Hanoi to Cat Ba Island bus is a high-quality service provided by Cat Ba Express with a speedboat and takes only 3h 30min, making you enjoy the journey to the best.
Cat Ba Town is about 156km from Hanoi; therefore, travelers have many options to go to Cat Ba. Some take bikes and pay an extra fee to bring them to the island.
Some travel by private car and leave from the mainland at the port to take the ferry to Cat Ba Island. The most hassle-free option is to travel with the Cat Ba Express bus, combined with either the Speedboat or the Cable Car.
Hanoi to Cat Ba Island Bus
| Price Bus + Speedboat: |
13$/ Pax |
| Price Bus + Cable Car: |
16$/ Pax |
| Luxury Limousine: |
20 16$/ Pax |
| Departure from: |
Hanoi |
| Departure time: |
6:00, 7:45, 10:45, 14:00 |
| Transportation: |
Bus (Speedboat or Cable Car) or Limousine (Ferry) |
| Travel time: |
3 hours 15 minutes |
Limousine Bus Opening 10/01/2026 - Offer 20%
Bus Hanoi to Cat Ba Island, provided by Cat Ba Express, guarantees your comfort during the whole trip with personal power outlets, reclining leather seats, extra legroom, no middle seats, and an amiable and funny tour guide fluent in both English and Vietnamese.
Recommend → Cat Ba - Lan Ha Bay full-day tour from Hanoi (pick-up 7:00 - 7:30 am) or Lan Ha Bay day tour from Hanoi (pick-up at 6:00 am) at a more economical price.
You can click to book the bus below:
- Round-trip to Cat Ba from Hanoi
- Cat Ba to Hanoi bus
- Halong Bay to Hanoi bus
- Hanoi to Halong Bay bus
- Halong Bay - Cat Ba bus
- Hanoi to Ninh Binh bus
- Hanoi to Sapa bus
- Cat Ba to Ninh Binh bus
- Ninh Binh - Cat Ba bus
- Ninh Binh to Halong Bay bus
- Halong Bay to Ninh Binh bus
Read what people say about Cat Ba Express on TripAdvisor before booking.
Which types of vehicles does Cat Ba Express operate?
- Luxury Limousine: 31 seats.
- Kia Granbird Tracomeco 2024: 45–47 seats.
- Universe Noble 2017: 35 standard seats.
- Universe Noble 2017: 45 standard seats.
- Thaco 2020: 33-seat version modified to 28 premium seats.
- Speed boat: transporting passengers between Đồng Bài Pier and Phù Long Pier (round trip).
- Cat Ba Cable Car tickets (with surcharge).
- Ferry ticket - apply with Limousine.
Itinerary: Hanoi to Cat Ba Island Bus
- Hotel pick-up if you are staying in the Hanoi Old Quarter. Otherwise, please arrive at Cat Ba Express Office (20 minutes before departure): No. 214 Tran Quan Khai Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
- Travel via Highway 5B to Got Speed Boat Terminal (2 hours, including a 15-minute break).
- Travel to Cai Vieng (Phu Long) from Dong Bai Port by SPEEDBOAT or Cable Car (not ferry) (8 - 10 minutes).
- Travel to Cat Ba Town by bus (35 - 40 minutes). Drop-off at hotels in Cat Ba Town and Cat Ba Express office - No.191, Road Mot Thang Tu.
Bus from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island timetable
| DEPART IN HANOI |
ARRIVE IN CAT BA TOWN |
| 6:00 |
9:15 - 9:30 |
| 7:45 |
11:15 - 11:45 |
| 10:45 |
14:00 - 14:15 |
| 14:00 |
17:15 - 17:30 |
~ 3 hours 15 minutes (excluding 30 minutes pick-up)
Bus to Cat Ba from Hanoi includes
- Bus or Limousine, Speedboat, or Cable Car.
- Hotel pick-up is in the Hanoi Old Quarter, and the Cat Ba Express Office
- English-speaking guide.
- Water, wet wipes.
How to book a bus to Cat Ba from Hanoi?
Book online with the booking box on this website: Cat Ba Express. We will confirm your booking via Email, WhatsApp, or Message as soon as possible.
