Cat Ba ferry guide 2026: 2 routes, seasonal timetables, ticket prices and vehicle boarding

Before driving to Cat Ba Island, the first thing to check is which ferry terminal you actually need: Dong Bai in Hai Phong or Tuan Chau in Quang Ninh. Both routes carry passengers, motorbikes and cars, but their schedules are quite different, particularly in winter. Arriving at the correct terminal after the last departure can still mean spending an unexpected night on the mainland.

1. Where do ferries to Cat Ba depart from?

There are two main vehicle ferry routes to Cat Ba Island: Dong Bai - Cai Vieng and Tuan Chau - Gia Luan.

Both arrive on the northern side of Cat Ba Island, rather than in Cat Ba Town, where most hotels, restaurants and tourist services are located.

All departure times in this guide use Vietnam local time (UTC+7).

Dong Bai - Cai Vieng: frequent departures and a short crossing

Dong Bai Ferry Terminal is on Cat Hai Island, on the Hai Phong side of the crossing.

Since March 2024, Dong Bai has replaced the old Got Ferry Terminal for passenger and vehicle services to Cai Vieng. This matters because some older travel guides still tell visitors to drive to Got.

When using Google Maps, search for Dong Bai Ferry Terminal (Bến phà Đồng Bài) rather than following an old address.

The ferry route is operated by Bayview Cat Ba Co., Ltd. It carries foot passengers, motorbikes, private cars and larger vehicles.

Departures are relatively frequent, making this the more flexible of the two ferry services.

Once you reach Cai Vieng, there is still approximately 20-23 km of road between the ferry terminal and Cat Ba Town. The drive normally takes around 30-40 minutes.

Tuan Chau - Gia Luan: convenient when starting in Ha Long

The Tuan Chau ferry departs from Tuan Chau Island in Quang Ninh, within the Tuan Chau Marina area.

It crosses to Gia Luan, a harbor on the northern side of Cat Ba Island.

This route makes sense when you are staying in Ha Long and want to take your car or motorbike to Cat Ba.

The crossing passes through waters surrounded by limestone islands, and the journey is longer than the one from Dong Bai.

The main drawback is the timetable.

In winter, there may be three or four hours between departures. Arriving at Tuan Chau at 12:15, just after the noon ferry has left, could mean waiting until 15:00 for the next scheduled departure.

From Gia Luan, Cat Ba Town is another 20-23 km away by road. Allow around 30-40 minutes, as the route includes mountain bends and sections where driving is slower than on the mainland.

2. Dong Bai - Cai Vieng ferry timetable for 2026

Dong Bai’s ferry schedule changes with the tourist season.

Summer brings more departures to accommodate visitors, while autumn and winter generally have fewer services and earlier final departures.

September 1 - December 31, 2026 timetable

During this period, the Dong Bai - Cai Vieng route operates 24 scheduled departures in each direction.

The service starts at 05:00 from Cai Vieng and 05:30 from Dong Bai.

Here is the full timetable:

The important times are:

• Dong Bai to Cat Ba: first ferry at 05:30, last scheduled ferry at 18:00.
• Cai Vieng to Dong Bai: first ferry at 05:00, last scheduled ferry at 17:30.

These are scheduled departure times, not a guarantee that every ferry will leave at exactly the listed minute.

The terminal operator can adjust intervals according to traffic and operating conditions. Intervals can stretch to approximately 40 minutes, with the types of ferries deployed depending on demand.

Operating hours may also be extended until 19:00 when weather and passenger numbers allow. However, this should not be treated as a guaranteed final departure.

If you need to leave Cat Ba to catch a train, flight or long-distance bus, plan around the 17:30 last departure from Cai Vieng.

Dong Bai summer 2026 timetable

During the summer season, from late April through August 2026, Bayview increased the route’s frequency from 23 to 38 departures per day.

Departures were commonly spaced about 20 minutes apart, although longer intervals of up to 40 minutes could occur.

Larger ferries were also used to accommodate more vehicles during busy periods.

The final ferry from Dong Bai departed 30 minutes later in summer than under the September-December timetable.

For the return journey, the last ferry from Cai Vieng was 40 minutes later.

More departures did not necessarily mean shorter queues for cars. On busy weekends, several ferry loads could be needed to clear the vehicles waiting at the terminal.

