Home » Travel Guider » Best Bus Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay: Compare Top Operators for Easy Hanoi Tours
Best Bus Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay: Compare Top Operators for Easy Hanoi Tours
Busing from Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay is the most convenient and affordable way to reach the stunning Quang Ninh coast! At a mere 155–160 km distance, most routes take only 2.5–4 hours, depending on the route taken and the bus companies. Whether you choose the limousine van or the intimate sleeper, the bus trip from Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay is comfortable, picturesque, and equipped with all the latest amenities. In this expert travel guide, we’ll help you weigh up the best options for each type of traveler and provide tips to make your bus journey from Ha Noi to Halong (and even the return bus from Halong to Ha Noi) as easy as possible. Let’s move!
If you’re traveling to the stunning Ha Long Bay waters from Ha Noi, Bus Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay bus is one of the best choices you can make! It’s not only reasonably priced but also a convenient beginning for your Ha Long travel adventure, thanks to many bus operators that offer convenient timings, various levels of comfort, and convenient routes.
Types of Buses Available
Depending on the journey you want, there are different options when you book a Ha Long Bay bus from Ha Noi:
Local buses: Low-cost and no-frills, ideal for those who do not mind a more authentic experience.
Sleeper buses: Reclined beds, ideal for longer journeys, especially on overnight routes.
Limousine vans: The most comfortable option, with spacious seats, Wi-Fi, and extra comforts.
Departure Points in Ha Noi
Daily buses are departing from key bus stations such as:
My Dinh
Gia Lam
Giap Bat
There are even some limousine services with Old Quarter pick-up, perfect if you just so happen to be in the tourist hub.
There is a range of Ha Noi Ha Long choices at each terminal, giving you the convenience of choosing based on your location and timing.
My Dinh Bus Stations (Source: vietnamplus)
Arrival Points in Ha Long
Most Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay buses will drop you at
Bai Chay – the main tourist precinct
Tuan Chau Port – if you’re heading to a cruise
Hon Gai – closer to local markets and sites
All of these are very well connected, and it’s simple to take a taxi or walk to nearby hotels, depending on where you’re staying.
Tuan Chau Port (Source: govntravel)
Travel Time, Frequency & Ticket Prices
The average travel distance is 155–160 km, and with the new expressway, the journey normally takes 2.5 to 4 hours. Frequency is excellent—some bus companies run the trip every 30 minutes to 1 hour, especially in peak season.
The cost of a ticket is 100,000 to 300,000 VND, depending on the comfort and size of the bus.
For high-end services, look out for free Wi-Fi, bottled water, soft blankets, and even smiling staff who help with luggage and inquiries.
Pros and Cons of Taking the Bus
Pros:
Low cost for all classes of passengers
An extensive variety of bus ticket rates and services
High frequency of departures with several times to choose from
Comfortable and contemporary interiors in limousines
Cons:
Some local buses stop along the way to pick up passengers, slowing your trip
Seating is quickly taken on weekends, so reserve early!
English may not be spoken have ticket and pick-up information handy
Top 10 Ha Noi to Ha Long Bus Operators (Compared)
Operator
Type
Departure Times
Price (VND)
Booking Method
Notes
Phuc Xuyen
Sleeper & Limousine
Hourly 5:00–20:00
200,000–260,000
Hotline 1900 6799, phucxuyen.com, VeXeRe, My Dinh Bus Station, Zalo
Reliable, hourly service with top-rated staff and amenities
KumHo Viet Thanh
Sleeper Bus
Every 15 min, 5:00–18:45
120,000
Hotline 0976 550 253, VeXeRe, Station counter at My Dinh, no online site
Very frequent service, budget-friendly, popular among locals
Ha Long Travel Limousine
Limousine
Hourly 5:00–20:00
200,000–240,000
Hotline 1900 0381, Facebook page, pickup at 131 Pho Vong or Long Bien, book via phone
Excellent service, modern interior, trusted for Ha Long travel
Hung Duc
Sleeper & Limousine
12 trips/day, 6:30–19:15
140,000
Hotline 1900 066 855, VeXeRe, My Dinh waiting room counters
Affordable choice with different vehicle types available
Dream Transport Limousine
7-seat Limousine
07:00–07:30 (Hotel pickup)
280,000
Hotline 0961 707 176, pickup in Old Quarter, Zalo, VeXeRe
Premium ride for small groups, smooth and safe journey
Ninh Quynh
9-seat Limousine
Every 2 hours
180,000
Hotline 1900 7070, Office at 164 Co Linh – Long Bien, VeXeRe
Luxurious wood-paneled interior, professional staff
Ka Long Limousine
VIP Sleeper Bus
6:00 & 9:00
150,000
Hotline 0981 413 413, departs from My Dinh, Giap Bat, book via phone
Budget comfort with reliable routes through Quang Ninh
Ha Vy Limousine
Limousine
4:30–19:00
200,000–240,000
Hotline 0969 255 255, hotline booking, Office in Ha Long
Hotline 1900 7070, Office at 562 Nguyen Van Cu – Long Bien, support pickup in Ha Long City
Tourist-friendly, stops in Tuan Chau, Bai Chay, great for Ha Long Bay
Daiichi Travel
45-seat Sleeper Bus
7:30, 9:30, 14:30
140,000
Hotline 1900 7070, Office at 96 Nguyen Huu Huan – Hoan Kiem, VeXeRe
Dedicated to tourists only, no goods or roadside pickups
Dream Transport Limousine (Source: sapanomad)
Local Bus vs Limousine: What’s Better for You?
