Hanoi to Halong transfer detail guidance
Usually, tourists considering a trip from Hanoi to Halong Bay can opt for one among five main means of transportation including:
- Motorbike: from $5 to $50/trip
- Local bus: from $4 to $8 per ticket
- Shared limousine van/minivan: from $12 per ticket
- Private car: from $70 per car
- Seaplane: from $105 per ticket
How long does it take to get from Hanoi to Halong?
The travel time from Hanoi to Halong can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 02 to 04 hours
- Motorbike: Around 04 hours
- Local bus: Around 3.5 hours
- Shared limousine van/minivan: about 2.5 hours with 01 break on the way
- Private car: From 02 to 3.5 hours (depending on the routes)
- Seaplane: Around 40 minutes
Which means of transport is the best for the route?
By Motorbike
Perhaps one of the best ways to not only travel economically but also explore the local life and landscapes is to transfer from Hanoi to Halong by motorbike, especially if you are adventurous or currently on a budget.
For rental, it’s relatively easy to spot motorbike stores in the Old Quarter or West Lake area with English-speaking staff or owners which offer various types of automatic, semi-automatic, manual, and touring bikes with monthly, weekly, and daily rental services.
By Local Bus
Transferring from Hanoi to Halong Bay on a local bus is also a pretty good option. This may not give you a really private experience but it could be great if you are on a budget or wish to interact with the locals. There are various bus stations in the city center, where you can easily buy a ticket to get on the bus to Halong such as My Dinh, Giap Bat, and Gia Lam. The price may also vary according to the company, but usually, it ranges from 4$ to 8$.
However, apart from not being really private as you may have to travel by 40-50 people on the bus, on weekends or special occasions such as Tet or the independence day, most buses are stuffed with up to 200% of their capacity, which may be a not really pleasant experience. Moreover, the staff of Local Bus can only speak Vietnamese, so if you can not speak Vietnamese, it would be hard to book your ticket. Another minus point is that it may take quite a long time as the buses often stop occasionally on the road to pick up more travelers (even though it is illegal). Also, the bus would drop you off at the Halong Bus Station, so you need to take a cab to your destination in Halong.
By a shared luxury Minibus (7-seater van)
One of the best ways to travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay is by using Luxury Minibus. The cost for a one-way trip is about 14 $ and it will take about 2.5 hours via the new expressway to get to the destination. The minibus’s interior design is elegant, cozy, and comfortable and you can lay your back down its soft berths, relax and enjoy your wonderful trip to one of the best travel destinations in Vietnam. Free high-speed WIFI and water are also provided, which will guarantee you a satisfying journey. This type of transport is great for family travel as the price is reasonable and there is enough space for even a family of five. However, as the departure time is fixed, you may find it a little tight. Also, as the bus is only available in the city center, you may have to opt for other ways if you want to go straight from the airport.
By a shared 9-seater Limousine Van
Another choice of heading to Halong Bay from Hanoi is a Luxury Limousine van. The price is from 12$, which is the cheapest among the 4 options. Usually, it will take 3 hours to get to Halong Bay but it may vary according to the traffic. The van is spacious and comfortable. You can also customize your seat as it can be reclined up to 45 degrees, which will make your journey as pleasant as possible. Rechargeable USB ports, free WIFI, and water are also available. This option is perfect for a large group as there are up to 9 seats and as the van is quite spacious, you will have a great time chatting and interacting with the others. If you travel in small groups, you can also book one or two-seat and share the Van with other travelers, a good way of saving your budget while traveling. However, the van also has several drawbacks including fixed departure time and is available only in the city center.
By Private Car
Transferring from Hanoi to Halong Bay in a private car would also be an excellent choice. Although this type of transport is the most expensive, its service is undoubtedly comparable to its price. There are 3 types of cars that you can choose according to your needs including a 4-seater, a 7-seater, and a Limousine D-car.
- A 4-seater would be suitable for 2 passengers as a seat would be spared for the luggage and another for the driver. The price is 70$.
- Minus one seat for the luggage and another for the driver, a 7-seater would be perfect for 5 passengers and the price is 80$.