The summer 2027 timetable will be announced separately. Do not assume the summer 2026 departure times will remain identical next year.

3. Dong Bai ferry ticket prices in 2026

These are the fares for passengers and vehicles on the Dong Bai - Cai Vieng ferry.

The service is operated by Bayview Cat Ba.

These are one-way fares. A return trip requires payment for both crossings.

How much is the ferry for a motorbike?

The 2026 fare is 45,000 VND per motorbike for a one-way crossing.

Whether the motorbike belongs to you or is rented, tell the ticket seller what type of vehicle you have.

Ask how a passenger’s ticket should be calculated. Do not assume that the motorbike fare automatically includes everyone riding it.

For foreign travelers renting a motorbike, there is another detail worth checking before departure: your rental agreement.

Some rental companies restrict where their vehicles can be taken, including whether they may be transported by ferry or driven on another island.

Confirm this with the rental shop rather than discovering a restriction after reaching the terminal.

How much is the ferry for a car?

The 2026 fare for a car with fewer than nine seats is 190,000 VND per vehicle, one way.

However, passengers sitting inside the car may be charged separately.

A family traveling in one car should therefore not assume that 190,000 VND is the final amount payable.

At the ticket counter, tell the staff the vehicle type and number of adults and children. Ask for the total one-way cost before paying.

For minibuses and larger tourist vehicles, the fare depends on the vehicle category. The private-car rate cannot be used to estimate the price of taking a full-size minibus or coach onto the ferry.

Are there ferry discounts for tourists?

From April 1, 2026, Hai Phong introduced fare exemptions and reductions for certain eligible groups.

The policy covers qualifying residents of Cat Hai and certain students, with conditions related to residency, education and vehicle ownership.

4. Tuan Chau - Gia Luan ferry: summer and winter schedules

The Tuan Chau - Gia Luan ferry serves travelers moving between the Ha Long area and northern Cat Ba Island.

Unlike Dong Bai, this route has relatively few scheduled departures, so choosing the right time matters more.

The following seasonal timetables are for 2026. They are useful for planning, but should be confirmed with the ferry operator before your travel date.

Tuan Chau ferry winter timetable

The winter schedule runs from September 6 to April 24 of the following year.

There are three departures in each direction.

The last scheduled ferry from Tuan Chau to Cat Ba leaves at 15:00.

The final return ferry from Gia Luan to Tuan Chau leaves at 16:00.

The intervals are long enough that missing one departure can significantly change your arrival time.

Suppose you reach Tuan Chau Marina at 14:45 with your own car. You have only 15 minutes before the scheduled final departure, and that does not account for finding the vehicle entrance, buying tickets, joining the queue or completing boarding.

The ferry may also be affected by passenger numbers and weather conditions, especially during the quieter winter months.

Tuan Chau ferry summer timetable

The summer season runs from April 25 to September 5, with five scheduled departures in each direction.

Additional departures may be arranged when passenger demand increases, but you should not rely on an extra ferry being available.

The Tuan Chau ferry runs when weather conditions are suitable and there are at least 30 passengers.

That means a departure may still be adjusted even when you have arrived at the correct scheduled time.

The final departure remains 15:00 from Tuan Chau and 16:00 from Gia Luan in both seasonal schedules.

This is an important difference from Dong Bai, where summer departures continue into the early evening.

Tuan Chau - Cat Ba ferry ticket prices in 2026

The following one-way fares are reference prices for 2026.

Fares on this route in 2026 are not entirely consistent.

You may also see 75,000 VND per foot passenger, 100,000 VND per motorbike and 320,000 VND for a car with fewer than nine seats, or even higher figures.

You can use the table above as a preliminary budget, but confirm the current fare with the terminal before traveling.

Ask whether passenger tickets are included in the vehicle charge for a car carrying several passengers.

The Tuan Chau ferry is generally more expensive than Dong Bai for the same basic vehicle categories. However, choosing between the two terminals also depends on where your journey begins, not just the ferry ticket.

5. How long does the Cat Ba ferry take?

The actual sea crossing is only part of the journey.

You also need to allow time for buying tickets, waiting for a ferry with enough vehicle space, boarding and disembarking.

