What to expect when visiting CatBa
Cat Ba is a biodiverse island along Vietnam’s northeast coast. The largest of the islands in Halong Bay, Cat Ba boasts a rugged karst landscape dotted with spectacular limestone cliffs, sandy beaches, lakes, grottoes, and waterfalls.
Popular activities include kayaking and rock climbing, but you can also just lounge by the beach and wait for the sunset at Cannon Fort. The island rose in popularity in recent years, but we love that most areas remain untouched in Cat Ba.
4 ways to get from Ninh Binh to CatBa
There are 4 ways to travel the distance of 125 kilometers (78 miles) from Ninh Binh to CatBa by bus + ferry (4 hours to 4 hours 30 minutes), Shared minivan + ferry (4 hours to 4 hours 30 minutes), private Transport (4 hours 30 minutes) and ferry + bus (4 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours). The journey duration ranges between 4 to 6 hours and the quickest way is by bus + ferry. The lowest priced tickets start from €7.20 for the bus + ferry.Ninh Binh to CatBa by Bus + Ferry
There are several bus and ferry trips available daily from Tam Coc or Ninh Binh to CatBa. The Long Travel, Daiichi Travel, Limousine Tam Coc Ninh Binh, Full Moon Party, Good Morning Cat Ba, Cat Ba Discovery and TBus are seven of the main operators for this route.
Both receive fairly good reviews, but we prefer travelling with Daiichi as they offer free hotel drop-off in CatBa. Fares start from €7.20.
The bus and ferry journey from Ninh Binh to CatBa takes around 4 hours to 4 hours 30 minutes. Operators usually follow this route:
- A bus brings you from Tam Coc or Ninh Binh to Ben Binh Ferry Port in Hai Phong.
- From there, you will be transferred to a ferry that takes you to Cai Vieng Pier on the northeast coast of CatBa.
- In Cai Vieng, you will board the bus again to get to CatBa town centre on the south coast.
Departure and arrival station
Buses depart from their company’s respective offices in Tam Coc town centre, although The Long Travel also picks up passengers in Ninh Binh City.
Both companies park in CatBa town centre. Daiichi also offers free drop-off directly at your hotel’s doorstep.
Bus schedules from Ninh Binh to CatBa
PRO TIP: Use the free N26 debit card to avoid the extra fees charged by your bank. This N26 debit card is becoming very popular among travellers, because they don’t charge any fees on payments in foreign currencies (most banks charge 3%-5%). New members can order one for free on the N26 website
Where to book your combined bus + ferry ticket from CatBa to Ninh Binh?
Booking online via BookAway not only guarantees you a seat on your desired date and time, it also ensures that you will get a comfortable ride. Just in case it fails to deliver, you can also easily file a complaint with BookAway’s very reliable customer service.
Another option is to book with an agency or hotel in Tam Coc or Ninh Binh, although they don’t always offer the best services.
Ninh Binh to CatBa by Ferry + Bus
Are you planning to explore Hai Phong on your way to CatBa? If yes, then you can also book separate tickets for your bus and ferry trips from Ninh Binh to CatBa.
Step 1: Ninh Binh to Hai Phong by Bus
The Long Travel operates two daily bus trips from Tam Coc town centre to Hai Phong city centre. A ticket costs €7.30 for the journey that takes 3h - 4h 30m.
Buses depart from The Long Hotel in Tam Coc and arrive at Nha Hat Lon in Hai Phong city centre, just 1 km south of Ben Binh Harbour.
IMPORTANT: When buying your ticket online, make sure to book a bus that arrives in Nha Hat Lon. Other buses go all the way to Got Pier, which is located 30 km away from Hai Phong city centre.
Step 2: Hai Phong to CatBa by Ferry
When taking a ferry from Hai Phong to CatBa, it’s best to depart from Ben Binh Pier or Pha Binh.
First, Ben Binh Pier is located just about 2 km north of Hai Phong city centre. Second, ferries operating from Ben Binh will take you directly to CatBa Pier in the island’s town centre.
Ferries depart from Ben Binh Pier and dock at CatBa Pier, which is located within walking distance of many hotels in CatBa town centre.
You can buy your tickets at the port or online beforehand through Baolau.
Ninh Binh to CatBa by Shared Minivan + Ferry
A shared minivan + ferry ride from Ninh Binh to CatBa costs around €13.50. The minivan journey takes about 4 hours to 4 hours 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
There are two companies operating on this route: Limousine Tam Coc Ninh Binh and Cat Ba Limousine Bus.
What we like about this option is that some minivan companies offer free hotel pickup and drop-off. This saves you the hassle and extra cost of finding your way to and from bus stations.
Shared Minivan + Ferry options from Ninh Binh to CatBa
Ninh Binh to CatBa by Private Transport
A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Ninh Binh to CatBa.
Rates start from €100 for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about €34 per person. Travel time is around 4 hours 30 minutes.
Private Transport options from Ninh Binh to CatBa
Frequently Asked Questions about Ninh Binh to CatBa
What is the distance from Ninh Binh to CatBa?
The distance from Ninh Binh to CatBa is 125 kilometers (78 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Ninh Binh to CatBa?
The fastest way to get from Ninh Binh to CatBa is by bus + ferry and takes 4 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Ninh Binh to CatBa?
The cheapest way to get from Ninh Binh to CatBa is by bus + ferry with ticket costs starting from €7.20.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Ninh Binh to CatBa. 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.
