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 private car, taxi, shuttle bus, local bus, motorbike and more, suggested by a local expert.
Table of Contents
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 World Heritage site in 1994 so it becomes a must-see destination in the Northern Vietnam
How long does it take from Hanoi to Halong?
The distance from Hanoi Old Quarter to Halong is 150 kilometers or 94 miles two and a half hour 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 takings 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 6-hour cruise in Halong which includes the same activities as two days one-night cruise including cave visit kayaking, swimming hiking and more.
Is there any option as an alternative 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 Middle of May to Middle of August.
Read more : Non Touristy Bai Tu Long Bay from Hanoi
How long does it takes from Halong to Noi Bai airport?
Two and a half hour
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 sharing 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
There is no better choice than taking a Hanoi to Halong with tourist bus companies who 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) |
Please most that majority of the local bus companies do offer pick up outside Hanoi Old Quarter but some do. As far as I know, Van Don Xanh limousine do offer pick up from Hanoi Old Quarter using a SUV car, then you will take the Dcar from their office in Long Bien District.
My Dinh bus terminal, which is 10 kilometers from the Old Quarter of Hanoi or Gia Lam bus terminal which is around 4 kilometers from Hanoi Old Quarter.
I recommend getting off at Ben Xe Bai Chay (Bai Chay bus terminal since there is lots more options for taxis or motorbike taxis to Bai Chay center. 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
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
Pro Tips for booking a Limousine Dcar/shuttle bus from Hanoi to Halong
If you are in a party of 3,4,5 people but you don’t like sharing transfer with others, taking a private transfer with an affordable price in the top priority. Please see the below table for a reference of the private transfer service from Hanoi to Halong (All rate is American Dollar)
Route | 4 seaters 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 | 91 | 99 | 131 |
Driver language skill : Basic English
Pick up and drop off : Door to Door
Type of vehicles : 4 seaters car (Sedan) for 2 adults and 01 kid with luggage, 7 seaters car (maximum 4 adults and 01 kid with luggage), 16 seaters minibus (maximum for 10 adults with luggage)
What do do and see along the way from Hanoi to Halong
An additional fee is applied if you visit the tourist attractions mentioned above. Actually it isn’t convenient but it is what you can do to combine some sightseeing spots.
Experienced rider is welcome only since the road condition is good but lots of traffics
Be sure you put on a full-head helmet and a valid international tour guide licence
Duration : 3.5 hours including coffee break on the way
Route : From Hanoi Old Quarter, drive pass Chuong Duong bridge, then onto old National road number 18 , then taking 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
You are travelling on a budget but still wan to travel on a private car from Hanoi to Halong, Electric taxi called TaxiXanh by Vinfast is an excellent option. The driver of this company do speak English. Whilst there is a language barrier if you tried 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 long driving distance, I don’t think taxi option is cheaper than private car.
It takes 6 hours to get from Hanoi to Halong by train. I won’t suggest this option
Read more : Ninh Binh to Halong transfer guide
We hope this Hanoi to Halong transport guide will help you plan your transfer from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
If you are looking for a private transfer service from Hanoi to Halong, kindly contact us via Whatsapp at +84.974.313.104