Dong Bai - Cai Vieng: a short crossing with potentially long queues

The Dong Bai - Cai Vieng ferry takes approximately 15 minutes on the water.

Including vehicle loading, docking and disembarkation, allow around 30-40 minutes for the crossing process once it is your turn to board.

That estimate does not include the time spent waiting in the terminal queue.

On an ordinary weekday, you may find that the next ferry has enough space for your car or motorbike.

During summer weekends and public holidays, the situation can be very different.

Queues of cars have sometimes stretched for hours at busy periods, including holidays around April 30 and May 1.

Motorbikes are usually easier to accommodate because they take up less deck space. Cars, buses and larger vehicles use considerably more room, so a line of cars may take multiple ferry departures to clear.

If you are driving, the useful question is not whether the ferry takes 15 or 20 minutes. It is how many vehicles are already ahead of yours and how many can fit on the next ferry.

Tuan Chau - Gia Luan: longer crossing, fewer departures

The Tuan Chau crossing generally takes 45-60 minutes, commonly around 50 minutes.

When you arrive in good time and can board as planned, you might spend roughly 1-1.5 hours completing the terminal and ferry journey.

Missing a scheduled sailing changes that calculation.

During winter, a traveler arriving just after the 08:00 departure may have to wait until the next scheduled ferry at 12:00.

The route’s passenger-number requirement can also affect departure times.

For anyone traveling with a car, ticketing and vehicle loading need to be included separately in the schedule.

How early should you arrive?

On quieter days, arriving around 30-60 minutes before your intended departure is a reasonable planning buffer, depending on the route and vehicle.

This is not an official mandatory check-in period.

During summer weekends or public holidays, drivers may need to allow one or two hours or even longer if congestion has already been reported.

No amount of advance planning can guarantee a place on a particular ferry during an exceptionally busy period.

Check conditions at the terminal before setting off when you absolutely need to catch a specific departure.

6. How to buy tickets and board the Cat Ba ferry with a vehicle

Both Dong Bai and Tuan Chau have ticket-selling facilities at their terminals.

Independent travelers generally buy their tickets at the terminal, pass through ticket control and wait in the designated boarding area.

Passengers using the Tuan Chau route are also directed to purchase tickets at the terminal rather than through an advance-booking service.

1. Step 1

   Find the correct vehicle lane

   As you approach the ferry terminal, reduce your speed and follow the signs.

   Foot passengers, motorbikes and cars may be directed toward different entrances or waiting areas.

   Do not drive directly onto the loading ramp simply because you can see a ferry at the dock.

   Wait for instructions from terminal staff.

2. Step 2

   Buy your ferry ticket

   At the counter, tell the staff your vehicle type, passenger count and travel direction.

   Car drivers should ask for the full price covering the vehicle and passengers.

   Keep your tickets somewhere accessible. You may need to present them at a checkpoint before boarding.

   For families or groups traveling together, it helps to have one person responsible for the tickets rather than distributing them between several people.

3. Step 3

   Join the boarding queue

   Vehicles are arranged according to the available loading space and the instructions of ferry staff.

   Cars may need to wait for a ferry with sufficient capacity.

   Changing lanes or overtaking the queue because another line appears to be moving faster is not a good idea. Staff may be organizing vehicles by size, weight or available deck space.

4. Step 4

   Passengers leave the vehicle

   Vietnam’s road traffic law sets rules for passengers while vehicles are boarding, traveling on and leaving ferries.

   Passengers are generally required to leave their vehicles, with exceptions including drivers, children, pregnant women, elderly or disabled people and those who need assistance.

   For most people traveling in a car, this means getting out and following the passenger boarding route.

   Families with young children or anyone needing help should inform terminal staff so they can be directed appropriately.

5. Step 5

   Drive onto the ferry when instructed

   The driver stays with the vehicle until staff give the signal to board.

   Move slowly onto the loading ramp and maintain enough distance from the vehicle ahead.

   Avoid sudden acceleration when your wheels reach the ramp or ferry deck.

   Motorbike riders should pay attention to the join between the dock and loading ramp, especially when the surface is wet.

   Staff will indicate where each vehicle should stop.

   Switch off the engine, secure the vehicle as directed and do not move it again until permitted.

