How to get from Hanoi airport to Halong Bay

The distance from Hanoi airport to Halong Bay is 193 km or 119 miles. 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 Bay: recommended if you need to check-in for a cruise tour at noon, suitable for travelling in a big group
• Transfer from Hanoi Airport to Halong Bay with a transition in Hanoi: cheaper for travelling in a small group, yet longer travel time

Thanks to the new ExpressWay, travel time of Direct transfer from Hanoi Airport to Halong bay 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 Hanoi Airport to Halong Bay and a step-by-step guide on how to travel for each option.

Direct transfer from Hanoi airport to Halong Bay

• Private car: USD 60 - USD 80 for 1 car and from 2 to 4 hours.
• Taxi: about USD 55 - USD 60 for 1 car and around 3 hours.
• Seaplane: around USD 400 /person/trip and only 45 mins

Transfer from Hanoi Airport to Halong Bay with a transition in Hanoi.

+ From Hanoi Airport to Hanoi city center:

• Express Bus Route 86: USD 3 per ticket and 1.5 hours
• Private car or taxi: from USD 12 per car and 1 hour

+ From Hanoi to Halong Bay:

• Limousine Van: from USD 12 - USD16 per ticket and 2.5 hours including pick up and drop off servie
• Local Coach: from USD 5 - USD 10 per ticket and around 5 hours
• Train: temporarily suspended in early 2020 till now (Oct 2024)

1. 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.

What is the difference between private car service and taxi service:

The main difference between a private car service and a taxi service lies in the booking process and the level of convenience. With a private car service, you book in advance through a travel agency at a quoted price. The driver will already have all the details of your trip, including your arrival time, number of passengers, luggage, and drop-off location, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience. In contrast, a taxi service involves finding a car upon arrival at the airport and negotiating the fare on the spot—either a fixed price agreed in advance or a fare based on the meter. This option might appeal to those interested in interacting more directly with local services.

1.1. Private car transfer from Hanoi Airport to Halong Bay

The most convenient way to transfer from Hanoi Airport to Halong Bay is private car. The driver, who speaks basic English, will be ready to pick you up at Noi Bai Airport (HAN) upon your arrival. The pick-up point is located in the Arrival Hall on the first floor of Terminal 1 (Domestic Flight) or Terminal 2 (International Flight). The travel time to Halong Bay is approximately 3 to 3.5 hours via the normal route, covering a distance of 190 km, with a price range of USD 60 to USD 80 for one car. You can also upgrade to the new expressway, which shortens the travel time to just 2 to 2.5 hours, with an additional toll fee of USD 12 each way will apply for one car. Chech more details about the private car service from Noi Bai Airport to Halong Bay.

Pros and Cons of a Private Car

Pros:

• Time-Saving: Traveling from Hanoi to Halong takes as little as 2 hours, giving you more time to enjoy activities in Halong Bay.
• On-Demand Service: You can choose your preferred pick-up time, even if it’s at midnight.
• Privacy: You won’t have to share the vehicle with strangers, ensuring a more comfortable experience.

Cons:

• Higher Cost for Small Groups: The price can be significantly higher compared to other transportation options, especially for small groups.

Recommendation from A21 Tours: If you have more than three travelers in your group, we highly recommend choosing a private car as your first option. The cost per person is approximately USD 23, which is very reasonable for a quick transfer via the expressway.

1.2. Taxi from Noi Bai Airport to Halong Bay

If you're considering taking a taxi from Hanoi Airport to Halong Bay, you'll be pleased to know that there are 14 taxi brands authorized to pick up passengers at the airport, making it easy to find a ride. While the price may be slightly cheaper than booking a private car through a travel agency, be prepared to negotiate the fare, as you'll need good bargaining skills. Additionally, it's essential to have cash in Vietnamese Dong to pay for your fare upon pickup.

Some useful notice for booking taxi right at the airport:

• Use a meter driver before the ride.
• As the local taxi drivers can only speak Vietnamese, it would be hard for you to explain and bargain 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 recommended as that is one of the two trustworthy brands in Vietnam

1.3. Seaplane from Noi Bai Airport to Halong Bay

Currently, the seaplane is the only option available for flying from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Operated by Hai Au Aviation, the travel time is approximately 45 minutes. The ticket price is around $400 per person for a one-way trip. 

Traveling by seaplane offers a unique perspective, allowing you to enjoy breathtaking aerial views of Halong Bay that are not accessible through other modes of transportation. However, given the short distance, you may not have enough time to fully appreciate the stunning scenery from above. Additionally, the seaplane service tends to be fully booked most of the time, so it's advisable to plan your trip well in advance.

You can book Hanoi Halong Seaplane at this Official web of Hai Au Aviation.

