Getting Around Ha Long: Taxi, Ride-Hailing, Bus, Electric Cart or Walking for Each Route
Updated: 5 November 2026. Fares in this article are reference figures and vary by company, peak hours, weather and each app's pricing; check the estimate in the app or ask the driver before you set off.
- Taxis and ride-hailing apps (Xanh SM, Grab, Be) are the easiest option for most trips in Ha Long, especially to the cruise ports, to Hon Gai or at night.
- Common routes: Bai Chay – Hon Gai about 5–7 km, 10–15 minutes; Bai Chay – Tuan Chau port about 8–12 km, 15–25 minutes.
- Public buses are the cheapest but mostly run in the daytime; the double-decker sightseeing bus is good for seeing the city on the way.
- Electric carts suit short hops and loops around the Bai Chay tourist area, especially with small children or older relatives.
- Walking is enough in central Bai Chay (beach, Sun World, walking street, night market) if you stay near the sea; do not walk across Bai Chay Bridge.
What is the easiest way to get around Ha Long?
For most visitors, a taxi or ride-hailing car is the easiest way to get around Ha Long: you book in an app, see an estimated fare up front and get dropped right at the cruise port. Within central Bai Chay, walking or an electric cart is enough. Public buses are cheap but run few evening services, while the double-decker bus is better for sightseeing than for getting somewhere fast.
Bai Chay, Hon Gai and Tuan Chau are a few kilometres to more than ten kilometres apart. If you have not chosen an area yet, read where to stay in Ha Long first, because the location of your accommodation determines most of your transport costs.
| Option | Best for | Reference cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi (Xanh SM, traditional taxis) | Cruise ports, Hon Gai, evenings, luggage | Flag fall about 10,000–20,000 VND, then about 13,000–17,000 VND/km | Hail in busy tourist spots or book in an app |
| Ride-hailing (Grab, Be, Xanh SM Bike) | 1–2 people, short and medium trips | Motorbike about 12,000 VND for the first 2 km; car about 28,000–30,000 VND for the first 2 km | Surge pricing at peak times and in rain; fewer drivers late at night |
| Public bus | Budget travellers, daytime | A few thousand to a few tens of thousands of VND per ride | Runs roughly 5:00–19:00, every 15–20 minutes |
| Double-decker sightseeing bus | City sightseeing, Bai Chay – Hon Gai loop | About 150,000–160,000 VND per adult per loop | Good for touring, not for quick transfers |
| Electric cart | Short trips within the Bai Chay tourist area | About 50,000–60,000 VND for the first km, or hourly hire | Up to about 8 passengers, slow, only in permitted zones |
| Walking | Bai Chay beach, Sun World, walking street, night market | Free | Avoid midday heat; do not walk across Bai Chay Bridge |
Distances, travel times and costs for common routes
The table below starts from central Bai Chay (the beach and Sun World area), where most visitors stay. Times assume clear roads; prices are estimates for a 4-seat car.
| Route (from central Bai Chay) | Distance | Time | Taxi / ride-hailing car | Other options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beach, Sun World, walking street, night market | 0.3–2 km | 5–25 min on foot | 30,000–50,000 VND | Walk, electric cart |
| Ha Long International Cruise Port (Bai Chay) | 1–3 km | 5–10 min | 40,000–70,000 VND | Walk if nearby, electric cart |
| Hon Gai (Ha Long Market, Quang Ninh Museum) | 5–7 km | 10–15 min | 70,000–110,000 VND | Public bus, double-decker bus |
| Tuan Chau International Cruise Port | 8–12 km | 15–25 min | 120,000–180,000 VND | Ride-hailing, double-decker bus (late afternoon/evening) |
| Bai Chay Bus Station | 5–8 km | 10–20 min | 70,000–120,000 VND | Public bus |
| Van Don Airport | about 50–60 km | 50–70 min | 450,000–850,000 VND | Pre-booked transfer |
There are more ways to get from the airport to Bai Chay than a taxi; see Van Don Airport to Ha Long. If you are still planning the trip from the capital, how to get from Hanoi to Ha Long compares limousine vans, coaches and private cars.
