Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc Transfer by Private Car and Ferry
A private car to Phu Quoc is not a direct road trip. Since Phu Quoc is an island, your journey combines a private car to either Rach Gia or Ha Tien Ferry Port, followed by a high speed ferry.
Getting from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc Island by road is a long journey because there is no bridge connecting mainland Vietnam to the island. Instead, every road journey requires a ferry crossing from either Rach Gia or Ha Tien.
While a direct flight remains the fastest and most practical option for most travelers, traveling by private car and ferry can be a viable alternative when flying is not the best fit for your travel plans. Vietnamdrive includes this option so travelers can compare all available choices, rather than suggesting it’s the default recommendation.
When is a private car and ferry the right choice?
This transport method may be worth considering if:
- Flights are sold out.
- Airfares become unusually expensive during peak travel periods.
- You are traveling as a large group where a chartered vehicle is more economical than purchasing individual air tickets.
- You need to carry equipment that is difficult or inconvenient to take on a commercial flight.
Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc Route Overview
The journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc by private car and high-speed ferry covers approximately 395 km. Although the distance is not especially long compared to many other road trips in Vietnam, completing the journey typically takes almost a full day.
In reality, drivers need to take regular rest breaks, travelers often stop for meals or short breaks along the way, and you also need to allow time for ferry check-in and boarding. If you miss a scheduled ferry, you may have to wait an hour or longer for the next departure, depending on the timetable. As a result, you should expect the entire journey to take around 10 to 11 hours, making it a fairly long day of travel.
- Distance: Approximately 395 km
- Estimated travel time: 10 to 11 hours (including rest stops and ferry transfer)
- Road conditions: Mostly expressways and national highways, followed by a high-speed ferry crossing
To better understand the transfer, it can be divided into three stages:
Stage 1: Ho Chi Minh City to the ferry port
Drive from Ho Chi Minh City to either Rach Gia Ferry Port or Ha Tien Ferry Port. Upon arrival, your driver will drop you off at the ferry terminal and assist with your luggage before you board the ferry.
- Via Rach Gia: approximately 235 km
- Via Ha Tien: approximately 325 km
Stage 2: Ferry to Phu Quoc
Board a high-speed ferry to Phu Quoc.
- Rach Gia → Bai Vong Port: approximately 115 km
- Ha Tien → Thanh Thoi Port: approximately 45 km
Stage 3: Ferry terminal to your hotel
After arriving on Phu Quoc Island, continue by taxi or pre-arranged vehicle to your hotel. The travel distance depends on where you are staying, such as Duong Dong, Ong Lang, Bai Truong, Ganh Dau, or other areas on the island.
If you plan to explore Phu Quoc, learn more about our Phu Quoc Car Rental with Driver.
Should You Choose Ha Tien or Rach Gia?
There isn’t a single best option for every situation. Although Rach Gia is about 90 km closer to Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Tien has a shorter sea crossing, the total travel time from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc is usually not significantly different between the two routes.
Instead of focusing only on driving distance or ferry time, choose your departure port based on your overall travel priorities.
| Quick Comparison | Recommended Option |
|---|---|
| Want a shorter drive from Ho Chi Minh City | Rach Gia |
| Want the shortest ferry crossing | Ha Tien |
| Are prone to seasickness | Ha Tien |
| Traveling with young children or older adults | Ha Tien |
| Traveling with luggage only and taking a high-speed ferry | Rach Gia or Ha Tien |
| Want to bring your car to Phu Quoc | Ha Tien (in most cases) |
The table above provides a quick recommendation. Below, you’ll find a more detailed explanation of when each departure port is the better choice.
Choose Rach Gia if you:
- Want a shorter drive from Ho Chi Minh City.
- Want to arrive at the ferry terminal earlier.
- Don’t mind a longer sea journey.
- Are taking a high-speed ferry and don’t need to bring your car to the island.
For many international travelers departing from Ho Chi Minh City, Rach Gia offers a good balance between driving time and ferry time. Based on our experience assisting international travelers, it is also the departure port that the Vietnamdrive team most frequently recommends for travel to Phu Quoc.
Choose Ha Tien if you:
- Want to spend less time at sea.
- Are prone to seasickness or traveling with young children or older adults.
- Want to take your car to Phu Quoc by ferry, which is much more affordable.
- Want more late-day ferry departure options.
Although the drive to Ha Tien is longer, the ferry crossing is significantly shorter. For travelers who prefer to minimize their time on the water, this is often the more comfortable option.
Don’t Just Compare Ferry Times
Many people assume that because the ferry from Ha Tien takes only about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, it is always the faster option.
In reality, that’s not necessarily the case.
If you’re departing from Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll need to drive farther to reach Ha Tien. The time you save on the ferry is partly offset by the longer drive. As a result, the overall door-to-door travel time from HCMC to Phu Quoc Island is usually very similar, regardless of whether you depart from Rach Gia or Ha Tien.
In other words:
- Rach Gia: shorter drive, longer sea journey.
- Ha Tien: longer drive, shorter sea journey.
If Flying to Ho Chi Minh City and Then Continuing to Phu Quoc
This is an important detail that many international travelers often overlook.
According to the current schedules of the high-speed ferry operators:
- The last ferry from Rach Gia usually departs around 2:45 PM.
