How to travel from Cat Ba to Lao Cai, Vietnam
The distance between Cat Ba and Lao Cai is around 448km (278 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take a ferry and then drive which takes around 5h 50m.
4 routes found
We've found 4 different ways to get from Cat Ba to Lao Cai by ferry, bus, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Lao Cai → Cat Ba if you're planning a return trip.
Plane and Bus
Fly from Haiphong (HPH) to Noi Bai International (HAN) then take the bus to Lao Cai.
- Duration8h 35m
- Flight time2h 45m
- Typical cost₫3,672,860($155)
Multiple operators
Ferry and Bus
Take a ferry to Hanoi then take the bus to Lao Cai.
- Duration8h 45m
- Departsevery 20 mins
- Typical cost₫678,425($29)
Multiple operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Ferry and Car
Take a ferry to Dinh Vu then drive to Lào Cai.
- Duration5h 50m
- Departshourly
- Typical cost₫1,286,670($55)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Cat Ba and Lao Cai
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Cat Ba to Lao Cai by ferry, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take a ferry and then take the bus which costs around ₫678,425 ($29) and will take around 8h 45m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take a ferry and then drive and arrive in approximately 5h 50m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ₫1,286,670 ($55).
The distance between Cat Ba and Lao Cai is around 448km (278 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 356km (221 miles)
It takes around 8h 45m to get from Cat Ba and Lao Cai by ferry and bus.
The quickest way to get from Cat Ba to Lao Cai is to take a ferry and then drive which takes around 5h 50m and will set you back approx ₫1,286,670 ($55).
The cheapest way to travel between Cat Ba and Lao Cai is to take a ferry and then take the bus which will typically cost around ₫678,425 ($29) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Cat Ba and Lao Cai. We recommend that you take a ferry to Dinh Vu then drive to Lào Cai. instead which will take 5h 50m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Cat Ba and Lao Cai. We recommend that you take a ferry to Dinh Vu then drive to Lào Cai. instead which will take 5h 50m.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Cat Ba to Lao Cai. We recommend that you fly from Haiphong (HPH) to Noi Bai International (HAN) then take the bus to Lao Cai. instead which will take 8h 35m.
The closest major airport to Lao Cai is Dien Bien Airport (DIN) (DIN) which is approximately 149km (93 miles) from Lao Cai. Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) (HAN) and Bai Thuong Airport (THD) (THD) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Drive yourself
No, its not really possible or feasible to drive from Cat Ba to Lao Cai. We recommend that you take a ferry to Hanoi then take the bus to Lao Cai. instead which will take 8h 45m.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cat Ba to Lao Cai is to take a ferry and then take the bus which takes, on average, 8h 45m and will usually cost around ₫678,425 ($29).
Compare travel optionsbetween Cat Ba and Lao Cai
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Plane and Bus | 8h 35m | ₫3,672,860($155) | 4 times a day | 1,490km (926 miles) |
Ferry and Bus + 1 similar | 8h 45m | ₫678,425($29) | every 20 mins | 449km (279 miles) |
| Ferry to Hanoi, Bus | 9hrs | ₫725,215($31) | every 20 mins | 455km (283 miles) |
Ferry and Car | 5h 50m | ₫1,286,670($55) | hourly | 448km (278 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Cat Ba and Lao Cai
Ferry operators
Cat Ba Discovery
Good Morning Cat Ba
Hoang Long
Cat Ba Express
Cat Ba Vietnam
Airlines
Vietnam Airlines
Vietjet Air
Bamboo Airways
Bus companies
Sao Viet
Airports near Lao Cai
The following major airports near Lao Cai offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Vietnam and internationally.
Dien Bien Airport (DIN)
- Distance
- 149km (93 miles) from Lao Cai
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)
- Distance
- 217km (135 miles) from Lao Cai
Bai Thuong Airport (THD)
- Distance
- 304km (189 miles) from Lao Cai