Hanoi to Halong Bay is one of the most popular travel routes in Vietnam, which is really convenient to travel back and forth. Halong Bay boasts breathtaking scenery that you should never miss while visiting the North of Vietnam. With a distance of 170 km and an updated transportation system, tourists can easily transfer between Hanoi and Halong Bay by different choices of the shuttle bus, luxury bus, private car, seaplane, motorbike, train, etc. Let's look at the 6 best ways to travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay and find out the best one to meet your interest.
Table of Contents
Thanks to the New Highway 5B (also called Hanoi – Hai Phong Expressway) since the end of 2018, it takes only 2.5 hours to travel from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay. Then you can save a lot of time on transportation for a day excursion. If money isn't a problem, it's highly recommended that you should choose a luxury and private transfer.
The distance from Hanoi to Halong Bay is about 170 km, specifically from Hanoi Old Quarter to Halong City. It usually takes about 2.5 hours to get to Halong by car via the new National Highway 5B.
However, as 5B Road only allows 4-wheel vehicles, if you travel by motorbikes or want to save the toll fees, it may cost you 3.5 hours to arrive at the gate of Halong Bay after traveling through the National Road No 18.
Hanoi to Halong Bay distance and travel time
Since Ha Long Bay becomes a world-famous tourist hot spot, the development of tourism has led to the upgrade of transportation systems in recent years. You don't have to worry about how to get to Halong Bay in various ways: by road, by air, by railway, and by waterways, in case you want to visit the islands.
For the most part, there are the 6 most popular means of transportation, including the shuttle bus, luxury bus, private car, seaplane, motorbike, and train.
Travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay
Now, let's make a comparison between the price, duration, as well as the reasons you should choose it as the best way to travel.
6 best ways to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay
Means of Transportation | Travel time | Cost / round way |
Shuttle Bus (Most popular) | 2.5 hours | 15 - 20 USD |
Luxury Bus (Most comfortable) | 2.5 hours | 20 - 30 USD |
Private Car (Privacy) | 2 hours | 80 - 150 USD |
Seaplane (New experience) | 60 minutes | 350 - 400 USD |
Motorbike (Most venturesome) | 3.5 hours | 6 USD / day |
Train (Travel like a local) | 7 hours | 8 - 10 USD |
Traveling by bus from Hanoi to Halong Bay is now one of the most common ways to transfer. For the best, we recommend you choose the shuttle bus, also known as the “tourist bus”.
Hanoi to Halong Bay bus
The shuttle bus services are provided by plenty of tourist bus companies and cruise lines. If you are planning to join a Halong Bay cruise from Hanoi, it is highly recommended you should book the transfer together with a cruise package for smooth pick up and drop off.
Bus operator | Bus schedule | Ticket fare |
Hoang Long VIP Bus | Every hour from 5:30 am to 7:30 pm | 7 USD |
Van Don Xanh | Every hour from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm | 10 USD |
Green Lion Bus | Every day at 7:00 - 7:30 am | 7 - 10 USD |
Phuc Xuyen | Every hour from 4:00 am to 8:00 pm | 8 - 10 USD |
Shuttle bus of cruise companies | Every day at 8:30 - 9:00 am | 15 - 20 USD |
Shuttle bus - the most popular way of Hanoi to Halong Bay transfer
>> Hanoi to Halong Bay shuttle bus is suitable for all types of tourists, from solo travelers, couples, groups of friends, to family with kids, especially for those who seek a reasonable-priced, time-saving, and convenient transfer.
In case you are in search of a more comfortable and high-end service, taking a luxury bus from Hanoi to Halong Bay is the best choice for your trip.
Luxury bus from Hanoi to Halong Bay
Not only the bus operators but also many cruise companies offer a luxury bus transfer with pick-up and drop-off services. As normal, many travelers choose to book a cruise, which includes a combo transportation package or sometimes free transportation. For alternative options, take a look at the recommended bus providers as follow.
Bus operator | Bus schedule | Ticket fare |
BeePro Limousine | Every hour from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm | 8 - 11 USD / one way |
Limousine Phuc Xuyen | Every hour from 4:00 am to 8:00 pm | 8 - 10 USD / one way |
Co To Limousine | Every day at 05:30 am, 6:30 am, 7:30 am, 9:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm | 8 - 11 USD / one way |
Luxury bus of cruise companies | Every day at 8:30 - 9:00 am | 15 - 20 USD / one way |
For those who desire complete privacy and flexibility in time, hiring a private car from Hanoi to Halong bay is considered the best.
Hanoi to Halong Bay private car
>> If you go on a vacation with your family or a group of 5 – 7 people, a private car is the best option to travel from Hanoi to Halong, due to the privacy and flexibility in time it features.
You should bear in mind that there is no direct flight from Hanoi to Halong Bay. If you are looking for a mesmerizing way to explore Halong Bay from Hanoi, seaplane could be a one-of-a-kind experience.
Hai Au Aviation is the only seaplane provider offering a 45-minute scheduled flight from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay and a 15-minute scenic flight for sightseeing over thousands of awe-inspiring islets and rock formations. The seaplane departs from Hanoi Airport to Tuan Chau Marina, which is nearby the cruise port in Ha Long Bay.
Breathtaking view from Hanoi to Halong Bay seaplane
The best way to book the seaplane is to book a cruise package combined with a seaplane tour offered by BestPrice Travel for a great chance to experience the extraordinary seaplane ride and cruising in the Bay.
