Tuan Chau Ferry – the authentic way to reach Cat Ba island from Halong city
Tuan Chau Ferry – the most authentic way to get to Cat Ba island from Halong bay
Known as the biggest island in Halong bay, Cat Ba island attracts tourists with its pristine Lan Ha bay, sandy beaches, wonderful caves & lush green forest flowing over steep hills and valleys – really a worth place for your memorable trips with leisure & interesting activities.While in Halong city, you love to visit Cat Ba island, right?. There are some other luxury & faster options to choose travel between Halong city and Cat Ba island such as on overnight Halong – Lanha bay cruises, fast canoes service, speed hydrofoils, but the most authentic & the cheapest way to reach Cat Ba island from Halong city is by taking Tuan Chau ferry to Cat Ba island ( Gia Luan harbour)
Tuan Chau Ferry Schedules & prices
Tuan Chau ferry is the main one connecting Tuan Chau island ( Halong city) with Gia Luan harbour ( 23km far from Cat Ba town).It depends on the seasons, the number of departures will be different with only 3 times/ day in winter and 5 times/ day in summer. The journey will take you around 50 minutes to 1 hour – take time but offer you chances to admire beautiful Halong bay & dotted islands in Cat Ba area.It is a regular journey for locals to travel between Halong city & Cat Ba island so it will bring you opportunities getting to know about locals’ daily life.
Once you arrive in Gia Luan harbour, you can take a private car (should book in advance if need a private car to visit Cat Ba island) or shuttle buses across Cat Ba national parl & coastal roads to reach Cat Ba town.
Tuan Chau Ferry Ticket Price
|
Type of Passenger |
Ferry Ticket Price |
|
Passenger |
3.5 USD/ one-way/ person |
|
Passenger with a motorbike |
4 USD/ one-way/ person |
|
Passenger with a 9-seat car |
19 USD/ one-way/ vehicle |
Tuan Chau – Cat Ba ferry schedule
Departure point |
Summer schedule (25th Apr – 5th Sep) |
Winter schedule (6th Sep – 24th Apr) |
|
Tuan Chau |
7:30 am 9:30 am 11:30 am 1:30 pm 3:00 pm |
8:00 am 11:30 am 3:00 pm |
|
Gia Luan |
9:00 am 11:30 am 1:00 pm 4:00 pm |
9:00 am 1:00 pm 4:00 pm |
Suggested tours to visit Cat Ba islands
1. Halong city – Cat Ba island day trip – Halong city
If your family only have one spare day to visit Cat Ba island from Halong city, then come back to Halong city, we suggest you this following travel itinerary : exploring Cat Ba national park with hike to Ngu Lam summit, visit hospital cave, Cannon Fort – back to Gia Luan habour for the late afternoon ferry ( 16h00).
- You should start around 7h00 a.m & get transfer to Tuan Chau Ferry area, boading the earliest ferry ( 7h30 a.m in summer or 8h00 a.m in the winder) – Gia Luan habour in 50 minute journey.
- 8h30 a.m – 9h00 a.m : arrive at Gia Luan habour, get a private car with tourguide & driver picked you up for an exciting trip to explore Cat Ba area’s highlights
- 9h30 a.m. Start a 2.5 hour hike in core area of Cat Ba national park through Kim Giao forest & conquer Ngu Lam peak – a great point for your wonderful captivation of the park & the bay in Cat Ba.
- 11h30 a.m. Visit hospital cave, the historical site of Vietnam army during the war time for your insight of Vietnam War in Cat Ba island.
- 12h30 p.m. Lunch in local restaurant
- 13h30 p.m. Visit Connon Fort, visitors will understand the importance of this fortress to our country’s defense. At its high point 177, you can have your wonderful captures to Lan Ha bay & Cat Ba town.
- 14h45 p.m. Drive back to Gia Luan harbour to catch the afternoon’s Cat Ba ferry back to Tan Chau island – back to your hotel
2. Halong city – Cat Ba islands in 2 days – back to Hanoi city.
If 2 days you have to explore Cat Ba islands & you love long trek, less touristic trails, experience local cultures, do biking in the park, kayaking in Lan Ha bay, then you will take this experience.
