What's the fastest and easiest way from Hai Phong to Cat Ba?
Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island can take under an hour or two to three hours, depending on how you go. A direct speedboat is usually the quickest; the ferry is the one for cars and motorbikes, and the cable car suits foot passengers who want the view.
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Beyond the northern terminals, the road still winds through wooded hills like these before it reaches Cat Ba town.
A direct speedboat from central Hai Phong can get you close to Cat Ba Town in around 50 minutes. Taking the ferry, on the other hand, means adding a road journey on either side of the crossing, plus possible waiting time at the terminal. Without your own vehicle, a direct speedboat or a through-ticket with transfers included is the better fit. But if you’re bringing a motorbike or car, the Dong Bai-Cai Vieng ferry is the option to look at.
How to get from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba is part of the Cat Hai Special Administrative Zone in Hai Phong City, but there’s still a stretch of sea between central Hai Phong and Cat Ba, so the journey generally involves a combination of road transport and a boat, ferry or cable car.
From the Hai Phong Opera House in the city centre, it’s approximately 27 km to Dong Bai Ferry Terminal. From Cat Bi International Airport, the distance to Dong Bai is around 25 km, following the road across the Tan Vu-Lach Huyen Bridge onto Cat Hai Island.
Dong Bai Ferry Terminal and the Cat Hai cable car station are on Cat Hai Island, while Cai Vieng Ferry Terminal and Phu Long cable car station are on Cat Ba Island. Both arrival points are still around 20-23 km from Cat Ba Town, so you’ll need another road transfer to reach most hotels.
| Transport | Travel time and approximate cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Direct speedboat from Ben Binh | Around 45-60 minutes by boat; VND 250,000-270,000 one way | Travelers staying in central Hai Phong who want the quickest route |
| Bus and Dong Bai-Cai Vieng ferry | Around 2-3 hours in total, possibly longer in busy periods; fare varies | Travelers with luggage who prefer an arranged transfer |
| Cat Hai-Phu Long cable car | Around 10-15 minutes for the crossing; VND 70,000 one way, excluding transfers | Foot passengers who want scenic views |
| Self-driving via Dong Bai ferry | Around 2-3 hours or longer with queues; ferry fare depends on vehicle | Travelers bringing a car or motorbike |
These are approximate journey times from central Hai Phong. The actual crossing time doesn’t include reaching the terminal, checking in, waiting for departure or traveling onward to Cat Ba Town.
Direct speedboat from Ben Binh: the fastest way from central Hai Phong
Staying near the Hai Phong Opera House, Tran Phu Street or the surrounding city centre? Ben Binh is a good place to start looking.
The terminal is in the Hong Bang area and is relatively easy to reach by taxi from most central hotels.
A direct high-speed passenger boat usually takes around 45-60 minutes to reach Cat Ba, with reference fares of approximately VND 250,000-270,000 per person one way, depending on the operator and vessel.
It skips the road trip to Dong Bai and the wait for a ferry. Some direct services also arrive close to Cat Ba Town, which can save you another lengthy transfer across the island.
Not every ticket advertised as departing from Ben Binh means the boat itself leaves from Ben Binh.
For example, certain Cat Ba Express packages use Ben Binh as the meeting point. Passengers board a bus to Dong Bai first, then transfer to a speedboat for the crossing to Cat Ba.
That’s a bus-and-boat combination, rather than a direct speedboat from central Hai Phong.
When booking, ask for the actual boat departure terminal and the arrival pier on Cat Ba Island. Names such as Ben Beo, Cat Ba Ferry or Boat Terminal and Vinh Dong Ho may appear in different listings, and they may not be the same place.
Speedboat ticket prices and last departures
Some direct operators list 2026 departures from Ben Binh at around 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM, with certain return services from Cat Ba running as late as approximately 4:00 PM.
These times vary by operator and can change with demand, the season and sea conditions. Before paying, ask the company to confirm your exact outbound and return departures, especially outside the main tourist season.