6. Step 6

   Stay in the designated passenger area

   Once the vehicle is parked, passengers should remain in the appropriate passenger areas.

   Do not assume that you can stay inside your car simply because the crossing is short or you want to avoid the sun.

   The rule requiring passengers to leave vehicles still applies while the ferry is underway, subject to the legal exceptions.

   Keep away from loading ramps and operational areas. Children should remain with their accompanying adults.

7. Step 7

   Disembark only when staff give permission

   When the ferry reaches the opposite terminal, wait for the disembarkation instructions.

   Under the same law, pedestrians are given priority when leaving the ferry.

   Drivers should not start moving until directed.

   Check both sides of the vehicle and the road ahead before driving off the ramp.

   If your family or friends walked onto the ferry separately, arrange to meet them in a safe area after disembarking, rather than stopping at the loading ramp.

For drivers unfamiliar with ferries, the two moments requiring the most attention are driving onto and off the ramp. There is no need to rush just because another car is waiting behind you.

Photo: Christophe95

7. Taking a rental motorbike, private car or shuttle vehicle to Cat Ba

The ferry procedures are broadly similar for all vehicles, but a few details depend on what you are driving.

Foreign tourists riding rental motorbikes

The ferry can carry legally used rental motorbikes, but your rental contract determines whether you are allowed to take the vehicle to Cat Ba.

Before traveling, ask the rental shop three questions:

• Can the motorbike be transported by ferry to Cat Ba Island?
• What happens if it breaks down or is damaged while on the island?
• Must the vehicle be returned to the original rental location?

A rental company based in Ha Long or Hai Phong may not provide roadside assistance on Cat Ba.

That becomes a much bigger issue if the motorbike breaks down on a mountain road far from the terminal.

You also need a driving license that is legally valid in Vietnam for the category of motorbike you are using.

Keep your identification and any vehicle documents required under the rental agreement readily available.

At the ferry counter, a simple question is enough:

"Where can I buy a ticket for one motorbike and two passengers?"

Staff can then direct you to the appropriate ticket window and explain which fares apply.

Vietnamese and international travelers driving private cars

If you are driving your own car, arriving earlier in the day generally gives you more flexibility if the ferry queue becomes long.

That is particularly useful during summer.

Avoid scheduling a hotel check-in, restaurant booking or onward connection too tightly around the ferry’s scheduled departure time.

A car reaching Dong Bai at 10:00 is not necessarily going to be on Cat Ba by 10:30.

Bring enough drinking water and a little food in case you are stuck in a long queue.

Make sure you have sufficient fuel for waiting and for the drive across Cat Ba after the ferry.

Leaving a queue to search for a shop and then trying to return to your place is rarely convenient when traffic is backed up.

Shuttle buses, limousines and private transfers

Not every shuttle vehicle travels all the way across the ferry with its passengers.

Some transport services arrange a change of vehicle, a transfer at the terminal or a separate pickup on Cat Ba Island.

Before booking, ask whether the same vehicle continues onto the ferry.

You should also check whether the quoted price includes the ferry crossing, whether you need to carry your luggage between vehicles and where you will be dropped off.

For a family with children, elderly travelers or several large suitcases, knowing whether you will need to transfer vehicles can be more important than a small difference in ticket price.

Travelers without their own vehicle may also consider the Cat Ba cable car or a high-speed passenger boat. Those services have their own schedules, ticket prices and operating conditions.

8. Are cars restricted from taking the Cat Ba ferry on weekends?

During parts of 2026, Hai Phong introduced temporary restrictions on certain vehicles using the Dong Bai ferry in the direction of Cat Ba Island.

In a traffic diversion notice, the Hai Phong Department of Construction announced restrictions for private cars and trucks during specified peak periods.

The announced periods included:

• April 25 to May 3, 2026.
• Weekends from May 9 to September 30, 2026.
• Temporary restriction hours from 09:00 to 13:00.

The restriction applied to the vehicle categories identified in the notice on the mainland-to-island journey.

Motorbikes and pedestrians were not included in that temporary suspension.

Temporarily restricting certain cars does not necessarily mean that the entire ferry service has stopped.

Other passengers and vehicles may continue using the route according to the applicable operating instructions.

