1. How to get to Cat Ba by train
1.1. Why should you go to Cat Ba by train?
Choosing how to get to Cat Ba by train offers a leisurely travel experience, allowing tourists to admire the scenery of the Northern Delta throughout the approximately 102 km journey from Hanoi to Hai Phong. This is a safe mode of transport, less affected by weather, and reasonably priced, typically ranging from 70,000 VND to 150,000 VND per trip depending on the seat type.
Besides the cost factor, the train journey also aligns with the trend of relaxed tourism. When choosing how to get to Cat Ba by train , you should book tickets in advance to secure convenient seats and also purchase Cat Ba cable car tickets beforehand to continue your journey to the island quickly after arriving at Hai Phong Station.
1.2. Train journey from Hanoi to Hai Phong Station
The Hanoi – Hai Phong train route is about 102 km long, with an average travel time of 2.5 to 3 hours. There are multiple trains departing from Hanoi Station and ending at Hai Phong Station daily, providing convenience for tourists to arrange flexible schedules. With this route, how to get to Cat Ba by train becomes easy and suitable for many types of travelers.
After arriving at Hai Phong Station, you only need to travel about 25 km further to the cable car or ferry station to reach the island. To optimize your time, plan your itinerary in advance and purchase Cat Ba cable car tickets before your departure to make the trip more complete.
The Hanoi – Hai Phong train route is about 102 km long. (Source: Collected)
2. Types of train seats to Cat Ba and how to choose appropriately
2.1. Popular types of train seats to Cat Ba
When choosing how to get to Cat Ba by train, you can opt for various seat types such as hard seats, air-conditioned soft seats, and high-quality seats. Hard seats are the most affordable, suitable for a tight budget, while air-conditioned soft seats offer more comfort for a journey lasting approximately 3 hours.
Additionally, some trains offer VIP seats with more spacious areas and better services. When planning how to get to Cat Ba by train, consider your personal needs and book your tickets in advance to secure the most suitable seat type, ensuring a more comfortable journey.
Some trains offer VIP seats with spaciousness and the best service for passengers. (Source: Collected)
2.2. Which type of seat should be chosen when traveling to Hai Phong?
For a journey of about 2.5 to 3 hours, air-conditioned soft seats are often considered the optimal choice thanks to the balance between cost and experience. These seats cost an average of 100,000 to 150,000 VND and provide comfort during travel. When applying the way to Cat Ba by train, this is the type of seat chosen by many tourists.
Depending on personal needs, you should consider the balance between cost and experience to make a suitable choice. At the same time, proactively book train tickets and cable car tickets in advance to ensure a smooth connection from the mainland to the island.
2.3. Train ticket prices and convenient booking methods
Train ticket prices from Hanoi to Hai Phong Station range from 70,000 VND to 150,000 VND depending on the seat type and booking time. Tickets can be purchased directly at the station or booked online via the railway industry's official website. When choosing the way to Cat Ba by train, booking tickets online helps you manage your time and easily select seats.
For a convenient experience, you should book tickets 3 to 5 days in advance, especially on weekends. Additionally, purchasing Cat Ba cable car tickets early will save you travel time when arriving in Hai Phong and continuing your journey to the island.
3. How to get from Hai Phong Station to Cat Ba?
3.1. Traveling from Hai Phong Station to the cable car/ferry station
After arriving at Hai Phong Station, tourists need to travel an additional 25 km to the cable car station or ferry terminal, with an average travel time of 30 to 45 minutes. Popular transportation options include taxis, buses, or electric cars with costs ranging from 150,000 VND to 300,000 VND depending on the choice. When applying the way to Cat Ba by train, proactively booking a car in advance helps you easily connect your journey without interruption.
Additionally, if traveling in a small group, you can choose a bus to save costs while still ensuring a reasonable travel time. You should plan your travel clearly and have cable car tickets ready to continue your journey more conveniently.
You can choose the bus to save costs while still ensuring reasonable time. (Source: Collected)
3.2. Taking the Sun World Cat Ba Cable Car
The Sun World Cat Ba cable car is an option that helps shorten the travel time to the island to about 15 minutes with a length of nearly 4 km, offering a panoramic view of Lan Ha Bay from above. When choosing how to get to Cat Ba by train, combining the cable car not only saves time but also creates an impressive sightseeing experience during the journey.
To buy tickets online, you can visit the official website of Sun World Cat Ba, select the ticket type, usage date, and the appropriate number of tickets. After completing the payment through methods such as bank transfer or e-wallets, the system will send a QR code to be used directly at the ticket gate. Purchasing Cat Ba cable car tickets in advance online helps you manage your schedule and easily arrange your time.
Use the Sun World Cat Ba cable car to shorten travel time.
