A cheap Halong Bay cruise day trip which is great value for money.
Here I was, cruising through the surreal limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay…
Another bucket-list adventure, ticket off!
But here’s what made it even better: I found a cheap Ha Long Bay cruise that didn’t feel cheap at all.
Think kayaking through hidden lagoons, island hopping, and a delicious Vietnamese lunch, all for less than the price of a fancy dinner back home.
If you're dreaming of a Ha Long Bay day trip that delivers big on experience and small on budget, you’re in the right place.
Ever scroll past those postcard-perfect photos and wonder if Ha Long Bay is really that stunning in person?
I found it even more magical, and shockingly affordable.
In this post, I’ll share:
The exact cruise I took (and why it’s the best-value option out there).
A full breakdown of the itinerary.
What to expect, what to pack, and how to book it at the best price (with my affiliate link 😉).
Let’s set sail!
Cruising through the bay.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.
At a glance if you are in a rush!
✅ Tour Name - Ha Long Bay Day Cruise with Lunch.
⭐ Rating - 4.9/5 (300+ reviews).
🕓 Duration - 12 hours (round trip from Hanoi).
🎯 Includes - Kayaking, cave tour, Ti Top Island.
💸 Price - Approx £50 (with free cancellation).
🔗 Book Now - Check availability.
Escaping the chaos of Hanoi for a day trip of beauty!
I love Hanoi, and all the chaos surrounding it, the busy Old Quarter, the legendary Train Street…
But after a few days of it, I was craving some peace and quiet, so this budget Halong Bay tour was ideal.
A sweet escape!
It’s only a few hours by bus, but a world away in terms of vibes.
The heavy traffic, pollution, and white noise, is replaced by open water, fresh air, and actual peace and quiet.
Quick Pick: This is the exact tour I booked and recommend. Click here to check today’s price and availability.
A picture perfect setting.
Why choose a day trip?
A day trip is an affordable Halong Bay cruise even on the shortest Vietnam travel itineraries, which means that you can still enjoy the natural beauty of Vietnam regardless of any budget and time restraints.
You don’t need to commit to an overnight stay or high-end cruise to have an amazing experience.
It’s a simple, low-stress way to see one of Vietnam’s most iconic sights without blowing your schedule or your budget.
Incredible value for money with no hidden fees.
Worried about hidden fees? → This cruise is all-inclusive with no surprise charges.
And is extreme value for a Halong Bay cruise under $100:
✅ Sung Sot Cave.
✅ Luon Cave, Ha Long Bay.
✅ Bamboo rafting/kayaking.
✅ Buffet Lunch.
✅ Ti Top Island.
✅ Beautiful large jacuzzi aboard with great views.
✅ Sunset aboard the ship.
Waiting for lunch on the fancy cruise ship.
The logistics are all taken care of.
My idea of a day trip like this is to relax, enjoy, and immerse myself in the natural beauty of a country.
This tour allows that!
Transport, tickets, guide, meals, and activities are all pre-arranged. You just show up, hop on the bus, and enjoy the day without having to worry about planning or negotiating anything yourself.
I do like to organise some of my activities myself, but as this was a cruise, I thought I may as well relax a bit and take any stress out of it!
Our guide looked after us all day, and had a great sense of humour.
Funny and experienced tour guides who speak great English!
An engaging and knowledgeable guide makes all the difference!
This tour features top-rated guides who provide fascinating insights without overwhelming you.
Hung had great communication throughout, by detailing times and the next plans, step-by-step as the day progressed.
It was also great to get to know him on more of a personal level, as we walked through the caves.
All the guides receive good reviews, as they all offer a personal touch.
Amazing customer service all day!
One thing which I loved about our day trip, was that we were treated like royalty all day.
As you can see below, we were guided onto the boat and waited on, which made the buffet lunch and drinks feel way more luxurious.
