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Ninh Binh is karst country, 545 kilometres (339 miles) north of Hoi An. Limestone towers rise out of the rice fields, and rowing boats thread the rivers at Tam Coc. Flying is the quickest way, taking 5 hours 05 minutes. Overland, the bus is the cheapest way to get from Hoi An to Ninh Binh at $17 (455,000 VND). The train costs more and takes about as long.
Distance from Hoi An to Ninh Binh
Hoi An and Ninh Binh are about 545 km (339 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 709 km by road. The quickest way to get from Hoi An to Ninh Binh is by taking the flight, which takes around 5 hours 05 minutes.
3 ways to travel from Hoi An to Ninh Binh
There are three ways to travel from Hoi An to Ninh Binh. You can choose between the bus, train, and flight. The journey takes 5h 5m–16h and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $17 (455,000 VND).
2 legs — see itinerary
- Hoi An→Da Nang2h
- Da Nang→Ninh Binh15h
4 legs — see itinerary
- Hoi An→Da Nang Airport45m
- Da Nang→Hanoi1h 20m
- Hanoi Airport→Hanoi Railway Station1h
- Hanoi→Ninh Binh2h
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Hoi An to Ninh Binh by Bus
We do not recommend travelling by bus from Hoi An to Ninh Binh. Taking a train or a flight is a much safer choice to travel long distances.
When travelling by bus, you will spend 13h-17h on the road and will arrive in Ninh Binh very early morning. Chances are you’ll still have to spend on accommodation even when you take the night bus.
Bus fares from Hoi An to Ninh Binh start from $17 (455,000 VND).
Departure and arrival station
Different bus companies have varying departure and arrival points. Make sure to check this detail when booking your ride so you can pick the bus that has the most convenient pick-up and drop-off points.
All buses depart from Hoi An town centre. Queen Cafe and Camel Travel park at Ninh Binh City. If you’re heading to Tam Coc, take The Long Travel.
Bus schedule from Hoi An to Ninh Binh
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Hoi An to Ninh Binh by Train
Taking the train from Hoi An to Ninh Binh can be quite convenient even though the journey takes about 15h 54m - 17h 09m. You can take an overnight train so that you can save on valuable day time and a night on accommodation.
Keep in mind that Hoi An does not have its own railway station. You’ll have to take the train from Da Nang to Ninh Binh city centre. If you’re staying in Tam Coc, you’ll need a short taxi ride from Ninh Binh Railway Station.
Step 1: Hoi An to Da Nang Railway Station by Minivan
Da Nang Railway Station is 30 km north of Hoi An. There are 2 ways you can get there: by minivan with fares from $2.60 (68,000 VND) or by taxi for around $17 (440,000 VND).
Minivans depart from Hoi An centre and drop you off outside the train station. These are available daily from 06:00 to 20:00. If you’re carrying bulky luggage, you can consider taking a taxi so you can be picked up from your hotel.
Some drivers try to take advantage of tourists by offering overpriced taxis from Hoi An to Da Nang. For fixed rates and comfortable cars, we recommend that you book your minivan or private transfer online through BookAway.
Check out our page on Da Nang Railway Station for more details.
IMPORTANT: There used to be cheap local buses (Bus #1) operating from Hoi An to Da Nang. But the last time we checked (August 2024), these were no longer available.
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Step 2: Da Nang to Ninh Binh by Train
There are 5 trains operating daily from Da Nang to Ninh Binh. Travel time is 15 hours 09 minutes, depending on which train you take.
We think the most convenient train is SE12, which departs in the afternoon and arrives in the morning. Although this train journey takes 16 hours, you’ll be able to enjoy a good night’s sleep as well as save a night on accommodation.
Train fares start from $23 (611,000 VND) for a bunk in a 4-berth sleeper. Cheaper rates are also available for soft seats and 6-berth sleeper, but they may not be very comfortable for the long journey.
