How long does it take from Hanoi to Halong Bay?

You are visiting Halong Bay and you are wondering “How long does it take from Hanoi to Halong Bay?” to prepare for your trip. Yes, this question is very popular for many people who have a plan to visit Halong Bay because most of the Halong Bay trips will start from Hanoi.

If you're planning a trip to Halong Bay, you might be asking yourself, “How long does it take to get there from Hanoi?” This is a common question for travellers heading to the bay. The thing is, there isn’t just one answer because there are tons of cruises that leave from different harbours, making the distance vary. Right now, there are 3 harbours the cruises start from. They are Tuan Chau Harbour, Hon Gai Harbour, and Got Harbour.

Tuan Chau Harbour

1. Tuan Chau Harbour

If you go on Road #18 the distance from Hanoi to Halong Bay is about 175 km and if you take a cruise shuttle bus it will take about 3.5 hours including about 20 to 30 minutes for a break. However, it is a shuttle bus so they will pick up some groups then it will take about 30 minutes for the pick-up. 

If you take a private car you will save about 30 minutes not waiting for other tourists on the bus and time for waiting for other tourists when you stop for the toilets. 

Sun World Halong International Cruise Port - A new cruise harbor in Halong Bay

2. Hon Gai Harbour

Hon Hai Harbour is the harbour for the cruises in Bai Tu Long Bay – The Eastern Part of Halong Bay and it is farther from Tuan Chau Harbour so you will need about 20 to 30 minutes more to get to this harbour. So you will need about 4 hours with the shuttle bus or 3.5 hours with the private if you go on Road #18. 

There is another road – Expressway #5B which many luxury cruises use this road for their cruise bus to save time for tourists. If you go on this road, you will save about 30 minutes compared to Road #18 above.

You can see more details about the Cruises in Halong Bay and the  Cruises in Bai Tu Long Bay.

3. Got Harbour

Hanoi to Got Harbor

Got Harbour is a new Harbour for the new cruises in Lan Ha Bay. All of the cruises there are new cruises in Halong Bay and they are the steel cruises. Lan Ha is located in the Southern Halong Bay and it is less touristy and less polluted so now most of the new cruises and luxury Halong Bay cruises depart from there.

So how long to get from Hanoi to Got Harbour? If you travel with those cruises in Lan Ha Bay starting from Got Harbour you will travel on Expressway #5B and it will take about 2.5 hours from Hanoi to the harbour for your Halong Bay trip.

Most of the cruises in Lan Ha Bay will use the luxury limousine bus/van so they do not pick up many tourists. That is the reason why if you use a private car the duration will be quite the same. Yes, you may save about 15 to 20 minutes if you use a private car.

V'Spirit Cruise

So there is not only one answer to the question of How Long from Hanoi to Halong Bay but I hope you get some information for that question. What do you think of a Halong Bay overnight cruise? Let Incredible Asia Journeys know if you'd like to make further consultancy for booking!