Tuan Chau Island Ferry currently shows separate weekday and weekend departure patterns for the Tuan Chau–Gia Luan route. Weekdays have three departures each way; weekends have four. The operator images do not display an effective date, so confirm the timetable before travelling—especially when connecting to a cruise, flight or long-distance bus.
Current operator-supplied timetable
Weekdays
| Depart Tuan Chau | Depart Gia Luan |
|---|---|
| 08:00 | 09:30 |
| 12:00 | 13:00 |
| 15:30 | 17:00 |
Weekends
| Depart Tuan Chau | Depart Gia Luan |
|---|---|
| 08:00 | 09:30 |
| 10:30 | 12:00 |
| 13:30 | 14:30 |
| 16:00 | 17:00 |
Confidence note: the two images carry Tuan Chau Island Ferry branding and state that they are an adjusted operating schedule. They do not show when the adjustment takes effect. Cat Ba Outdoors should therefore present these times as an operator-supplied current schedule while keeping the effective date marked for confirmation.
Why older timetables conflict
The official Tuan Chau Verse article published in June 2026 lists five sailings per direction for the peak period from 25 April to 5 September. That seasonal period had ended by 20 September 2026. The new supplied images show fewer weekday and weekend sailings, which is consistent with a post-peak adjustment, but the images alone do not prove the start date.
Do not combine the old five-sailing summer table with the new weekday/weekend table. They are different operating patterns.
What the ferry is—and is not
This is the direct vehicle-and-passenger ferry between Tuan Chau in Ha Long and Gia Luan on northern Cat Ba Island. It is useful when you are already in Ha Long, when you need to take a motorbike or car across, or when the sea crossing is part of the experience.
Gia Luan is not Cat Ba Town. After disembarking, allow time for the road transfer across the island. A through-ticket may include a local bus or taxi; a ferry-only ticket does not automatically solve the onward journey.
How much connection time should you allow?
For ordinary travel, arrive at the terminal at least 30 minutes before departure. Add more margin for weekends, vehicles, public holidays or uncertain weather. For a same-day cruise check-in or airport connection, avoid building the itinerary around the final possible sailing.
The ferry can be delayed, consolidated or suspended due to weather, harbour control, maintenance or insufficient operating conditions. A published departure time is not a guarantee of a same-minute arrival.
Choosing this route versus the Hai Phong side
Choose Tuan Chau–Gia Luan when you are travelling between Ha Long and Cat Ba or want to bring a vehicle. From Hanoi or Hai Phong, the Dong Bai–Cai Vieng crossing or an integrated transfer is often more direct. The Cat Hai–Phu Long cable car is another foot-passenger option, but it operates only in short windows and closes on Tuesdays.
FAQ
Does the Tuan Chau–Gia Luan ferry run more often on weekends?
The operator-supplied images show four departures per direction on weekends and three per direction on weekdays.
Is the 17:00 sailing the last ferry from Gia Luan?
It is the last time shown in both supplied weekday and weekend images. Confirm directly before relying on it, because the images do not display an effective date and operations can change.
Can the ferry take cars and motorbikes?
Yes, the route is designed for passengers and vehicles. Space and loading time matter, so arrive earlier with a vehicle and confirm the current fare and capacity rules.
How long does the ferry take?
The operator’s official 2026 guide describes a crossing of about 50 minutes. Boarding, vehicle loading and the road transfer from Gia Luan add to the total journey.
Plan it with us
If a ferry time sits too close to your next departure, choose a through-transfer or add a night on Cat Ba rather than stacking separate tickets with no recovery margin.
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