There are 4 main ways to transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay:

• Mini Bus from Gia Lam (Hanoi) to Bai Chay (Ha Long). Tickets are bought at the ticket counter for 160,000 dong ($7 USD). The journey takes 4 to 5 hour with the bus stopping to pick up passengers along the way. If your bus departs Hanoi later than 10:00am it is unlikely that you will make it to Ha Long in time to catch the last ferry to Cat Ba at 3:00pm. Note: City bus number 34 goes to Gia Lam for 5,000 dong from the following bus stops: Van Mieu, Hai Ba Trung, Nha Hat Lon, Bac Co, Chuong Duong. Be sure to wait for the bus on the side of the road where the traffic is flowing east or north. Otherwise you may end up on a longer than intended journey around the city. Do not attempt to board bus #34 from Dien Bien Phu. The bus will run to the end of the line in the opposite direction before turning around and eventually making it to Gia Lam making what should be a short trip a two hour ordeal. [Sep 2013]

• From My Dinh Bus Station (Hanoi) there are buses travelling to Bai Chay for 100,000 dong. They are faster and more comfortable than the "mini bus" from Gia Lam. City bus 34 goes to My Dinh bus station as well. [Jan 2014]

• By Seaplane: Take a seaplane flight from International Noi Bai Airport, Hanoi to Halong Bay for only 45 minutes. Enjoy fabulous aerial views over the countryside and experience the thrill of a water landing at the Tuan Chau Island Marina. The flight can be extended to include an additional 15-minute scenic tour over the bay, which allows you to enjoy a bird’s eye view (150-300m high) of the thousands of limestone karsts jutting up from the jade green waters and see remote fishing villages before landing at Tuan Chau Island Marina. This is the one and only seaplane service in Vietnam. USD$175 one way.

• By shuttle bus: Pick up & drop off passengers in the Ha Noi old quarter. 4-6 hours pending on how many stops en route the driver makes to pick up/drop off passengers. Fare is about US$10 each way. Normally, cruise lines like Paradise, Emeraude or Bhaya in Halong Bay include two ways shuttle bus in their package.

• By Train: take cargo train from Hanoi to Yen Vien (Gia Lam) and then to Quang Ninh. The train starts at 4.30 am and arrives at 11am. The terminal at Ha Long City is near the Bai Chay bus station and about 5 km away from the harbour. Expect train delays and cancellations without notice. Hard sleeper only, $10 USD one way.(not recommend this transport)

• By rent a private car or taxi: take a car from Noibai,or from Hanoi centre to Halong bay. It costs $85 USD per car, per trip or $150 USD for a 2 days, 1 night.

• By Private car: Cat Ba Express is recommended. Travelling by private car is considered the best choice due to its flexibility, safety, quality and valuable rates. It also seem be uniquely way to reach Ha Long bay from Noi Bai airport despite the taxi collection as it is indeed unsafe enough because of old age, careless drivers and non-competitive price. Some provider: Avis Vietnam, vietnamairporttransfer.com, Rental Car... You can also book a private car through app like Uber, Grab, fee will be shown on the screen.

• By Motorbike: A bike trip will allow you to see more of the local lifestyle as you can take breaks at your leisure in some of the small towns around Northern Vietnam. Many travelers rent motorbikes as it’s a wonderful way to take in the sights and it won’t burn a hole in your wallet. Gas is cheap and you can often rent a bike for a cheap price from your hotel or hostel; if this is not possible a quick google search will help you find a reliable motorbike rental service. Keep in mind that you will have to pay a deposit for the bike, on top of the rental fee. A trip from one city to another can take hours so you will need to take plenty of breaks to stretch your legs and enjoy some snacks and drinks. Keep in mind that this option is recommended for experienced riders only, as traffic in Vietnam can be very chaotic. A long motorbike trip is not advisable for a first-time rider. Driving in Vietnam can be dangerous and is not recommended for an inexperienced driver. A bike trip can become uncomfortable over long distances. The weather is unpredictable and a surprise rainstorm can put your travel plans at risk.