Complete Guide to Cat Ba Island Ferry: Schedule, Routes & Tips
Are you planning a trip to the magnificent Cat Ba Island but confused about the ferry options? Look no further! This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about Cat Ba Island Ferry services in 2025, including up-to-date schedules, prices, and insider tips to ensure a smooth journey to this breathtaking destination.
Why Choose Cat Ba Island for Your Next Adventure?
As the largest island in the awe-inspiring Halong Bay, Cat Ba Island serves as a gateway to more than 360 stunning islets scattered across 259 sq. km in the pristine Cat Ba Archipelago. With its lush national park, pristine beaches, and proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, Cat Ba Island has become an essential destination for travelers exploring northern Vietnam.
Thanks to recent improvements in transportation infrastructure, reaching Cat Ba Island via ferry has never been easier or more convenient.
Cat Ba Island Ferry Terminals: Your Gateway to Paradise
Cat Ba Island features three main ferry terminals that facilitate tourist transportation. Each terminal is equipped with comprehensive safety features, including life-saving equipment, fire-fighting systems, and medical facilities to ensure passenger safety.
1. Cai Vieng Ferry Harbor
Location: 356 Phu Long, Cat Hai, Hai Phong
Peak Hours: 8:00 – 10:00 am & 1:00 – 4:00 pm (busiest Friday through Sunday)
Cai Vieng Ferry Port serves as the primary connection point for visitors arriving from Got Port in Hai Phong. From Hai Phong City center, you’ll need approximately 40 minutes to drive to Got Port via the impressive Tan Vu – Lach Huyen Bridge, followed by a 30-minute ferry ride to reach Cai Vieng Ferry Terminal.
2. Gia Luan Ferry Terminal
Location: Cat Ba Cross-island Trail, Gia Luan, Cat Hai, Hai Phong
Peak Hours: 8:00 – 9:00 am & 2:00 – 3:00 pm (busier at midday on weekends)
Located approximately 25 km from Cat Ba Town, Gia Luan Pier sits at the terminus of the cross-island trail and serves as the primary arrival point for travelers coming from Tuan Chau, Halong Bay. The journey from Tuan Chau to Cat Ba takes around 45-50 minutes by ferry or just 30 minutes by speed boat.
3. Ben Beo Ferry Terminal
Location: Cai Beo, Cat Ba Town, Cat Hai, Hai Phong
Peak Hours: 8:00 – 9:00 am & 2:00 – 3:00 pm (especially on weekends)
Often referred to as the gateway to Lan Ha Bay, Ben Beo Terminal is conveniently situated just 2 km from Cat Ba Town and 15 km from Cat Ba National Park. From the town center, you can reach Ben Beo pier in approximately 20 minutes on foot. From this terminal, you can charter day boats to explore magnificent attractions like Monkey Island, Van Boi fishing village, and the vibrant floating market.
Popular Cat Ba Island Ferry Routes: Schedules & Prices (2025)
Each terminal serves specific routes to and from Cat Ba Island. Below are the three most popular transportation options with detailed timetables and current ticket prices.
Route 1: Got Ferry (Hai Phong) – Cai Vieng (Cat Ba)
This route is ideal for travelers coming from Hanoi or Halong Bay. You can take a shuttle bus, limousine service, or private transfer to Hai Phong city first.
Via the modern expressway connecting with the Tan Vu overpass bridge, you’ll reach Got Port, where both regular ferries (30 minutes) and speedboats (20 minutes) are available for transfer to Cai Vieng Terminal on Cat Ba Island.
Upon arrival at Cai Vieng, you’ll need an additional 30-40 minutes by bus or taxi to reach Cat Ba Town.
