Hanoi to Halong Bay: Transport, Cruises & Guide 2026
Halong Bay is located 170 km northeast of Hanoi. You can get there by bus (3.5 to 4.5 hours, approximately €11 to €18), private car (2.5 to 3 hours, €55 to €92), or seaplane (25 minutes, around €200). Most travelers opt for a one-night cruise (from €100) or two-night cruise (from €180). These prices are valid as of 28/10/2026.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994 (extended in 2000), Halong Bay (Vịnh Hạ Long, "descending dragon") features approximately 1,600 karst islands and islets emerging from emerald waters. It's one of Vietnam's most visited destinations. The site attracts over 6 million visitors annually, with roughly half taking a cruise, according to Vietnamese Ministry of Tourism statistics consulted in 2026. The main bay (Halong) is the busiest, but two neighboring areas, Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long, offer similar landscapes with fewer crowds.
How to Get from Hanoi to Halong Bay
Bus and Shuttle from Hanoi
The bus is the most economical option. Several companies connect Hanoi (Giap Bat or My Dinh bus stations) to Halong City (Bai Chay) or Tuan Chau. Expect 3.5 to 4.5 hours via the Hanoi-Haiphong-Halong expressway, inaugurated in 2018 and extended in 2022. Tickets cost 100,000 to 150,000 VND (approximately €3.70 to €5.50) on local buses, 300,000 to 500,000 VND (€11 to €18) for tourist shuttles with hotel pickup. Buses depart every 30 minutes to 1 hour between 6 AM and 5 PM. Book online through company websites (Hoang Long, Hai Au, Kumho) or on-site.
Most Halong Bay cruise packages include round-trip transport from Hanoi by air-conditioned minibus (departure around 8 AM, return around 5-6 PM). It's convenient, but you're bound by the group schedule.
Private Car with Driver
A private car costs 1,500,000 to 2,500,000 VND (approximately €55 to €92) round trip for up to 4 people, depending on vehicle type (sedan or van). The journey takes 2.5 to 3 hours via the expressway. It's more expensive than a bus, but you choose your departure time and can make stops (for example, at Yen Tu or a pottery village). Book through your Hanoi hotel or a local agency.
Seaplane from Hanoi
Hai Au Aviation offers seaplane flights between Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi) and Halong Bay (landing near Tuan Chau). The flight takes 25 to 30 minutes and offers spectacular views of the Red River delta and karst peaks. The price is approximately 5,000,000 VND (€185) per person one-way as of 28/10/2026, according to the company's website. It's the fastest and most expensive option, reserved for comfortable budgets or travelers in a hurry. Flights are limited (1 to 2 per day) and canceled in bad weather.
Day Trip or Overnight Cruise
Day Trip
Day trips cost €50 to €80 per person, including transport from Hanoi, lunch, and cave visit. You leave around 8 AM, arrive around noon, board for 3 to 4 hours of cruising, then return to Hanoi around 7-8 PM. It's doable if you're short on time, but you spend as much time on the road as on the water, and you'll only see the bay in midday when light is harsh and boats are numerous. You won't sleep aboard, so no sunrise or evening on deck.
One-Night Cruise
This is the most popular option. You board around 12-1 PM, cruise in the afternoon, spend the night aboard in a private cabin, and return the next day around 11 AM-noon. Prices start at €100 per person in a double cabin on a standard boat, up to €300 and more on a luxury vessel. Generally included: 3 meals (lunch D1, dinner D1, breakfast D2), cave visit, kayaking or swimming, cooking class or tai chi on deck. Transport from Hanoi is often optional (+ €15 to €30 round trip). One night lets you see sunset and sunrise, and cruise in calmer areas.
Two-Night Cruise
Two-night cruises (2 days/3 days in Vietnamese terms, meaning 2 nights aboard) cost from €180 per person in a double cabin, up to €600 and more for luxury. You board D1 around noon, cruise D1 and D2, and disembark D3 around 11 AM. You explore more areas (often Bai Tu Long or Lan Ha), visit floating villages, do more kayaking, and enjoy two evenings aboard. It's the ideal option if you have the time and budget, as you escape the most touristy zones.
Choosing Your Cruise: Halong Bay, Lan Ha, or Bai Tu Long
Halong Bay (Main Area)
This is the historic zone, the one from postcards, with the most famous karst peaks (Dinh Huong, Ga Choi, Sung Sot Cave). It's also the busiest: in high season (October to April), dozens of boats cruise simultaneously. Overnight anchorages can be crowded. Choose this area if you want to see iconic sites and crowds don't bother you.