Taking the speedboat back to catch a flight? On top of the departure time from Cat Ba, add time to disembark, collect your luggage and travel from Ben Binh to Cat Bi Airport.
Bus and ferry or speedboat: an easy option with transfers
A combined transport ticket is the easy option on a first visit to Hai Phong, especially with luggage.
Instead of booking each part of the journey yourself, you meet the transport company at an agreed location in the city and travel by road across the Tan Vu-Lach Huyen Bridge to Cat Hai Island.
From there, your journey may continue by either the Dong Bai-Cai Vieng ferry or a high-speed passenger boat departing from Dong Bai.
These are different services, so check which one your ticket uses.
If your package uses the ferry, you’ll cross to Cai Vieng on Cat Ba Island, then continue by road to Cat Ba Town. A through-ticket with the onward transfer included is usually the simplest arrangement.
If your package uses a speedboat from Dong Bai, the sea crossing may be quicker. Ask whether the arrival pier is near town or whether another transfer is required.
Cat Ba Express ticket prices
One of the options advertised by Cat Ba Express includes a combined transfer from Ben Binh to Dong Bai, followed by a speedboat crossing.
Its published reference prices are:
| Ticket | Adult | Child aged 1-3 |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Binh - bus to Dong Bai - speedboat to Cat Ba | VND 250,000 | VND 180,000 |
| Speedboat only from Dong Bai to Cat Ba | VND 220,000 | VND 150,000 |
Children aged four and above pay the adult fare. The listed fares include VAT and passenger insurance.
Passengers meet at 41 Ben Binh, Hai Phong. The Victoria speedboat schedule for this service has bus departures from Ben Binh at approximately 8:45 AM and 12:45 PM, with return departures from the Cat Ba side at around 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
These times are for this one service and can change, so confirm them when booking.
Before buying, ask where exactly the service drops you off: a ticket "to Cat Ba" may end at the pier rather than your hotel door. Ask too whether the return transfer picks you up from the same place.
Dong Bai-Cai Vieng ferry: bringing a car or motorbike to Cat Ba
Anyone planning to take their own vehicle to Cat Ba Island needs to know about this crossing.
Older travel guides often direct visitors to Got Ferry Terminal. However, ferry operations moved from Got to the new Dong Bai terminal on March 1, 2024.
This was an actual terminal relocation, not simply a change of name.
Some older booking sites and transport listings still mention "Got Ferry." When using Google Maps or giving directions to a driver, search for Dong Bai Ferry Terminal instead.
From central Hai Phong, follow the route over the Tan Vu-Lach Huyen Bridge towards Cat Hai Island, then continue to Dong Bai.
The ferry takes you to Cai Vieng on Cat Ba Island, and from there you drive on into Cat Ba Town.
How long does the ferry to Cat Ba take?
The ferry crossing itself normally takes around 30-40 minutes; the road on either side and the wait at the terminal take longer.
When the terminal is quiet, boarding can be fairly straightforward. During busy weekends and public holidays, however, cars may have to wait in long queues before being assigned a crossing.
Driving from central Hai Phong all the way to Cat Ba Town? Allow roughly 2-3 hours in normal conditions and considerably longer during peak periods.
Dong Bai-Cai Vieng ferry schedule and last crossing
From September 1 to December 31, 2026, the first and last departures are:
| Direction | First departure | Last departure |
|---|---|---|
| Dong Bai → Cai Vieng | 5:30 AM | 6:00 PM |
| Cai Vieng → Dong Bai | 5:00 AM | 5:30 PM |
The published schedule includes 24 departures per day, with intervals varying throughout the day.
Additional or adjusted services may operate under certain circumstances, but don’t count on a ferry after the advertised last departure.
Heading back to Hai Phong the same afternoon, aim to reach Cai Vieng well before 5:30 PM. With a car, leave an even bigger margin in case vehicles are queuing at the terminal.
How much does the Dong Bai ferry cost?
Ferry fares vary according to passenger and vehicle type.
Foot passengers, motorbikes, private cars and larger vehicles fall into different pricing categories.
