Cat Ba To Ha Long: The 2026 Complete Transfer Guide

Traveling from Cat Ba to Ha Long (or vice versa) in 2026 is the ultimate way to “double-dip” into two UNESCO-recognized waters: the quiet, emerald Lan Ha Bay and the world-famous Ha Long Bay. At Vietnamstory, we specialize in bridge-building for Indian travelers – ensuring your transition from a mountain-trekking adventure in Cat Ba to a luxury cruise in Ha Long is as smooth as the bay itself. This guide breaks down the 2026 logistics for this 22km sea crossing.

Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Island are two famous destination in the northern coast of Vietnam

An Overview of the Route: The 22km “Heritage Bridge”

In 2026, the journey from Cat Ba to Ha Long is no longer a “backpacker-only” ferry ride. It has become a strategic and beautiful corridor that is even used by luxury “Heritage Cruises” to connect the two incredible bays. Knowing the different hubs and routes will help you plan the most efficient journey.

The main and most popular route is between the Gia Luan Pier (located on the northern tip of Cat Ba Island) and the magnificent Tuan Chau International Marina (the main cruise hub in Ha Long). You can also travel from the main Cat Ba Town Pier directly to the Bai Chay Wharf in Ha Long, which is a great option for those who are staying near the Sun World theme park.

The new Dong Bai Terminal (which has replaced the old Got Pier) provides a direct link to the Cat Bi Airport (HPH) in Hai Phong.

The “Early Bird” Route: A wonderful new addition is the Cai Vieng “Early Bird” Route, which was launched in January 2026. This new route offers early 6:00 AM departures, which are perfect for travelers who need to catch morning flights from a nearby airport or who want to join one of the classic Route 1 day cruises in Ha Long.

Your 2026 Transport Matrix: Choosing the Perfect Vessel for Your Journey

You have several excellent options for making this beautiful crossing, each offering a different balance of speed, cost, and comfort. Let’s compare your choices to find the perfect vessel for your needs.

Mode	Duration	2026 Cost (VND)	Top Providers	Best For…
Speedboat	Just 15 minutes!	300,000 – 500,000	Paradise Express, Mekong Hoang Yen	This is the best option for cruise connections and for families seeking speed and convenience.
Public Ferry	50 minutes	80,000 – 100,000	Local Boat Vietnam	Budget travelers and those who are traveling with their own motorbikes.
Bus + Ferry Combo	2.5 hours	250,000 – 450,000	Cat Ba Express, Good Morning Cat Ba	A comfortable and convenient town-to-town, door-to-door service.
Private Canoe	15 minutes	2.5M – 4M (per boat)	Private Charters	VIP groups (up to 10 people) who desire complete privacy and a flexible schedule.

A rare but important attribute (Luggage limits): Please be aware that in 2026, the speedboat companies have implemented a 20kg per person luggage limit due to new fuel efficiency regulations. If you have excess or very heavy bags, you may be asked to pay a small extra fee (usually around 50,000 VND).

Schedules & Modern, Tech-Forward Booking

The ferry and speedboat schedules are seasonally adjusted, with more frequent services during the peak tourist season. In 2026, we highly recommend you use QR-code e-tickets to skip the long queues at the pier. Here is a typical schedule to help you plan your day.

The Main Route: Gia Luan Pier (Cat Ba) ↔ Tuan Chau Marina (Ha Long)

High season schedule (Daily):
- Departing from Gia Luan (Cat Ba): 9:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM. (During peak weekends, the schedule can extend to 7:00 PM).
- Departing from Tuan Chau (Ha Long): 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM.
Speedboat frequency: The faster speedboats typically run hourly from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Our Booking Insights

Most of the main ticket booths at the modern piers now support VietQR or even Apple Pay. However, I still advise you to carry some small cash bills, especially if you are taking one of the smaller, more local ferries.

For the popular speedboats, e-tickets that you book in advance via a platform like 12Go.asia or directly through your Vietnam Story agent are now essentially mandatory to guarantee your seat, especially on a busy day.