Lan Ha Bay
Located southeast, facing Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay has around 400 islets and offers landscapes similar to Halong, but with fewer boats. Cruises often include a stop at Cat Ba (trekking in the national park, fishing village visit). It's a good compromise between beauty and tranquility. Lan Ha cruises cost 10 to 20% more than standard Halong cruises, as they sail farther.
Bai Tu Long Bay
Northeast of Halong, Bai Tu Long is the most preserved and least visited area. The landscapes are identical (karsts, islets, caves), but you'll encounter very few other boats. Cruises there are longer (often departing from Tuan Chau or Hon Gai port) and slightly more expensive. If you seek calm and accept paying 20 to 30% more, it's the best option.
What's Included in a Cruise and What's Not
Most cruise packages include: private cabin with bathroom, meals aboard (Vietnamese cuisine and some international dishes), water and tea, cave visit (Sung Sot, Thien Cung, Trinh Nu depending on area), kayaking or sampan in a lagoon, cooking class or tai chi, English-speaking guide.
Generally NOT included: alcoholic drinks and sodas (paid at boat bar), crew tips (€5 to €10 per person for 2 days is customary), transport from Hanoi (unless otherwise stated), optional activities like squid fishing or snorkeling. Always check package details before booking.
Licensed Boats and Safety
Since 2019, the Vietnamese government has tightened safety and environmental regulations. Only licensed boats (giấy phép hoạt động) can operate. A boat must have a steel or treated wood hull, life jackets for all passengers, crew trained in first aid, and meet anti-pollution standards (wastewater treatment, prohibition on dumping waste at sea). As of 28/10/2026, approximately 500 boats are licensed in the three bays, according to Quang Ninh maritime administration data.
Accidents are rare, but they happen (collision, fire). Choose a recent boat (less than 10 years old), verify it has recent positive reviews, and that the operator is registered with Quang Ninh tourism office. Luxury boats (Indochina Junk, Bhaya, Paradise, Pelican) are generally safer and better maintained than low-cost boats.
Weather and Cancellations
The best time to visit Halong Bay is from October to April: clear skies, calm seas, temperatures of 15 to 25°C. From May to September, it's the rainy season and typhoon period. Cruises can be canceled or shortened in case of tropical storms or strong winds (> 60 km/h). Cancellations are decided by maritime authorities, usually 24 to 48 hours in advance.
If your cruise is canceled due to weather, the operator must refund you fully or offer another date. Check cancellation terms when booking. Some operators charge fees if you cancel yourself less than 7 days before departure (often 50% of price, 100% if less than 48 hours). Travel insurance may cover these fees.
Check weather forecasts on nchmf.gov.vn (Vietnam National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, in Vietnamese) or windy.com a few days before departure. If in doubt, contact your operator.
Booking Your Cruise: Agency or Direct
You can book your cruise through an agency in Hanoi (often cheaper than online, negotiation possible), on boat company websites (in English, card payment), or via international platforms (GetYourGuide, Viator, Klook). Online prices are often higher than at local agencies: expect 10 to 30% difference. If booking in Hanoi, visit 2 or 3 agencies in the Old Quarter (Hang Be, Ma May streets) and compare.
Always ask for the exact boat name, detailed itinerary, and what's included. Beware of prices that are too low (less than €80 for one night): they often hide an old boat, mediocre meals, or hidden fees.
Entry rules depend on your nationality; the official portal is evisa.gov.vn. If you prefer someone to handle the application, visa-vietnam.app can do it. visa-vietnam.app is run by the same publisher as this site.
Halong Bay on Land (Ninh Binh)
If you're looking for karst peak landscapes without taking a boat, the Ninh Binh region, 100 km south of Hanoi, is nicknamed "Halong Bay on land." You cruise by sampan on rivers between mountains. It's a cheaper and more accessible alternative. Check our complete guide to Halong Bay on land for more details.
Preparing Your Trip to Vietnam
Halong Bay is often included in a 15-day Vietnam itinerary. If you're preparing a longer trip or expatriation, check our complete Vietnam travel guide for formalities, budget, and key stages.
Key Takeaways
Halong Bay is visited on a one- or two-night cruise from Hanoi (3 to 4 hours by road). Day trips are possible but frustrating. Expect €100 to €300 per person for one night, depending on comfort. Choose Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long Bay if you want to avoid crowds. Verify the boat is licensed and recent. Book in October-April to avoid typhoons. Next steps: compare cruise offers, check the weather, and book your transport from Hanoi.
Frequently asked questions
Jérémie
Author, based in Da Nang
A French entrepreneur living in Da Nang, Jérémie writes these guides from first-hand experience and official sources, cited and dated.
About the author