>> If you don’t mind money and have a desire for amazing travel experiences, you shouldn’t miss out on a Hanoi to Halong Bay seaplane. It is absolutely worth a try to opt for a fast, convenient, and luxurious means of transportation with professional services.
Alternatively, getting to Halong Bay from Hanoi by motorbike can bring you a more adventurous experience during your vacation.
Travel to Halong from Hanoi by motorbike
Route 1: Hanoi – Bac Ninh – Ha Long: This route is only 155km and takes you around 3 hours to travel to Halong Bay by motorbike. If you choose to follow the route, from Hanoi, get to Sai Dong crossroad Highway No.5 (for about 10km), then via 23 km on Highway No.1, arrive at Bac Ninh province. After that, follow Highway No.18 for about 122 km to respectively reach Pha Lai, Sao Do, Dong Trieu, Uong Bi, and eventually Ha Long.
Route 2: Hanoi – Hai Duong – Ha Long: Compared to the former one, this route is much longer (about 170 km), but more convenient. From Hanoi, you can get to the county of Nam Sach, Hai Duong through Highway No.5B, then follow Highway No.183, to reach Ha Long.
>> Motorcycle may not be a perfect choice that many people will opt for, due to the high risk it contains. However, for those (particularly young people) who are on a budget but seek a truly wonderful adventure through the charm of nature and love to enjoy full freedom, the idea will be the best.
Traveling by train is the slowest and safest way to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi, due to the authentic experience it brings you. It can be a great opportunity to admire and enjoy the stunning scenery on both sides of the railway.
Hanoi to Halong Bay train
There is only one way to take a train from Yen Vien Station, located northeast of Hanoi, to Halong Station, situated east of Bai Chay City. Not to mention that the train leaves once a day at 4:55 am from Hanoi to reach Ha Long at almost 12:00 pm. When going back to Hanoi, you have to take a train from Halong Station at 1:45 pm to arrive in Hanoi at 8:30 pm.
>> Hanoi to Halong Bay train is suitable for budget and solo travelers who seek the best experience during their vacation. It is best to travel like a local in an eastern country like Vietnam. Totally, you can get yourself peace of mind while getting away from the bustling urban life.
In general, there are 6 best ways to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi. However, shuttle buses and private cars are the most popular choice thanks to the convenience and experiences. Furthermore, many cruises cooperate with shuttle buses and cars to arrange the trip to Halong at more budget prices.
All things considered, the best way is affected by many factors like how much you spend, who you travel with, which type of traveling you expect, and others. Apart from the most popular choices mentioned above, more options are lesser-known such as the local bus, taxi, flight, and helicopter.
6 best ways to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay
No exotic journey can be perfect without a few local tips for more interesting experiences and to avoid some unexpected troubles. Hereby a few hacks that may help you get to Halong Bay from Hanoi without hassle.
Normally, your demand is safety and low budget. In this case, the top-recommended vehicle is the shuttle bus as it is not only comfortable but also amazingly cheap compared with the service it provides.
You only have to spend about USD 20/round trip Hanoi – Halong/person or maybe lower a little to have a large seat on a deluxe bus like limousine D-car and the trip is only about 2-hour including 15 minutes in a rest area for the travel route.
So there is no doubt that it is the fastest budget way to get to Halong Bay.
Safety and convenience could be your top concern if you travel with your kids on a family trip. Depending on your children’s ages and how many of them do you have you may have some options to consider. If you have infants or toddlers, the top choice should be a private car.
Believe it or not, your babies need space and it is also difficult to control them as they are too small. Therefore, although the private car is a little expensive option, it is necessary for you and your small children.
The private car is best for families with kids to travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay
Romance, privacy, remarkable experience, and sweet memories are the top features that you seek in your trip to Halong Bay? The best suggestion for couples is the seaplane.
It is not cheap, of course, but it is definitely worth it. Holding your partner's hands, flying in the sky above one of the most beautiful and magical lands in the world like Halong Bay would be the sweetest memory for your trip.
From the age of 50, you should consider your health conditions before choosing any way to travel. Nothing can be compared with your health right now and it is the most important and major factor that affects your choice of transportation to get to Halong Bay.
The best suggestions for you are a luxury bus as they are high-quality cars (which is very important for your travel safety) and comfortable with a large space inside.
The luxury bus is best for the elderly to transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay
Many tourists decide to book Halong tours from Hanoi to cover the transportation services. Normally, you will get a combo package which is cheaper than the service booked separately. Furthermore, booking a tour will help you enjoy Hanoi - Halong trip at leisure, especially for a family with kids and a first-timer.
For those who have scanty time, a Halong Bay day trip from Hanoi (from 63 USD/ person) usually offers a transfer by either a shuttle bus or a luxury limousine. Most Halong Bay day tours are 3-star wooden junks; some are 4-star and 5-star luxury cruises.
To spend more time indulging in the majestic seascape, it is highly recommended to take a Halong Bay overnight cruise from Hanoi (from 121 USD/ person), which includes a cruise excursion on various types of boats, from traditional wooden junks to luxury cruises, from small private boats to large deluxe ones.
Compared with a one-day itinerary, the 2d1n or 3d2n cruise will help you explore deeper inside this scenic area with sightseeing tours to magnificent caves, join a short discovery in Cat Ba Island, enjoy water-based activities, take part in amusing things to do onboard, and other more.
Taking everything into account, consider what you expect during the travel time as each means of transportation listed above is perfect for a particular demand. Hope you find out how to travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay and go exploring with BestPrice Travel.
You might also like: Hanoi Airport to Halong Bay: 4 Fast & Safe Ways to Transfer
Hong Nhung
(Images source: Internet)