Cat Ba cable car: sea views from above on the way to the island

Through the cabin window, the sea stretches out beneath your feet. Fishing boats look smaller and smaller, while patches of mangrove forest appear between the islands. Before you’ve finished taking in the view, you’re already approaching the other side. That’s the Cat Ba (Cát Bà) cable car, a scenic crossing from Cat Hai (Cát Hải) to Phu Long (Phù Long) that takes around 10-15 minutes, costs VND 70,000 per adult for a one-way ticket, and normally closes on Tuesdays.

Where is the Cat Ba cable car, and where does it take you?

The operating route is officially known as the Cat Hai - Phu Long cable car, part of Sun World Cat Ba in Hai Phong (Hải Phòng). This three-cable gondola system stretches approximately 3,955 metres across the sea, connecting two stations:

• Cat Hai Station: Located in Chan Hamlet, Dong Bai (Đồng Bài), Cat Hai Special Zone, Hai Phong. This is the mainland departure station for travellers heading to Cat Ba Island.
• Phu Long Station: Located on Cat Ba Island, near the Cai Vieng (Cái Viềng) area. This is where the cable car journey ends.

Photo: Sun World

The system has 60 cabins, each capable of carrying up to approximately 30 passengers. Large windows offer wide views of the Cat Hai coastline, mangrove forests, fishing boats, and the limestone islands scattered across the water.

The T3 tower stands 214.8 metres tall and was once recognised by Guinness World Records as the tallest cable car tower in the world. From the cabin, you watch the coastline change beneath you for the whole crossing.

The cable car takes you onto Cat Ba Island, not directly to your hotel in Cat Ba Town. You’ll still need road transport from Phu Long Station to the town centre.

Cat Ba cable car ticket prices in 2026

According to Sun World Cat Ba’s official price list, effective from 7 September 2026, the published ticket prices are:

The VND 70,000 Cat Ba cable car ticket is not a return ticket. It covers just one journey, either from Cat Hai to Phu Long or in the opposite direction.

Planning to use the cable car both when arriving on the island and when returning to the mainland? Budget for two tickets. Alternatively, you can take the cable car one way for the views and use a ferry or another form of transport for your return journey.

The ticket price does not include transport from Phu Long Station to central Cat Ba Town, a cost that’s easy to overlook when planning your travel budget.

Is it cheaper to buy Cat Ba cable car tickets online or at the station?

You can purchase tickets at Cat Hai Station or book in advance through Sun World’s official booking website or the Sun Paradise Land app.

The standard station price is VND 70,000 one way, but online tickets can occasionally be cheaper during promotional periods. Sun World Cat Ba’s online cable car tickets have at times started from VND 67,000, around 4% below the standard published price.

Promotional prices don’t apply to every travel date, so before paying, check the ticket’s validity date, promotional conditions, and final amount.

Even when online and station prices are the same, booking ahead can be convenient because you can use your electronic ticket at the entrance.

For a spontaneous trip, buying at the station works too, provided the cable car is operating and you arrive before the final departure. Standard dated tickets are generally valid only for the selected day, so one bought today can’t be saved for another date.

Cat Ba cable car schedule: Operating days and departure times

Unlike some tourist cable cars that operate continuously from morning until late afternoon, the Cat Hai - Phu Long route runs during specific time windows.

From 19 October 2026, the Sun World Cat Ba cable car runs on this schedule:

Final operating windows:

• Weekdays (except Tuesday): 14:30-14:45.
• Saturdays and Sundays: 15:30-15:45.

Each window is a 15-minute period of operation, not a single departure. Arrive at the station at least 15-20 minutes before your intended ride so you have enough time for ticket checks, parking, and boarding.

Does the Cat Ba cable car operate on Tuesdays?

No. From 19 October 2026, Tuesday is the cable car’s regular closing day.

Visiting Cat Ba on a Tuesday? Go by ferry or speedboat.

Schedules may change during public holidays, special events, or periods of adjusted operations. Anyone whose itinerary includes a hotel check-in, guided tour, or another fixed reservation should check Sun World’s latest announcement before travelling.

How to get from Phu Long cable car station to Cat Ba Town

From Phu Long Station, you continue by road to your hotel, the beaches, or the departure points for boat trips around Lan Ha Bay (vịnh Lan Hạ).

Photo: Sun World

Walking that stretch is not a practical option. The road distance is substantial, particularly if you’re carrying luggage or travelling with children.

Electric buses and shuttle services

Sun World operates electric buses connecting Phu Long Station with the Xanh Island Central Bay area. This can be a convenient option for solo travellers, couples, or anyone travelling with light luggage.

Sun World previously advertised promotional return fares for the electric bus service at approximately VND 80,000-100,000. Fares and schedules may change, so check again when booking.

Other local bus and shuttle services may also be available from the Phu Long area to central Cat Ba Town.