Got Pier – Cai Vieng Ticket Prices (One-way)
| Passenger Type | Ferry Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Adult passenger | 0.5 USD |
| Passenger with bicycle | 0.5 USD |
| Passenger with motorbike | 2 USD (vehicle) |
| Passenger with 9-seat car | 8 USD (vehicle) |
Hydrofoil/speedboat option: 10 USD per person one-way
Got Pier – Cai Vieng Ferry Schedule
Ferries operate every 30 minutes from 5:30 am to 6:30 pm daily.
| From Got Pier | From Cai Vieng |
|---|---|
| 5:30 am* | 5:00 am* |
| 6:00 am* | 5:30 am* |
| 6:30 am* | 6:00 am* |
| 7:30 am | 7:00 am |
| 8:00 am* | 7:30 am* |
| 8:30 am | 8:00 am |
| 9:00 am* | 8:30 am* |
| 9:30 am* | 9:00 am* |
| 10:00 am* | 9:30 am* |
| 10:30 am* | 10:00 am* |
| 11:00 am | 11:30 am |
| 11:30 am* | 11:00 am* |
| 12:00 pm | 11:30 am |
| 12:30 pm* | 12:00 pm* |
| 1:00 pm | 12:30 pm |
| 1:30 pm* | 1:00 pm* |
| 2:00 pm | 1:30 pm |
| 2:30 pm* | 2:00 pm* |
| 3:00 pm | 2:30 pm |
| 3:30 pm* | 3:00 pm* |
| 4:00 pm | 3:30 pm |
| 4:30 pm* | 4:00 pm* |
| 5:00 pm* | 4:30 pm* |
| 5:30 pm* | 5:00 pm* |
| 6:00 pm* | 5:30 pm* |
| 6:30 pm | 6:00 pm |
Asterisk () indicates large ferry departure times*
Route 2: Dinh Vu (Hai Phong) – Cai Vieng (Cat Ba)
From Hai Phong city center, you’ll need approximately 25 minutes to reach Dinh Vu Pier. Note that there is no direct boat connection from Dinh Vu to Cai Vieng, so you must follow one of these two options:
Option 1: Dinh Vu – Ninh Tiep – Got Port – Cai Vieng
Dinh Vu – Ninh Tiep: By waterway, you can take a ferry from Dinh Vu to Ninh Tiep Pier (located on the same island as Got Port). This ferry costs 0.5 USD per person one-way, with daily departures running hourly from 6:30 am to 5:00 pm.
| From Dinh Vu | From Ninh Tiep |
|---|---|
| 6:30 am* | 6:30 am |
| 7:00 am | 7:30 am* |
| 8:00 am* | 8:30 am |
| 9:00 am | 9:30 am* |
| 10:00 am* | 10:30 am |
| 11:00 am | 11:30 am* |
| 12:00 pm* | 12:30 pm |
| 1:00 pm | 1:30 pm* |
| 2:00 pm* | 2:30 pm |
| 3:00 pm | 3:30 pm* |
| 4:00 pm* | 4:30 pm |
| 5:00 pm | 5:00 pm* |
Asterisk () indicates large ferry departure times*
From Ninh Tiep, you’ll need transportation to Got Pier, where frequent shuttles depart for Cai Vieng every 30 minutes.
Option 2: Dinh Vu – Got Port – Cai Vieng (By Road)
For travelers prone to seasickness, you can take land transportation from Dinh Vu to Got Port, then board a ferry or high-speed boat to Cai Vieng Terminal.
Important Update: Both Got and Dinh Vu Piers have ceased operations. Travelers should now use the newly-built Dong Bai Terminal for ferry trips to Cai Vieng Terminal (Cat Ba Island). Dong Bai Terminal offers the same pricing as the former Got/Dinh Vu Piers, but due to its location, the ferry journey takes approximately 15 minutes longer.
Route 3: Tuan Chau (Halong) – Gia Luan (Cat Ba)
The Tuan Chau – Gia Luan route offers the most convenient connection between Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island. From Tuan Chau, ferries operate 3 times daily during winter months and 5 times daily during the summer season. You can choose between a 50-minute regular ferry or a 30-minute hydrofoil. Upon arrival at Gia Luan, you’ll need approximately 45 minutes to travel the scenic cross-island road to reach Cat Ba town.
