Getting in & out
Transport
Direct bus + speedboat combos from major cities. Plus private cars, cable car transfers, and airport pickup — book the whole journey in one place.
First time getting to Cat Ba?
How to reach the island
Cat Ba is an island off the coast of Hai Phong — there is no airport on Cat Ba itself, so every visitor crosses water at some point. The good news: it's well-connected. Direct bus + speedboat combos run from Hanoi (3.5h), Ninh Binh, and Sapa, and private cars can arrange the whole journey door-to-door.
3 ways to cross to Cat Ba (private car)
Standard ferry
Drive to Got pier on the mainland, leave the car, take the ferry as a foot passenger, then continue by taxi on Cat Ba.
Cable car (Sun World)
Drive to Phu Long cable car station, glide across the bay in ~10 min on the world's tallest cable-car towers, then continue by taxi on Cat Ba.
Drive-on ferry
Car loads directly onto the ferry — you stay in the vehicle. Drive off on the Cat Ba side and continue to your destination without changing transport.
Don't see your route?
We can arrange custom transfers from anywhere in northern Vietnam. Send us your details — we'll quote within a few hours.
Frequently asked questions
Does my Cat Ba transfer include the island crossing?
Check the selected vehicle and its inclusions. Crossing options differ by route and vehicle: speedboat, ferry or cable car. The route page shows the pickup point, drop-off point and the services included in your ticket.
Where will I be picked up and dropped off?
Use the pickup and drop-off points shown for your selected route and vehicle. Hanoi Old Quarter hotel pickup is available on the services that list it; airport and other locations require the appropriate transfer. Send your accommodation address when booking.
Can I bring large suitcases or special luggage?
Check the luggage information for your selected vehicle. Tell us the number and size of your bags, and any oversized items, before booking so we can confirm the appropriate vehicle and any additional cost.
Can I take a bus straight to my overnight cruise?
Confirm the cruise boarding port and check-in time before choosing the bus. Cat Ba and Tuan Chau are different boarding locations. Send us both journey details so we can check the connection; do not assume a bus to Cat Ba Town includes a transfer to your boat.
What if my flight arrives late or I miss a connection?
For an airport transfer, provide your flight details and arrival time before booking. Contact us if your plans change. A later departure, different crossing or replacement transfer must be checked for availability and cost; it is not automatically included.
Which timetable should I use for my Hanoi–Cat Ba ticket?
Choose the vehicle first, then use the departure times shown for that option. Cat Ba Express and Good Morning have different schedules. After changing vehicles, check the selected departure again before continuing to booking.
Does a bus ticket also book my cruise cabin?
No. The bus ticket and the cruise cabin are separate selections. Check the cruise date, cabin and boarding port, then arrange the appropriate transfer. A bus reservation alone does not confirm a cabin.
Cancellation & refund policy
14 days or more before departure: 100% refund · 7 – 13 days before departure: 70% refund · 3 – 6 days before departure: 50% refund · 24 – 72 hours before departure: 30% refund · Less than 24 hours before departure, same-day cancellation or no-show: 0% refund. Refunds never exceed the amount Cat Ba Outdoors actually recovers from the supplier. Amounts already paid or committed to a supplier on a non-refundable basis, and bank, payment-gateway, currency-exchange and refund-transfer fees, are not returned. A refund is confirmed only after the supplier has released the funds.