Cat Ba Cable Car Guide: Route, Hours and Ticket Prices

Last updated: July 23, 2026

The Cat Hai–Phu Long cable car crosses 3,955 metres of open water between the mainland and Cat Ba Island in about 10 to 15 minutes, running 09:00 to 16:00 daily except Tuesdays. It's one of the most scenic ways onto the island — and a genuine attraction in its own right, not just a transfer.

Read the full Cat Ba Island travel guide for what to do once you arrive.

Where does the Cat Ba cable car go?

The line runs from Cat Hai Station on Cat Hai island to Phu Long Station on Cat Ba, crossing open sea rather than land — at 3,955 metres, it's recognised as one of the longest three-rope cable car systems in the world built over water. Cabins glide above the same channel that the Dong Bai car ferry crosses, giving a very different view of the same short hop. Each enclosed, air-conditioned cabin holds roughly 30 to 40 passengers, with large windows built for the view rather than a quick commute.

When did the Cat Ba cable car open, and who built it?

The line opened on 6 June 2020, developed by Sun Group at a reported cost of around 2.2 trillion VND (roughly $94.7 million), with construction starting in 2017. The system was built by Doppelmayr & Garaventa, the Austrian engineering firm behind some of the world's best-known cable car projects. On opening day it earned a Guinness World Record for the highest cable pylon above the ground, at 214.8 metres.

Why take the cable car instead of the ferry?

• No vehicle queue: the ferry can back up for an hour or more on summer weekends; the cable car runs on a fixed cycle regardless of car traffic.
• The view: from height, you get a clear look over Lan Ha Bay's limestone islets and the fishing communities below — scenery the ferry deck doesn't offer.
• Comfort: enclosed, air-conditioned cabins are a steadier ride than an open-air speedboat, which matters if you're travelling with kids or older relatives.

The trade-off is flexibility — the ferry runs a much longer daily window and doesn't close one day a week.

How long does the crossing take?

Around 10 to 15 minutes cabin to cabin. The system runs dozens of cabins holding roughly 30 to 40 passengers each, moving up to 4,500 people an hour — enough capacity that waits are usually short outside of major holidays.

What are the operating hours?

The cable car runs 09:00 to 16:00, with the last ticket sold at 15:45, and is closed every Tuesday for maintenance. Build your crossing time around this window — unlike the ferry, there's no early-morning or evening service.

How much does a ticket cost?

Third-party operator pricing, checked July 2026 — confirm current fares when booking, as prices change without notice and vary by ticket promotion.

Tickets are sold at the counters at both the Cat Hai and Phu Long stations, or can be booked online in advance through third-party operators. Buying ahead is worth it on summer weekends and public holidays, when queues build up at the on-site counters.

How do you get to the cable car station?

You need to reach Cat Hai Station first, on the mainland side. From Hanoi, that means a bus or private car to Hai Phong — roughly 2 hours — then a short onward connection to Cat Hai station itself, either by local bus or taxi. Travellers already following the standard Hanoi–Cat Ba route can simply ask their driver to route via Cat Hai instead of continuing straight to the Dong Bai ferry terminal. The Hanoi to Cat Ba transport guide covers the mainland leg in full.

What should you know before boarding?

• Weather: the cabins run safely in normal wind, but service can pause temporarily during storms or extreme weather — check conditions if you're travelling in typhoon season (roughly July to September).
• Luggage: small to medium bags are fine, but large suitcases are awkward to manoeuvre in and out of the compact cabins. If you're travelling heavy, the ferry is the more practical choice.
• Timing: arrive early morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the busiest window, and keep kids close inside the cabin during the ride.

Is the cable car better than the ferry?

Depends what you're optimising for. The cable car is the more scenic option and skips any vehicle queue, but it only runs a seven-hour window and closes on Tuesdays. The Dong Bai car ferry runs longer hours and takes vehicles, while the passenger speedboat is faster and cheaper. The Hai Phong to Cat Ba transport guide compares all three crossing options in full, including current ferry schedules.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Cat Ba cable car run every day?

It operates 09:00 to 16:00 daily except Tuesdays, when it closes for maintenance.

How long is the Cat Ba cable car?

3,955 metres, crossing open water between Cat Hai island and Phu Long Station on Cat Ba — one of the longest three-rope cable car systems over water in the world.

Can you bring luggage on the cable car?

Small to medium bags are fine, but large suitcases are cumbersome in the compact cabins. If you're travelling heavy, the ferry is the more practical choice.

What happens if the weather is bad?

In strong wind or storms, the service may pause temporarily for safety. Check conditions before heading to the station, especially during typhoon season from July to September.

Does the Cat Ba cable car hold a world record?

Yes — it holds the Guinness World Record for the highest cable pylon above the ground, at 214.8 metres, set when the line opened in June 2020.

Ready for the bay? Explore with Beka Travel

However you cross, Beka's boats depart daily from Ben Beo Pier in Cat Ba town. Browse the full Lan Ha Bay tour lineup to plan the rest of your trip, or return to the Beka Travel homepage.

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