- By Car or Private Transfer: Typically, the journey would take a considerable time of 3.5-4 hours, more or less depending on traffic.
- By Bus: Bus rides can take as long as 3.5 to 5 hours depending on traffic conditions and stops.
- By Shuttle Bus: Shuttle buses are provided by several tour agencies..it takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.
- Many tour companies also operate seaplanes, which are the fastest at just about 45 minutes...but they are also the most expensive.
1. Airplane: If you're flying from Hanoi (Noi Trang International Airport) to Ha Long Bay (Ha Long Island), the flight time is around 2-3 hours (depending on your airline). Most airlines offer direct flights between these two cities, with stopovers or layovers in Hanoi for shorter durations.
2. Train: You can take a train from Hanoi to Halong Bay through the scenic Ba Vi railway line. The journey takes approximately 4-5 hours and includes stops at several scenic spots along the way, including Van Nuoc Valley, Cat Tien National Park, and the Navigational Bridge. You'll need to transfer trains once at Lai Vung station in Hanoi before continuing to Halong Bay.
3. Bus: Buses regularly run between Ha Noi and Ha Long Bay. The bus usually takes around 8-10 hours for 600-700 km. Confirm the schedule and route before purchasing your ticket, as actual trip times may differ according to vehicular conditions, availability, and holidays.
Travel time from Hanoi to Halong Bay can be affected by the period of travel, traffic in Ha Long Bay leading to a car, shuttle bus, catamarans, and so on. With a car or a shuttle bus, it usually takes for a one-way trip about 3-4 hours. In case you decide to choose a high-speed catamaran, the trip may take about 2 hours. It is very likely that, during exigent tourist season for instance or jam on other means of transport, these travel times may increase.