Taxi From Hanoi To Halong Bay: Price and Tips 2023

Taxi has always been favored by a number of people for transport thanks to its instant demand-responsive service. It is also one of the best ways to transfer between Hanoi and Halong Bay. Tourists can easily find and book a taxi in Hanoi; however, foreigners are likely to face some taxi scams. This article will provide first-time foreign tourists with comprehensive information about taxi from Hanoi to Halong Bay so that you can travel in a safe and comfortable way.

Hanoi to Halong Bay distance and travel time

The distance between Hanoi Center and Halong City is about 155 km, which usually takes approximately 2.5 hours of transport through Hanoi – Hai Phong – Halong Expressway. In case you choose Highway No.18 via Bac Ninh Province as the main route, the travel time is 3.5-4 hours.

If tourists plan to take a Halong Bay cruise, you are advised to know exactly the departure place of your cruise to make a booking for transport with the exact destination. The two most popular locations favored by cruise lines include Halong International Cruise Port and Tuan Chau International Port.

Hanoi to Halong International Cruise Port

Halong International Cruise Port (also known as Sun Group Port) is located in the center of the Bai Chay tourist area, next to Sun World Halong Complex.

Route 1: Hanoi to Halong International Cruise Port through Hanoi – Hai Phong – Halong Expressway

Distance: 155 kilometers
Travel time: 2-2.5 hours

From Hanoi Old Quarter area, visitors need to cross Chuong Duong or Vinh Tuy Bridge and head towards AEON Mall Long Bien. Then travel along Hanoi – Hai Phong – Halong Expressway to arrive at Halong International Cruise Port.

Route 2: Hanoi to Halong International Cruise Port through Highway No.18

Distance: 150 kilometers
Travel time: 3-3.5 hours

From Hanoi Old Quarter area, visitors can cross Chuong Duong or Vinh Tuy Bridge, pass by AEON Mall Long Bien, then enter Hanoi – Bac Giang Expressway and follow Noi Bai – Halong Expressway to reach Halong International Cruise Port.

Hanoi to Tuan Chau International Port

Tuan Chau International Port – the largest port in Halong, situated in the Northwest of the Bay, 8 km Southwest of Halong City. It is on the edge of Tuan Chau Island, connected to the mainland by a long bridge.

Route 1: Hanoi to Tuan Chau International Port through Hanoi – Hai Phong – Halong Expressway

Distance: 150 kilometers
Travel time: 2-2.5 hours

From Hanoi Old Quater area, tourists cross Chuong Duong or Vinh Tuy Bridge, then travel along Hanoi – Hai Phong – Halong Expressway to arrive at Tuan Chau International Port.

Route 2: Hanoi to Tuan Chau International Port through Highway No.18

Distance: 145 kilometers
Travel time: 3-3.5 hours

From Hanoi Old Quarter area, tourists make the way to Long Bien District, then enter Highway No.5, and travel along with Hai Duong City to Highway No.18. Then, you will reach Yen Tho, Dong Trieu Town in Quang Ninh Province, from which it is convenient to reach Tuan Chau International Port.

Advantages of travelling by taxi from Hanoi to Halong Bay

Time efficient

This is the biggest advantage of transferring by taxi. It will take passengers about 2.5 hours to reach Halong Bay from Hanoi, through the new Expressway without stops. Compared to a shuttle bus which may move around the city center to pick up passengers, a taxi transfers directly from your hotel to your destination in Halong.

Convenient and private

Hanoi to Halong Bay taxi provides door-to-door service by picking up and dropping off tourists at their locations. All you need to do is make a booking and enjoy your travel. The private car also ensures the highest level of privacy and comfort (in comparison with other means of transport). You will not be annoyed by crowds and noise from surrounding people. Besides, inconveniences because of strangers can be avoided and you can have a break anytime you want on the way.

Family-friendly

Thanks to its utmost privacy and time efficiency, a taxi is the best choice for families of 3-6 people, especially those with kids or the elderly.

