Tripadvisor traveler choiceTraveler choice

Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island: 4 Best Ways to Travel

July 10, 2025 - 13021 views

How to get to Cat Ba island from Halong Bay is one of the biggest concerns of travelers. In fact, like Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba Island is known to be great for its beaches and spectacular tourist spots. This is the largest island among nearly 2,000 islands in the Halong Bay area. The distance from Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island is 19.6 km. 

Cat Ba Island18-08-2025All Duration

Here are some ways you can get to Cat Ba Island from Halong Bay.

Take Ferry Tuan Chau Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island

Taking a ferry from Tuan Chau Port to Gia Luan Port is a hassle-free way to get to Cat Ba Island from Halong Bay. The Tuan Chau-Cat Ba ferry route started operations in 2009, invested in by Au Lac Quang Ninh Company Limited-Tuan Chau Group. At the same time, it is also the fastest ferry route.

There are 5–7 trips per day, depending on the tourist season.

  • From April 25 to September 5, departures are available at 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:00 PM.
  • From September 6 to April 24, trips depart at 8:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 3:00 PM.

Ferry Tuan Chau Halong to Cat Ba Island

Ferry Tuan Chau Halong to Cat Ba Island

  • Travel route: A ferry (at least 30 passengers) will pick you up at Tuan Chau Harbor and get you to Gia Luan Harbor.
  • Duration: 50 - 60 minutes
  • Price: From US $2.3 per person/one way (60,000 VND)
  • How to book: Usually, it is recommended that you buy ferry tickets directly after reaching Ha Long. If not, you can contact them through the hotline at 0203 384 2134 (Tuan Chau Port).

Pros

Cons
  • The cheapest way to get to Cat Ba Island from Halong Bay
  • Share space with many other peoples, which is quite uncomfortable for those who prefer privacy

>> You might take interest in Cat Ba Island Ferry: Schedule & Price

 

High-speed Boat Bai Chay Halong Bay to Cat Ba

A high-speed boat is another option for you to choose when transferring from Halong bay to Cat Ba. The main running route is “Bai Chay - Tuan Chau - Gia Luan - Cat Ba Town.” Also, there are more speedboats to Cat Ba than ferries. These speedboats depart from Tuan Chau at 8:30 AM and 12:30 PM.

High Speedboat Bai Bay Halong to Cat Ba

High-Speed Boat Bai Chay Halong to Cat Ba

  • Travel route: Most of the speedboats to Cat Ba Island run a fixed route from Bai Chay to Tuan Chau and eventually to Gia Luan Harbor.
  • Duration: 30 minutes, which is much faster than going by ferry
  • Price: About US $6.3 per person/one way (165,000 VND)
  • How to book: You can get tickets at the ferry ticket counter or you can call a travel agency like Cat Ba Express (084 824 4999) or HAVACO (096 465 5818).

Pros

Cons
  • A speedboat can take you quickly; therefore, you can have more time to enjoy your vacation.
  • Those who can be seasick should not choose this option, as the high speed will make you tired.
  • More expensive than going by ferry.

>> If you depart from Hanoi, read this article, Hanoi to Halong Bay: 6 BEST Ways to Travel for more details.

 

High-speed Hydrofoil Tuan Chau Halong Bay to Cat Ba

Taking a high-speed hydrofoil boat is a recommended one that is safer and faster. In the case of a long ferry ride and a low-speed boat capacity, a hydrofoil could be the perfect alternative. 

  • Travel Route: Tuan Chau Port (Halong Bay) to Cat Ba Island.
  • Duration: 10 - 12 minutes
  • Price: About US $9.5/person for one way.
  • How to book: You can ask your Vietnamese hotel receptionist to do it for you. In addition, you should book through Vietnamese travel agencies. Their team of travel professionals will know how to book the ticket for you.

You can reach Kalong Hydrofoil (US $9.5/one way) at hotline 0912729627 to book the service.

High-speed Hydrofoil Tuan Chau Halong to Cat Ba

High-speed Hydrofoil Tuan Chau Halong to Cat Ba

Pros

Cons
  • This is a quick method to get to Cat Ba.
  • Visitors will have new experiences when traveling by high-speed hydrofoils at an affordable cost.
  • There is, in fact, no official English booking website for these trains. Therefore, booking can be inconvenient for international tourists.
  • The price is pretty much higher than going by ferry and boat.

If you have any problems transferring from Halong to Cat Ba, you should contact us to get the best support.

contact to transfer to cat ba

Halong Bay—Cat Ba Island Cruise

Since Cat Ba Island is the biggest island in the Halong Bay complex, we can also get to Cat Ba by cruise. 

  • Travel route: You can freely choose among Top 10 Cat Ba Island Cruises according to your liking and suitable itinerary, then contact the providers immediately with the necessary information that we offer.
  • Duration: Each cruise has its own schedule. Therefore, you should get to know them before starting your trip. Usually, there are 4 options for you to choose from: day tour, 2-day 1-night tour, 3-day 2-night tour, and 4-day 3-night tour.
  • Price: Depending on the kind of cruise, itinerary, tourist services, activities, etc., the price will vary from $90 (usually for a day tour cruise) to $600 (for a private cruise). Besides, there are still some extra fees for services such as spas, massages, etc.

Halong Bay to Cat Ba Cruise

Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island Cruise

Pros

Cons

  • Indulge yourself in the five-star luxury service of a cruise trip, including transfer.
  • Enjoy the stunning natural beauty, take some photos of the scenery, and experience the best services in dining, relaxing, and entertaining on Cat Ba Island.
  • Suitable for all, you can go with friends, family, or your other half.
  • It costs you pretty much, so think clearly and get to know yourself well before deciding to opt for one.

10 best cruises on Cat Ba

The above are some effective ways to get from Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island. Hopefully, you have all the necessary information when traveling to Cat Ba Island.

BestPrice Travel

(Image source: Internet)

Sale Support
"Traveling is our passion"
Let us help you plan an unforgettable trip!
Tailor-made your own trip

Questions & Answers

Ask a Question
whatsapp