You can cover Cat Ba town, the national park gate and Ben Beo harbour without renting a motorbike: the island buses, taxis, bicycles and the boats do it, and for Viet Hai the boat is the only way anyway. Most visitors assume a scooter is compulsory on Cat Ba. It is not, and for many people it is the riskiest part of the trip: steep hills, tour coaches on narrow roads, and a lot of construction traffic in town in 2026. We are the Lan family in Viet Hai, a village with no road in, and we get guests around the island every day without a single motorbike.
| Town to Ben Beo harbour | About 2 km: a short taxi ride or a 20–25 minute walk along the coast road |
| Town to the national park | Local bus towards Gia Luan, which stops at the park gate, or a taxi |
| Ferry pier to town | Bus route 14 from Cai Vieng pier into Cat Ba town |
| Cable car to town | Electric bus from the Phu Long cable car station |
| Town to Viet Hai | No road: speedboat from Ben Beo about 15 minutes, electric cart about 10 minutes — 25–30 minutes in all |
| Inside Viet Hai | Bicycle (30,000 VND a day) or on foot; electric cart from the pier 50,000 VND per person |
| Fixed fees | Lan Ha Bay ticket 120,000 VND adult / 60,000 VND child · national park ticket 80,000 VND |
Everything below is what we tell guests who message us before they arrive. Bus fares and timetables on Cat Ba are set by the operators and change with the season, so treat the figures as a guide and check at the stop or with us on the day.
What are the options without a motorbike?
There are five ways to move around the island, and most trips use two or three of them in a single day.
Local buses. Cat Ba has a small public bus network. Route 14 runs between Cai Vieng ferry pier, where the Dong Bai ferry lands, and Cat Ba town. Another line runs from town past the national park gate to Gia Luan pier on the north of the island. Operators list the fares at 13,000 VND on route 14 and 30,000 VND to the park and Gia Luan, with the park bus leaving roughly every 20 minutes from early morning to late afternoon. Buses stop in the evening, so plan to be back before dark.
Electric bus from the cable car. If you cross on the Cat Hai–Phu Long cable car, an electric bus meets it and runs into the island. It is sold as a combined ticket with the cable car. Our cable car guide covers the crossing itself.
Taxis. Taxis wait in Cat Ba town and at the bus drop-off. They are the easiest way to Ben Beo harbour with luggage, and the simplest way to the national park gate if the bus times do not suit you. Agree the fare before you get in, or ask us to book one.
Bicycles. Good for the flat coast road in town and ideal inside Viet Hai. The main island road between town and the park is a different matter — long climbs, tour coaches and no shoulder in places — so we only suggest it to confident cyclists. Our cycling guide explains where riding is pleasant and where it is not.
Boats. Lan Ha Bay, the floating villages and Viet Hai are reached by water. No road links Viet Hai to the rest of Cat Ba, so a motorbike would not get you here even if you had one.
Which way for which trip?
| Route | Without a motorbike | Price | How often | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat Ba town → Ben Beo harbour | Taxi, or walk the coast road | Short taxi fare; walking is free | Taxis on demand | About 5 minutes by taxi, 20–25 minutes on foot |
| Cai Vieng ferry pier → Cat Ba town | Bus route 14 | 13,000 VND (operator’s listed fare) | About 40 trips a day | Check at the stop |
| Cat Ba town → national park gate | Local bus towards Gia Luan, or taxi | 30,000 VND by bus (operator’s listed fare) + 80,000 VND park ticket | About every 20 minutes, first bus early morning, last late afternoon | The full route to Gia Luan is about 40 minutes; the park gate is before that |
| Phu Long cable car → the island | Electric bus | Sold together with the cable car ticket | Frequent through the day | Check on the day |
| Ben Beo harbour → Viet Hai | Speedboat, then electric cart | Boat priced per boat, not per person — message us · bay ticket 120,000 VND · cart 50,000 VND | When you arrive, if booked ahead | About 15 minutes by boat + 10 minutes by cart |
| Around Viet Hai | Bicycle or on foot | 30,000 VND a day for a bicycle | Any time | The pier to the village is about 20–30 minutes by bicycle |
Getting to the national park without a motorbike
The park headquarters and the main trailheads are on the road north of town. Take the Gia Luan bus and ask to get off at the park gate, or take a taxi if you want an early start before the first bus. The ticket is 80,000 VND per person. Our national park fees and trails guide lists the routes and what each costs.
There is a better option if you are staying with us: walk the park from the Viet Hai side. The trail from the village to Navy Peak starts at the edge of the fields, so there is no road journey at all. See the Navy Peak hike and our longer trek from the park to Viet Hai.
Reaching Viet Hai
From Cat Ba town, go to Ben Beo harbour, cross the bay by speedboat and ride the electric cart from Viet Hai pier to the village — about 15 minutes, then about 10 minutes, 25–30 minutes in all. The only other way in is on foot through the national park, about four hours. Our guide to getting to Viet Hai has every step, including what to do if you arrive after dark.
Once you are here, you will not miss a motorbike. The valley road is quiet, and we do not rent scooters in the village because the terrain is not safe for visitors on motor vehicles. Bicycles are 30,000 VND a day.
Tell us where you are arriving from and at what time. We will match the bus or taxi to Ben Beo, have the speedboat waiting, and meet you at Viet Hai pier with the cart. If you want to see the island on the way, we can plan the day around the bus times. Our transfer page explains how it works; rates move with the season and the size of the group, so message us.
Tips from people who live here
Keep a day plan around the boats, not the roads: the best of Cat Ba is on the water. The full-day Lan Ha Bay tour can pick you up in town and drop you at Viet Hai pier in the afternoon, which saves one transfer. Carry cash for buses and taxis — there is no ATM in Viet Hai, and our money and ATMs guide shows where to take it out. Travelling with children? Our Cat Ba with kids page covers what works well for families.
Frequently asked questions
Answered by the Lan family in Viet Hai — the people who run the boats, cook the dinner and pick you up at the pier.
Is there a public bus on Cat Ba Island?
Yes. Route 14 links Cai Vieng ferry pier with Cat Ba town, a line runs from town past the national park gate to Gia Luan pier, and an electric bus meets the Phu Long cable car. Buses stop in the evening, so check the last departure before you set out.
How do I get from Cat Ba town to the national park without a motorbike?
Take the bus towards Gia Luan and get off at the park gate, or take a taxi. The park ticket is 80,000 VND per person. If you are staying in Viet Hai, you can walk into the park straight from the village instead.
Can I cycle from Cat Ba town to Viet Hai?
No. There is no road from Cat Ba town to Viet Hai. You cross by speedboat from Ben Beo harbour, about 15 minutes, then take the electric cart or cycle the flat lane from the pier into the village.
Can I visit Cat Ba without joining a tour?
Yes. Buses, taxis and bicycles cover the town, the harbour and the park gate. For Lan Ha Bay you need a boat, which is where a day tour or a boat we arrange makes sense.
Arriving on Cat Ba and not sure how to get around? Send us your arrival time and plans, and we will tell you what is running that day. WhatsApp +84 363 934 325 or message us here.
Read next
- Cycling in Viet Hai village
- Ben Beo harbour: the Cat Ba pier guide
- Cat Ba National Park fees and trails
- Hanoi to Cat Ba in 2026
Where to stay in Viet Hai
If you would rather spend your days on foot and on the water, the guide to staying in Viet Hai explains the rooms and bungalows at Lan Homestay, and our tours page lists what you can do from the pier.
