Bus & Shuttle Transfers in Vietnam: 12 Routes Compared

1.2-Day Sa Pa Ethnic Homestay Tour & Trek with Limousine Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 440 reviews Our pick

Spend two days trekking from Lao Chai to Ta Van and Giang Ta Chai with a local Hmong English-speaking guide such as Soso, Sua, or Tung. You’ll ride between Hanoi and Sa Pa by limousine or sleeper bus, eat local meals, sleep at a basic homestay, and walk through rice terraces, bamboo forest, and mountain villages.

“I knew I wanted to do some hiking in Sapa but wasn't sure which to take and eventually settled with this activity. I'm so glad I choice this one as it was fantastic. I was contacted by Viet via WhatsApp well in advance of the activity and he helped arrange my sleeper bus from Hanoi along with the optional upgrades I requested. Viet provided clear instructions and was readily available to assist at all times. The food included throughout the tour was amazing both at the homestay and the start/ finish restaurant. Gom was my guide for the trek and she was extraordinary, providing detailed knowledge of the area, including…”

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2.Halong bay 5star Cruise Day Trip: Buffet lunch & Limousine bus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 388 reviews · from $35Top rated

See Ha Long Bay on a long but well-packed day from Hanoi. A limousine transfer, seafood buffet, English-speaking guide, Surprise Cave, Titop Island, optional kayaking, cooking class, and sunset party are included. The boat is comfortable rather than truly luxurious, and the 310,000 VND entrance fee is paid separately at the harbor.

“From the moment we were picked up in a luxury bus (with seats like business class plane) to getting on the boat, we were treated so well by our wonderful guide, Jake. The whole day was so well planned, with 3 fabulous stops on the cruiRead more”

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3.Halong Bay Day Tour 6Hour Deluxe Cruise Limousine Bus Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 317 reviews · from $52

Take a 6-hour Halong Bay cruise from Hanoi with round-trip Old Quarter pickup by limousine bus, an English-speaking guide, seafood lunch, entrance fees, and kayaking or a bamboo boat. You’ll visit Sung Sot Cave, Hang Luon, and Titop Island for swimming or a climb to the viewpoint. Groups can reach 38 people.

“A fantastic luxuary cruisetour in Halong bay . The Cave was amazing beautiful. The tour guide was perfect.”

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4.Sea Lion Luxury 5-Star Halong Day Cruise,Buffet Lunch,Shuttle Bus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 302 reviews · from $56

Spend 11 to 12 hours traveling from Hanoi to Halong Bay by limousine bus and cruise boat. You’ll visit Surprise Cave, climb or swim at Titop Island, kayak or take a bamboo boat at Hang Luon, and eat a large buffet lunch. Guide names vary, with Timtam, Peter, Jacky, Jason, and Em Nam praised in past bookings.

“Giving a 5 star to cozy bay cruise it was a superb trip... the food was really good, awesome sunset party and Jacky our tour guide is the best!”

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5.Bus Hanoi to Cat Ba Island with Cat Ba Express

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 245 reviews · from $14

Travel from Hanoi to Cat Ba Town in about 3 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes. Cat Ba Express collects you near your Hanoi Old Quarter hotel, handles the bus and speedboat changes, then drops you at your Cat Ba hotel. Expect a road stop, island transfer, and helpful timing guidance.

“They called ahead to let you know when they're almost there to pick you up. They were also clear on the timings and process on how long the bus would take, the boat ride and then the bus on the island to get to your hotel and downtown. They had a tour guide giving travel tips for the island as well!”

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6.Bus Ha Noi to Cat Ba island

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 170 reviews · from $13

Travel from Hanoi to Cat Ba by air-conditioned bus, a five-minute speedboat, and a final island bus. Pickup is offered around Hanoi’s Old Quarter, with hotel drop-off in Cat Ba Town. Choose a standard bus or pay $5 extra each way for the faster limousine van. Staff coordinate by WhatsApp.

“Easy, cheap, and efficient. I always love the fact that GoodMorningCatba always honours and treats kindly no matter who you are and I truly appreciate that level of service.”

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7.Bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · from $19

Take a shared, air-conditioned bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh with a local English-speaking guide. Hotel pickup is available in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, and the route includes a 45 to 60 minute stop at Hoa Lu before arrival in Tam Coc. The bus carries up to 22 people and includes bottled water.

“This whole thing was incredibly confusing. I book a bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh as is stated in the Viator listing. I got dumped into a tour group and the "guide" then takes us to the first tour spot and tells us we need to walk/figure out our way there. Also it ended up costing way more than the $9 initially listed on Viator.”

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8.Bus Cat Ba island to Ha Noi

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 54 reviews · from $12Best value

Travel from Cat Ba Island to Hanoi in about 3 hours 30 minutes. You’ll be collected from a Cat Ba Town hotel or the Cat Ba Oasis meeting point, cross the bay by air-conditioned speedboat, then continue by Wi-Fi-equipped bus to your Hanoi Old Quarter hotel. Airport drop-off costs extra.

“The process was easy and clear. I was also able to reschedule my ticket 8 hours before my departure time as we decided to stay one extra day. It was really appreciated. The overall journey was at a perfect temperature as even the fast boat had AC. Thank you so much.”

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9.Bus Cat Ba to Hanoi

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 43 reviews · from $12

Travel directly from Cat Ba to Hanoi in about 3 to 4 hours with hotel pickup, ferry or speedboat tickets, onboard guidance, WiFi, water, and an advertised snack. Pickup is available at most Cat Ba hotels, while drop-off is offered at Hanoi Old Quarter hotels when possible. Groups can reach 45 people.

“The guide is very friendly take care of everyone and his instruction is also very clear and feel safe for whole joinery. Value for money. We will recommend this service to our friend. Thank you for your service !”

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10.Halong Bay Luxury cruise Day trip: Buffet Lunch, Limousine bus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · from $35

Spend a long day exploring Ha Long Bay with guide Trinh or guides Huy and Long, depending on the departure. Ride from Hanoi’s Old Quarter by limousine bus, cruise for about five hours, visit Surprise Cave and Titop Island, enjoy a buffet lunch and welcome drink, and add kayaking for 50,000 VND.

“By and large, I thoroughly enjoyed the time on the cruise ship as well as on the islands we stopped by, which were full of breathtaking panoramic views across and over the bay. Optional activities such as speed boat and bamboo boat were aRead more”

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11.2-Night Sapa Tour with Fansipan Peak by Bus from Hanoi

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · from $192

Travel from Hanoi to Sapa by cabin sleeping bus, trek 9 kilometers through Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, and Ta Van with an English-speaking guide, then ride the cable car toward Fansipan Peak. You get hotel accommodation, meals, free time in Sapa, and a small group capped at 15 people.

“This is more of a travel agency than an actual tour. They book a tour of the valley for you, which is great, and your Fansipan tickets, but you don't have a tour guide present for the whole thing. They just hire a lot of different people to piRead more”

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12.Halong bay Luxur Cruise Day trip: Buffet lunch & Limousine bus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $35

Travel from Hanoi Old Quarter by limousine bus to Tuan Chau Harbor, then spend about five hours cruising Halong Bay. You’ll visit Surprise Cave, climb Ti Top Island, and kayak at Luon Cave. The tour includes an English-speaking guide, welcome drink, buffet lunch, and round-trip transport on the 8:30 AM option.

“The transportation and the boat itself was absolutely fantastic. It was luxury and the food was fantastic however, the tour guide Robert Hung, although he spoke good English and explained history would inexplicably disappear at each stoRead more”

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