Halong-bay to Hanoi

If you are travelling with a family and have less time in hand, a private car transfer might be the best option. The private car journey especially with the new highway takes only a maximum of two and a half hours and ensures utmost privacy and ample luggage space. You do not have to worry about waiting for buses as the private car arrives at your place at your time. There are various companies which offer private car transfer services. 

If you have a tour operator's contact, you can ask them to book a private car for you. Else, you can hire a taxi by yourself. Some cruise operators in Halong Bay arrange for your drop-off at the Noi Bai airport. You must however keep in mind that drivers can charge you extra by going on a longer route than necessary. It is best to discuss the price beforehand. A private car transfer from Halong Bay to Hanoi can cost anything between VND 1,500,000 and VND 5,000,000 for a round trip.

The Shuttle Bus is a great choice if you are travelling in a large group or a large family. The buses are air-conditioned and have comfortable seats. It is also equipped with wifi and water bottles are provided to the passengers. After the launch of the new highway, travel takes only 2.5 hours with a short break in between for only 15 minutes or so. They do not pick up other passengers on the way as well. Another advantage with the Shuttle Bus is that the drivers know basic English so there will not be much of a language barrier.

The best part about the Shuttle service is they pick you up from your location in Halong Bay and drop you off at your hotel in Hanoi. There are no hassles of arranging last mile connectivity like in a public bus. Most cruise tour operators offer a discount on the shuttle service if booked together. Some operators offer free shuttle transfer along with the cruise tour for promotions. Either ways, the shuttle service is not that expensive and is priced at VND 250,000 to VND 500,000 for a one way ticket.

The public bus is perfect for backpackers and people travelling on a budget. Moreover, it gives you the local experience. First of all, you will have to choose the bus route which is closest to your cruise trip in Halong Bay. There are 4 bus stations in Hanoi with as many 13 routes to different locations in Halong Bay. You can either buy tickets for the bus ride at the bus station or online. If you are buying the tickets at the station, prepare yourself to converse in body language or learn some simple Vietnamese phrases. 

Once you alight at the bus station in Hanoi, you will have to hire a taxi or a Xe Om (Vietnamese motorbike taxi) or a Grab car through your smartphone for last mile connectivity. The taxis charge you about VND 90,000 to take you from the bus station to your stay, whereas the Xe Oms charge around VND 50,000 to VND 70,000. 

The major advantage of the public bus is that it is very cheap. The tickets cost as low as VND 100,000. The bus ride takes about 3 hours. But the hassle of finding the right bus route and arranging for last mile transfers, makes it a not-so-attractive option. If you are however planning to explore Vietnam and experience the local life, you will like the public transport.

There is only one train which travels directly from Halong Bay to Hanoi. It is a long trip taking 6 hours and is hence recommended to only those people who have a lot of time at hand and love travelling in trains. The train ride is a pleasant experience with scenic views throughout and is a very safe travel option as well. 

The train reaches Hanoi from Halong Bay after a journey of 6 hours. You will have to then hire a taxi from the Hanoi train station to reach your desired location. The train tickets can be bought online and the physical copy can be collected at the train station. The train ride too is a cheap option and costs only about VND 100,000.