4. Unmissable experiences at Sun World Cat Ba and Cat Ba Island
4.1. Explore Sun World Cat Ba – a prominent check-in spot
Sun World Cat Ba is a modern entertainment complex with a sea-crossing cable car system and many impressive check-in spots at the station and on the cabins. After completing the journey of how to get to Cat Ba by train, this is a destination you shouldn't miss to fully enjoy the bay scenery. Combining sightseeing and experiences here makes the trip more diverse, from admiring the scenery to entertainment. You should book tickets in advance to manage your time and fully explore the journey.
4.2. What to eat and do in Cat Ba?
Cat Ba is famous for its beautiful beaches like Cat Co and Lan Ha Bay, which spans over 7,000 hectares with hundreds of large and small rocky islands. Activities such as kayaking, swimming, and visiting small islands are very popular with tourists. When experiencing how to get to Cat Ba by train, you should plan to visit these places to make the most of your time.
The cuisine in Cat Ba is also very rich with seafood dishes like abalone, grouper, and mantis shrimp, priced from 150,000 VND to 500,000 VND per dish. For a complete experience when learning how to get to Cat Ba by train, you should research dining locations in advance and combine a reasonable itinerary.
4.3. Experience unique cuisine and festivals
The Sun Bavaria restaurant in the center of the bay features Bavarian style with a spacious area, accommodating hundreds of guests, and a sea-facing design, offering both culinary and scenic experiences. The menu highlights European dishes combined with local seafood, with average prices ranging from 200,000 VND to 500,000 VND per dish, along with characteristic craft beer. When choosing how to get to Cat Ba by train, booking a table in advance here helps you easily arrange your evening schedule and fully enjoy the culinary space.
Sun Bavaria Restaurant is designed in the style of a 20th-century brewery.
Besides, the Say Phet beer festival is a nighttime entertainment highlight with many activities such as craft beer tasting, lively music, and art performances. The festival space is organized on a large scale, attracting thousands of visitors each night, especially during the peak tourist season. When experiencing how to get to Cat Ba by train, you should proactively buy tickets in advance to fully enjoy the festival atmosphere and combine it with visiting the VuiFest night market with a series of attractive food stalls, shopping, and check-in spots.
5. Tips for traveling to Cat Ba by train
5.1. Notes when traveling by train
When choosing how to get to Cat Ba by train, you should arrive at the station about 30 minutes in advance to complete boarding procedures. Carrying light luggage will make it easier for you to move throughout the journey and when transferring to other means of transport.
In addition, choosing a suitable train schedule is also very important to optimize travel time. When planning how to get to Cat Ba by train, you should prioritize morning trains to have more time to explore the island on the first day.
5.2. Tips to optimize the Hanoi – Cat Ba itinerary
Combining train and cable car is a method that saves time and enhances the experience. After arriving at Hai Phong Station, you can quickly travel to the cable car station and reach the island in about 15 minutes. When applying how to get to Cat Ba by train, this is a preferred option for many tourists.
For a convenient journey, you should book train tickets and Cat Ba cable car tickets before departing. Preparing in advance helps you manage your schedule and enjoy the trip to the fullest.
5.3. Suggested 2D1N itinerary
Day 1: Depart from Hanoi in the morning by train, travel time is about 2.5 to 3 hours to Hai Phong Station. Then continue traveling about 25 km to the cable car station and reach the island in about 15 minutes. In the afternoon, check into the hotel, rest, and enjoy seafood with an average cost of 300,000 to 600,000 VND per person. In the afternoon, visit Sun World Cat Ba, check in Lan Ha Bay from above, and swim at Cat Co beach. When applying how to get to Cat Ba by train, buying cable car tickets in advance allows you to control the entire day's schedule.
On the first evening, you can experience the cuisine at Sun Bavaria restaurant and participate in the Say Phet beer festival, combined with exploring the VuiFest night market with many entertainment activities lasting until about 10 PM to 11 PM. This is the ideal time to feel the vibrant life of the island after completing the journey of how to get to Cat Ba by train.
Visit VUI-Fest Cat Ba night market to enjoy signature cuisine in Cat Ba Island.
Day 2: Morning is for visiting Lan Ha Bay by boat or kayak for 2 to 4 hours, costing around 200,000 VND to 500,000 VND per person. Afterwards, return to the hotel to rest and have lunch before preparing luggage to return. In the afternoon, travel by cable car back to the mainland, continue to Hai Phong Station and take the train back to Hanoi.
This 2-day, 1-night itinerary helps optimize travel time and experience, especially suitable for tourists choosing the way to Cat Ba by train who want to combine relaxation, nature exploration, and enjoyment of special entertainment activities at Sun World Cat Ba.
The journey of the way to Cat Ba by train offers a relaxing, safe experience suitable for many types of tourists. Combining train travel from Hai Phong Station and the cable car makes the journey more convenient and richer in experience. For a complete trip, you should book your train ticket to Hai Phong in advance and purchase Cat Ba cable car tickets beforehand to have full control of your itinerary, while also dedicating time to explore Sun World Cat Ba, its cuisine, and special entertainment activities on the island.
