Last checked ≈140–150 km by road, mostly expressway (operators quote 140 km, Vexere 149 km)
Quick answer
Go by limousine van or bus: both take about 3 hours on the expressway. Buses are the cheapest (Vexere listed fares from 150,000 VND on 1 Nov 2026), while door-to-door limousine vans cost about 240,000–310,000 VND and leave roughly every hour.
USD↔VND conversions are approximate (≈26,000 VND/USD, Oct 2026) — check the operator for the exact fare.
Where to board / where you arrive
Boarding in Hanoi
My Dinh Bus Station (bay 16) (Bến xe Mỹ Đình (Ô đón khách số 16)) Bus, sleeper · 20 Phạm Hùng, Từ Liêm, Hà Nội Operators such as Hùng Đức and Ka Long name bay (Ô) 16 on Vexere. Google Maps · OSM (21.0284, 105.7783)
Hanoi Opera House (Nhà Hát Lớn Hà Nội) Bus / limousine (e.g. Lê Phan Travel) · 1A Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội Central pick-up point; most limousine vans instead collect you at your hotel — confirm when booking. Google Maps · OSM (21.0242, 105.8578)
Arriving in Ha Long
Bai Chay Bus Station (Bến xe Bãi Cháy) Bus, limousine · Quốc lộ 18, Giếng Đáy, Hạ Long, Quảng Ninh Google Maps · OSM (20.973, 107.0137)
Ha Long International Cruise Port (Cảng tàu khách Quốc tế Hạ Long) Bus / limousine (e.g. Lê Phan Travel) · Võ Nguyên Giáp, Bãi Cháy, Hạ Long, Quảng Ninh Handy if your cruise leaves from here; Tuần Châu port is a separate pier — check your cruise ticket. Google Maps · OSM (20.9536, 107.0555)
Pick-up points change — always confirm the exact point with the operator the day before.
Updates & notices: Ha Long
No verified notices right now. Before you travel, check the weather and road conditions, especially in the rainy season (roughly May–Sept) when landslides can close mountain roads.
Tell the operator exactly where you are going — Bãi Cháy, the Ha Long cruise port or Tuần Châu port are far apart, and many vans drop at hotels or cruise piers on request.
Limousine vans usually include free pick-up only within a set distance of their Hanoi offices (Sơn Hải says 9 km); farther addresses cost extra.
If you booked online, wait for the operator to call you — a Vexere reviewer reported taxi drivers at the pick-up point pretending to be booking staff.
Bus and van companies list the expressway departure time; be ready at your pick-up point 30–60 minutes earlier.
Useful Vietnamese words
bến xe
bus station
xe giường nằm
sleeper bus
xe limousine
limousine van / minibus
điểm đón / điểm trả
pick-up / drop-off point
giá vé
ticket price
giờ chạy
departure times
Handy for station signs, ticket screens and showing to a driver.
FAQ
What is the best way to get from Hanoi to Ha Long?
For most travellers a limousine van: about 3 hours, hourly departures and pick-up in central Hanoi, for around 240,000–310,000 VND (operator prices, 1 Nov 2026). Regular buses are cheaper from about 150,000 VND.
How long does it take?
About 3 hours by road on the expressway (Vexere average 3.1 h; operators quote 2 h 54 m – 3 h). Allow about 4 hours from Noi Bai airport.
How much does a taxi or private car cost?
On 1 Nov 2026 12Go listed private taxis from about $46 per car. Get a quote for your exact pick-up and drop-off.
Is Ha Long a day trip from Hanoi?
It is possible but long: about 3 hours each way by road, so roughly 6 hours of travel in one day. Buses and vans run from early morning until late evening.
Sources
Checked 2026-11-01 against Vietnamese sources: Vexere route page, Sơn Hải Limousine (operator), Hà Lan Limousine (operator).