Tuan Chau – Cat Ba Ticket Prices (One-way)
| Passenger Type | Ferry Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Adult passenger | 3.5 USD |
| Passenger with motorbike | 4 USD |
| Passenger with 9-seat car | 19 USD (vehicle) |
Additional options:
- Hydrofoil boat: 7.5 USD per person
- High-speed canoe: 12-15 USD per person
Tuan Chau – Cat Ba Ferry Schedule
| Departure Point | Summer Schedule (April 25 – Sept 5) | Winter Schedule (Sept 6 – April 24) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuan Chau | 7:30 am<br>9:30 am<br>11:30 am<br>1:30 pm<br>3:00 pm | 8:00 am<br>11:30 am<br>3:00 pm |
| Gia Luan | 9:00 am<br>11:30 am<br>1:00 pm<br>4:00 pm | 9:00 am<br>1:00 pm<br>4:00 pm |
Hydrofoil Schedule (Limited Service):
- From Tuan Chau: 8:30 am & 12:30 pm
- From Gia Luan: 10:30 am & 3:00 pm
Expert Tips for a Smooth Cat Ba Island Ferry Journey
To ensure a comfortable and hassle-free journey to Cat Ba Island, consider these insider tips:
- Book tickets in advance – Especially during peak seasons, as Cat Ba ferries can fill up quickly
- Bring identification – Have your passport or ID card ready when purchasing tickets
- Pack motion sickness medication – The waters can sometimes be choppy, particularly during monsoon season
- Avoid Vietnamese public holidays – Unless you enjoy navigating through large crowds of domestic tourists
- Arrive early – We recommend arriving at the terminal at least 30-45 minutes before departure
- Consult local experts – Ask your hotel receptionist or tour operator for assistance, as online booking options for ferries remain limited
- Consider a combo cruise package – Experience the stunning scenery without transportation hassles
Elevate Your Cat Ba Island Experience with Luxury Cruises
Why worry about ferry schedules and connections when you can experience the beauty of Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island with a premium cruise experience? Ha Long Bay Lux Cruises offers exceptional cruise packages that include visits to Cat Ba Island’s highlights while providing luxurious accommodations and gourmet dining.
Recommended Cruise Options:
- 3-Day 5-Star Lan Ha Bay and Halong Bay Cruise – Experience the magic of both Halong Bay and Cat Ba’s Lan Ha Bay over three unforgettable days
- Halong-Lan Ha Bay 5-Star Cruise – Perfect for travelers seeking a shorter but equally luxurious experience
Don’t just take our word for it – check out our exceptional reviews on TripAdvisor and see why travelers consistently rate our cruises as the ultimate way to experience this magnificent region.
Contact Us for Personalized Assistance
Our travel experts are standing by to help you plan the perfect Cat Ba Island adventure:
- Hotline | WhatsApp: +84.978.358.422
- Phone | WhatsApp: +84.962.261.687
- Email: halongbayluxcruises@gmail.com or vietnammarveltravel@gmail.com
- Website: halongbayluxcruises.com
Conclusion: Your Cat Ba Island Ferry Adventure Awaits
Cat Ba Island remains one of Vietnam’s most beautiful destinations, offering a perfect blend of stunning landscapes, adventure activities, and cultural experiences. Whether you choose to reach the island via the economical Got-Cai Vieng ferry route, the convenient Tuan Chau-Gia Luan connection, or with a hassle-free luxury cruise package, the breathtaking beauty of Cat Ba Island and its surrounding waters will make your journey worthwhile.
With proper planning and the information provided in this guide, your Cat Ba Island ferry experience will be smooth sailing from start to finish. Book your tickets today and prepare for an unforgettable Vietnamese island adventure!
