1. Overview of Cat Ba Ferry Services in 2025
Ferries remain the primary mode of transportation to the paradisiacal Cat Ba Island, despite the emergence of alternative travel options. Given the unique topography of Ha Long Bay, ferry travel is not only cost-effective but also offers enjoyable experiences at sea.
The current Cat Ba ferry system is operated by Hai Phong Waterway Transport Assurance Joint Stock Company, with a modern fleet ensuring absolute passenger safety.
Information on Cat Ba Ferry Schedules 2025 (Collected Image)
1.1. Locations of Current Cat Ba Ferry Terminals
Dong Bai Ferry Terminal is located in Dong Bai Commune, Cat Hai District, Hai Phong City. From Hai Phong city center, tourists travel across the Tan Vu - Lach Huyen Bridge, and at the intersection opposite the VinFast factory, they will see signs to Dong Bai ferry terminal. The distance from Hai Phong city center to the ferry terminal is approximately 25-27 km, depending on the specific route. The area around the ferry terminal has many support services such as parking lots, small eateries, and convenience stores.
On the opposite side, Cai Vieng Ferry Terminal is located at the gateway to Cat Ba Island. The distance from Cai Vieng terminal to the center of Cat Ba town is only about 25 km, convenient for onward travel.
1.2. Dong Bai - Cai Vieng Ferry: The Most Popular Choice
The Dong Bai - Cai Vieng ferry route is the most popular, with a travel time of about 15 minutes across the sea. Throughout the journey, visitors can admire the stunning scenery of Ha Long Bay with its fascinating limestone islands.
Ferries on this route are fully equipped with amenities such as comfortable seating, clean restrooms, and a secure luggage area. Some ferries also have snack and beverage counters to serve passengers throughout the journey.
Reference price:
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Pedestrian: 10,000 VND/person/trip.
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Motorbike: 45,000 VND/vehicle/trip.
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Car under 9 seats: 190,000 VND/vehicle/trip.
2. Cat Ba Ferry Schedule 2025
The Cat Ba ferry schedule in 2025 is flexibly adjusted according to tourism demand and weather conditions. During peak season (from April to October), the ferry frequency increases significantly to serve the large number of visitors.
| From Dong Bai wharf | From Cai Vieng wharf |
| 05h00 | 04h30 |
| 05h30 | 05h00 |
| 06h00 | 05h30 |
| 06h30 | 06h00 |
| 07h00 | 06h30 |
| 07h30 | 07h00 |
| 08h00 | 07h30 |
| 08h30 | 08h00 |
| 09h00 | 08h30 |
| 09h30 | 09h00 |
| 10h00 | 09h30 |
| 10h30 | 10h00 |
| 11h00 | 10h30 |
| 11h30 | 11h00 |
| 12h00 | 11h30 |
| 12h30 | 12h00 |
| 13h00 | 12h30 |
| 13h30 | 13h00 |
| 14h00 | 13h30 |
| 14h30 | 14h00 |
| 15h00 | 14h30 |
| 15h30 | 15h00 |
| 16h00 | 15h30 |
| 16h30 | 16h00 |
| 17h00 | 16h30 |
| 17h30 | 17h00 |
| 18h00 | 17h30 |
| 18h30 | 18h00 |
| 19h00 | 18h30 |
| 19h30 | 19h00 |
During the low season (November to March), the ferry schedule will be reduced to approximately 6-8 trips per day. Tourists should check the specific schedule before departure to avoid missing their trip.
Follow the Cat Ba ferry schedule regularly to avoid any trip disruptions (Image collected)
3. Updated Cat Ba Ferry Ticket Price List 2025
Cat Ba ferry ticket prices in 2025 are publicly listed at the ferry terminals and do not change seasonally. This price includes taxes and service fees, making it easy for tourists to calculate costs.
| Vehicle Type | Ticket Price (VNĐ/trip) |
| Pedestrian | 10.000 – 12.000 |
| Cyclist | 12.000 |
| Motorcycle | 45.000 |
| Car below 9 seats | 190.000 |
| Car from 9 to below 24 seats | 210.000 |
| Car from 24 to below 32 seats | 240.000 |
| Car 32 seats or more | 330.000 |
| Truck below 1 ton (with cargo) | 220.000 |
| Truck below 1 ton (without cargo) | 145.000 |
| Truck from 1 to below 3 tons (with cargo) | 420.000 |
| Truck from 1 to below 3 tons (without cargo) | 250.000 |
| Truck from 3 to below 5 tons (with cargo) | 510.000 |
| Truck from 3 to below 5 tons (without cargo) | 380.000 |
| Truck from 5 to below 10 tons (with cargo) | 790.000 |
| Truck from 5 to below 10 tons (without cargo) | 470.000 |
| Truck from 10 to below 13 tons (with cargo) | 970.000 |
| Truck from 10 to below 13 tons (without cargo) | 520.000 |
Ferry tickets can be purchased directly at the ticket counter or booked in advance by phone during peak season. The payment system supports both cash and bank transfer.
Cat Ba Ferry Ticket Price List 2025 (Collected Image)
4. Tips for a Safe and Economical Cat Ba Ferry Trip
Practical experiences from tourists who have traveled by ferry to Cat Ba will help make your trip smoother. Especially on weekends and holidays, thorough preparation is essential.