- The last ferry from Ha Tien usually departs around 6:00 PM.
If you plan to land at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and continue directly to Phu Quoc on the same day, we recommend choosing a flight that arrives in Ho Chi Minh City before 11:00 AM. This gives you enough time to travel to the ferry terminal.
If you won’t have enough time to catch the last ferry, we recommend staying overnight in Rach Gia or Ha Tien instead of trying to rush the journey.
If You Want to Bring Your Car to Phu Quoc
This is a special situation.
If you want to continue using your car on the island, you’ll need to take a car ferry, not a high-speed passenger ferry.
In many cases, Ha Tien is the more convenient departure point because the ferry crossing is shorter, even though the drive from Ho Chi Minh City is longer.
If you don’t need to bring your car to the island, a high-speed ferry remains the faster and more convenient option.
Private Transfer Prices from Ho Chi Minh City to the Ferry Ports
The prices below cover the private car transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to either Rach Gia Ferry Port or Ha Tien Ferry Port. From either port, you can continue to Phu Quoc by high-speed ferry, and taxis are readily available at the ferry terminal for onward travel to your hotel.
However, if you are traveling with a large group or carrying bulky photography, filming, or work equipment, we can also arrange a private transfer from the Phu Quoc ferry terminal to your hotel. This service is available upon request for an additional charge.
| Vehicle Type (Recommended Group Size) | Starting Price from Ho Chi Minh City to Rach Gia Ferry Port (USD) | Starting Price from Ho Chi Minh City to Ha Tien Ferry Port (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 4-seat sedan (recommended for 1–2 guests) | 350 | 460 |
| 7-seat SUV/MPV (recommended for up to 4 guests) | 420 | 550 |
| 16-seat minibus (recommended for up to 8 guests with luggage, ideal for larger families or groups) | 500 | 660 |
What’s Included:
- Modern private car or van with a professional driver
- Fuel, road tolls, expressway fees (if applicable), and parking fees
- Flexible stops for coffee, lunch, and restroom breaks upon request
- Complimentary bottled water (subject to availability)
- Pickup from Tan Son Nhat International Airport or most hotels in central Ho Chi Minh City
Additional Notes:
- The quoted price is for a direct transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to Rach Gia Ferry Port or Ha Tien Ferry Port on the same day.
- If you plan to stay overnight in Rach Gia or Ha Tien to catch an early ferry to Phu Quoc the following day, please let us know in advance so we can provide an accurate quotation.
- All travel times are estimates. Because this is a long-distance transfer, the actual duration depends on traffic conditions. Travel may take longer than expected, especially on weekends, public holidays, and during the summer travel season. Delays may affect your planned ferry departure, so we recommend leaving Ho Chi Minh City as early as possible.
- If your group requires a charter bus for this route, please let us know, and we’ll be happy to arrange one.
Things to Know Before Booking Your Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc Transfer
Traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc by private car and ferry is a long journey. Whether you travel via Ha Tien Ferry Port or Rach Gia Ferry Port, reaching the ferry terminal often feels like you’ve completed most of the trip, although you’ll still need to take the ferry to the island.
Book Your Ferry Tickets in Advance
We recommend booking your ferry tickets in advance, especially during weekends, public holidays, and peak travel seasons, when departures may sell out.
When you book your private transfer with Vietnamdrive, our team or our local partner can also assist you with booking your ferry tickets.
Pay Attention to the Ferry Schedule
Although ferry operators publish fixed departure schedules, departures may be delayed or canceled because of strong winds or rough sea conditions.
If you book your ferry tickets yourself, we recommend keeping the ferry operator’s contact information. If Vietnamdrive arranges your ferry tickets, you can also contact our team if you need assistance.
Tell Us Your Ferry Departure Time
When booking your private transfer, please let our support team know your ferry departure time. This allows us to schedule your pickup correctly, recommend an appropriate departure time from Ho Chi Minh City, and help avoid missing your ferry.
Consider Staying Overnight
For a more relaxed journey, consider spending one night in Ha Tien or Rach Gia before taking the ferry to Phu Quoc the following morning.
An overnight stay gives you greater flexibility, reduces the stress of a long travel day, and allows time to explore a few local attractions or make additional stops along the route if you wish.
Transporting Equipment to Phu Quoc
A road and ferry transfer can be a practical option if you need to transport equipment that is suitable for passenger vehicles and permitted on tourist transportation services.
Examples include professional photography or filming equipment, exhibition materials, musical instruments, or maintenance tools for hotels and resorts in Phu Quoc.
This option is intended for passengers traveling with personal belongings or work-related equipment that accompanies them during the journey. It is not suitable for transporting commercial cargo, oversized goods, or freight shipments, which require dedicated logistics services and specialized transport.
In short, traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc by private car and ferry isn’t the fastest option, but it can be the right choice for the right situation. If you have extra time, prefer traveling over flying, or need the flexibility of a private vehicle before reaching the island, this transfer offers a different way to experience southern Vietnam.
If you’re unsure whether to travel via Rach Gia or Ha Tien, or would like assistance arranging your private car transfer and ferry tickets, our team is happy to help you choose the option that best fits your itinerary.
Contact us via WhatsApp for advice or an accurate quote.
Planning a different route? Explore our Ho Chi Minh City private transfers to other destinations across southern Vietnam.