Private Taxi Hai Phong to Ha Long Bay: A Real Traveler Review

Okay, so you are figuring out the best way to zip from Hai Phong’s Cat Bi Airport (HPH) to the breathtaking beauty that is Ha Long Bay? Choosing your mode of transportation can really impact the beginning of your trip, and finding a reliable, cozy, and fairly priced private taxi seems like a frequent worry for many visitors. This is something you should learn more about. I thought I would write this, since I actually took this trip last year, and wanted to provide you with my firsthand observations to possibly guide your decision. This is intended to shed a bit of light on my personal experiences, and things you should keep an eye on.

First Impressions: Booking My Taxi from Hai Phong to Ha Long Bay

Before I actually even landed, I had that bit of nervousness, you know, the “will they actually be there?” feeling. Well, there are so many companies popping up online that claim to offer private transfers, so I made extra certain to dig around a bit before booking. Seeing a lot of reviews really gave me, in a way, that needed peace of mind, but seeing positive comments regarding how punctual and reliable their service actually was, really confirmed my option. The process was quite direct. The booking systems of most, basically let you enter your flight details and destination and also select the type of vehicle you need. Within what felt like only a few minutes, I was e-mailed my confirmation. Getting this done in advance really gave me one less thing to worry about as my vacation neared.

Meeting and Greeting: Cat Bi Airport Pickup

Stepping out of baggage claim, I did quickly scan the crowd for my name. Then I saw him, my driver. I think that was one of the nicer experiences I’ve had after traveling. Not only did he have a sign, but he gave that big smile which does provide that friendly “welcome to Vietnam” vibe. So, the driver actually helped with my luggage, leading me to a sparkling clean car, which, right then, was more than welcome. After that, he offered a cool bottle of water. This gesture basically made the sticky Vietnam heat bearable after my flight.

Comfort and the Condition of the Vehicle

Okay, let’s get into that sense of coziness during the ride! I went with what they refer to as a standard sedan. It was spacious enough, too, for myself and my luggage, though I imagine a larger group may require something bigger, like a minivan. I was also traveling alone and wanted that intimate space, which made this better. I could not get over how cold that air conditioning felt when I stepped into the taxi. Considering that I had actually spent the past 10 minutes in the airport wondering why I hadn’t packed deodorant, I am now in my cooled taxi in euphoria. All parts of the car were clearly maintained. Now I wouldn’t describe myself as a clean freak, but being in an obviously well-cared for vehicle tends to add that layer of comfort, that most are actually looking for. Let’s put it this way: You may find that you don’t sink into the seat after an almost 24-hour travel bender. You get something solid to nestle into as you make your way.

The Drive: Route and Scenery

Now that taxi ride from Cat Bi Airport to Ha Long Bay is something like almost 2 hours, dependent upon traffic. Still, because it seems pretty direct, so you won’t deal with any complicated shortcuts, and so on. I do recall passing what seemed like quaint towns, expansive rice paddies, and those bustling local markets. Honestly, I had thought I would knock out right away, but this drive kept me completely glued to the window. My driver seemed to be familiar with the area too, pointing out various spots and sharing tiny bits about local culture. It became immediately evident that these folks knew this place really very well. I have come to appreciate how he showed a love and affection for his area, not viewing this route as one big grind, the same trip every time, which might very well actually be the case, that is. These instances tend to be subtle but make the whole “I didn’t want a stranger taking me somewhere” factor to near zilch.

Driver Expertise and Safety

It should be mentioned how safe I felt on that trip. The driver actually demonstrated a great ability while driving, that you might expect from any professional service. Not only was he after speed, that is, whipping and winding through traffic. No! In some respects, he was focused on responsibly handling a vehicle while keeping comfort in mind. I’d also see him always checking those mirrors, predicting traffic, and keeping at the perfect distance. When I realized that the private taxi outfit chose only practiced drivers who appreciate their job I felt really well about my decision. I’m just a normal bloke writing on here, but sometimes you need that reassurance. Also, as a guy getting on an international flight after planning an itinerary in broken-level Vietnamese. A part of me thought, oh boy, am I really doing this, but I felt safer than you may actually know when he greeted me. I wish you all feel this too when doing your bookings!

Value for Cost: Is It Really Worth It?

Private taxis tend to be usually higher than what a regular taxi might cost, such as with ride apps, or shuttle buses. Yet, after actually having ridden in one myself, I can say I think it might actually really be a worthwhile investment. Is that comfort worth it? Yeah, that may mean actually not waiting in those longer lines for that shared transport, especially if you actually traveled far or actually carry what may feel like fifty bags. To avoid that, get the taxi so, in that case, after baggage claims you are not getting a headache while getting off that plane.

Things to Consider Before You Book

• Confirm all costs initially: You will want to double-check the final cost before that booking is actually confirmed so there will be no unpleasant surprises during, or at your drop off.
• Verify the reputation: Researching various customer reviews as well as any type of ratings can really help provide clues concerning that service’s reliability.
• Vehicle Suitability: Make certain the vehicle chosen is sized in accordance to accommodate passengers together with luggage.

Would I Recommend This Service?

Yeah! Based on the great encounters that I’ve shared with you, I would totally suggest grabbing a private taxi from Hai Phong’s Cat Bi Airport towards Ha Long Bay. That service does provide this stress lessened ride because it’s comfort focused. Though I will claim, it usually is pricier compared with some other methods, a number of added benefits really create exceptional worth as you travel.