- For bigger groups, choosing a Limousine D-car would be ideal as it can deliver up to 7 passengers excluding one seat for the luggage and another for the drivers. The price is 115$.
There are 2 different routes: One through the national route 18 which may take about 3.5 hours and another through the new expressway which will shorten the transferring up to 1.5 hours. However, you will have to pay an extra 12$ to use the expressway route. Using a private car would be very helpful for travelers who would like to go straight from the airport as this is the only type of transport available for transfer from the airport to Halong. A private car is also ideal for people who value private space as you don’t need to share with anyone. Another advantage of a private car over other options is that you have the flexibility to travel as you’re under no fixed schedule and have the privilege to choose whenever to go. You may also get from Hanoi to Halong Bay by taxi from other taxi companies in VietNam such as Mai Linh, Thanh Cong, or Thanh Nga. These companies, however, don’t support users who speak English, which can cause you difficulty booking your trip. Another minus point is that you may encounter scams as many of the taxi drivers from these companies can overcharge you or intentionally extend the trip by going around over and over to increase the cost.
By Seaplane
Traveling in a seaplane from Hanoi to Halong Bay may be a wonderful idea if you don’t mind the price at all. The service is provided exclusively by Hai Au- the only seaplane company in Vietnam offering seaplane service from Hanoi to Halong. See Ha Long Bay with Seaplane[/caption] Not only can you enjoy the beauty of Vietnam’s nature from such an unbelievably high point in one of the most luxurious and comfortable means of transport but also significantly cut down on the time, as it takes only 40’ to travel from Hanoi to Halong. The package also includes 15’ of flying over Halong bay. However, the price is undoubtedly costly as it costs over 105$/adult.
Hanoi city to Halong Bay Private car review
Thanks Michael !
Mind you Titop island climb needs a bit fitness but halfway point up itself is a treat to watch. Caves/water/hill/limestones/beach/food/cruise cabin - all upto an A+ class experience. Would definitely come back !
Best thing: I forgot my 150USD glasses in the van and the driver brought it to our hotel in halong the next day!
That’s really good karma and I would definitely use this service agein! Thanks to Duy Tung, the driver and the rest of the team!
We booked multiple trips through A21 including airport pickup and drop off. The A21 crew was incredibly flexible. Our flight from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi was delayed by an hour. When we arrived, our driver was waiting for us and extremely helpful and happy. We also booked our Halong Bay tour through A21. Overall, the experience was top notch. For our trip to Sapa, we booked a private car with a driver for 3 days and 2 nights. Our driver was professional and accommodating. The prices offered by A21 is competitive and the A21 team is always reachable via WhatsApp. We had to change our plans multiple times prior to landing in Vietnam and A21 was always accommodating. They made our trip to Hanoi and Sapa easy and enjoyable.
Hanoi to Halong Bay, Halong Nay to Ninh Binh and back to Hanoi).
Al trips were handled perfectly: pick up/drop off at hotel, always on time, comfortable cars, close follow up on the day of travel and even during the drives for longer distances, extremely friendly staff and fair pricing.
I can only recommend their services
Dear A21, again Thank you!!
A21 has been amazing. I found them by chance online looking last minute for transportation. They made the second half of my time in Vietnam when I was crunched for time and still wanting to pack in more a breeze.
I booked a car from Hanoi to Halong last second which was twice as fast as the bus and picked me up at the Hanoi airport right on time and took me straight to my hotel in Halong. In Halong they were able to get me on a boat tour that was amazing and back to Hanoi, which I had the best time on.
From Hanoi I was able to grab one of their luxury buses to Ninh Binh. They pick you up and drop you off right at your hotel.
Everyone you interact with is knowledgeable and speakers multi languages well. Witty and just all around great. You’re able to communicate directly with ease through WhatsApp, and pay via PayPal.
When you totaled up costs of regular buses, the cabs you have to use to get to and from the stations, the wait time which can be hours because of schedules. The longer drive times. Then toss in food, and entrance fees you wind up paying more, especially if you toss in a tour guide. With a lot more footwork work. Even if A21 is 6-8 bucks more it’s absolutely worth it.
This company is awesome. I would highly recommend reaching out to them. Super accommodating when plans change or are last minute too.