READ MORE: Halong Bay Cruises: Your Gateway to Vietnam’s Natural Wonder

Understanding the 2026 Piers: Your “Port Trio”

Knowing which pier you are departing from and arriving at is crucial for a smooth and stress-free transfer. Each pier serves a different purpose and offers a different experience.

Tuan Chau Marina (in Ha Long): This is the “5-Star” hub. It is a modern, world-class marina with comfortable, air-conditioned lounges, Wi-Fi, and it is the primary boarding point for the classic Route 1 (Thien Cung Cave) cruises.
Gia Luan Pier (on Cat Ba): This is the main northern pier on Cat Ba Island, located about a 30–40 minute drive from Cat Ba Town. The scenic drive from Cat Ba Town to the Gia Luận Pier is an adventure in itself! The road takes you right through the heart of the beautiful Cat Ba National Park. Vietnamstory.in always tells our guests to keep their eyes open and their cameras ready, as you might be lucky enough to spot the incredibly rare Golden-headed Langur, one of the world’s most endangered primates.
Bai Chay Wharf (in Ha Long): This is a better arrival point for travelers who are planning to visit the Sun World Dragon Park or the lively Ha Long night market.

The Vietnamstory Signature: Our Special Service for Indian Families

We at Vietnam Story understand that the transition from the airport or between islands is where most of the “travel stress” can happen, especially for families. We have designed our services to solve these specific challenges. We bridge the cultural and logistical gap with specialized services that other companies often overlook.

The “Luggage Porter” service: We know that moving heavy suitcases between small tender boats, piers, and ferries can be very exhausting. That is why we provide a special Private Port-to-Port Shuttle service, where our dedicated staff will handle all of your luggage for you at both the Gia Luan and the Tuan Chau piers, ensuring a completely strain-free transition.
The “Veg-Buffer” timing: We know that most of the luxury cruises begin boarding at 12:00 PM. That is why we will schedule your 10:00 AM Speedboat from Cat Ba. This ensures that you arrive at the beautiful Tuan Chau Marina with plenty of time to relax and enjoy a fresh vegetarian snack or a comforting cup of Indian tea in the VIP lounge before you board your cruise.
Multi-generational pacing: For our families who are traveling with seniors, we will always skip the local ferries with their steep steps. We prioritize booking the Paradise Express speedboats, which offer much easier boarding and comfortable, padded seating for a smooth and dignified journey.

Our Pro-Tips, Safety Advice, and Logistics

A little bit of local knowledge can make your journey even smoother. Here are our final tips for a perfect and safe crossing.

Motion sickness: While the bay is generally very calm from October to May, the summer squalls from July to September can create some “choppy” water. If you are prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking some preventative tabs about 30 minutes before you board a small canoe or speedboat.
The “Combo” trick: If you are staying in Cat Ba Town, do not take a separate taxi to the pier yourself. It is much more convenient and about 40% cheaper to book an All-in-One Combo ticket (Bus + Ferry + Bus) from a provider like Cat Ba Express.
Your weather “Plan B”: In the rare event that all ferry services are suspended due to very high winds, the only way off the island is via the Tan Vu – Lach Huyen Bridge, which is a long road route that goes through Hai Phong. Vietnam Story always maintains “Standby Drivers” in these cases to ensure our guests are never stranded.

Conclusion

For our Indian families and groups who want to experience both the adventure of Cat Ba and the luxury of a Ha Long cruise, using the modern speedboat transfer is simply the smartest choice. It is the perfect solution that respects your precious holiday time, offering the fastest and most direct route between the two main hubs. This efficiency means less time spent on logistics and more time for what truly matters: hiking in the national park, relaxing on the deck of your 5-star cruise, and creating wonderful memories with your loved ones.

Let Vietnamstory help you make that smart and efficient choice. We will arrange the perfectly timed speedboat, handle your luggage, and coordinate with your cruise, ensuring your family’s journey is completely comfortable and stress-free. Get in touch with us to plan your trip, and discover the smartest and most seamless way to explore the full glory of the Ha Long – Cat Ba archipelago.