The staff were friendly, attentive, and genuinely went out of their way to make sure everyone was comfortable and enjoying themselves. It added a really personal touch that you don’t always get on budget tours.
I have fond memories of Vietnamese hospitality!
We were treat like royalty all day.
A comfortable day guaranteed.
One of my concerns when choosing my tour was whether budget meant lower quality.
However, The moment I stepped aboard Arcady Cruise, my concerns were addressed instantly!
A really clean and luxurious interior greeted me, along with a nice welcome drink.
This definitely felt like the ‘luxury cruise’ advertised.
These boats are clean, comfortable, and well-reviewed by thousands of travellers.
As one of the cheapest Halong Bay cruises, the value for money is incredible!
Make the most of it, and book now!
Loli – Spain 14 March 2025 – Verified booking
I recommend the trip with this company. the ship much more better than others we saw. bus very comfortable and clean. the tour guide so friendly and the way he talks is easy to understand.
Gary – United Kingdom 19 March 2025 – Verified booking
The transport was exceptional with very comfortable seats, lots of leg room and even chargers for your phone. The tour guide was brilliant, so helpful and attentive to everyone. The food on the boat was very nice too with plenty of options. All in all a brilliant day trip.
Some fun activities included.
I enjoyed the variety of activities through the day, which were all included (except the fun extra below).
We all had the choice between sea kayaking and bamboo rafting, both of which were enjoyed with surreal surroundings!
Kayaking is a better option if you want to explore the hidden corners of the bay at your own pace, whereas, the rafting was better suited for us who wanted to chill and spot the monkeys on the different islands!
I really enjoyed the rafting, but I had just had an adrenaline filled 30 mins prior!
Bamboo rafting was fun.
And the opportunity to enjoy some adrenaline!
There is the opportunity to enjoy a speed boat tour as an added extra (for around £10), and I highly recommend you do it, as I loved it!
The local skipper took pleasure in spinning us around the waves and giving us all a rush of adrenaline.
It was a fun contrast to the slower pace of the cruise and added an unexpected thrill to my day.
Our speedboat captain was a crazy guy.
He also stopped and allowed us to take some photos stood at the front of the boat with some unreal backdrops!
It was the perfect chance to grab those Instagram-worthy shots without the crowds.
Posing on the speedboat.
Cave exploration included.
As part of the trip, we had the chance to explore one of Ha Long Bay’s impressive caves, ‘Sung Sot’, known for its massive chambers, colourful stalactites, and dramatic rock formations.
It’s a nice change of scenery and adds a little adventure to the day.
Walking through the cool, echoey cave was interesting, and definitely got my imagination racing!
Our first cave visit.
Our guide was especially great during the cave exploration. As we walked through, he pointed out the different rock formations, explained how the cave was formed, and even shared some fun local legends behind the shapes in the stalactites.
There were a few shapes that he pointed out were very realistic, such as a turtle, a buddha, and a face!
This added a bit of fun to the cave hike.
And the second.
Time to enjoy the best view of Ha Long Bay.
Climbing up to the Ti Top Viewpoint.
Climbing up to the Ti Top Viewpoint is one of the highlights of the cruise.
The 400+ steps weren’t easy to tackle, although we had fairly cool conditions when we visited!
The panoramic views of the bay was my favourite part of the day, and one of the best views of my whole time in Asia.
My favourite view of the day.
Starting the ascent.
Or some relaxation on the scenic beach.
Not everyone wants to climb 400+ steps in Vietnam’s heat and humidity, and honestly, you don’t have to.
If that’s more your vibe, chilling on Ti Top Island’s beach is a great alternative.
It’s the perfect chance to cool off, enjoy the views from sea level, and take a break from the cruise without feeling like you’re missing out.
The beach is popular, even on bad weather days.
Is Ha Long Bay worth visiting all year round?
I learned that Northern Vietnam doesn’t share the same climate as other South East Asian destinations as I explored a very wet and cold Hanoi.