Fare tables online don’t all agree, and Hai Phong repealed the earlier ferry fare framework in September 2025.
Go by the fares displayed at Dong Bai Terminal, or ask the operator before traveling.
A separate city regulation covers fare exemptions and discounts for qualifying students and local residents of Cat Hai. It shouldn’t be mistaken for the standard tourist fare list.
Can you take a car or motorbike to Cat Ba?
Yes. The Dong Bai-Cai Vieng ferry carries foot passengers, motorbikes and cars, subject to its operating conditions and vehicle capacity.
Drivers should also watch for seasonal traffic restrictions.
During the summer of 2026, Hai Phong introduced restrictions on certain vehicles traveling towards Cat Ba by ferry between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM on specified busy days.
Those measures expired on September 30, 2026, but similar restrictions could return during future public holidays or summer weekends. Before driving to Cat Ba during a busy period, check the latest announcements from the Hai Phong Department of Construction, which handles relevant transport management notices.
Cat Hai-Phu Long Cable Car: a scenic crossing, but not all the way to town
The ride between Cat Hai and Phu Long takes approximately 10-15 minutes, with wide views of the coastline, green islands and limestone formations in the distance.
Phu Long station, though, is not in central Cat Ba Town: you’ll still have approximately 20-23 km to travel by road.
Electric bus transfers are one option, with reference prices of around VND 80,000-100,000 for a round trip, depending on the service.
Check whether the bus is sold separately or included in a combination ticket.
The cable car does not carry motorbikes, so travelers who want to bring a vehicle onto the island need to use the ferry.
Cat Ba cable car prices and operating hours
Sun World’s adult fare is VND 70,000 one way, while children under one metre tall travel free.
The previously advertised subsidised VND 50,000 fare is no longer the current standard published price.
The new operating schedule, effective from October 19, 2026, is:
| Day | Final afternoon operating window |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday, except Tuesday | 2:30-2:45 PM |
| Saturday and Sunday | 3:30-3:45 PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
Arriving at the station right at the end of these windows may be too late to board.
To rely on the cable car for your return to Hai Phong, contact Sun World to confirm the latest check-in and boarding time at Phu Long station.
Tickets can be purchased through booking.sunworld.vn or at the station.
Sun World Cat Ba’s customer service number is 0814 960 960.
The cable car is closed on Tuesdays, so on that day take the Dong Bai-Cai Vieng ferry or an operating speedboat service.
How to get from Cat Bi Airport to Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba looks close to Cat Bi International Airport on the map, but after landing you still need time to collect your luggage, leave the airport, reach a departure terminal and complete the sea crossing.
For a morning or early-afternoon arrival, you may be able to take a taxi to Ben Binh and catch a suitable direct speedboat.
Another option is to arrange a transfer to Dong Bai, then continue by ferry or cable car.
Ride-hailing services such as Grab and Green SM operate in Hai Phong, although vehicle availability can vary.
Green SM, previously branded Xanh SM, also provides customer support through 1555, including English-language assistance.
The fare depends on the pickup point, demand, vehicle type and time of day; the app shows an estimate before you book.
For international visitors, particularly families or travelers with several suitcases, a prearranged transfer can make arrival much easier.
Give the transfer company your flight number, scheduled landing time and accommodation address on Cat Ba, so they can plan for flight delays and confirm where they’ll be taking you.
Make sure you ask whether the service goes all the way to your hotel or only as far as Dong Bai Terminal. Both may be advertised as a transfer to Cat Ba, but they’re very different experiences.
Landing in the late afternoon or evening, spending the night in Hai Phong is the more practical choice. Cable car services finish relatively early, ferries have a final departure, and speedboats don’t operate continuously through the night.
When should you leave Cat Ba to catch a flight from Cat Bi?
Plan this part of the journey before booking the trip to the island. Getting to Cat Ba is easy with the whole day ahead of you; coming back with a flight to catch is not.
Start with your flight departure time, work backwards to the time you need to be at the airport, then allow for each stage of the journey from Cat Ba Town to Hai Phong.
