hour and 40 minutes |
| Means of transport | Bus – speed boat- bus |
Timetable for bus from Hai Phong by Cat Ba island resort
| Bus From Binh Pier | 5.45am | 9.00am | 12.20pm | 2.00pm | 3.50pm |
| Speedboat from Got Pier | 6.20am | 9.40am | 1.10pm | 2.40pm | 4.30pm |
| Bus from Cat Ba | 5.30am | 8.50am | 12.10pm | 1.50pm | 3.50pm |
| Speedboat from Cat Ba | 6.10am | 9.30am | 1.00pm | 2.30pm | 4.20pm |
Hai Phong to Cat Ba by cable car
Price : 100.000VND per person
From Hai Phong, take a car to Cat Hai station (40-minute drive) then take a cable car ride to Phu Long station in Cat Ba
Cable car Cat Hai – Phu Long information
| Price | 100.000VND (4.2 USD) |
| Means of transport | Cable car |
| Opening hours | 8.00am to 3.45pm |
| How to book | https://catba.sunworld.vn/en/ |
| Note | Temporarily closed from 2nd of Oct until further notice |
I hope this Hai Phong to Cat Ba island guide helps you plan your trip to Cat Ba island. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Hanoi Eco Tour via email at info@hanoiecotour.com
Looking for private Cat Ba tours, feel free to let us know. We are happy to answer your request.
