Halong is 193 km away from Hanoi. Normally, it would take around 3 – 3.5 hours to get from Hanoi Airport to Halong Bay.
In general, there are 2 ways from Hanoi airport to Halong bay:
- Direct transfer from Hanoi Airport to Halong: recommened if you need to check-in for a cruise tour at noon, suitable for travelling in big group
- Transfer with a transition in Hanoi: cheaper for travelling in small group, yet longer travel time
Thanks to the new Express Way, travel time of Direct transfer could be shortened to only 2 – 2.5 hours, much faster than transfer with a transition in Hanoi.
In this post, we would like to introduce possible ways to get from the airport in Hanoi to Halong and a step-by-step guide on how to travel for each option.
Direct transfer from Hanoi airport to Halong Bay
You can book a Private Car, Taxi or SeaPlane to directly get from Hanoi Airport to Halong Bay.
1. Private car transfer from Noi Bai Airport to Halong Bay
Most convenient way to transfer between Noi Bai Airport and Halong Bay.
Our driver, who is able to speak basic English, would ready to pick you up at the Noi Bai airport (HAN) when you’ve arrived.
- Pick-up-point: Arrival Hall, First floor of T1 (Domestic Flight) or T2 (International Flight) Terminal
- Travel time: 3.5-4 hours via Normal Way (190km)
- Price range: USD 60 – USD 80 for 1 car
- Upgrade to go via the new Expressway:
- Travel time: shortened to 2-2.5 hours
- Toll fee: extra fee of USD 12/way for one car.
Find more detail about Noi Bai Airport to Halong by private car via this link: https://bplustravel.com/ticket/hanoi-airport-halong-bay-transfer/
Hanoi Airport to Halong Bay Private car
Pros and Cons of Private car
Pros
- Save Time: You can travel from Hanoi to Halong in minimally 2 hours, more time for the activities in Halong.
- On Demand: You can ask for the pick-up time according to your own preference, even at midnight.
- Privacy: You don’t have to share the car with strangers
Cons
- Higher price for small-group travellers
2. Taxi from Noi Bai Airport to Halong Bay
If you want to take a taxi to Halong, there are 14 taxi brands allowed to pick-up passengers at the airport, so it’s not hard to find a ride.
Note:
- Use a metered taxi or make sure to confirm the total cost with the taxi driver before the ride.
- As the local taxi drivers can only speak Vietnamese, it would be hard for you to explain and bargan with those taxi drivers in other language.
- They may charge you more when they take a longer route than necessary.
- Mai Linh taxi (the green cab) is recommend as that is one of the two trustworthy brands in Vietnam
3. Seaplane from Noi Bai Airport to Halong Bay
At the moment, Seaplane is the only option if you want to fly from Hanoi to Halong Bay.
- Travel time: 45 minutes to travel from Hanoi to Halong by seaplane.
- How to book: Contact directly with Hai Au Aviation, the only service provider in Halong Bay
- Ticket Price: around $400/person/trip.
Traveling by seaplane you will get an amazing view of Halong from above, given that all other means of transfer cannot provide. However, for such a short distance, you don’t have enough time to enjoy the fantastic view from above. Plus, the seaplane service is usually fully booked for most of the time.
Transfer with a transition in Hanoi
If the price is what you concern as you are travelling on a budget, then transfer with a transition in Hanoi may be the best choice. Above all, it is definitely more economical than direct transfer, especially, in case you travel alone or in a group of two.
Firstly, you need to get from Hanoi Airport to Hanoi City. Then, you can head to Halong Bay from Hanoi City. (Travel time vary around 4 hours – 8 hours depend on transportation)
Track 1: Getting from Hanoi Airport to Hanoi City Center
For this track, you can either opt in for Express Bus, Taxi or a Private Transfer.
1. Express Bus Route 86
- Pick-up point: Bus stop outside Arrival Hall (first floor) of T1 and T2 terminal
- Drop-off point:
- The Old Quater: Hanoi Post Office, Hoan Kiem Lake
- Hanoi Train Station: No. 137 Lê Duẩn Street, Hanoi
- Travel time: +1.5 hours
- Ticket price: VND 30,000 ( USD 2) for a ticket
- Departure time: 05:10 AM to 22:00 PM daily
Bus No 86 from Hanoi Airport to Hanoi city
2. Private Transfer or Taxi from Noi Bai Airport to Hanoi City Center
- Pick-up point: Arival Hall, First floor of T1 or T2 Terminal
- Drop-off point: Around Hanoi Old Quarters area
- Travel time: +1 hours
- Travel price: USD 12 to USD 22 for a car
- Departure time: On demand
Recommended pick-up service: Noi Bai airport – Hanoi city center (by: A21 Tours)
Track 2: Getting from Hanoi City to Halong Bay
You can use either the service of Limousine Van Transfer (specialized to serve international traveller) or Local Coach (mainly serve the domestic customers).
Beside Limousine Van and Bus, you can also choose to travel by Train.
1. Limousine Van from Hanoi to Halong
- Most comfortable not to mention most economical way of travel from Hanoi to Halong.
- Travel time: 2.5 hours (via the new Express way)
- Capacity: Luxury Van carry max 9 passengers, Mini Van carry up to 5 passenger
Recommended Limousine Van/ Minivan Operators:
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Luxury Minivan
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9-seat Limousine van
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2. Local Coach from Hanoi to Halong
- Cheapest way so you can definitely save a lot of money (total USD 6 – 10 / person).
- Quite time-consuming because it may take up to 4-4.5 hours to get from Hanoi to Halong with occasionally stop on the road to pick up more customers.
- During the holidays, it can be very crowded as people flood to their hometown.
- The bus drive can only speak Vietnamese, so you will have to overcome the language barrier.
Recommended Local Coach:
1.Kumo Viet Thanh (45-Seat Coach)
- Pick-up Point: My Dinh Bus Station
- Schedule: From 08:00 AM to 16:30 PM, every 30 minutes
- Price: VND 120.ooo (USD 6)/ticket
- Contact number: (024) 3533 3888
2.Phuc Xuyen
- Pick-up Point: My Dinh Bus Station
- Schedule: From 05:45 AM to 17:45 PM, every 30 minutes
- Price: VND 120.ooo (USD 6)/ticket
- Contact number: (020) 3247 3536
3.Ka Long
- Pick-up Point: My Dinh Bus Station
- Schedule: 19:00 PM, 20:30 PM, 21:30 PM
- Price: VND 230.ooo (USD 10)/ticket
- Contact number: (024) 3236 3236
3. Train from Hanoi to Halong
- Travel time: 6.5 to 8 hours. As a result, Train from Hanoi to Halong is notorious for being slow.
- Train Station:
- In Hanoi: Yen Vien Station (10 km from the Old Quaters)
- In Halong: Halong Station (10 km drom the Tuan Chau Harbor)
- Train ticket: VND 70.000 to VND 100.000 (USD 4 to USD 5) for one ticket
- Note: There some risks related to cleanliness and hygiene because the train is quite old and badly maintained in recent years.
