Budget Co To Backpacking Guide for First-Time Visitors

1 Budget Co To Backpacking Guide 2026

1.1 Transportation to Co To

The means of transportation MIA.vn chose for this backpacking trip to Co To was the coach. After finishing breakfast and packing our luggage by 9:00 AM, MIA.vn arrived at My Dinh Bus Station at 9:00 AM. There are many bus operators transporting passengers to Quang Ninh, with departures every 15 minutes. Therefore, if you haven't booked your tickets in advance, there is no need to worry too much. Two reputable bus companies that MIA.vn frequently selects for trips to Quang Ninh are Hoang Long and Kumho Viet Thanh.

According to reviews from many travelers, Kumho Viet Thanh offers very good service quality with no overcrowding or picking up passengers along the way, so you won't have to worry about seating or motion sickness. However, this bus operator only runs the route via Yen Tu, Bai Chay, and Ha Long, stopping at Cam Pha without going to Cua Ong, so MIA.vn decided to take Duc Phuc bus instead.

Duc Phuc bus tickets are quite cheap, around 220,000 VNĐ/person. However, the biggest drawback of this operator is that it frequently stops to pick up roadside passengers and travels quite slowly, which might delay your itinerary. It takes about 6 to 7 hours of travel to reach Cai Ong port. If you want to go all the way to Cai Rong Port, you will need to pay an additional surcharge of 30,000 VNĐ.

Once you arrive at Cai Rong Port, you continue your journey to Co To Island by speedboat, taking around 4 hours with ticket prices around 95,000 VNĐ/ticket. While on board, you will have the chance to leisurely enjoy the scenery and chat with friends. In particular, you should ask about boat ticket prices in advance because during summer, visitors flock to Co To in large numbers, so ticket prices are not fixed. Moreover, you can totally opt for a high-speed boat at a slightly higher price of around 200,000 VNĐ/person; however, this boat only starts departing at 13h.

See more: Save the most detailed guide to exploring Ha Long caves right now

1.2 Getting Around Co To

Regarding transportation on the island, you can rent a motorbike for 200,000 VNĐ/day and fill up about 2 liters of petrol to explore to your heart's content. If you like cycling, you can rent a 3-seater tandem bicycle, or if you prefer a novel experience, you can rent an electric buggy, which is very suitable for large groups. In addition, in the evening, you can also join a squid fishing boat for 1,700,000 VNĐ/boat, which is quite an exciting experience.

2 Accommodations in Co To

After researching information on travel forums, MIA.vn booked a room 2 weeks in advance to avoid the hassle of finding accommodation upon arrival. Co To District Party Committee Guesthouse was the chosen lodging because it is only 600m from the boat pier—just a 10-minute walk—and the rates are very affordable. If you prefer a non-air-conditioned room, the price is around 450,000 VNĐ/room, while an air-conditioned room costs around 700,000 VNĐ/person. You can contact phone number 0912 658 659 to book your room in advance.

Another budget-friendly option is staying at a local homestay for around 100,000 VNĐ/person. The plus point of staying with locals is that you can ask them to cook for you as well. If you like this option, call Ms. Thai, whose house is about 2km from town, at phone number 01663685664 to book a stay.

In addition, you can also book several budget-friendly guesthouses and hotels in Co To such as:

- Van Hai Green Hotel – Son Hao, Quan Lan, Van Don

- Coto Eco Lodge – Hong Van Beach, Hong Hai Hamlet, Dong Tien

- Minh Chau Resort – Ninh Hai, Minh Chau, Van Don, Quan Lan Island

- Robinson Ecolodge Minh Chau – Robinson Beach, Minh Chau Commune, Van Don District

- Le Pont Minh Chau Hotel – Minh Chau Beach, Quan Lan Island

3 3-Day 2-Night Co To Itinerary

3.1 Day 1

After checking in, taking a quick shower, and resting, around 2:00 PM MIA.vn started the journey to explore Co To by renting a motorbike for 150,000 VNĐ/day to ride around the island. The attractions for the first day included the Uncle Ho Memorial Site by Bai Chay Bridge and Pealite Rock Beach.

3.2 Day 2

On the second day, MIA.vn decided to visit the Lighthouse. Coming here, you can enjoy the thrilling sensation of climbing all the way up, admire the romantic scenery of Co To, and freely take check-in photos with your friends. Next, going straight and turning right leads you to Hong Van Beach. Known as the most beautiful beach in Co To, it is an unmissable destination when visiting the island. At this location, you can experience scuba diving/snorkeling for only 180,000 VNĐ/person. However, this also depends on your luck and the weather conditions on Co To. After enjoying yourself at Hong Van Beach, MIA.vn continued to Vang Chay Beach, a beach with crystal-clear waters; however, you are only allowed to stroll around here and strictly prohibited from swimming.

3.3 Day 3

Continuing the 3-day 2-night journey on Co To Island, the final destination was Co To Con (Little Co To) Island with a boat fare of 600,000 VNĐ/2 people. The beauty here is undeniable; in particular, there are many precious woods for you to admire. After finishing the visit at around 12:00 PM, MIA.vn departed the island, returned to Greater Co To, headed back to Cai Rong Port, and concluded the journey by catching a coach back to Hanoi at 14h in the afternoon.

4 Delicious Eateries in Co To

The restaurant MIA.vn chose for this trip was Uy Thanh Restaurant. According to diner reviews as well as MIA.vn's own experience, the food here is delicious and reasonably priced. If you go with a large group, it will be even more economical. You should also book a table in advance to secure the most comfortable seating. In particular, for those who crave beef noodle soup (bun bo or pho bo) while traveling, be sure to visit Tien Beo eatery; prices here range only from 30,000 to 35,000 VNĐ/bowl and are very tasty.

5 Notes for Traveling to Co To

To ensure your Co To backpacking trip goes smoothly, please keep the following points in mind:

- When traveling to Co To, you should bring mosquito and insect repellent because there are not many pharmacies on the island and mosquitoes are quite prevalent.

- Power outages often occur on Co To Island, so choose guesthouses close to the sea for a cooler breeze.

- Naturally, you should also bring a portable power bank and rechargeable flashlights/lamps, as power cuts often happen on weekends in Co To.

Were the budget Co To backpacking tips MIA.vn just shared helpful to you? If so, what are you waiting for? Plan a schedule with your friends to explore and experience Co To Island right away! MIA.vn wishes you memorable moments on this beautiful island.