9. What happens when the Cat Ba ferry stops because of bad weather?

Both Cat Ba ferry routes depend on safe operating conditions.

Strong winds, tropical storms and official restrictions on water transport can cause departures to be delayed, adjusted or suspended.

A timetable published online does not override the operating instructions issued on the day.

During a storm in late August 2026, the Dong Bai - Cai Vieng ferry temporarily stopped operating and resumed once conditions allowed.

Even a ferry listed as a regular departure can therefore be canceled for safety reasons.

If you are still on the mainland

If the ferry service is suspended, do not drive toward the loading ramp hoping that one final crossing might be available.

Ask terminal staff when the next operating update is expected and whether vehicles are still being admitted to the waiting area.

If you have a hotel reservation on Cat Ba, contact the property as soon as possible.

Explain that the ferry has been suspended and that you may arrive late or be unable to reach the island that day.

Any transfer company you booked also needs notice before it sends a vehicle to the opposite terminal.

Cable cars and high-speed boats also have weather-related operating limits. A ferry suspension does not guarantee another service will still operate.

If you are already on Cat Ba

A ferry suspension can be more disruptive when you need to return to the mainland for a flight, train or onward journey.

Contact your transport provider, accommodation and any other services affected by the delay.

Keep copies of official suspension notices when possible. They may be useful when discussing ticket changes, cancellations or refunds, depending on the policies of the companies involved.

10. Getting from Cai Vieng or Gia Luan to Cat Ba Town

Neither Cai Vieng nor Gia Luan is in the main tourist center of Cat Ba.

After leaving the ferry, you still need to travel across part of the island.

Photo: Christophe95

Travelers with a car or motorbike can continue along the island’s main roads.

The scenery includes limestone mountains, forested areas and winding roads. Some sections have sharp bends, so follow the signs and drive at an appropriate speed.

For travelers arriving without a vehicle, arranging onward transport before crossing is a sensible choice.

Do not assume that there will always be enough taxis or minibuses waiting at the terminal, especially after a late ferry or when several large groups arrive together.

A hotel may be able to help arrange a pickup if contacted in advance.

When making that request, provide the actual terminal name, expected ferry arrival time and number of passengers.

Be precise about Cai Vieng or Gia Luan. They are different locations, and a driver sent to the wrong terminal cannot simply collect you a few minutes later.

How should you estimate your hotel arrival time?

Suppose your planned ferry departure from Dong Bai is 15:00 on a normal weekday.

You still need to allow for the sea crossing, vehicle unloading and the 30-40-minute drive to Cat Ba Town.

Your hotel arrival time will therefore be considerably later than 15:00, even before accounting for any waiting time at Dong Bai.

If your accommodation asks for an estimated arrival, give a reasonable window rather than promising an exact time.

Once you have actually boarded the ferry, send a quick update.

A message sent when your car is on the ferry is more useful to the hotel than an arrival estimate made while you are still several kilometers from the terminal.

11. Which Cat Ba ferry departure is best for avoiding queues?

For Dong Bai, an early departure on a quieter weekday often gives drivers more flexibility.

Even if the first ferry you hoped to take is full, there are usually several later departures available.

However, an early morning during a major public holiday can still be extremely busy. Many other drivers will have had exactly the same idea.

For Tuan Chau, the priority is different: choose a departure that leaves enough time to reach the terminal, buy tickets and board.

Do not plan to arrive 10 or 15 minutes before a ferry simply because a route-planning app predicts that your drive will finish at that time.

Here are the last scheduled departures to remember.

A common mistake is checking the right route but the wrong direction.

For example, an 18:00 departure from Dong Bai does not mean there is also an 18:00 departure from Cai Vieng back to the mainland.

If you are checking out of a hotel on Cat Ba in the late afternoon, the important time is the final ferry leaving the island, not the one traveling toward it.

And if you are still driving toward the terminal shortly before the last departure, call ahead.

There is little value in driving dangerously fast to catch a ferry that may already have closed vehicle boarding.

To confirm the Tuan Chau - Gia Luan ferry schedule before driving to the harbor, call the Tuan Chau Ferry Management Office at 0822 556 118. For Dong Bai departures, check the latest operating notices on the official Hai Phong city information portal, particularly during summer weekends or when a tropical storm is forecast.