Local Buses – Affordable & Accessible
If you want an affordable way of traveling from Ha Noi to Quang Ninh’s coast, local buses are hard to beat!
Departure Stations: Mainly from major bus terminals like My Dinh, Giap Bat, or Gia Lam
Price Range: 100,000–150,000 VND per bus ride
Ride Time: 3–4 hours (may take longer depending on the route and number of stops)
Booking: Buy directly at the terminal or book via apps like VeXeRe (some routes offline only)
Pros
Cheapest way to get to Ha Long Bay
Frequent daytime departures
Suitable for solo travellers or backpackers
Cons:
No hotel pick-up; walk to the bus station
Language issue when buying offline
Older vehicles, plain comfort, sometimes no air-con
Random picking up of passengers along the way
Local Buses (Source: vietvisit)
Limousine Services – Comfort, Convenience & Class
The limo option is the first choice among foreign tourists and families choosing a Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay bus.
Pickup Points: Direct hotel pickup in the Old Quarter or nearby neighborhoods
Price Range: 180,000–300,000 VND, depending on the operator and seat location
Ride Time: A mere 2.5–3 hours via expressway
Booking: Very simple through online booking platforms, mobile, or even Zalo
Pros:
First-class comfort with spacious leather seats, WiFi, air-conditioning, and water
No need to go to a bus station — you’re picked up at your hotel!
Fast, safe, and efficient route through the new highway
Professional staff and English-speaking help in most instances
Cons:
Slightly higher ticket prices
Seats usually sell out quickly during holiday or weekend periods
Limousine Services (Sours: dongphongtransport)
Tour-Connected Shuttle Buses – All-in-One Convenience with Impress Travel
When you book a cruise or multi-day excursion with Impress Travel, your Ha Noi to Ha Long transfer is part of the package deal automatically. No awkward ticket counters. No changing vehicles. No hassle. Just get picked up and enjoy your ride through Quang Ninh’s beautiful expressway views!
Departure Points
Pick-up is right at your hotel in Ha Noi’s Old Quarter or a nearby meeting point. Impress Travel staff will reconfirm your time and location a day in advance—expect a friendly wave and a smiling guide, right at your doorstep!
Ride Duration
Most Impress Travel shuttles take Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay within 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on the journey and traffic conditions. Cars are new, air-conditioned, and often equipped with USB charging plugs and complimentary water.
Booking Made Easy
It is simple to book your Ha Noi Halong bus shuttle with Impress Travel:
Contact their English-speaking team via WhatsApp, Zalo, or Email
info@impresstravel.com
(+84) 912 379 189
125 Hoang Ngan, 3rd Floor, Trung Hoa, Ha Noi, Vietnam
Select a tour package with a round-trip Ha Long Bay bus from Ha Noi and a cruise ticket
Receive an entire itinerary with a bus ticket, cruise confirmation, and all departure times
Pros of Booking with Impress Travel
Zero hassle: Your whole Ha Long travel is taken care of—from pick-up to pier check-in
Modern comfort: Clean, air-conditioned shuttle buses operated by licensed, friendly staff
Ideal for group tours: Suitable for couples, families, or small groups taking the Ha Long Bay cruise directly from aboard
Completely supported: Impress Travel offers English, Vietnamese, and Chinese-speaking 24/7 support
Final Tips Before Your Ride
What to Bring for the Ride
Even the most comfortable bus ride from Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay can feel a little long without the right travel gear. Bring these in your day bag:
A thin blanket or scarf – air-con can be cold!
Some food and a water bottle – particularly useful if your bus ticket doesn’t cover them
A power bank – USB ports aren’t always available (or working)
Google Maps downloaded offline – useful when scanning your drop-off or cruising route
What to Confirm Before Departure
All great things start with great planning! Before you leave your hotel in Ha Noi, make sure you double-check the following with your bus operators or companies:
Pick-up point: Some limousines collect you straight from your Old Quarter hotel, and some have you go to the central bus station
Arrival station: Will you be arriving in Bai Chay, Hon Gai, or Tuan Chau? This matters, especially if you are getting off to join a cruise!