Being honest, the weather didn’t improve much for my day at Ha Long Bay.
Although it didn’t rain, it was cold and cloudy, but this didn’t put a dampener on the day for any of the tourists on my tour.
We all had an amazing day!
There is so much natural beauty, you are too distracted to care much for the weather.
Unless you want the perfect pictures, then you should visit in the months of March and April, when skies are blue and nature is very green!
Rain or shine, the tours operate well.
What are the downsides of this day trip?
Overall, this cruise offers exceptional value, but in the interest of honesty (and helping you set the right expectations), here’s one small downside I noticed:
The stop at the pearl workshop!
As part of the day trip, there's a brief stop at a pearl farm/shop, which is clearly designed for tourists.
While some travellers do enjoy seeing how cultured pearls are made, and even picking up a souvenir.. personally, I found this part a bit skippable.
That said, it’s a very short stop, and it doesn’t take away from the core highlights of the cruise, kayaking, incredible scenery, and a delicious lunch on board.
If shopping isn’t your thing, then just treat it as a quick rest stop before the best parts of the trip continue.
There is always a catch, however, it was interesting learning about the pearls.
Avoid waiting until the chaos of Hanoi and book in advance!
Trust me… Hanoi can be chaotic, especially when you’re trying to book tours last-minute!
Between pushy street vendors, confusing travel agencies, and fully booked boats, it's easy to get overwhelmed or overcharged.
Spots on the best-value Ha Long Bay day trips sell out quickly, especially during weekends and peak travel seasons.
By booking online in advance, you’ll:
Secure your place on a top-rated cruise.
Avoid inflated tourist prices in Hanoi.
Have peace of mind knowing everything’s locked in before you even land.
👉 Check availability and book now to guarantee your seat on the most affordable, highly-rated Ha Long Bay day trip.
There are many tour offices in Hanoi, but the process can be chaotic.
An awesome tour rated 4.9/5 correctly.
I chose to book this tour as it fit into my Hanoi itinerary well, but it was also a ‘TOP RATED’ tour on Get Your Guide, from over 300 travellers.
Get Your Guide has an awesome reputation for choosing the best cheap Halong Bay cruise companies, which actually provide a great experience.
So I reduced the risk on my trip to Vietnam by sticking to my tried and tested tour company.
An all round top tour!
Having used GetYourGuide in 30+ countries across 5 continents, I’ve seen my fair share of hits and misses. This one? Absolutely lived up to the hype.
✅ Seamless booking.
✅ Friendly, knowledgeable guides.
✅ Amazing value for money.
The guides went above and beyond to make the day unforgettable, they definitely earned their tips!
I love that GetYourGuide partners with reliable local operators, so you’re not gambling with your experience (or your money).
Ha Long Bay Cruise FAQs – What you need to know before booking.
Is a Ha Long Bay day trip worth it?
100% yes!
Even if you’re short on time, a day cruise lets you experience the magic of Ha Long Bay’s limestone cliffs, emerald waters, and hidden caves, all in one unforgettable day. It’s one of Vietnam’s top-rated natural wonders for a reason.
Can I book this cruise last-minute in Hanoi?
You can, but it’s risky.
Tours often sell out, especially the highly rated budget options. Booking in advance online not only secures your spot but also protects you from tourist trap prices and dodgy tour sellers in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
What’s included in the price?
This budget-friendly cruise on GetYourGuide includes:
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hanoi.
A scenic boat ride through Ha Long Bay.
Kayaking or bamboo boat activity.
A Vietnamese lunch on board.
English-speaking guide.
Is it really that affordable?
Yes! This specific cruise delivers incredible value.
A full-day experience for under £50 per person (price varies slightly by season).
Compared to luxury cruises that cost hundreds more, this is ideal for budget-conscious travelers who still want a top-tier experience.
What happens if I need to cancel?
No worries—free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. It’s totally risk-free to reserve now and decide later.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.