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Ninh Binh is limestone karst country south of Hanoi, often called Halong Bay on land. Rowing boats thread through the flooded caves at Trang An and Tam Coc, past rice paddies and cliffs. The bus is the cheapest way to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh at $6.10 (161,000 VND). The train takes 2h - 2h 30m, and it costs more.
Distance from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
Hanoi and Ninh Binh are about 86 km (53 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 122 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 1h 20m and 10h.
5 ways to travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
There are five ways to travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. You can choose between the bus, minivan, train, day trip, and private transport. The journey takes 1h 20m–10h and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $6.10 (161,000 VND).
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1Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Bus
The bus is an affordable way to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. Bus fares start from $6.10 (161,000 VND) and the journey takes around 1h 30m - 3h 45m.
You can choose from four bus companies operating on this route: Green Trips, Sapa Dragon Express, TBus and Nam Quynh Anh.
Bus schedule from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Limo Van
The limo van is a quick and common way to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. There are several operators for this route, among which are Trang An Limousine, Khanh An Limousine, Ninh Binh Excursion, Duy Khang Limousine, Minh Long Limousine and Truly Ha Giang.
Rates for a limo van seat from Hanoi to Ninh Binh start from $7.30 (192,000 VND). Travel time is around 1h 20m - 4h.
We highly recommend that you pick a van that offers free hotel pick-up or drop-off. This not only saves you the hassle of finding your way to/from van stations, but it also allows you to save additional costs on transfers.
Departure and arrival station
Most limo van companies offer free hotel pick-up in Hanoi or free drop-off in Ninh Binh or Tam Coc. Others depart and arrive at their respective offices in the two cities.
It’s best that you pick a van with the most convenient departure and arrival stations for you.
Limo Van schedule from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Alternative: Public bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
The public bus is the cheapest way to get from to , but it is not as accessible as the limo vans.
The bus departure and arrival stations are located far from the tourist areas in both Hanoi in Ninh Binh. This means that even though a bus ticket only costs $2.70 (70,000 VND), you will most likely spend additional costs for your transfers to and from the bus stations.
We recommend taking the bus only if your hotels are located near the bus terminals. Travel time with the bus is around 2-3 hours.
Departure and arrival station
Buses depart from Giap Bat Bus Station, located 7 km southwest of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
They park at Ninh Binh Bus Station, located 7 km northeast of all the natural gems of Tam Coc.
Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Train
Vietnam Railways operates 5 trains from Hanoi to Ninh Binh daily. The first trip departs at 06:00 in the morning and the last train leaves Hanoi at 22:15.
Train fares from Hanoi to Ninh Binh start at $13 (329,000 VND) for a soft seat. There are also sleeping berths available, but they might not be that cost-efficient for this short journey.
Departure and arrival station
Trains depart from Hanoi Railway Station, located 3 km west of the Old Quarter. A taxi ride costs around $2.70 (70,000 VND).
You are to get off at Ninh Binh Railway Station, situated some 6 km northeast of Tam Coc.
Train schedule from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
Train tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
Optional: Taxi from Ninh Binh to Tam Coc
You will find several accommodations within a walkable distance from Ninh Binh Railway Station, but we recommend continuing your journey to Tam Coc.
As there are no public buses from Ninh Binh to Tam Coc, you have two ways to complete this 15-minute journey.
If you’re not carrying a lot of luggage, you can take a motorbike taxi, which costs around $1.00 (25,000 VND). Otherwise, you can hail a regular taxi for about $4.60 (120,000 VND).
Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Day Trip
If you want to visit Ninh Binh in only one day, you can also join a day trip from Hanoi that takes 10 hours.
Klook offers day trips from Hanoi to Ninh Binh starting from $30 (783,000 VND). This already includes roundtrip transfers, admission to sights, a visit to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, a rowboat tour along Tam Coc River, and lunch.
It’s worth noting that Tam Coc is a great place to spend slow days with nature, and is definitely worth 2 or 3 days of your itinerary when visiting Ninh Binh province.
Do you still want to go on a day trip from Hanoi to Ninh Binh? Just click the link below to book a day trip via Klook.
Day Trip tickets are available on Klook.
Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Taxi
Are you travelling in a group? You can also consider taking a taxi from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. Rates start from $50 (1,316,000 VND) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about $17 (439,000 VND) per person.
The advantage of taking a taxi is that you can be flexible with your schedule. You’ll also get a door-to-door pick-up, so no need to worry about finding your way to and from bus stations.
We recommend booking your ride via BookAway, which offers comfortable cars with professional drivers.
Taxi 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
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, roughly 86 kilometres (53 miles) apart. In all, there are 5 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $6.10 (161,000 VND). The quickest trip takes 1h 20m.
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 Hanoi to Ninh Binh?
The distance from Hanoi to Ninh Binh is 86 kilometres (53 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh?
Journey times from Hanoi to Ninh Binh overlap: bus 1h 30m - 3h 45m, limo van 1h 20m - 4h, train 2h - 2h 30m, day trip 10 hours, taxi 1h 30m - 3h. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
What is the cheapest way to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh?
The cheapest way to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh is by bus with ticket costs starting from 161,000 VND.
Hanoi to Ninh Binh?
How long does it take to travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh?
Should I stay in Ninh Binh or Tam Coc?
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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