Cat Bi Airport To Cat Ba Transit Options Review

Getting from Cat Bi airport to Cat Ba is easier than most travellers expect. The island is only one short ferry ride away from Haiphong, and the main road from the airport crosses the long Tan Vu – Lach Huyen sea bridge, so you do not need to go back to Hanoi or Ha Long first. In most cases a door-to-door trip takes around two to three hours, depending on the option you choose and the ferry timing.

In this review, the Haiphong Adventure team compares every realistic way to travel from Cat Bi International Airport (HPH) to Cat Ba Island: private car, airport taxi or ride-hailing, bus and ferry combinations, the speedboat from the city pier and organised transfers. Schedules and fares in Vietnam change often, so treat all times and prices here as general guidance (updated October 2026) and confirm before you travel.

How The Route From Cat Bi Airport To Cat Ba Works

Cat Bi airport sits on the eastern side of Haiphong city, in Hai An district. That location is a real advantage, because the road towards the islands starts almost on the airport’s doorstep. Whatever transport you choose, the journey has the same basic structure.

• Road section on the mainland: from the terminal you head east to the Tan Vu – Lach Huyen bridge, one of the longest sea bridges in Vietnam, which links Haiphong with Cat Hai island.
• Cat Hai island: the road continues across Cat Hai to Got pier (Ben Got), the main car ferry terminal for Cat Ba.
• Ferry crossing: car ferries run from Got pier to Cai Vieng pier on Cat Ba Island. The crossing itself is short, but waiting time varies with the season and the time of day.
• Road section on Cat Ba: from the ferry landing a scenic road winds through hills and villages to Cat Ba town, where most hotels, restaurants and boat trips are based.

The only option that skips the bridge is the speedboat from Binh pier in central Haiphong, which crosses the sea directly to Cat Ba. We cover it below, because for some flight times it can be the quickest choice.

Option 1, Private Car Or Pre-Booked Transfer

For most visitors landing at Cat Bi, a private car is the most comfortable way to reach Cat Ba. Your driver meets you at arrivals, loads your luggage and drives straight across the bridge to Got pier. Cars can board the car ferry, so you stay with your vehicle and bags all the way to your hotel in Cat Ba town.

What we like

• Door-to-door service with no luggage handling between vehicles.
• Flexible timing that works for early morning or late flights.
• Good for families, groups and anyone travelling with child seats, surfboards or large suitcases.
• A driver who knows the ferry routine, including where to queue and when the last boats leave.

What to consider

• It is the most expensive option for solo travellers, although the cost per person drops quickly for a group of three or four.
• Holiday weekends can mean long queues for cars at Got pier, so allow extra time in peak season.

Typical journey time is roughly two to two and a half hours from the terminal to Cat Ba town, including the ferry. Ask for a fixed, all-inclusive quote that covers the ferry ticket for the car, tolls and waiting time if your flight is delayed.

Option 2, Airport Taxi Or Ride-Hailing Car

Metered taxis wait outside the arrivals hall at Cat Bi, and ride-hailing apps such as Grab usually work in Haiphong. You can use them in two ways.

• All the way to Cat Ba town: agree on a fixed price with the driver before you leave, and confirm whether the ferry ticket for the car is included. Not every city taxi driver is happy to go to the island, so ask clearly at the start.
• Only to Got pier: take the taxi or ride-hailing car to the ferry terminal, cross as a foot passenger and then continue on Cat Ba by local bus, taxi or a hotel pickup.

The second approach is often cheaper, because a foot passenger ticket costs far less than taking a car across. The trade-off is that you will need to carry your bags onto the ferry and arrange onward transport on the island side.

Before you jump in, read our guide to travelling from Haiphong to Cat Ba with luggage, which explains how to handle suitcases on the ferry and which transfers make life easier.

>>> Best Way To Go Haiphong To Cat Ba With Luggage

Option 3, Bus And Ferry Combination

Several companies sell combined bus, ferry and island bus tickets to Cat Ba. Most of these services start in Hanoi or in central Haiphong rather than at the airport, so from Cat Bi you usually need a short taxi ride to the departure point or to a pickup stop on the route.

How it usually works

• A coach or limousine van drives to Got pier on Cat Hai island.
• Passengers transfer to the ferry with their luggage.
• A connecting bus on Cat Ba takes everyone from the ferry landing to Cat Ba town, and some operators drop off at hotels in the centre.

This is the budget-friendly choice, and it is a good fit if you are travelling light and your flight lands in the morning or early afternoon. The downsides are fixed departure times, transfers between vehicles and a longer total journey if you have to wait for the next bus. Book through your hotel or a trusted agent, and ask exactly where the pickup point is in relation to the airport.

