How to get from CatBa to Ninh Binh
Why visit 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!
What are the 4 ways to travel from CatBa to Ninh Binh?
There are 4 ways to travel the 125 kilometre (78 miles) distance from CatBa to Ninh Binh. You can choose between the bus + ferry, shared minivan + ferry, private transport and ferry + bus. The journey takes 4 to 6 hours and the quickest way is by bus + ferry. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus + ferry with tickets starting at 225,000 VND ($8.60).
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.
CatBa to Ninh Binh by Bus + Ferry
Taking a combined bus and ferry is a convenient way to travel straight from CatBa to Ninh Binh. There are eleven companies operating on this route.
The combined bus and ferry from CatBa to Ninh Binh usually follows this route:
- The bus brings you from CatBa town centre to Cai Veng Port on the island’s northeast coast.
- Next, you are transferred to a ferry or speedboat, which takes you to Benh Binh Harbour in Hai Phong.
- From this pier, a bus is waiting to bring you to Ninh Binh or Tam Coc.
The entire journey takes around 4 to 5 hours and fares start from 225,000 VND ($8.60).
Not sure yet which area to stay in Ninh Binh? See our Ninh Binh destination page for why we think you should travel to Tam Coc instead of Ninh Binh.
Departure and arrival station
Buses depart from CatBa town centre, or you can be picked up from your hotel if you book with Daiichi Travel.
Both companies park in Tam Coc town centre, but The Long Travel also stops to drop off passengers in Ninh Binh City.
TIP: In case you want to stay in Ninh Binh City, make sure the bus company stops there! We have heard stories of bus drivers who refused to stop in Ninh Binh City and argued that they were going to Ninh Binh province instead of the city.
Bus + Ferry schedules from CatBa to Ninh Binh
Where to book your combined bus + ferry ticket from CatBa to Ninh Binh?
We highly recommend booking your tickets online beforehand for guaranteed seats. BookAway offers a couple of good choices with popular companies operating on this route. Both bus companies available get good reviews.
If you prefer to buy your tickets onsite, there are also several travel agencies on CatBa Island. But we can’t guarantee seat availability, as well as bus quality.
CatBa to Ninh Binh by Ferry + Bus
Hai Phong is a coastal city located just across CatBa, around 30 km away. Some tourists travelling from CatBa to Ninh Binh prefer to make a short stop in Hai Phong before continuing their journey.
Are you one of those tourists? If yes, read on for a detailed guide!
Step 1: CatBa to Hai Phong by Ferry
To get to Hai Phong, you are to take a ferry for 1.5 hours from CatBa Island. A ticket costs 140,000 VND ($5.40).
The great thing about these ferries is that they depart from CatBa Pier, which is just within walking distance of many hotels in CatBa town centre.
Ferries dock at Benh Binh Harbour, just about 1 km north of Hai Phong city centre. Depending on your destination in the city, you can get there on foot or via a short taxi ride.
Ferry tickets are available for online booking on Baolau.
Step 2: Hai Phong to Ninh Binh by Bus
Once you’ve had your fill of Hai Phong, you can simply take a bus to Ninh Binh Province.
The Long Travel operates two daily buses from Hai Phong city centre to Tam Coc. Bus ticket prices start from 204,000 VND ($7.80) for the journey that takes 3h - 4h 30m.
Buses depart from Nha Hat Lon in Hai Phong city centre. They park at The Long Hotel in Tam Coc town centre.
If you’re heading to Ninh Binh City, ask the driver beforehand if he could make a stop in the city to drop you off.
CatBa to Ninh Binh by Shared Minivan + Ferry
A shared minivan + ferry ride from CatBa to Ninh Binh costs around 371,000 VND ($14.20). The journey takes about 4 to 5 hours, depending on traffic.
There are three companies operating on this route: The Long Travel, 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 CatBa to Ninh Binh
CatBa to Ninh Binh by Private Transport
A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from CatBa to Ninh Binh.
Rates start from 2,874,000 VND ($110) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about 958,000 VND ($36.50) per person. Travel time is around 4 hours 30 minutes.
Private Transport options from CatBa 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.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from CatBa 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!
Frequently Asked Questions about CatBa to Ninh Binh
What is the distance from CatBa to Ninh Binh?
The distance from CatBa to Ninh Binh is 125 kilometre (78 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from CatBa to Ninh Binh?
The fastest way to get from CatBa to Ninh Binh is by bus + ferry and takes 4 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from CatBa to Ninh Binh?
The cheapest way to get from CatBa to Ninh Binh is by bus + ferry with ticket costs starting from 225,000 VND ($8.60).
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.
