Quang Ninh is a province in Northern Vietnam. The distance from Hanoi to Quang Ninh is about 183 kilometers so you must spend about 3 hours riding with amazing view on its way. Halong Bay located in Quang Ninh becomes attractive tourism in Vietnam which attracts a lot of travellers all over the world. Halong bay the first time becomes a World Heritage is in 1994.

It is an amazing place you should never miss when you come to Vietnam.
How to get to Halong bay from Hanoi is the double of almost travellers. There are four main ways to get to Halong Bay. 

From Hanoi to Halong Bay by day bus 

You can book and join a tourist bus from companies who organize tours to Halong Bay because it always gives priority to people who book a package tour than people only book a bus ticket. In a few case, it can be cancelled in a short advance when they can’t collect enough passengers to make their tour run.

– 8:00 am – 16:30: Our guide and car pick you up at the hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter then take 30 minutes to My Dinh bus station. You should go to the bus station to buy a ticket. From last year to know, it just spends 3 hours to Halong city on the highway. On the way, they offer two bottle of water and you should bring some snacks. 

– After 3.5 hours – 4 hours: Arrived Bai Chay bus station, get dropped off here, journey finishes.
Price: 8 usd per person

If you book a tour bus, which included English speaking guide, car or taxi to bus station in Hanoi, bus ticket to Halong Bay.

The firm offers insurance, meals, drinks, tip to guide and personal expenses.

From Hanoi to Halong Bay by night bus 

One suggestion for you is to book a trip from 18.00 or 20.30 to get Halong not later. The car picks you up at the hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter then take 30 minutes to My Dinh bus station. At the bus station, you get the ticket and get on the bus take 3 hours to Halong city on the way we have 30 minutes for a short break for bathroom and stretch your legs.

The fee ticket of night bus is higher a little bit than day bus with 10 usd per personally.

Same day bus, night bus also has guided service which included: English speaking guide, car or taxi, bus ticket to Halong.The service also includes insurance, means, drinks, tip to guide and expense personally.

Useful/harmful for night bus

+ Advantages: You will have time relax at a night after discovering a full day in Hanoi

+ Disadvantages: You will arrive in the late evening and book hotel before to stay. 

These two buses have good points and bad points. Therefore it is hard to give you advice about which one is better. In my opinion, which one works well with your travel plan is the better bus.

Hanoi to Halong Bay by private car 

This option seems to be the most convenient one for you if you have a group of at least 3 – 4 people join with you. If you travel alone, the cost is very high. There are two options for you is to hire a taxi, local car or drive a car by yourself. Depending on days, you must pay the fee. For example, from 2 million to 2.5 million VND for two ways two hours to get Halong from Hanoi. However, you can free relax on everywhere on the road you want.

How to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi: by motorbike 

If you want to take the challenge, you can rent a motorbike in any travel agencies in Hanoi. However, the traffic in Vietnam is very flexible so you should drive slowly to Halong city back. One recommendation for you is to reach Halong by bus from Hanoi and hire a motorbike in Halong. For a good quality for motorbike, it costs about 120,000 – 160,000 per day. You can free drive and stop for photos shooting on the way. 

Note: You should give your passport to the agency, read the map and choose good motorbike. Moreover, you should check carefully with their mechanic service connection in case your motorbike is broken on the way.

You should be carefully before renting because roads to Halong bay are very dangerous with traffic jam, bad road.

Get to Halong Bay by seaplane

The fascinating combination of 2-day cruising Halong Bay and transportation by premium seaplane from Hanoi promises to leave you amazed with an incredible view of the bay from the sky. Hai Au Aviation is only seaplane service which offers scheduled, chartered and scenic flights over some of Vietnam’s most iconic destinations including Halong Bay’s nearly 2,000 stunning islands and the gorgeous Central coastline between Danang and Hue.

How to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi is by a premium seaplane for the ultimate in comfort and convenience. Instead of a 3-hour shuttle bus, it takes only 45 minutes to get to Halong Bay. Save precious time and make the most of your adventure. The price ticket for one person is 280$.

Seaplane to Halong Bay is a perfect way to enjoy incredible bird’s-eye views of Halong Bay. As you pass thousands of limestone islets, passengers can appreciate the sheer scale and beauty of this phenomenal landscape.

HALONG BAY TRAVEL TIPS

Here are our tips: 

– You should carry valuable things with you, in case your bags are picked up by other people by chance or by purpose.

– Remembering the plate number of the bus is always good in case you forgot something on bus, we can find it quick & easy for you.

– Before leaving the bus, you should check your belongings again and again in case it is picked up by other passengers on the bus before we find out.

– There are many bus companies from Hanoi to Halong Bay. In my opinion, a good bus is a new one which has been running around 1 – 3 years, so that they have good working.