Option 4, Speedboat From Binh Pier In Haiphong

Binh pier (Ben Binh) is on the Cam River in central Haiphong, a short taxi ride from Cat Bi airport. High-speed boats have long operated from here directly to Cat Ba, crossing the sea without using the bridge or the car ferry.

• Pros: a direct sea crossing, no queues at Got pier and an interesting view of the port and coastline.
• Cons: fewer departures than the road route, schedules that change with the season and the weather, and services that may be reduced or suspended outside the summer months.

If your flight lands in the morning and a speedboat departure fits your timing, this can be a pleasant alternative. Always check the current timetable the day before, and have the road route as a backup in case of rough seas.

Option 5, Combine The Transfer With A Tour

If you land in Haiphong with a few spare hours, you do not have to rush straight to the island. Many travellers spend a morning or an afternoon exploring the city first, then continue to Cat Ba in the late afternoon. A local guide can meet you at the airport, take you around the old centre and street food stalls, and hand you over to a driver for the onward transfer.

This works especially well for flights that land around midday. Instead of sitting in a ferry queue during the busiest hours, you enjoy the city and cross later when the roads are quieter. Our article on planning a Cat Ba tour from Haiphong city shows how to fit the two together. If you prefer a guided island experience, our team can also suggest options on the Cat Ba tours page.

>>> Planning A Perfect Cat Ba Tour From Haiphong City

Cat Bi Airport To Cat Ba Options Compared

The table below summarises how the main options usually compare. Times are approximate door-to-door estimates from the terminal to Cat Ba town and do not include long holiday queues.

For a closer look at timetables on the main road route, see our guide to Haiphong to Cat Ba travel time and schedules.

Which Option Should You Choose

The right choice depends mostly on when your flight lands, how much luggage you carry and how many people are in your group.

• Landing in the morning: almost every option works. Budget travellers can use the bus and ferry combination, and summer visitors may catch a speedboat.
• Landing in the afternoon: a private car or a taxi to Got pier is the safest choice, because you are less dependent on fixed departures.
• Landing in the evening: book a private transfer in advance. Ferries run less often late in the day, and arriving at a quiet pier at night without onward transport is not much fun.
• Travelling with children or elderly relatives: choose door-to-door transport and avoid changing vehicles.
• Travelling solo on a tight budget: combine a ride-hailing car to Got pier with the foot passenger ferry and the island bus.

>>> Haiphong To Cat Ba Journey Ferry And Bus Tips

Practical Tips For A Smooth Transfer

• Withdraw some cash at the airport. Ferry tickets, island buses and small snacks are often paid in Vietnamese dong.
• Get a local SIM or eSIM so you can use maps and ride-hailing apps and call your driver or hotel.
• Save your hotel address in Vietnamese to show drivers on Cat Ba Island.
• Check the weather. Storms can suspend ferries and speedboats, especially between July and October.
• Avoid peak holiday crossings such as Lunar New Year, the 30 April to 1 May break and the 2 September national holiday if you can, or allow plenty of extra time.
• Pack a light day bag with water, sunscreen and a jacket for the ferry deck.
• Ask for an all-inclusive price that covers tolls, the car ferry and waiting time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Bi Airport To Cat Ba

How far is Cat Bi airport from Cat Ba?

The road distance from the airport to Got pier is a few dozen kilometres across the sea bridge, then there is a short ferry crossing and a scenic drive on the island. In practice, plan on around two to three hours door to door.

Is there a direct bus from Cat Bi airport to Cat Ba?

Direct airport services are limited and change over time. Most bus and ferry combo tickets start in Hanoi or central Haiphong, so many travellers take a short taxi ride from the airport to the pickup point.

Can I take a taxi from Cat Bi airport to Cat Ba town?

Yes, but agree on a fixed price first and confirm that the car ferry ticket is included. A cheaper alternative is to take the taxi only to Got pier and cross as a foot passenger.

What is the fastest way to reach Cat Ba from the airport?

A private car or pre-booked transfer is usually the fastest and most reliable option for most flight times. In summer, a well-timed speedboat from Binh pier can also be quick.

Can Haiphong Adventure arrange my transfer?

Yes. Our local team can arrange airport pickups, private transfers to Cat Ba and haiphong tours to enjoy before or after your island stay.

Plan Your Cat Bi Airport To Cat Ba Journey With Locals

The trip from Cat Bi airport to Cat Ba is short, scenic and simple once you understand the bridge and ferry routine. Choose a private car for comfort, a taxi and ferry combination for flexibility, or a bus combo ticket to save money. If you would like a driver waiting at arrivals, a guided city stop on the way or ideas for your island days, message the Haiphong Adventure team and we will help you plan every step.

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