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 Hoi An to Ninh Binh
There are 3 ways to travel the distance of 700 kilometers (435 miles) from Hoi An to Ninh Binh by bus (13 to 17 hours), train (16 to 17 hours) and flight (5 hours 5 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 5 hours 5 minutes to 17 hours and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from €15.90 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.
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 13 to 17 hours 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 €15.90.
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 schedules from Hoi An to Ninh Binh
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 16 to 17 hours. 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 €2.40 or by taxi for around 440,000 VND (€16.20).
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.
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 €21 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.
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.
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 25,000 VND (€0.90). Otherwise, you can hail a regular taxi for about 120,000 VND (€4.40).
Hoi An to Ninh Binh by Flight
This may be the fastest option, but we don’t really recommend taking a flight from Hoi An to Ninh Binh. There is no airport in both cities so you’ll have to make at least 4 transfers. Catching a train ride is still the more convenient option.
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 155,000 VND (€5.70). 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 320,000 VND (€11.80).
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 620,000 VND (€23). 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 45,000 VND (€1.70) 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 83,000 VND (€3.10).
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.
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 Hoi An to Ninh Binh
What is the distance from Hoi An to Ninh Binh?
The distance from Hoi An to Ninh Binh is 700 kilometers (435 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 5 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 €15.90.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Hoi An 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.
