How Much is a Day Cruise in Halong Bay?

Overview

Price is one of the top concerns when planning a trip to any place including Halong Bay. How much you need to spend for a day tour, what is included in the price, any hidden fees, or whether the trip is worth the price is usually questioned.

Day trips in Halong offer diverse experiences in a short time (Photo by @thehalongcatamaranpremium)

The cost for your trip may depend on multiple factors like service standard preference (luxury, mid-range, or cost-saving), duration (4-6-8 hours), and additional services (transportation, spa, beverages, airport transfer, etc). However, day trips prices can be divided into 3 levels, based on 3 cruise categories: Luxury, mid-range, and cost-saving.

Before diving deep into each price level, travelers need to notice things included and excluded in the tour price.

• Inclusions: Day tour price includes a cruise program (5.5 - 8 hours), a meal (usually lunch) in buffet or set menu, entrance and sightseeing fees, an inhouse English-speaking tour guide, onboard insurance.
• Exclusions: Transfer service from Hanoi Old Quarter is not included in the price. Kayaks and bamboo boats may be charged upon different cruise policies. Besides, beverages, spa & massage, tips for staff, cabin onboard, and other not clearly mentioned personal expenses are excluded.

Luxury day cruises

A luxury day tour promises top-notch service and world-class facilities. They are usually newly launched steel vessels with a premium system and equipment, providing the highest safety and utmost comfort.

Inside a luxury day cruise (Photo by @halongjadesails)

Passengers can enjoy state-of-the-art amenities onboard such as spacious sundecks with comfy sunbeds, lavish restaurants, sky bar and indoor bar, outdoor pool, modern spa & fitness room. Furthermore, unique experiences like taking photos at the glass bridge, having fun at trampoline or waterslide, enjoying DJ music on the top deck, savoring meals at private dining rooms, or relaxing in private cabins can only be found on a luxury day tour.

Your culinary experience on luxury day tours is guaranteed not only by  a hearty meal filled with diverse local and fusion dishes but also special diets well taken care of by crew. Better still, some even offer a light breakfast upon check-in onboard to ensure all passengers have full energy before starting the tour.

Luxury day trip prices range from $65 to 95 per person without transfer service and cabins. The price is certainly higher than the others but what you get is totally worth it. Refer to some cruises in the table below:

Mid-range day cruises

Jacuzzi pool on a mid-range cruise (Photo by @amethystcruise)

Diverse experience and better service than cost-saving cruises but not as expensive as the luxury ones, mid-range cruises could be the most favored option for most travelers to Halong, especially first-timers. These cruises may be wooden or steel boats, with a small or large capacity, but all feature a great variety of modern amenities and services. Visitors can enjoy a hearty meal with plentiful options, order favorite drinks from the bar indoor or outdoor, immerse in the outdoor jacuzzi pool, and kick back on the sun loungers on the top deck.

Mid-level day trips also offer an activity-filled program where you can climb to explore magnificent caves, sunbathe on sandy beaches, kayak through a half-submerged cave, join a cooking class, or enjoy a sunset party.

You will spend from $55 to $75 per person for hour-long journeys at mid range. This price does not include transfers. You can book a round trip or one-way shuttle transfer from the Hanoi center for $10 - 15/person/way. Check out some mid-level cruises for your references:

Budget day cruises

Budget cruise in Halong (Photo by La Muse Cruise)

Save the most but still experience as much of what Halong Bay has to offer, choose budget day tours! They are usually small wooden boats in traditional design. Although not featuring opulent design or diverse onboard amenities like luxury or mid-level cruises, a budget trip still provides adequate facilities for a complete journey such as ocean-view restaurant, bar, and a spacious sundeck with sitting areas for sightseeing.

A budget day trip saves up to 30 - 40% of a luxury tour price but the program is nothing short of interesting. You can explore a majestic cave with stunning stalactites and stalagmites, capture a panoramic view from the top of the mountain, swim at the beach, or kayak around rocky islands. The price for this tour is around $45-60/person without transfer service.

Tips for the best price

Although there is not a big difference in the price for day trips throughout the year, here are some tips to book a tour at the best price:

• Choose reliable travel agents to make sure the service is guaranteed.
• Low season for Halong Bay Cruises is from May to September. Check with the agent if there is a promotion during this time.
• There might be a peak season surcharge (usually weekends from June to August during summer vacation for children in Vietnam) and Holiday Surcharge (Christmas, New Year, Lunar New Year, Vietnamese Independence Day, etc).
• Combo of cruise and shuttle bus is recommended to save the best.