Easiest Asia cruise ports to explore on your own

Ranked: easiest first

1. Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR, China Easy
   Ocean Terminal is in Tsim Sha Tsui.
2. Keelung (Taipei) Taiwan Easy
   Keelung Station is a 4–8 minute walk.
3. Nagasaki Japan Easy
   Trams run from Oura Kaigan-dori near the terminal: tram 5 to Shinchi Chinatown, then tram 1 to Peace Park (about 40 minutes; ¥150 per ride).
4. Singapore Singapore Easy
   Marina Bay Cruise Centre is about 650 m (8–10 minutes) from Marina South Pier MRT.
5. Yokohama (Tokyo) Japan Easy
   From Osanbashi, Nihon-odori station is a 5–7 minute walk; trains reach Tokyo in about 30–45 minutes.
6. Phuket Thailand Moderate
   Patong tenders land roughly 1.5 km from the beach strip. · Tender
7. Busan South Korea Moderate
   From Yeongdo, use the cruise shuttle or a taxi to Nampo-dong/Busan Station (15–20 minutes).
8. Kobe (Osaka & Kyoto) Japan Moderate
   The Port Liner runs two stops to Sannomiya (about 5 minutes).
9. Shanghai China Moderate
   Free shuttle or bus to Metro Line 3, then change to Line 2 for the Bund.
10. Hạ Long Bay Vietnam Moderate
    Hanoi is about 150–160 km away (2.5–3.5 hours). · Dock or tender
11. Laem Chabang (Bangkok) Thailand Book a tour
    Bangkok is about 120–130 km away (90 minutes to 2+ hours).
12. Phú Mỹ (Ho Chi Minh City) Vietnam Book a tour
    Ho Chi Minh City is 1.5–2 hours by road.

How we rank

Ports are grouped by our rating (Easy, then Moderate, then Book a tour). Within each group, the shortest walk to town or the main sights that our guide states comes first, then the shortest stated distance. The quote under each port comes from its guide; check your pier, because some ports have more than one. How we rate ports.