What to expect when visiting 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!
3 ways to get from Hue to Ninh Binh
There are 3 ways to travel the distance of 590 kilometers (367 miles) from Hue to Ninh Binh by bus (9 hours 45 minutes to 12 hours), train (12 hours) and flight (5 hours 40 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 5 hours 40 minutes to 12 hours and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from €12.20 for the bus.Where to stay in Ninh Binh?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Ninh Binh at the bottom of this page.
Hue to Ninh Binh by Bus
There are a few bus companies operating from Hue to Ninh Binh. The Long Travel and Queen Cafe are two of the most popular bus operators.
Note that all buses arrive in Ninh Binh early morning. If you don’t want to spend your early morning hours on the streets, best to book accommodation for the night.
Bus fares from Hue to Ninh Binh start from €12.20. Travel time is 9 hours 45 minutes to 12 hours, depending on which bus you take.
Departure and arrival station
If you’re taking the Long Travel or Camel Travel bus to Tam Coc, the drop-off point is at the Long Hotel in the town centre. As for the buses heading to Ninh Binh, they will drop you off at Ninh Binh city centre.
Bus schedules from Hue to Ninh Binh
If your hotel is located in Tam Coc, we recommend taking a bus that goes straight to the village. This way, you won’t have to spend extra on the taxi ride from Ninh Binh City.
Hue to Ninh Binh by Train
Both Hue and Ninh Binh have their own railway stations. This makes it convenient to travel this long distance by train.
Vietnam Railways operates several trips daily. If you prefer to travel during the day, we recommend taking SE8 because of its convenient arrival time. The rest of the trains are night trains that arrive in Ninh Binh in the middle of the night.
Travel time by train from Hue to Ninh Binh can take 12 hours. Ticket prices start from €19.50 for a soft seat.
Departure and arrival station
Hue Railway Station is about a 25-minute walk from the city centre. You can also take a 10-minute taxi ride if you have luggage.
You will arrive at Ninh Binh Railway Station, which is within walking distance of many hotels in the city centre. If you’re headed to Tam Coc, then you can get there via a 15-minute taxi.
Train schedules from Hue to Ninh Binh
Hue to Ninh Binh by Flight
If travel time with both the train and the bus is too long for you, you also have the option to take a flight to get from Hue to Ninh Binh.
This option isn’t as quick as you’d hope, though. Ninh Binh doesn’t have its own airport, so you can only fly from Hue to Hanoi. From Hanoi, you can then take a minivan or private transfer to Ninh Binh.
We don’t think this option offers much advantage over the train, which is cheaper and more direct.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Hue city centre to Hue Airport by Taxi
Hue Airport is 30 minutes away from the city centre. The best way to get there is by taxi with rates from 270,000 VND (€9.90).
Step 2: Hue to Hanoi by Flight
VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines, and Bamboo Airways operate daily flights from Hue to Hanoi.
Airfares start from 630,000 VND (€23) if you book your tickets early. Do note that ticket prices can go as high as 1,100,000 VND (€40) during peak season or if you book near the travel date.
The flight takes 1h 10m.
Step 3: Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Minivan
Minivans are common for this route, and there are several companies offering trips from morning to night daily.
We recommend booking your ride with Duy Khang Limousine, which picks you up at Hanoi Airport and takes you straight to your hotel in Ninh Binh. Duy Khang departs every hour from 05:30 to 19:30.
Khanh Anh Limousine also offers airport pick-up and the minivan will bring you to your hotel in Tam Coc.
A minivan from Hanoi Airport to Ninh Binh costs 460,000 VND (€16.90) per person.
Alternative: Hanoi Airport to Ninh Binh by Taxi
If you’re travelling in a group or if you’re arriving at Hanoi Airport beyond the operating hours of the minivans, then you can also take a private transfer to Ninh Binh.
We recommend booking your private ride online beforehand via BookAway so that your driver will already be waiting for you at the airport. BookAway also offers comfortable cars with trusted drivers.
Rates for a 5-seater SUV from Hanoi Airport to any hotel in Ninh Binh start from 1,150,000 VND (€42).
Check out our page on how to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh for more details.
Best places to stay in Ninh Binh
Tam Coc Family Hotel - Budget Friendly
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.
Tam Coc Bungalow - Mid Range
Do you prefer to stay at the riverside of Tam Coc? Tam Coc Bungalow has spacious bamboo bungalows right next to the Tam Coc river. Bungalows start from $32 and dorm rooms from $6.
What we really liked about this place is their open-air restuarant. From the terrace you can watch the locals paddling back to Tam Coc town during sunset and in the evening you can play a game of pool at the open restaurant area.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hue to Ninh Binh
What is the distance from Hue to Ninh Binh?
The distance from Hue to Ninh Binh is 590 kilometers (367 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Hue to Ninh Binh?
The fastest way to get from Hue to Ninh Binh is by flight and takes 5 hours 40 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Hue to Ninh Binh?
The cheapest way to get from Hue to Ninh Binh is by bus with ticket costs starting from €12.20.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Hue to Ninh Binh. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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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.
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.
Hello, do you know how I can book the SE20 train that departs at 21:30? I can’t find it on any of the booking websites.
Hi Esmee, unfortunately, the SE20 is currently not available anymore. We just updated the entire route yesterday with the latest availability. Safe travels!