Trains depart from Da Nang Railway Station and arrive at Ninh Binh Railway Station, which is just within walking distance of many hotels in the city.
Train tickets are available on Bookaway.
Optional: Taxi from Ninh Binh to Tam Coc
Tam Coc is located 6 km southwest of Ninh Binh Railway Station. If you’re staying in Tam Coc, you can take a motorbike taxi or regular taxi to your hotel.
If you’re travelling light, a motorbike taxi is the cheaper option with fares starting from $1 (25,000 VND). Otherwise, you can hail a regular taxi for about $4.60 (120,000 VND).
Hoi An to Ninh Binh by Flight
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Hoi An to Da Nang Airport by Shuttle Bus
Da Nang Airport is 45 minutes away from Hoi An.
If you’re travelling solo, we recommend taking a shuttle bus that costs $5.90 (155,000 VND). This bus departs from Hoi An centre and takes you straight to the airport.
If you’re travelling in a group, it might be more cost-efficient to just take a taxi with rates from $12 (320,000 VND).
You can book a shuttle bus or private transfer online beforehand on BookAway.
Visit our Da Nang Airport page for more info.
Step 2: Da Nang to Hanoi by Flight
Bamboo Airways, Vietjet Air and Vietnam Airlines all offer daily flights from Da Nang to Hanoi.
Airfares start from $24 (620,000 VND). Make sure to book your flight weeks or months in advance to get the best rates!
The flight from Da Nang to Ninh Binh takes around 1h 20m.
Step 3: Hanoi Airport to Hanoi Railway Station
From Hanoi Airport, the best way to get to Hanoi Railway Station is via Express Bus #86. This bus makes its last stop at the train station so it’s very convenient.
A ticket costs $1.70 (45,000 VND) for the journey that takes 1 hour.
See our page on Hanoi Airport for more transport options.
Step 4: Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Train
There are 5 trains operating daily from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, with departures from 06:00 to 22:15.
Travel time takes around 2 hours and ticket prices start from $3.20 (83,000 VND).
Your last stop is at Ninh Binh Railway Station. If you’re staying in the city, you can simply walk to your hotel. But if your accommodation is in Tam Coc, you can take a 15-minute taxi.
For more info, check out our page on Hanoi to Ninh Binh.
Flight tickets are available on Bookaway.
Our favourite places to stay in Ninh Binh
Here are our favourite places to stay in Ninh Binh for every budget.
BudgetTam Coc Family Hotel
Want to know what it feels like to stay with a Vietnamese family? Tam Coc Family Hotel really does make you feel at home with the family.
The friendly owners will tell you all of the best spots to visit in Ninh Binh, and start your day right with a delicious home-cooked breakfast. It's a great example of why you don't have to spend a lot for a great guesthouse.
Another plus: It's a 1-minute walk from the Tam Coc river and drop-off point of the bus.
Mid-RangeTam Coc Bungalow
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Ninh Binh?
Ninh Binh is a natural paradise in northern Vietnam. The province is home to the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, which you can find in the tranquil town of Tam Coc.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trang An boasts amazing viewpoints, limestone peaks, temples and pagodas. A boat tour along Trang An River is the most popular activity because it gives one a glimpse of traditional village life. Backdropped by rice paddies and karst mountains, Ninh Binh is a sight to behold!
Rounding it up
That's the Full picture for getting from Hoi An to Ninh Binh, roughly 545 kilometres (339 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $17 (455,000 VND). The quickest trip takes 5h 5m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Hoi An to Ninh Binh?
The distance from Hoi An to Ninh Binh is 545 kilometres (339 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Hoi An to Ninh Binh?
The fastest way to get from Hoi An to Ninh Binh is by flight and takes 5 hours 05 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Hoi An to Ninh Binh?
The cheapest way to get from Hoi An to Ninh Binh is by bus with ticket costs starting from 455,000 VND.
About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
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