Hanoi to Halong : The complete transfer guide 2026

hanoi to Halong transfer guide

This Hanoi to Halong transfer guide is everything you need to know about travelling from Hanoi to Halong. We will show you ways to get from Hanoi to Halong using a private car, taxi, shuttle bus, local bus, motorbike, and more, as suggested by a local expert.

Table of Contents

About Halong Bay

Known as one of the top tourist destinations in the North of Vietnam. Halong Bay is famous for its towering limestone cliffs with 1969 islands and islets. You can take cruise tours on wooden junk boats for a day trip and steel boats for an overnight cruise.

Halong Bay is known as a World Heritage site since 1994, so it has become a must-see destination in Northern Vietnam

Frequently asked questions about Hanoi to Halong Transfer

How long does it take from Hanoi to Halong?
The distance from Hanoi Old Quarter to Halong is 150 kilometres or 94 miles, two and a half hours, including 15 minutes coffee break along the way via the new Expressway

How many ports for taking the cruise in Halong Bay?

There are two ports for taking cruises in Halong Bay: Tuan Chau Gateway, which is the first one, and Sun Group International Port for both cruises and cruise ships from other countries

Is day trip to Halong from Hanoi worth it?

I recommend taking a 6-hour cruise in Halong, which includes the same activities as a two-day, one-night cruise, including cave visits, kayaking, swimming, hiking, and more.

Is there any alternative option for Halong Bay?

Bai Tu Long Bay from Van Don is an alternative if you like travelling off the beaten track, since Halong Bay is very touristy, especially during the summertime from the middle of May to the middle of August.

How much for a round-trip limousine bus directly with the cruise company?

Around 40 to 50 USD each person for round trip transfer from/to Hanoi for a limousine bus ride

How long does it takes from Halong to Noi Bai airport?

Two and a half hour

How to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay : Transports, Advices and Tips

Those who want to travel from Hanoi to Halong bay, they can be either guests who book an overnight stay on a cruise in Halong or they can be an independent traveler who wants to stay a couple of nights in Halong without taking an overnight cruise

For those who booked an overnight stay on a cruise, I recommend booking a shared transfer directly with the cruise companies to ensure you will be on time for the boat tour. If you want to take a private transfer, you can book through a hotel or travel agency in Hanoi or with Hanoi Eco Tour via WhatsApp: +84.974.313.104

Hanoi to Halong bus/limousine Dcar (Tourist-friendly option)

There is no better choice than taking a Hanoi to Halong with tourist bus companies that offer pick up from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter and drop off in Halong City.

Halong Excursion

They use Solati Limousine bus which is good quality

Route

Departure time

Transfer time

Ticket fare

Type of bus

Hanoi–Halong (Bai Chay)

From Hanoi : 8.30am, 14.30pm

From Halong: 11.30am, 18.00pm

2.5 hours

$20/pax

Solati (12 seats)

Sapa Express

A good option for those who travel in a lower budget

Route

Departure time

Transfer time

Ticket fare

Type of bus

Hanoi – Halong

From Hanoi : 8am,13:30

From Halong : 12pm

2 hours and 45 minutes

$12/pax

Shuttle bus (21 seats)

Tech bus

A good option for those who travel in a middle range budget

Route

Departure time

Transfer time

Ticket fare

Type of bus

Hanoi – Halong

From Hanoi : 7am, 8am, 9am, 11am, 13pm, 14pm, 15pm, 17pm, 18pm

From Halong : 7am, 8am, 9am, 11am, 13pm, 14pm, 15pm, 16pm, 18pm, 19pm

2 hours and 45 minutes

310.000VND/pax

Dcar Limousine (9 seats)

Daichi bus

A good option for those who want to travel from Got Pier to Bai Chay (Halong). It isn’t a direct bus from Hanoi to Halong

Route

Departure time

Transfer time

Ticket fare

Type of bus

Hanoi – Got Pier Halong

From Hanoi : 6.30am, 8am, 10.45am, 12.30pm, 13pm, 14.30pm

From Halong : 9am, 12pm, 16pm, 19pm

4 hours from Hanoi to Halong and 4 hours and 30 minutes from Halong to Hanoi

200.000VND/pax

Dcar Limousine (27 and 45 seats)

Other tourist friendly transfer companies

Halong Express
Luxury Trans Vietnam

Local Dcar companies for shared transfer from Hanoi to Halong

Halong Travel limousine
Duy Khanh limousine
Hoang Phuong Limousine
Van Don Xanh limousine (I travelled with them very often

Please note that the majority of the local bus companies do offer pick up outside the Hanoi Old Quarter, but some do not. As far as I know, Van Don Xanh limousine does offer pick up from Hanoi Old Quarter using an SUV car, then you will take the Dcar from their office in Long Bien District.