4.1. Ticket Booking Time and Notes When Buying Ferry Tickets
Booking tickets in advance is especially important during major holidays such as April 30th - May 1st, September 2nd, or Lunar New Year. During these times, the number of passengers can increase 3-4 times compared to normal days, causing many people to wait for hours.
Dong Bai ticket counter opens at 5:30 AM and closes after the last trip at 6:30 PM. For Cai Vieng Wharf: the first trip is at 5:00 AM, the last trip at 6:00 PM. The frequency of trips is approximately 30-60 minutes apart, depending on the time of day.
4.2. Things to prepare before boarding the ferry
Arrive at the ferry terminal at least 30 minutes before departure to complete the procedures and queue for boarding. During peak season, this time should be extended to 45-60 minutes to avoid missing the trip.
Bring your identification documents such as Citizen Identity Card (CMND)/Citizen Identification Card (CCCD) for presentation when necessary. If traveling with a motorbike or car, you need to have complete vehicle papers and a valid driver's license. Some ferry trips may randomly check passengers' documents.
5. Important notes when traveling by ferry to Cat Ba
Unforeseeable factors such as weather and the tourist season can significantly affect the ferry schedule. Understanding these notes will help you have a suitable backup plan.
Notes that tourists need to know during their trip to Cat Ba (Collected image)
5.1. Restrictions on vehicle transportation during peak season
During major holidays, the number of vehicles wanting to cross the island often exceeds the ferry's capacity. Priority will be given to vehicles of local residents and vehicles that have been booked in advance. Tourists traveling by motorbike or car should consider booking tickets early or having an alternative plan.
Many tourists choose to leave their vehicles at Dong Bai parking lot at a price of 20,000-30,000 VND/day and rent motorbikes in Cat Ba at a price of 150,000-200,000 VND/day. This method saves costs and avoids long waiting times.
5.2. Preventive measures in unfavorable weather conditions
The typhoon season (from July to October) may cause ferries to temporarily suspend operations to ensure safety. When winds reach level 6 or higher, or waves are higher than 1.5m, ferry trips will be delayed or canceled.
Before departure, check the weather forecast and call the ferry terminal to confirm the schedule. Dong Bai ferry terminal hotline: 0225.3861.656. In case of cancellation, purchased tickets will be fully refunded or transferred to another trip.
6. Alternative transportation to Cat Ba
Besides traditional ferries, Cat Ba now offers many other transportation options to suit the diverse needs of tourists. These options are especially useful in situations where ferries are overloaded or the weather is unfavorable.
6.1. High-speed ferry services from other locations
High-speed ferries from Binh Port and Hoang Long Port (Ha Long) to Cat Ba are becoming a popular choice. Travel time is only about 45 minutes and is not affected by traffic congestion. Below is the information and detailed Cat Ba ferry schedule:
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Ben Binh Route: High-speed ferry tickets range from 200,000 to 250,000 VND/person, children aged 2-5 are 180,000 VND. Children under 2 years old are completely free. High-speed ferries run every 2 hours. Departure from Hai Phong: 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, departure from Cat Ba: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM. This is an ideal choice for tourists who do not bring personal vehicles.
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Dong Bai - Cat Ba Route: Adult ticket price is 180,000 VND/trip, children are 110,000 VND/trip. Departure time from Dong Bai is 9:40 AM and from Cat Ba is 2:30 PM
6.2. Sun World Cat Ba Cable Car – Unique experience
The world's longest sea-crossing cable car system connecting the mainland to Cat Ba is expected to be operational in 2025. The cable car will depart from the Cat Hai area and go straight to the Phu Long area.
- Adult ticket price: 50,000 VND/trip.
- Children over 1m: Adult ticket price applies.
- Children under 1m: Free.
Travel time is only about 20-30 minutes. Sun World Cat Ba cable car is not only a convenient means of transportation but also a unique travel experience, helping you discover the majestic beauty of Cat Ba Island from above. If you need more information or assistance planning your trip, let me know.
7. Frequently Asked Questions about Cat Ba Ferries
Frequently asked questions about Cat Ba ferry schedule (Image collected)
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Do ferries operate during the rainy season?
Ferries will be suspended when the weather has strong winds above level 6 or high waves. This usually occurs for about 10-15 days a year, mainly from July to September.
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Can I bring pets on the ferry?
You should contact the ferry management before bringing pets along. Each ferry will have different prices and policies for pets, so to avoid disrupting your journey, you should clarify this with the ferry management in advance.
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Do ferries have wifi?
Currently, free Wi-Fi systems have been installed at Cat Ba ferry terminals and public areas with 58 access points, including: Dong Bai Ferry Terminal, Cai Vieng Ferry Terminal, Gia Luan Ferry Terminal, and Cat Ba town tourism center. However, Wi-Fi is not always available on ferries, and connection speeds may be slow due to weak mobile signals at sea.
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What if I get seasick?
It is recommended to take medication 30 minutes before boarding for best results. Avoid overeating and look towards the horizon instead of focusing on your phone or reading to maintain better balance.
Understanding the Cat Ba ferry schedule and travel tips will make your trip smoother. Be well-prepared, book tickets early during peak season, and always have a backup plan to fully enjoy the beauty of this paradise island!
