How to Get to Halong Bay from Hanoi

Halong Bay, located about 170 kilometres north of Hanoi, is one of Vietnam's most popular tourist destinations and one of the most beautiful places to discover in the region. On the islands that wind along the coast, you can also take a dip in the turquoise waters, enjoy water sports, rock climbing activities and relax on the paradise beaches.

Whether you choose to visit Halong Bay on an organised tour, by taxi, train, bus or rented car, you can discover one of Southeast Asia's most famous resorts and enjoy one of the best things to do in Hanoi, as the Vietnamese capital is an ideal base from which to start your tour.

If you want to visit Halong Bay from Hanoi in the most comfortable and complete way, you can opt for an organised excursion, which is part of the best tours to do from the Vietnamese capital. These experiences are sure to include a transfer to and from the northern part of Vietnam and, once in the bay, you can enjoy a scenic cruise that will allow you to discover the sights of this popular site.

During the cruise you will usually enjoy a fresh seafood lunch which is included in the price of the organised tour and you will be accompanied throughout the tour by an expert local guide. Among the islets of Halong Bay you will have the opportunity to snorkel, scuba dive, take part in a kayaking experience and even visit Tien Cung Cave on a bamboo boat.

On these organised tours, which last approximately 10 hours, you'll also learn about the Gulf of Tonkin, which provides the bay with shelter and was one of the most hotly contested sites during the Vietnam War, the conflict that divided the country for more than 20 years.

Note, too, that these experiences are usually for small groups, so you can expect personalised attention, especially during the bamboo boat tour that will take you around the rock formations famous for their stalactites and stalagmites. You can also choose from options that include 2-day tours of Halong Bay.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 35 Euros per person, including hotel pick-up and drop-off transfers, the assistance of the local expert guide and the cruise tour of Halong Bay.
• Travel time: about 10 hours.
• Advantages of this option: You will be able to let go of your worries and give up the organisation of the logistics to focus on enjoying the experience.
• Disadvantages of this option: you won't have much free time to discover the sites on your own.

If you are planning to visit Halong Bay from Hanoi and want to do it as cheaply as possible or you are on a budget, you can opt for a bus trip, which is a very popular option to travel from the Vietnamese capital to the Gulf of Tonkin. There are a number of bus companies operating this route, so you'll have flexibility in terms of schedules and service options.

Among the most popular are Phuc Xuyen and Green Lion Bus. Both will take you from My Dinh Station to Halong Bay on routes that last approximately 3 hours and cost between 12 and 14 euros, depending on the date of travel, the time of day and also the demand for the service.

These buses usually include stops in other towns along the way between the capital and Halong Bay, so you can also see other places in between and get an impression of the rural towns of northern Vietnam. In some cases, these services also include discounts for hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus tours of Hanoi.

Keep in mind that if you plan to visit Hanoi in 3 days or even less, this alternative could take valuable time away from participating in the Vietnamese capital's best excursions or discovering other nearby sites, as it is one of the slower options. In any case, you should consider if this alternative fits your travel plan and if your priority is to save money during your visit to Halong Bay.

Useful details

• Price: from 12 euros per person.
• Journeytime: about 3 hours.
• Advantages of this option: it is the cheapest option available, so it is ideal if you are planning to travel on a tight budget.
• Disadvantages of this option: It is the slowest alternative, which could put a damper on your itinerary if you are planning a short stay in Hanoi.

One of the most popular alternatives for visiting Halong Bay from Hanoi is to choose to travel by train. However, bear in mind that the train route doesn't go all the way to the coast or the jetty, but only to Hai Phong, the largest town on the route between the two destinations, and from there you'll have to continue your journey by other means of transport.

Generally, those who opt for the train alternative finish the journey by taxi, as it is the most accessible and most common option in Hai Phong. This will allow you to put together an itinerary that suits your travel plan, manage your time and choose the final stop in Halong Bay, which you will want to do at the pier to continue the journey across the bay, although you should consider that it is a more laborious option than the others available.

Also, the combined train/taxi ride will take you about 3 hours, about the same time as the bus ride, but you'll have to transfer at Hai Phong and spend more money, as you'll have to add the taxi fare to the train ticket. So, while it's an alternative that has the advantage of flexibility, it's not very recommendable in terms of saving money and time.

However, if you want to visit Hai Phong as well as Halong Bay, this combined alternative could be the solution for you.