How to take the local bus from Hanoi to Halong

My Dinh bus terminal, which is 10 kilometres from the Old Quarter of Hanoi or Gia Lam bus terminal, which is around 4 kilometres from Hanoi Old Quarter.

I recommend getting off at Ben Xe Bai Chay (Bai Chay bus terminal since there are lots more options for taxis or motorbike taxis to Bai Chay centre. If you are staying in Halong city, getting off at Nga Tu Long Toong, which is the first intersection after crossing Bai Chay bridge

I personally don’t recommend this option since you have to take a taxi from the Old Quarter to the bus terminal and another taxi ride from Tam Coc roundabout to your accommodation in Ninh Binh. At the end of the day, the expenses is higher than taking a tourist-friendly bus from Hanoi Old Town

How to book a tourist shuttle bus from Hanoi to Halong

Book through local platform called VeXeRe to book a bus ticket from Hanoi to Halong, it is also the way to support local business

Alternatively, you can also book through another platform

Bookaway
12Go
BaoLau
Checkmybus

Pro Tips for booking a limousine/shuttle bus from Hanoi to Halong

Check with the hotel staff when booking a limousine bus from Hanoi to Halong because the timetable can be changed without prior notice
Your arrival time might be later than expected, it can be half an hour later than scheduled because of a traffic jam, lots of drop-off points on the way
For shuttle bus or limousine service, double-check that they drop you off at your hotel in Halong City. Lots of bus companies only drop off at Tuan Chau Harbour and the Bai Chay area.
Bring local currency, the Dong, to pay for the bus ticket
When taking a local transfer, it’s common to encounter unsafe drivers, such as those who speak on the phone. An alternative option is to take a private car
I personally don’t recommend taking a local bus unless you want to experience. Because of the cost, you need to pay extra for a taxi from your hotel to the bus terminal in Hanoi and from the drop off point in Halong to your hotel, which is more than taking a direct transfer from the Hanoi Old Quarter

Hanoi to Halong private transfer: 4 seaters, 7 seaters – SUV car, minivan

If you are in a party of 3, 4, or 5 people and don’t like sharing a transfer with others, taking a private transfer at an affordable price is your top priority. Please see the table below for a reference of the private transfer service from Hanoi to Halong (All rate is American dollars)

Route	4-seater car (2 people with luggage	7 seaters cars (family of four with luggage)	16-seater minivan (up to 8 people with luggage)
Hanoi to Halong	75	79	109

Driver language skill : Basic English

Pick up and drop off : Door to Door

Type of vehicles: 4-seater car (Sedan) for 2 adults and 01 kid with luggage, 7-seater car (maximum 4 adults and 01 kid with luggage), 16-seater minibus (maximum 10 adults with luggage)

For booking a private transfer/car to Halong, kindly contact us via: WhatsApp: +84.974.313.104

What to do and see along the way from Hanoi to Halong

Yen Duc village
Chu Van An worshipping temple
Hai Phong city

An additional fee applies if you visit the tourist attractions listed above. Actually, it isn’t convenient, but it is what you can do to combine some sightseeing spots.

Private car from Halong to Noibai airport

We do offer private car service from Halong to Noi Bai airport (Hanoi), which makes it a fast, efficient and comfortable ride, so you don’t need to waste time returning to Hanoi and take another car to the airport.

Route	4-seater car (2 people with luggage	7 seaters cars (family of four with luggage)	16-seater minivan (up to 8 people with luggage)
Halong to Noi Bai airport	86	90	127

Hanoi to Halong motorbike

Experienced riders are welcome only since the road condition is good, but there is lots of traffics

Be sure you put on a full-head helmet and a valid international tour guide licence

Duration: 3.5 hours, including a coffee break on the way

Route : From Hanoi Old Quarter, drive pass Chuong Duong bridge, then onto old National road number 18 , then take a left turn to Que Vo town, keep going through Chi Linh town, Dong Trieu Town, Uong Bi town, when you see the sign to Bai Chay, taking a left turn and find your hotel in Bai Chay.

Check out this comprehensive map to travel on a motorbike from Hanoi Old Quarter to Vuon Dao market in Bai Chay

hanoi to Halong Motorbike map

Hanoi to Halong by taxi/Grab

You are travelling on a budget but still want to travel in a private car from Hanoi to Halong, an electric taxi called TaxiXanh by Vinfast is an excellent option. The drivers of this company do speak English. Whilst there is a language barrier, if you try Mai Linh taxi or Taxi group. The concept is to drive from A to B, without sightseeing.

But ask the hotel staff to double-check the price. For a long drive, I don’t think the taxi option is cheaper than a private car.