Say your domestic flight leaves Cat Bi at 6:00 PM: aim to be at the airport by around 4:00 PM or earlier, depending on your airline’s requirements.
On the ferry route, leaving Cat Ba Town around 11:00 AM to noon is a relatively cautious plan under normal operating conditions.
That gives you time to reach Cai Vieng, wait for a crossing, travel over to Dong Bai and take a taxi to the airport.
Heavy traffic, ferry queues, poor weather or unexpected changes to services could all require an earlier departure.
For an international flight, allow the additional check-in and security time recommended by your airline.
And if your flight is particularly important, involves an onward international connection or is expensive to change, the safer choice is returning to Hai Phong the previous afternoon and staying overnight near the airport.
Speedboat travelers heading straight back to Ben Binh should confirm both the boat’s scheduled arrival and the onward travel time to Cat Bi Airport.
The very last boat of the day shouldn’t be your only option for catching a non-refundable flight.
What happens if the weather is bad or boat services are suspended?
The weather in central Hai Phong can seem quite ordinary while conditions out at sea are already much rougher.
Check the status of your transport before leaving for the terminal whenever strong winds, a tropical storm or a typhoon are forecast.
Ferries, speedboats and the cable car operate under different safety requirements and may receive different instructions. One service suspended may leave others running, and one still running is no sign that every other crossing is permitted.
If your ferry or speedboat is cancelled, contact the operator or ticket seller about a refund, rescheduling or alternative travel arrangement.
The cable car has its own announcements from Sun World, so check those separately.
When traveling by boat, wear a correctly fitted life jacket as instructed throughout the trip. Avoid drinking alcohol before or during the crossing.
Parents should check that children have suitable life jackets before the boat departs.
A few things to check before booking your Cat Ba transfer
Tickets labelled "Cat Ba transfer" cover different journeys: one operator might take you close to Cat Ba Town, while another may leave you at Cai Vieng or Phu Long, with another road journey still ahead.
If you’re carrying large suitcases, traveling with children or arriving by plane, a ticket with all transfers arranged is often worth the convenience.
Comfortable driving in Vietnam and want your own motorbike on the island? Take the ferry.
Whatever you choose, book or check the return journey at the same time as the outward trip, so the last afternoon on Cat Ba isn’t a rush to the pier.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to get from Hai Phong city centre to Cat Ba?
A direct speedboat from Ben Binh to a pier near Cat Ba Town is generally the quickest and most convenient option for passengers without vehicles. The boat journey takes approximately 45-60 minutes. Make sure your ticket is for an actual direct departure from Ben Binh rather than a bus transfer to Dong Bai.
How long does the ferry from Hai Phong to Cat Ba take?
The Dong Bai-Cai Vieng ferry crossing normally takes around 30-40 minutes. Including the drive from central Hai Phong to Dong Bai, possible waiting time and the onward journey from Cai Vieng to Cat Ba Town, the total trip may take 2-3 hours or longer during busy periods.
Does the Cat Ba cable car ticket include transport to Cat Ba Town?
Not automatically. The VND 70,000 one-way cable car ticket covers the journey between Cat Hai and Phu Long stations. You'll generally need to arrange or pay separately for transport from Phu Long to Cat Ba Town, unless your package explicitly includes that connection.
Can I bring a car or motorbike from Hai Phong to Cat Ba?
Yes, you can take a car or motorbike on the Dong Bai-Cai Vieng ferry, subject to vehicle capacity and current restrictions. Regular passenger speedboats and the cable car are not intended for transporting private cars or motorbikes. If you're driving during summer weekends or public holidays, check for temporary traffic restrictions before leaving.
How do I get to Cat Ba if the cable car is closed on Tuesday?
You can use the Dong Bai-Cai Vieng ferry or an available speedboat service. From September to December 2026, the last scheduled ferry leaves Dong Bai at 6:00 PM and Cai Vieng at 5:30 PM. Always confirm the operating status before departure, as sea conditions can affect services.
