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!

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 226,000 VND ($8.60).

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 226,000 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.

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!

To get to Hai Phong, you are to take a ferry for 1.5 hours from CatBa Island. A ticket costs 140,000 VND ($5.30).

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.

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 205,000 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.

A shared minivan + ferry ride from CatBa to Ninh Binh costs around 372,000 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

A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from CatBa to Ninh Binh.

Rates start from 2,885,000 VND ($110) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about 962,000 VND ($36.50) per person. Travel time is around 4 hours 30 minutes.

Private Transport options from CatBa to Ninh Binh