Day 1. Halong city – Cat Ba island- long trek on Cat Ba national park to Viet Hai village. Overnight in Viet Hai village
- 8h30- 9h00 a.m. Tour guide & driver pick you up at Gia Luan harbour & transfer to the gate of Cat Ba national park.
- 9h30 : Embark on a 4 hour trekking adventure through the mountain rainforest and valleys. Visit Frog Lake and wild animals.
- 13h00 : Reach Viet Hai village, the small fishing village, where there are 200 people are living in simple bamboo or wooden houses.
- After a late lunch there with local food, you will continue the hike conquer Hai Quan summit, the highest point in the jungle, where offer you a great panorma of Lan Ha bay & Halong bay.
- 17h30.Back to Viet Hai village, you will have a nice walk around to visit the village, interact with friendly local people, and get to know more about their daily life & unique culture
- 19h00 : Have dinner in village, overnight in the bungalow
Day 2.Cat Ba national park biking & Lan Ha bay kayaking – back to Hanoi city
- 7h00 a.m Breakfast at the homestay/ bungalow
- 8h00 a.m Cycling Viet Ha village to Lan Ha bay to admire the park’s landscapes & Viet Hai village.
- 9h00 a.m. Meet the captain for a boat around Lan Ha bay with a stop in nice area for kayaking & swimming
- 11h30 a.m Lunch on the boat & back to Beo harbour
- 13h00 p.m Have free time exploring Cat Ba town
- 15h00 p.m Shuttle bus Cat Ba island to Hanoi city.
3. Halong city – Cat Ba islands in 3 days – Hanoi city
This journey is for visitors who would love to explore more of Cat Ba islands & its Lan Ha bay. You can follow the two day program & connect with one night on the cruise, then explore some other sights such as Cannon Fort, Hospital Cave, Cat Co beaches or Hoa Cuong cave. In need of those customized Cat Ba island tours from Halong city, feel free to email us to [email protected] or contact us at +84.988451530 ( whatsapp)
Hopefully, the article of Tuan Chau ferry to Cat Ba island is helpful for you when planning your trip to exploring Cat Ba’s highlights from Halong city. You can get the references with our suggested Cat Ba tours & plan well for your unforgetable journeys.
>>>>>>>>You may be interested in : TOP 10 THINGS TO DO WHEN TRAVELLING TO CAT BA ISLAND
Frequently Asked Questions
The Tuan Chau – Gia Luan ferry is widely considered the most scenic route. Unlike the faster highway options, this 1-hour ferry ride acts like a “mini-cruise,” passing directly through the towering limestone karsts of Halong Bay and the northern tip of Cat Ba National Park. It is the perfect choice for travelers who want to enjoy the landscape while transitioning between destinations.
The ferry journey from Tuan Chau International Marina to Gia Luan Pier (Cat Ba) typically takes 45 to 60 minutes. Once you arrive at Gia Luan, it is about a 45-minute scenic drive through the lush Cat Ba National Park to reach Cat Ba Town. In total, travelers should plan for about 2 hours for the complete transfer.
The schedule varies by season. During the summer (late April to early September), ferries usually run 5 times daily (e.g., 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:00 PM). In the winter (September to April), the frequency drops to 3 times daily (8:00 AM, 11:30 AM, and 3:00 PM). It is always best to check with a local operator like Golden Holiday Travel for the most current daily updates.
Yes, the Tuan Chau ferry is a “roll-on, roll-off” vessel designed to carry pedestrians, bicycles, motorbikes, and cars (up to 45-seat buses). This makes it the ideal choice for travelers on a Vietnam motorbike tour or those hiring a private car with a driver who want to keep their vehicle with them for the island exploration.
As of 2026, a standard pedestrian ticket is approximately 80,000 VND ($3.50 USD). If you are traveling with a motorbike, the cost is around 100,000 VND ($4.50 USD), and private cars under 9 seats typically cost about 480,000 VND ($20 USD). Tickets are purchased directly at the terminal booths at Tuan Chau or Gia Luan.
While the Dong Bai ferry (near Hai Phong) is often faster for those coming directly from Hanoi, it can be extremely crowded with long wait times during peak weekends. The Tuan Chau route generally offers a more relaxed atmosphere, better sightseeing opportunities of the Bay, and is the most logical choice if you are already staying in Halong City.
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