Taxis and ride-hailing: the default choice for most trips
Xanh SM electric taxis are now widespread in Ha Long, with a flag fall of about 10,000–14,000 VND for the first stretch and then about 13,000–16,000 VND/km depending on the car. Grab and Be offer both motorbikes and cars; GrabBike costs about 12,000 VND for the first 2 km and about 4,000 VND per extra km, plus a small platform fee.
- Check estimates first: compare 2–3 apps, especially for trips to Tuan Chau port or the airport.
- Pick an easy pickup point: a hotel lobby, the Sun World gate or the start of the walking street; avoid busy stretches of Ha Long Road.
- Going to a cruise port: name the port clearly (Ha Long International Cruise Port or Tuan Chau port), as they are about 10 km apart; arrive 30–45 minutes before departure.
- Late nights and rainy days: apps may have fewer cars and higher fares; asking reception to call a taxi is the fastest option.
Public buses and the double-decker sightseeing bus
Public buses: cheap, but plan around the timetable
Ha Long has bus routes linking Bai Chay with Hon Gai and nearby towns. Route 03, for example, runs from Hon Gai across Bai Chay Bridge, along Ha Long Road, past Cai Dam Market and Bai Chay Bus Station. Buses usually run about 5:00–19:00 every 15–20 minutes, and fares are only a few thousand to a few tens of thousands of VND depending on distance.
Routes can change, so check a bus map app or the information board at the stop. For an early-morning trip to a cruise port, a taxi is still the safer bet.
Double-decker bus: travel and sightseeing in one
The double-decker sightseeing bus starts near the Sun World gate in Bai Chay. The Bai Chay – Hon Gai loop crosses Bai Chay Bridge and passes Ha Long Market, Quang Ninh Museum, the Planning, Fair and Exhibition Palace and the Cot 8 area; each loop takes about 60 minutes and runs day and evening. There is also a Bai Chay – Tuan Chau route in the late afternoon and evening. A single loop costs about 150,000–160,000 VND per adult; a hop-on hop-off day ticket is about 300,000 VND.
The double-decker bus is ideal on your first afternoon or evening in Ha Long, to get a feel for the city layout before exploring on your own. Evening ideas: what to do in Ha Long at night.
Electric carts in the Bai Chay tourist area
Since early 2026, electric cart operators in Bai Chay have worked under a shared club. Carts take up to 8 passengers and move slowly (no faster than 30 km/h) within the tourist area: along the beach, Sun World, the night market, the foot of Bai Chay Bridge and Cai Dam. Reference fares are about 50,000–60,000 VND for the first km, cheaper for the following km; hiring by time costs about 300,000 VND per cart for 30 minutes.
- Good for: groups with small children or older relatives, hot days or an evening loop along the seafront.
- Not suitable for: longer trips such as Tuan Chau port or Hon Gai; carts may only operate within permitted zones.
- Agree in advance: whether the price is per km or per hour, per cart or per person, and the exact route.
Walking: enough for central Bai Chay if you stay in the right place
From Bai Chay beach to the Sun World gate, the walking street and the night market is only about 5–25 minutes on foot, along a wide, flat seafront pavement. Evening is the most pleasant time to walk; see the suggested route in Bai Chay walking street at night. You can also reach Sun World and the Queen Cable Car from the beach without a ride.
- Summer: avoid walking between about 11:00 and 15:00; bring water and a hat.
- Bai Chay Bridge: long, steep, windy and not a sightseeing walkway; take a vehicle to Hon Gai.
Renting a motorbike or e-scooter: in brief
Renting a motorbike or electric scooter gives you flexibility and suits experienced riders; prices are usually a few hundred thousand VND per day. You need a valid licence, must wear a helmet, should check the brakes and lights, and take photos of the vehicle when you collect it. Do not ride in heavy rain or after drinking alcohol.
If you would rather rent an electric scooter, KUKU E-BIKE offers rentals in Ha Long from about 170,000 VND/day — a convenient way to explore Bai Chay and nearby spots if you already ride confidently.
Getting to the cruise ports and options on the water
Ha Long has two main ports: Ha Long International Cruise Port in Bai Chay, where many day boats depart, and Tuan Chau International Cruise Port, where most overnight cruises board. Check which port is on your ticket, because going to the wrong one can cost you an extra 20–30 minutes. The bay ticket is about 250,000 VND plus a round-trip port fee of about 80,000 VND (from 1 July 2026); compare the itineraries in route 1 or route 2.
