There are three ways to reach Lan Ha Bay from Ha Long Bay. Book an all-in-one guided day tour from Hanoi, or take the public ferry independently if you're already nearby. A private speedboat charter is also available for the fastest crossing.
What are the ways to get from Ha Long Bay to Lan Ha Bay
Travelers crossing from Ha Long Bay to Lan Ha Bay generally choose between three options, depending on budget, time, and travel style:
- Guided day tour / combined cruise: the most convenient route - boats depart directly from Ha Long or Hanoi, covering the core waterways of both bays in one itinerary.
- Public ferry (Tuan Chau to Gia Luan): the most budget-friendly route - the ferry carries passengers and vehicles from Tuan Chau Marina to Gia Luan Pier on Cat Ba Island, where you connect onward to Lan Ha Bay by road and local boat.
- Private speedboat: the fastest route - boats can be chartered directly from Tuan Chau to cross into Lan Ha Bay in around 15-20 minutes.
| Method | Travel time | Estimated cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided day tour | Full day (6-8 hrs) | $35-$95 market range - Beka's own tour is a fixed $50 adult / $38 child | First-time visitors, families, hassle-free travel |
| Public ferry | 45 minutes (ferry only) | About $2.50 (60,000 VND) per foot passenger | Backpackers, budget travelers, DIY itineraries |
| Private speedboat | 15-20 minutes | $30-$60 | Small groups, tight schedules, custom transfers |
What does the Ha Long Bay to Lan Ha Bay day tour actually include
Beka's Ha Long Bay to Lan Ha Bay day tour runs as a single planned day from Hanoi, with the boat portion crossing from Ha Long Bay into Lan Ha Bay around midday. The full schedule:
- 07:15-08:00 - Hotel pickup in Hanoi's Old Quarter or Opera House area, then a highway transfer with a short rest stop.
- 11:00-11:15 - Board the cruise at Tuan Chau Harbor and get a welcome drink.
- 11:15 onward - Buffet lunch on board while the cruise sails from Ha Long Bay into Lan Ha Bay, arriving at Cat Ba Island around 12:15.
- 12:45-14:00 - Visit Trung Trang Cave and Cat Ba National Park's museum by electric car, then return to the boat.
- 14:30 onward - Cruise deeper into the Tra Bau area of Lan Ha Bay for kayaking, swimming, and time on the sundeck.
- 18:00 - Arrive back at Tuan Chau Harbor for the transfer to Hanoi, reaching your hotel by around 21:00.
The boat leg itself, from Tuan Chau Harbor to Cat Ba Island, takes about an hour - the rest of the day is spent inside Lan Ha Bay rather than in transit.
How much does it cost to visit both bays in one day
Beka's own Ha Long Bay to Lan Ha Bay day tour is priced at a fixed $50 per adult / $38 per child, all-inclusive - no separate entrance fees or transport costs to add on. Across the wider market, total cost to combine both bays in one day ranges more broadly depending on independence and comfort level:
- Budget independent route ($15-$25 per person): Tuan Chau ferry ticket (~$2.50), local transport from Gia Luan to Ben Beo Pier (~$5-$8), plus Lan Ha Bay boat ticket (~$8-$12).
- Mid-range guided day tour ($35-$65 per person): a day-cruise ship, seafood lunch, kayaking, entrance fees, and guide services departing from Ha Long - this is the tier Beka's own $50/$38 tour sits within.
- Luxury / expressway package ($75-$110+ per person): limousine transfer from Hanoi, a luxury day cruise with jacuzzi or sundeck, premium buffet lunch, and a full activity itinerary.
Is the Tuan Chau to Gia Luan ferry a good independent option
The Tuan Chau to Gia Luan ferry works well if you are already staying on Cat Ba Island or in Ha Long City and only need the water crossing itself, without a full guided day built around it. It is the more budget-conscious route for independent travelers, but you are responsible for your own transport to the harbor on each end and for planning what to do once you arrive, since no guide, meals, or activities are included.
One logistics note worth planning around: the ferry lands at Gia Luan Pier on the north side of Cat Ba Island, not directly in Lan Ha Bay. From there it's roughly a 30-minute taxi or bus ride to Ben Beo Pier on the south side of the island, where local boats into Lan Ha Bay actually depart.
Beka Insight (internal data, updated July 2026): the public ferry costs from 60,000 VND (about $2.50 USD) per foot passenger, not including a vehicle, and runs about 4 times a day roughly every 2 hours between 7:30am and 3:30pm - broadly in line with the 3 to 5 daily departures other operators report, though exact times shift with season and demand. About half of travelers who inquire about Beka's combined day tour are already trying to work out how to see both bays in one trip, which is exactly what that tour is built to solve.
Which option should you choose
- Choose a guided day tour if: you want the highlights of both bays in one day, prefer seamless transport from Hanoi or Ha Long, and want kayaking and meals fully arranged - book Beka's own tour for a fixed $50/$38 price.
- Choose the public ferry if: you're backpacking, on a tight budget, or using Ha Long Bay as a stepping stone to explore Cat Ba Island for a few days.
- Choose a private speedboat if: you're traveling with a group, value privacy, or need a quick transit between a Ha Long cruise port and a Lan Ha resort.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay on the same day
Yes. The Ha Long Bay to Lan Ha Bay day tour covers both in a single day, departing Hanoi around 07:15-08:00 and returning by about 21:00.
How long is the boat transfer from Ha Long Bay to Cat Ba Island
About one hour on the guided cruise route, sailing from Tuan Chau Harbor into Lan Ha Bay while lunch is served on board.
How far is Lan Ha Bay from Ha Long Bay
Lan Ha Bay sits directly south of Ha Long Bay and the two share a geographic border. Actual crossing time depends on your transport choice - from around 15-20 minutes by private speedboat up to about an hour on a guided cruise.
Is Lan Ha Bay part of Ha Long Bay
No, though they're often grouped together. Lan Ha Bay is administratively part of the Cat Ba Archipelago in Hai Phong, while Ha Long Bay sits under Quang Ninh Province, even though the two share the same limestone karst formations and connecting waters.
Do I need a separate ticket for Lan Ha Bay
No separate government ticket is required for Lan Ha Bay the way there is for Ha Long Bay's route system. If you book the Ha Long Bay to Lan Ha Bay day tour, admission to Trung Trang Cave and the Cat Ba National Park Museum is already included in the $50 adult / $38 child price.
What time does the Tuan Chau to Gia Luan ferry run
Based on Beka's internal tracking, the public ferry runs about 4 times a day, roughly every 2 hours between 7:30am and 3:30pm. Times can shift with season and passenger demand, so confirm locally before you travel.
Ready to book the crossing? See the full Ha Long Bay to Lan Ha Bay day tour for live departure dates and pricing, or browse the Lan Ha Bay hub to compare it against Beka's other day tours and overnight cruises. If you are still deciding which bay suits your trip best, our Halong Bay vs Lan Ha Bay comparison guide breaks down crowds, cost, and scenery in more detail.