Useful details

• Price: approximately 28 euros per person, including train ticket and taxi ride.
• Travel time: about 3 hours.
• Advantages of this option: You will have the flexibility to organise an itinerary and decide your travel plan.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not offer a good cost-benefit ratio and will not allow you to save time compared to other alternatives.

If you're planning a 2-day stay in Hanoi or even less and need to save time during your transfers or decide at the last minute to visit Halong Bay, you can opt for a taxi ride, which is often a popular but potentially expensive alternative.

These tours will take you on a journey of approximately 2 hours along the CT04 route and give you the flexibility to choose your itinerary, timetable and also the final stopping place in Halong Bay, which you will want to be at the jetty, so that you are close to the shore and can start your tour there. On the other hand, a taxi will also give you the opportunity to include intermediate stops along the way.

In Vietnam, and especially in Hanoi, taxis are widely accepted and, in the absence of other options, are a popular means of transport, so it's not surprising that they are used to travel medium and long distances. In addition, you can hire the services online, which will make your trip safer and provide you with information about the driver and the vehicle.

Some of the most popular taxi service providers in Hanoi are Vinasun and Mai Linh, whose official websites provide details of the itinerary, a quote for the journey and, if you decide to confirm the trip, information about the driver who will be in charge of transporting you.

Useful details

• Price: approximately 90 euros each way, in a taxi that can carry up to 4 people.
• Journeytime: around 2 hours.
• Advantages of this option: you can decide the itinerary, the times and also the intermediate stops.
• Disadvantages of this option: these are expensive alternatives.

Hiring a car to travel in and around Hanoi is not a popular option in Vietnam, but if you choose to do so, it's a flexible alternative that will allow you to explore the Vietnamese capital and other nearby sites, such as Halong Bay.

From Hanoi you can travel to the north coast along the CT04 route in a journey of approximately 2 hours, which will allow you to include intermediate stops, as well as giving you the option to manage your schedule and follow an itinerary at your own pace. Once you arrive in Halong Bay, park your car near the jetty area and from there, opt for a cruise excursion to the islands in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Bear in mind that, beyond the cost, as car rental in Vietnam isn't cheap, it's an ideal alternative if you're looking to save time because you're planning to stay in Hanoi for 3 days or less, or if you're travelling in a group. Car travel is also a good option for those travelling as a family or with a lot of luggage, as it will be similar to a private tour.

The only safety note to keep in mind is that traffic in Vietnam is somewhat chaotic, so be extra cautious and pay special attention to the roads, which are often damaged in places.

Useful details

• Price: Car rental in Hanoi costs approximately 65 euros per day initially.
• Travel time: about 2 hours.
• Advantages of this option: You can plan an itinerary based on your interests and drive to each destination at your own pace.
• Disadvantages of this option: You should be aware that traffic in Vietnam is chaotic and roads are often not in good condition.

Halong Bay is a fascinating destination all year round, but choosing the best time to visit depends on your individual preferences and the activities you wish to do. The most popular season is from October to December, when the weather is pleasant, with clear skies adding to the beauty of the place.

This period also avoids the high temperatures and humidity of summer in Halong Bay, providing ideal conditions for exploring the bay by boat and enjoying outdoor activities. During these months, you can also take some of the best photographs of Halong Bay and the Gulf of Tonkin.

For those looking to avoid the crowds and enjoy lower fares, spring, which runs from March to May, and the strong autumn season in September, are attractive options. During spring you can marvel at the colours of the surrounding nature, while autumn offers pleasant temperatures and a tranquil atmosphere. However, be aware that spring can bring occasional showers.

Winter, which runs from January to March, can also be a valid choice, although temperatures are cooler. Despite this, the cloudy landscape adds a unique charm to Halong Bay during this season.

The answer will depend on your travel plan, as each alternative advocates a different variable. If you want to save money and keep your budget low, the bus tour is the most recommended option, although you should be aware that it is an option that could be an obstacle to a 3-day or shorter tour of Hanoi, as you will lose a lot of time in transfers.

If, on the other hand, you're on a budget and want a comfortable experience, you can opt for the organised tour from Hanoi to Halong Bay, which is one of the best tours from the Vietnamese capital. This will allow you not only to relax and delegate the organisation of logistics, but also to focus on enjoying a visit to one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam.

Afterwards, you can also take advantage of other alternatives, such as the combined train and taxi tour and car hire, although these are options that you will generally use if the bus or organised tour is not available or for a specific reason, depending on the number of people travelling or the length of the tour.

The best of each of the alternatives