
Hue was Vietnam's imperial capital, 455 kilometres (283 miles) south of Ninh Binh. The Citadel and the royal tombs along the Perfume River are the draw. Flying is the quickest way to get from Ninh Binh to Hue, taking 3h 45m - 5h 45m. Overland, the bus is the cheapest at $18 (482,000 VND) and takes 8h - 13h 30m. The train costs more and takes about as long.
Distance from Ninh Binh to Hue
Ninh Binh and Hue are about 455 km (283 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 576 km by road. The quickest way to get from Ninh Binh to Hue is by taking the flight, which takes around 3h 45m - 5h 45m.
3 ways to travel from Ninh Binh to Hue
There are three ways to travel from Ninh Binh to Hue. You can choose between the bus, train, and flight. The journey takes 3h 45m–11h and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $18 (482,000 VND).
3 legs — see itinerary
- Ninh Binh→Hanoi4h
- Hanoi→Hue1h 15m
- Hue Airport→Hue city centre30m
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Ninh Binh to Hue by Bus
There are a few bus companies operating on the Ninh Binh to Hue route, including Camel Travel, The Long Travel, Queen Cafe Bus, Green Trips, Duc Duong Bus, TBus and Cua Ong Limousine. These buses each offer one bus departure per day.
The bus ride takes 8h - 13h 30m. Although this option is the cheapest at $18 (482,000 VND), we don’t recommend travelling this long distance by bus. The night train is much safer and offers more comfort since you will have a mattress instead of a reclined seat.
Departure and arrival station
If you’re staying in Tam Coc, you can take a Long Travel bus that departs outside their hotel. The two other buses depart from the street across the Ninh Binh train station in the city centre.
You will be dropped off at Chu Van An street in Hue city centre. From here, you can already find various accommodations and establishments in the area.
Bus schedule from Ninh Binh to Hue
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
Ninh Binh to Hue by Train
Taking the night train from Ninh Binh to Hue is convenient for the long journey to Hue. You can get a good night of sleep and won’t lose a day travelling. You can also think of it as saving a night on accommodation.
Travel time by train can take 10h 49m - 12h 49m with prices from $25 (655,000 VND) for the sleeper berths.
Departure and arrival station
Trains depart from Ninh Binh Railway Station in the city centre. This railway station is about a 5-minute ride from the city bus station.
From Hue Railway Station, you can take a 10-minute taxi to Hue city centre. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also take a 25-minute walk!
Below are our recommended night train schedules:
Train schedule from Ninh Binh to Hue
Train tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
We recommend booking your tickets online through BookAway. Their site is intuitive, provides a clear picture of what you can expect, and offers great customer service. If you're eyeing the best deals, you might occasionally find slightly cheaper tickets on Baolau.
It’s best to book your train tickets in advance to secure a seat or a sleeper berth. You can read more in our post about travelling by train in Vietnam.
Ninh Binh to Hue by Flight
Ninh Binh does not have an airport so you will have to catch a flight from the closest airport, which is in Hanoi. Note that the two airports are also outside the city centres, so aside from the flight itself, you will still have to take additional rides.
We think the train is the better option for this route. It’s convenient and saves you a lot of daytime compared to taking a 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: Ninh Binh to Hanoi by Minivan
From Ninh Binh, you need to travel 95 km to Hanoi Airport. There are luxury minivans on this route with multiple departures throughout the day.
Khanh An Limousine offers free hotel pick-up in Tam Coc, while Duy Khang Limousine can pick you up from any hotel in Ninh Binh.
Travel time is 2-4 hours with rates from $17 (455,000 VND).
Flight tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
Step 2: Hanoi to Hue by Flight
There are three airlines operating the Hanoi to Hue route: Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, and Vietnam Airlines. There are usually flights in the morning and in the evening, so you can just book the flight that is convenient for you.
If you book early, you can find tickets as cheap as $23 (600,000 VND), but they can get up to $38 (1,000,000 VND). The flight takes about 1h 15m.
Step 3: Hue Airport to Hue city centre by Taxi
Hue Airport is located outside the city centre, so you still need to travel the 15 km distance to the city. Taxis are available right outside the airport. A taxi ride for 30 minutes would cost around $9.50 (250,000 VND).
Private cars are available on BookAway with rates from $10 (270,000 VND). You can also book via Klook in advance for around $11 (300,000 VND).
You can read more in our Hanoi to Hue.
Our favourite places to stay in Hue
Here are our favourite places to stay in Hue for every budget.
Hong Thien Ruby Hotel
Hotel La Pere
Cherish Hue Hotel
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Hue?
Hue in central Vietnam is a treat for history buffs. As the former national capital and seat of the Nguyen Dynasty, Hue is the best place to get to know Vietnam’s last imperial family. Explore the Imperial Citadel, cruise down the Perfume River, or sample an Imperial Banquet.
But if you ask us, the best thing to do in Hue is to ride a motorbike to the nearby Hai Van Pass — one of the greatest ocean roads in the world. This will reward you with some of the most jaw-dropping views you'll see in Vietnam!
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Ninh Binh to Hue, roughly 455 kilometres (283 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $18 (482,000 VND). The quickest trip takes 3h 45m.
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 Ninh Binh to Hue?
The distance from Ninh Binh to Hue is 455 kilometres (283 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Ninh Binh to Hue?
The fastest way to get from Ninh Binh to Hue is by flight and takes 3h 45m - 5h 45m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Ninh Binh to Hue?
The cheapest way to get from Ninh Binh to Hue is by bus with ticket costs starting from 482,000 VND.
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