Two major types of taxi from Hanoi to Halong Bay

Tourists can make a choice between a traditional taxi and a tech-based taxi for Hanoi – Halong travel.

Traditional taxi from Hanoi to Halong Bay

Traditional taxi is a favored way of transport of many local people and visitors in Hanoi. There is a variety of taxi brands in the city that are operated by professional transport companies. Each taxi brand features its distinctive identity with a logo, colors, and other characteristics for recognition. In terms of car types, you can choose a 4-seat car or a 7-seat car.

Conventional taxi fares are charged based on travel time and distance measured by a specific taximeter. The most popular taxi brands in Hanoi are Mai Linh Taxi, G7 Taxi, Thu Do Taxi, Taxi Group, Thanh Cong Taxi, etc.

Mai Linh Taxi – one of the most reputable taxi brands in Hanoi

Traditional taxi fares from Hanoi to Halong Bay

Taxi brand	4-seat car	7-seat car	Total price	Contact
Mai Linh Taxi	US$ 0.5/km	US$ 0.6/km	US$ 77 – US$ 93	043 82 22 666
G7 Taxi	US$ 0.52/km	US$ 0.6/km	US$ 88.5 – US$ 98.5	024 32 63 63 63
Thu Do Taxi	US$ 0.5/km	Unavailable	US$ 77	024 32 18 18 18
Taxi Group	US$ 0.55/km	US$ 0.6/km	US$ 85 – US$ 93	024 38 53 53 53
Thanh Cong Taxi	US$ 0.52/km	US$ 0.62/km	US$ 80 – US$ 96	024 32 57 57 57

Pros and cons of traditional taxis

Pros:

Instant service that is available at almost any time of the day
Competitive prices and various options

Cons:

Overloaded service in rush hours, resulting in your difficulty in booking a taxi instantly
Some taxi drivers may overcharge passengers, especially foreign tourists

Tech-based taxi from Hanoi to Halong Bay

Over recent years, thanks to technological innovations, tech-based taxi has become a hot trend in large cities, specifically Hanoi. This modern kind of taxi features the use of mobile applications for online bookings. The most well-liked options for app-based taxis include Grab, Gojek, and Be (similar to Uber). Travel routes and prices are precisely calculated on the app; you just need to enter your pick-up and drop-off locations, then choose your favorite one among recommended transport options. Generally, app-based taxis are characterized by more modern ranges of car as compared to traditional counterparts.

The estimated expense for an app-based taxi from Hanoi to Halong Bay is approximately US$ 70-80/4-seat car/one way and US$ 90-100/7-seat car/one way. Prices can vary depending on the booking time; there may be an increase in taxi fares during rush hours, on rainy days, or on public holidays.

Booking a taxi on Grab application is popular in Vietnam

Popular taxi applications in Vietnam

Grab: https://www.grab.com/vn/en/download/
Gojek: https://www.gojek.com/vn/gocar/
Be: https://be.com.vn/en/#download-app

Pros and cons of tech-based taxis

Pros:

Various choices of car type with different prices
Clear details of travel distance, time, and price, helping passengers avoid being overcharged
Money-saving thanks to many discounts
Information in English is available on mobile applications, which is convenient for foreign tourists

Cons:

It is difficult for low-tech people to book a car

Halong Bay to Hanoi taxi

Similarly to transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay, tourists can easily take a taxi from Halong City to either Noi Bai Airport or Hanoi city center. The distance between Halong City and Noi Bai International Airport is about 173km, including 155km to the city center.