- You can book at Cat Ba Express Office No. 214 Tran Quan Khai Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
- Call our hotline to book: +84 84 824 4999 (WhatsApp is available).
- Send your request to info@catbaexpress.com.
Limousine Bus Picture
Redefining comfort on the journey between Hanoi and Cat Ba, Cat Ba Express Limousine Bus is crafted from the original Thaco 120S 45-seat platform, thoughtfully transformed into an exclusive 31-seat luxury limousine experience.
Step inside and discover a cabin of refined elegance, featuring 100% business-class seats with generous legroom, smooth reclining, and USB & Type-C charging ports – where every detail serves your comfort.
The exterior design is inspired by the vast beauty of the cosmos and the purity of nature, blending modern aesthetics with a calm, sophisticated presence that feels both welcoming and prestigious.
A spacious luggage compartment completes the experience, offering ample capacity for extended journeys and larger suitcases – ensuring every trip is effortless, unhurried, and truly first-class.
Luxury Bus Picture
Luxury Hanoi to Cat Ba Bus by Cat Ba Express offers premium seats, WiFi, USB charging, free water, and smooth transfers - comfort, style, and reliability for your island getaway.
Arrival in Cat Ba
Public speedboat
Note: - On national holidays and vacations (September 1, 2, 3 and 4; December 30, 31; etc.), surcharge 20% is added
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Cat Ba Express a reliable option?
Absolutely. Cat Ba Express is the most reliable and high-quality provider for trips to Cat Ba Island from Hanoi.
The service is well-known for punctual schedules, modern vehicles, and professional staff. Thousands of travelers have shared positive reviews on TripAdvisor, especially praising comfort and speed.
2. How do I receive and verify my ticket?
After booking your Bus, confirmation will be sent via:
- Email
- WhatsApp / Zalo / Messenger
- Official invoice (if booked at the office)
To verify your ticket, call the hotline +84 848 244 999 and provide:
- Full name
- Travel date
- Route
- Booking phone number
Only confirmations from Cat Ba Express’s official channels are valid.
3. How far is Hanoi to Cat Ba Island?
The distance from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island is approximately 150–156 km, including: Bus transfer from Hanoi → Sea crossing by Speedboat or Cable Car → Final bus ride to Cat Ba Town.
4. How long does it take to get to Cat Ba by bus from Hanoi?
With Cat Ba Express, the total travel time is around 3 hours, 15–30 minutes, making it one of the fastest bus options to Cat Ba.
5. What is the child policy on the Cat Ba Express Bus?
- Children 1–4 years old and under 1 meter may sit with an adult free of charge
- If a separate seat is requested, the child ticket equals the adult price
- Children over 1 meter must have a ticket for the speedboat or cable car
6. Is hotel pickup available in Hanoi?
Yes – but smartly done.
Cat Ba Express offers free pickup at hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter, plus:
- Aeon Mall Long Biên
- Cat Ba Express Office: 214 Tran Quang Khai Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
We do not provide door-to-door pickup citywide to avoid delays and keep ticket prices reasonable.
7. Does the bus drop off at hotels in Cat Ba Town?
Yes. This bus service drops passengers at hotels in Cat Ba Town or the nearest accessible point, depending on location and traffic conditions.
Special notes:
Flamingo Cat Ba Resort:
- Peak season: drop-off ~200m away (hotel buggy available)
- Low season: direct lobby drop-off
MGallery Cat Ba: drop-off at slope entrance (~150m).
8. Can I bring pets on the bus?
No. For safety and comfort reasons, pets are not allowed on the bus from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island. If a pet-friendly service is introduced later, it will be announced officially.
9. What luggage is allowed on the Bus?
Each passenger may bring:
- 1 medium suitcase
- 1 small carry-on bag
Please inform us in advance if you have oversized luggage or special items.
Prohibited items include:
- Explosives or flammable materials
- Weapons or illegal goods
- Live animals
- Strong-smelling items (yes, including durian)
10. Why choose Cat Ba Express?
Because it’s:
- Faster than ferry routes
- More comfortable than public transport
- Direct, reliable, and well-organized
In short: less stress, more vacation.
Thank you!
Read more →
- → Cat Ba, Vietnam
- → The top 15 hotels on Cat Ba
- → Lan Ha Bay – the forgotten paradise