Hotline number: Always have your operator’s number on hand, just in case you need more information or on-the-spot help
What to Expect En Route
Each Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay experience varies, depending on the trip and route you take, but this is what you can anticipate:
Rest stops: Most trips include one short stop at a road service stop with clean toilets and snacks
Wi-Fi reality: While many buses have Wi-Fi, signals are weak outside city limits, so don’t rely on it for Netflix or Zoom meetings!
Friendly staff: Most reputable bus businesses include friendly, uniformed staff happy to assist you, especially with bulk bags or directions
Conclusion
Whatever your modus operandi, solo backpacker, couples, families, or luxury traveler, there’s the perfect bus from Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay for you! From shoestring local buses through VIP limousines loaded with comfort and amenities, travel from Ha Noi to Halong has never been easier. And don’t forget to book ahead, especially your return bus from Halong to Ha Noi, and enjoy every panoramic mile to the bay!
FAQs
How do you travel from Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay?
There are several ways to reach Ha Long Bay from Ha Noi, including bus, limousine, private car, train, motorbike, or even seaplane! However, using the bus from Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay is the most popular method because of its convenience, comfort, and affordability. Departure from bus stations like My Dinh, Giap Bat, or through hotel pick-up by limousine service can be selected.
How much is a transfer from Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay?
A transfer cost varies by vehicle type. Regular bus fare from Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay is from 100,000 VND ($4), and limousines are from 180,000–300,000 VND ($7–12). High-end options or private transfers may cost more, especially if you desire hotel pick-up, extra amenities, or personalized departure times.
Can you do Ha Long Bay in one day from Ha Noi?
Yes! It is easy to see Ha Long Bay in a day from Ha Noi, due to an early morning departure. Many tourists spend the day on day tours with a round-trip bus from Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay with a 4–6 hour cruise included. Make sure your tour uses expressway transport to save time!
How do I go to Ha Long Bay?
To reach Ha Long Bay, you may take a bus reserved from Ha Noi to Halong, a private car, a tour shuttle, or even a seaplane. Most tourists use the Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay option due to the balance between its price, speed, and comfort. In order to have the most comfortable ride, you can use a limousine with pick-up at the hotel or a package tour with transfer.
Ranana
You feel like organized tour, but you are in a privet tour. Impress Travel make the different.
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Ebrahim
Tour of Vietnam
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
Solly Pochee
The tour was fantastic
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating! We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC. The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T". I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all. Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team. Sulaiman Pochee
Bernard Lim
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
Derek.Schooling
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel
This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress. Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.
My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide). Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
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Impress Travel offers daily tours to attractive destinations in the capital of Hanoi as well as package tours to explore the most popular destinations in North Vietnam, such as Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, and Sapa, or adventure tours to explore the Northeast & Northwest regions such as Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Mu Cang Chai. Our products focus on providing travel services for private tours, small groups, family groups, and couples who need to make special requests for the trip. For the trip to Hanoi & North Vietnam, your submission to Impress Travel & Destination Management Company (DMC), which will bring the greatest value to your trip.
To explore Hanoi Capital's hidden charm for the first day, visit the most iconic attractions such as historical President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, Ancient Temple of Literature, tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi elderly quarter. Then, the upcoming of Hanoi – Halong Tour, we will have an amazing 2 day and 1 night stay on an outstanding cruise to explore the seven natural wonder of the world.
We will explore the most amazing places in the north of Vietnam. We will bring you to explore Hanoi charming city. Then, we are going to Tam Coc, Ninh Binh where we visit the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, enjoy the boat trip in Tam Coc and to discover the countryside. The unforgettable time is on Halong bay cruise that bring you to explore the seven natural wonder of the world.
To bring travelers to discover the most iconic of treasures in the Northern part of Vietnam. Travelers get ahead with the discovery of Hanoi’s hidden charm .The stunning beauty of North Vietnam come up with Sapa’s discovery were attracted by imposing sceneries such as rows of mountains, hills, lush valleys, rice terraces, waterfalls, and ethnic minority community. Afterward, visitors following up to Ha Long Bay
To discover the most iconic of treasures in the Northern part of Vietnam. Travelers get ahead with the discovery of Hanoi. Then, to explore stunning beauty of Sapa where we are attracted by imposing sceneries such as rows of mountains, hills, lush valleys, rice terraces, waterfalls, and ethnic minority community. Afterward, visitors following up to Ha Long Bay & Ninh Binh (Tam Coc).
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