Cat Bi Airport to Hai Phong and Ha Long Bay: Every Transfer Option

Cat Bi International Airport (IATA: HPH) is one of the more convenient airport arrivals in northern Vietnam - it sits just 6–7km from Hai Phong city centre, making the city transfer shorter than almost anywhere else in the country. More importantly for most visitors, Cat Bi is the closest airport to Ha Long Bay, roughly 65–75km to the northeast, and a growing number of travellers fly in here rather than Hanoi specifically to cut the overland journey to the bay. Here is every transfer option, with prices as of 2026.

Getting to Hai Phong City Centre

Grab (~80,000–110,000 VND)

Grab is the first choice for the airport-to-city run at Cat Bi. The terminal is compact, signal is good from the arrivals hall, and the short distance means fares are very low - approximately 80,000–110,000 VND to the city centre for a standard GrabCar as of 2026. Driver availability is strong during daytime domestic flight arrivals. With a journey time of just 15–20 minutes, this is comfortably the best option for solo travellers and couples.

GrabBike (motorbike) runs as low as 40,000–55,000 VND to the centre and is fine for anyone with just a small bag. Not recommended for heavy luggage on the narrow city-approach roads.

Metered Taxi (~90,000–130,000 VND)

Licensed taxis queue outside the Cat Bi arrivals hall. The main operators are Mai Linh (green), Hai Phong Taxi (yellow), and Vinasun vehicles. All use meters. Fares to Hai Phong city centre run approximately 90,000–130,000 VND as of 2026, with journey time of 15–20 minutes in normal traffic. This is a short, straightforward run on a well-lit main road - there is no significant risk of routing issues.

Touts occasionally approach near the exit offering fixed fares - decline these and head to the official rank. For a group of three or four, splitting a metered taxi costs roughly the same as two individual Grab rides and takes less time to arrange.

Airport Bus (~15,000–20,000 VND)

A local public bus serves Cat Bi Airport and connects to the Hai Phong city bus network. Route 18 runs from the airport toward the central Lac Long Quan bus station area for approximately 15,000–20,000 VND per person as of 2026 - the cheapest possible option. Journey time is 30–40 minutes including stops along the route.

The bus is practical for budget travellers who know Hai Phong well and are not carrying heavy bags. It is not the right call for first-time visitors during peak season or evening arrivals, when the schedule thins out and navigation becomes more difficult without local knowledge.

Pre-Booked Private Transfer (~200,000–280,000 VND)

Given how short the Hai Phong city run is, a pre-booked private transfer offers minimal advantage over a metered taxi for the city leg alone. It is worth considering if you are arriving very late, want name-board pickup, or are continuing onward to Ha Long Bay and want a single transfer booking that covers both legs.

Standard private car to central Hai Phong from Cat Bi costs approximately 200,000–280,000 VND as of 2026. Kiwitaxi covers this route.

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Getting from Cat Bi Airport to Ha Long Bay

This is where Cat Bi earns its appeal over Noi Bai (Hanoi Airport) for Ha Long Bay visitors. Noi Bai to the Ha Long Bay piers runs 150–160km; Cat Bi cuts that to 65–75km depending on your cruise departure point - a meaningful difference for a tired traveller with luggage.

Pre-Booked Private Transfer (~650,000–900,000 VND)

A pre-booked private car is the most comfortable and reliable way to get from Cat Bi to Ha Long Bay. Standard rates for a four-seat saloon run approximately 650,000–750,000 VND, with a seven-seat minivan costing 800,000–900,000 VND as of 2026. Journey time is 1.5–2 hours depending on which pier you are heading to - Tuan Chau Island marina (for premium cruise operators) adds around 20 minutes compared to the central Ha Long City piers.

Book in advance through Kiwitaxi or directly with your cruise operator, most of whom offer transfer packages from Cat Bi as an add-on. Confirming your pickup 48 hours ahead avoids any last-minute availability issues.

Shared Minibus Shuttle (~150,000–200,000 VND)

Several tour operators and budget cruise companies run shared minibus shuttles between Cat Bi Airport and Ha Long Bay, typically routed via Hai Phong’s central pick-up point. Fares run approximately 150,000–200,000 VND per person as of 2026 when booked in advance through a cruise or tour operator. Journey time is typically 2–2.5 hours including the collection stop.

This works well if you have already booked a Ha Long Bay cruise and your operator includes or offers the transfer service. It is not reliable as a walk-up option - book at least a day ahead.

Metered Taxi or Self-Arranged Car (~700,000–850,000 VND)

A metered taxi from Cat Bi to Ha Long Bay is technically possible but unusual - most taxi drivers prefer local fares and may quote a high fixed price for the long run. If you do take this route, agree the fare in writing before departure and confirm whether tolls are included. The Cat Bi to Ha Long route uses National Road 18, which passes through several toll booths (each approximately 15,000–25,000 VND) - these are normally added to the total.

For independent travellers wanting flexibility, hiring a car through a local agency at the airport, or self-driving a rental if you hold an IDP, is an alternative for the Ha Long Bay leg.

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Journey Times Summary

Route	Method	Time	Approx. Cost
Cat Bi → Hai Phong city	Grab	15–20 min	80,000–110,000 VND
Cat Bi → Hai Phong city	Metered taxi	15–20 min	90,000–130,000 VND
Cat Bi → Hai Phong city	Bus Route 18	30–40 min	15,000–20,000 VND
Cat Bi → Ha Long Bay	Private transfer	1.5–2 hrs	650,000–900,000 VND
Cat Bi → Ha Long Bay	Shared minibus	2–2.5 hrs	150,000–200,000 VND

Prices are approximate as of 2026. Toll fees are typically included in private and minibus transfers but verify before booking.

Hai Phong as a Stopover

Hai Phong is worth at least a half-day before or after Ha Long Bay rather than treating it purely as a transit point. The French Quarter around Dien Bien Phu Street and the Hai Phong Opera House (built 1904) are among the most intact examples of French colonial architecture in northern Vietnam. Banh My Cay (crispy bánh mì with spiced chicken) is a Hai Phong street food specialty found on nearly every corner near the central market.

For details on the Ha Long Bay cruise side of the trip, see our guide to Ha Long Bay cruises.

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