2. Transfer with a transition in Hanoi

If you're traveling on a budget and concerned about costs, transferring from Hanoi Airport to Halong Bay with a stopover in Hanoi might be the best option. This way is generally more economical than a direct transfer, particularly if you’re traveling alone or in a group of two.

First, you'll need to travel from Hanoi Airport to Hanoi City, which you can do via public bus or taxi. From Hanoi, you can then proceed to Halong Bay using either a limousine van or a local bus. The total travel time ranges from 4 to 8 hours, depending on your chosen mode of transportation.

2.1. 1st track - Getting from Hanoi Airport to Hanoi City Center

For this track, you can either opt in for Express Bus, Taxi or a Private Transfer.

2.1.1. Express Bus Route 86

Bus No. 86 operates daily between Hanoi Airport and Hanoi City, providing a convenient option for travelers. The buses run from 5 AM to 10 PM, with a bus departing approximately every 45 minutes. Travelers can easily head outside the arrival hall and wait for the bus.

Pick-up Points: 

• Bus stop outside the Arrival Hall on the first floor of both Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2).

Drop-off Points:

• The Old Quarter: Near the Hanoi Post Office and Hoan Kiem Lake.
• Hanoi Train Station: 137 Lê Duẩn Street, Hanoi.

Travel Time: Approximately 1.5 hours.

Ticket Price: VND 50,000 (about USD 2).

Departure Times: Daily from 5:10 AM to 10:00 PM.  

The Drawback of bus is you need to wait for the new bus to come, city the crowded time (7 - 9 AM and 5 - 7 PM)

Private Transfer or Taxi from Noi Bai Airport to Hanoi City Center

The car will pick up right at the Arrival Hall on the first floor of either Terminal 1 (T1) or Terminal 2 (T2), with drop-off around the Hanoi Old Quarter. The travel time is just about 40 minutes - 1 hour, and the cost ranges from USD 12 per car, with on-demand departure times for flexibility.

For book private transfer from Hanoi Airport to Hanoi, you can either book an airport pick-up service with a travel agency in advance (though the price may be slightly marked up) or catch a taxi directly at the airport, where some negotiation skills might be needed to get a reasonable fare.

Recommended pick-up service: Noi Bai airport – Hanoi city center by A21 Tours from USD 13 per car

2.2. 2nd track - Hanoi City to Halong Bay

For this track, 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 from Hanoi to Halong Bay by Train.

2.2.1. Limousine Van from Hanoi to Halong Bay

Limousine vans are the preferred mode of transportation for both locals and tourists traveling between Hanoi and Halong Bay. These spacious vehicles, equipped with nine seats, including four VIP seats, offer a comfortable and premium experience. With convenient door-to-door pick-up and drop-off services in both Hanoi and Halong, and the added benefit of traveling via the expressway, the journey takes only about 2.5 hours, making it both efficient and enjoyable.

2.2.2. Local Coach from Hanoi to Halong Bay

Taking the bus is the cheapest option for traveling from Hanoi to Halong Bay, allowing you to save a significant amount of money, with fares ranging from USD 6 to 10 per person. However, this cost-effectiveness comes with some drawbacks. The journey can be quite time-consuming, taking 4 to 4.5 hours, as the bus frequently stops to pick up additional passengers. Additionally, during holidays, the buses can become very crowded as many people travel to their hometowns. The bus driver typically only speaks Vietnamese, which means you'll need to navigate a language barrier.

Unlike a limousine van that offers convenient pick-up and drop-off services, the local bus only transfers you between bus stations, which may require extra time and fare to get to and from the stations, ultimately increasing your overall costs.

Overall, while the bus offers a budget-friendly choice, we recommend skipping it for your travel plans if you’re not the adventurous type and definitely want to enjoy local transportation as a unique experience.

2.3. Train from Hanoi to Halong

The Hanoi - Halong train, which runs from Yen Vien Railway Station to Halong Railway Station, was upgraded in 2017 to reach a designed speed of up to 120 km/h. However, due to the station's location far from the city center and the low operational speed (caused by old locomotives), train transportation on the Hanoi-Halong route has not been popular. Moreover, the train service was temporarily suspended in early 2020 due to the impact of the Covid pandemic, and as of now (updated October 2024), it has not yet resumed.

3. Conclusion

There are 2 ways to transfer from Hanoi Airport to Halong Bay for you:

• Direct transfer from Hanoi Airport to Halong Bay by private transfer, taxi and seaplane (expensive, but fast and convenient)
• Transfer from Hanoi Airport with a transition in Hanoi: by Bus and train (cheap and slow) or by private transfers (fast, convenient and private but expensive a bit)

We are always willing to help you with our transfer service.