How to get from Hue 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 3 ways to travel the 590 kilometers (367 miles) from Hue to Ninh Binh. You can choose between the bus, train and flight. The journey takes 5 hours 40 minutes to 12 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 346,000 VND ($13.30).

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 346,000 VND ($13.30). 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.

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 554,000 VND ($21) 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.

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.

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 ($10.40).

VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines, and Bamboo Airways operate daily flights from Hue to Hanoi.

Airfares start from 630,000 VND ($24) if you book your tickets early. Do note that ticket prices can go as high as 1,100,000 VND ($42) during peak season or if you book near the travel date.

The flight takes 1h 10m.

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 ($17.70) per person.

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 ($44).

Check out our page on how to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh for more details.