Before boarding, confirm exactly where the bus will drop you off. A service terminating at Central Bay may not stop directly outside your hotel.

Taxis and prearranged transfers

Travelling with family, carrying several suitcases, or staying somewhere away from the main shuttle stops? A taxi or private transfer may be easier.

You can contact your hotel before arriving and ask whether it can arrange a pickup from Phu Long Station. Some accommodations can organise transport for their guests, saving you the trouble of searching for a ride after leaving the cable car.

Whichever option you choose, confirm both the fare and your destination before departure. Give the driver your hotel’s name; "Cat Ba" alone is too vague.

Can you bring a suitcase on the Cat Ba cable car?

Yes. Passengers may bring suitcases and personal luggage into the cable car cabins, provided the items meet Sun World’s baggage requirements.

Under the luggage rules, each passenger may bring one standard piece of luggage within these limits:

Pushchairs and wheelchairs do not count toward the standard one-piece luggage allowance.

Measure your suitcase including its wheels and handles. Weight isn’t the only limit; a lightweight suitcase can still exceed the permitted size.

Oversized or overweight luggage requires approval from customer service and may incur an additional fee equivalent to one adult ticket per item. Even with the fee paid, some items may still be refused.

Motorbikes and other motor vehicles are not permitted inside cable car cabins. Certain items, including flammable or explosive materials, compressed gas containers, glass bottles, pets, and foods that may spill or produce strong odours, are also prohibited or restricted.

Visiting Cat Ba for several days with a lot of luggage? Call the station in advance; it beats reorganising your bags at the entrance.

When does the Cat Ba cable car stop operating?

Apart from its regular Tuesday closure, the cable car may temporarily suspend operations because of unfavourable weather, strong winds, technical inspections, or maintenance.

On a clear day, the ride is usually smooth, with long views over the sea and surrounding islands. When weather conditions deteriorate, the operator may adjust the timetable or stop operations for safety.

There isn’t a simple wind-speed or rainfall threshold that visitors can use to determine whether the cable car will definitely operate. The decision depends on actual conditions and assessments made by the operating team.

When severe weather is forecast, check Sun World’s official announcements before travelling and prepare an alternative route. Should operations be temporarily suspended while you’re inside a cabin, remain in place and follow the staff’s instructions.

For information about operating conditions, tickets, or luggage, you can contact Sun World Cat Ba on 0814 960 960.

Cat Ba cable car vs. speedboat vs. ferry: Which should you choose?

The cable car is the quickest way across the sea, but your total journey time also depends on how you get to and from the stations.

If you’re visiting for sightseeing: take the cable car, for 10-15 minutes of views from above and little time on the water.

Departing from central Hai Phong and want to arrive closer to your hotel: A speedboat on the Ben Binh (Bến Bính) - Cat Ba route is worth considering. Some services arrive near the town centre, potentially saving you an additional transfer even if the ticket costs more.

If you’re bringing your own car or motorbike: The Dong Bai - Cai Vieng ferry is the more appropriate choice. The cable car cannot transport vehicles and therefore isn’t a substitute for the ferry in this situation.

Dong Bai - Cai Vieng ferry schedule

Keep the ferry timetable for 1 September to 31 December 2026 as a backup to the cable car:

• Ferry operations are scheduled between 05:00 and 18:00 daily.
• The last scheduled departure from Dong Bai to Cai Vieng is at 18:00.
• The last scheduled departure from Cai Vieng to Dong Bai is at 17:30.
• The route has 24 scheduled trips per day, generally spaced around 30-40 minutes apart.

According to the operator’s announcement, services may sometimes be extended until 19:00 depending on the weather and passenger demand. A sailing after 18:00 is not guaranteed.

Compared with the cable car, which finishes operating in the early or mid-afternoon, the ferry offers more flexibility for travellers leaving the island later in the day. With a vehicle at weekends or during busy holiday periods, get to the ferry terminal early.

Practical tips for a smoother Cat Ba cable car trip

The Cat Ba cable car turns a simple transfer into 10-15 minutes of sightseeing. It runs in set windows, so plan the day around its timetable.

Choose a morning departure where you can. Daylight usually gives you clearer views of the sea, mangrove forests, and limestone islands. You’ll also have more time after arriving to reach the town centre, check into your hotel, and enjoy the rest of your day.

Day-trippers using the cable car in both directions should check the last departure before deciding where to have lunch, which beaches to visit, or whether to join a boat tour.

Families travelling with young children or older relatives should book onward transport in advance, so a car is waiting when everyone steps out of the cabin.

Keep your electronic tickets accessible, make sure your phone has enough battery, and check the weather forecast. For oversized luggage or special assistance, call the station beforehand.

The cable car suits couples, groups of friends, and anyone travelling light. Before you go, note three things: tickets are priced one way, the cable car normally closes on Tuesdays, and you’ll need onward transport from Phu Long.