If you are heading to Tuan Chau, you can combine it with a visit to the island; see what to see on Tuan Chau Island.
Hop on – Hop off and sightseeing boats in Hon Gai
A Hop on – Hop off service combining buses and sightseeing boats between Bai Chay and Hon Gai has been announced, planned to start in Q3 2026, with stops such as Bai Chay ferry pier, Hon Gai ferry pier, the Vincom area and Quang Ninh Museum. Before you go, check whether it is running and the actual timetable; see also a new way to explore Ha Long.
Suggestions by traveller type
| Traveller type | Getting-around suggestions |
|---|---|
| Couples, young travellers | Walk in Bai Chay, ride-hailing motorbikes for short hops, one evening on the double-decker bus |
| Families with small children | 7-seat taxi to the port, electric cart along the beach; bring a child seat if needed |
| Older travellers | Taxi or private car door to door, electric cart for short trips; avoid crowded buses. See Ha Long with older travellers |
| Budget travellers | Daytime buses, walking, sharing taxis with travel companions; see also the cost of an independent Ha Long trip |
| Large groups, company trips | Hire a 16–29-seat vehicle by the day and group activities by area to cut the number of trips |
Tips for evenings and rainy days
- Evenings: Bai Chay and the walking street stay lively until about 22:00–23:00; after that, book a ride in an app or ask reception rather than waiting by the road.
- Events at Sun Porto Town: light shows and fireworks may change or be paused, so check the latest schedule before you go; getting a ride right after an event is often difficult.
- Rainy days: choose a car over a motorbike; seafront roads can flood after heavy rain. Indoor ideas are in what to do in Ha Long on a rainy day.
- Storm season (roughly June–October): boats may be suspended; follow announcements from the port and boat operator before heading out.
- 2026 note: Dragon Park has been closed since 16 August 2026, and Typhoon Water Park closed after 30 September 2026 and is expected to reopen in summer 2027, so you do not need to plan trips to either.
Choose your accommodation to cut transport costs
The easiest way to spend less on rides is to stay close to where you will go most. If your plans revolve around the beach, Sun World, the walking street and day cruises, prioritise a place within walking distance of the sea, with reception that can arrange early rides, and not too far from the cruise port. Choosing a Bai Chay hotel near the beach, centre and port has a detailed checklist.
Two options in Bai Chay meet these criteria: Anstay Marina Hotel Hạ Long is near Bai Chay beach, Sun World and Cai Dam Market, suiting guests who prefer to get around on foot; A La Carte Hạ Long Bay by Anstay offers serviced apartments near the sea, attractions and the cruise port, suiting families or groups who need more space.
Frequently asked questions
Is there Grab in Ha Long?
Yes. Grab operates in Ha Long with both motorbikes and cars, alongside Be and Xanh SM electric taxis. GrabBike costs about 12,000 VND for the first 2 km; a car is about 28,000–30,000 VND for the first 2 km, excluding the platform fee. At peak times, in rain or late at night there may be fewer drivers and higher fares.
How much is a taxi from Bai Chay to Hon Gai?
Bai Chay – Hon Gai is about 5–7 km across Bai Chay Bridge and takes 10–15 minutes. A 4-seat taxi usually costs about 70,000–110,000 VND depending on pickup and drop-off points. A ride-hailing motorbike is cheaper at about 30,000–45,000 VND, and the bus costs only a few thousand to a few tens of thousands of VND.
How do I get from Bai Chay to Tuan Chau port?
A taxi or ride-hailing car is the most reliable option: about 8–12 km, 15–25 minutes and roughly 120,000–180,000 VND. Many overnight cruises include hotel pickup, so ask when booking. Aim to be at the port 30–45 minutes before departure.
Until what time do buses run in Ha Long?
Public bus routes usually run about 5:00–19:00, every 15–20 minutes depending on the route. In the evening, use a taxi or ride-hailing app. The double-decker sightseeing bus has evening departures, but it is a sightseeing loop rather than fast transport.
Can I walk from Bai Chay to Hon Gai?
It is not recommended. The way to Hon Gai crosses Bai Chay Bridge, which is long, steep, windy and not a sightseeing walkway. Take a taxi, ride-hailing app or bus; walking works best within central Bai Chay, around the beach, Sun World, the walking street and the night market.
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