Here are some suggestions for a taxi from Halong Bay to Hanoi with estimated transfer fares:

Taxi brand	Halong City to Noi Bai Airport (173km)	Halong City to Hanoi City center (155km)	Contact
Mai Linh Taxi	4-seat car: US$ 75 7-seat car: US$ 110	4-seat car: US$ 69 7-seat car: US$ 95	033 362 8628
Sao Mai Taxi	4-seat car: US$ 79 7-seat car: US$ 97	4-seat car: US$ 69 7-seat car: US$ 85	0203 3 628 628
Thinh Hung Taxi	4-seat car: US$ 72 7-seat car: US$ 79	4-seat car: US$ 63 7-seat car: US$ 69	033 365 9659

Useful tips for travelling by taxi from Hanoi to Halong Bay

Use the taxi service from reputable companies

Foreign tourists are advised to choose a taxi operated by a prestigious company in order to avoid the rip-off of the taxi service. A trustworthy taxi should include a meter and the driver should have a visible ID and number. Large taxi brands also provide their hotline for customer care; in case of any problem related to service, prices, etc., you can contact them directly for further support. Some highly recommended taxi brands in Hanoi are Mai Linh, G7, Taxi Group, Thu Do, Thanh Cong.

Make a booking in advance

If you plan to travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay by a traditional taxi, you had better choose one taxi brand among the most reputable ones and contact its official hotline to make a booking. Avoid catching a random vehicle on the street because its service quality and trustworthiness are not ensured. Booking a taxi with its company will make it easier for you to be supported in case of any scams or other problems. In addition, you can also make an online booking for a tech-based taxi on mobile applications such as Grab, Be, and Gojek.

Do research into the clear route to your destination

Before booking a taxi, tourists should do research into directions to their destination so that they can avoid being taken to go around and cheated. When travelling by taxi, bring a smartphone with GPS function which enables you to realize if you are being driven in the right way or ripped off.

Take a photo of the driver’s information

This advice is specially useful when tourists book a traditional taxi. You should take a photo of the car number plate and the driver’s personal information including license, phone number, or meter in case you send a complaint to the taxi company later. This can prevent you from being cheated by dishonest drivers even though their company is reputable.

Keep your eye on the taxi meter

If you catch a taxi as soon as someone has just got out, you should close the door and open it again before entering. The meter will be automatically reset and start measuring the new route with a flag fall. The average fee ranges from VND 14,000 to VND 16,000 per km (~ US$ 0.56 – US$ 0.64). Moreover, several drivers may set dodgy meters inside the taxis; therefore if you realize any meter running unusually rapidly, immediately ask the driver to stop and get out. In terms of price, tech-based taxis seem to be more trustworthy with the clear fares displayed, allowing passengers to choose the most suitable car service.

Save helpful tips for safe taxi rides from Hanoi to Halong Bay

To sum up, taxi is a time-saving and comfortable way to transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Its high level of privacy makes a taxi the best choice for family groups of 3-6 people, especially those with children or the elderly. Tourists can travel by either a traditional taxi from reputable transport brands or a modern tech-based one booked on mobile applications. We hope that the above advice on safe taxi rides will enable you a great journey without any bad experiences so that you will enjoy your vacation in Halong Bay to the fullest.

Other best ways to travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay

FAQs on travelling by taxi from Hanoi to Halong Bay

Is a taxi from Hanoi to Halong Bay expensive?

The price of a Hanoi to Halong Bay taxi is quite reasonable, about US$ 70-80/4-seat car/one way and US$ 90-100/7-seat car/one way. Keep in mind that the taxi fares may vary depending on the booking time.

Are there Uber-based taxis in Vietnam?

Uber application no longer works in Vietnam. However, there are some other great alternatives such as Grab, Be, and Gojek, which offer similar taxi services.

Are taxis safe in Vietnam?

Taxi is generally considered one of the safest means of transportation in Vietnam; provided that you use the service from reputable taxi brands and take precautions for your safety.

Do I need to tip taxi drivers in Vietnam?

In Vietnam, it is unnecessary for customers to leave a tip for taxi drivers; therefore you are not considered rude for not doing so. However, you can tell the drivers to keep the change if it is small.

Can I make a payment for the taxi fare with a credit card?

Several traditional taxis from large brands accept credit card payments, while others accept only cash payments in the local currency (Vietnamese Dong). You should check available payment methods with drivers before starting your ride. In case you prefer credit card payments, you should book a tech-based taxi on mobile applications which allow e-payments based on your cards.