Hue to Ninh Binh

How to Get From Hue to Ninh Binh

3Options
5h 40mFastest
$13From
ElaMaartenWritten by Ela · Reviewed by Maarten · Updated 3 weeks ago

Bus · Train · Flight

Ninh Binh is karst country, 453 kilometres (281 miles) north of Hue. Limestone towers rise straight out of the rice paddies, and you can row through the caves at Tam Coc. Flying is the quickest way, taking 5 hours 40 minutes. Overland, the bus is the cheapest way to get from Hue to Ninh Binh at $13 (350,000 VND). The train costs more and takes a little longer.

DISTANCE

Distance from Hue to Ninh Binh

Hue and Ninh Binh are about 453 km (281 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 580 km by road. The quickest way to get from Hue to Ninh Binh is by taking the flight, which takes around 5h 40m.

~453 km
Straight-line distance
~580 km
Route distance
5h 40m
Fastest
Travelling the other way?Ninh Binh to Hue→
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3 ways to travel from Hue to Ninh Binh

There are three ways to travel from Hue to Ninh Binh. You can choose between the bus, train, and flight. The journey takes 5h 40m–12h and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $13 (350,000 VND).

Bus14 departuresDuration9h 45m+Pricefrom$13350,000 VND

Hue to Ninh Binh by Bus

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 $13 (350,000 VND). Travel time is 9h 45m - 12h, 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.

Bus schedule from Hue to Ninh Binh

11h30mGreen TripsSleeping7 Doi CungNinh Binh Central Hotel17:00$13350,000 VNDTickets
12hTechbus VN JSCSleepingTbus HueTbus Ninh Binh16:4517:00$15385,000 VNDTickets
12hTechbus VN JSCSleepingTbus HueMr Khanh Travel Agency Ninh Binh16:4517:00$15385,000 VNDTickets
11h30mQueen Cafe BusSleeping7 Doi CungNinh Binh Central Hotel17:00$15390,000 VNDTickets
11h30mTBusSleeping7 Doi CungMike's Travel Agency17:00$15390,000 VNDTickets
Show all 30 companies
11h30mQueen Cafe BusVIP Cabin7 Doi CungNinh Binh Central Hotel17:00$15395,000 VNDTickets
10hQueen Cafe BusSleepingLaurel Hotel/Queen CafeMike's Travel Agency17:00$16420,000 VNDTickets
11h30mQueen Cafe BusLuxury SleepingLaurel Hotel/Queen CafeMike's Travel Agency17:00$16430,000 VNDTickets
11hDuc Duong BusVIP 34 Seats7 Doi Cung HueMikes Travel Agency16:3016:5017:0017:15$17440,000 VNDTickets
11hDuc Duong BusSleeping7 Doi Cung HueMikes Travel Agency16:2516:3516:5517:10$17440,000 VNDTickets
11hDuc Duong BusSleeping7 Doi Cung HueNinh Phong Ninh Binh16:2516:3516:5517:10$17440,000 VNDTickets
11h15mDuc Duong BusSleeping7 Doi Cung HueMr Khanh Travel Agency Ninh Binh16:2516:3516:5517:10$17440,000 VNDTickets
11hNinh Binh FootprintVIP CabinHue - Vy DaNinh Binh FootPrint Travel15:00$17455,000 VNDTickets
11h30mGreen TripsVIP Cabin7 Doi CungNinh Binh Central Hotel17:00$17455,000 VNDTickets
11hDuc Duong BusVIP 34 Seats7 Doi Cung HueNinh Phong Ninh Binh16:3016:5017:0017:15$18475,000 VNDTickets
11h15mDuc Duong BusVIP 34 Seats7 Doi Cung HueMr Khanh Travel Agency Ninh Binh16:3016:5017:0017:15$18475,000 VNDTickets
12hCamel TravelSleepingCamel Travel office HueNinh Binh Central Hotel17:00$18480,000 VNDTickets
11h5mCamel TravelVIP SleepingHue Office (Nguyen Sinh CungThe Long Hotel17:1518:00$19495,000 VNDTickets
11h20mCamel TravelVIP SleepingHue Office (Nguyen Sinh CungNo 46, 27/7 street17:1518:00$19495,000 VNDTickets
11hTechbus VN JSCVIP SleepingTbus HueTbus Ninh Binh16:3016:45$19510,000 VNDTickets
12hTechbus VN JSCVIP SleepingTbus HueMr Khanh Travel Agency Ninh Binh16:3016:45$19510,000 VNDTickets
11h30mTBusLuxury Sleeping7 Doi CungMike's Travel Agency17:00$19510,000 VNDTickets
11hDuc Duong BusVIP Sleeping7 Doi Cung HueMikes Travel Agency16:2516:4016:55$21540,000 VNDTickets
11hDuc Duong BusVIP Sleeping7 Doi Cung HueMr Khanh Travel Agency Ninh Binh16:2516:4016:55$21540,000 VNDTickets
12hGrouptourSleepingHue Luxury SSBNinh Binh SSB16:1016:2016:30$21550,000 VNDTickets
12hGrouptourSleepingHue Luxury SSBNinh Binh Luxury SSB16:1016:2016:30$21550,000 VNDTickets
12hCua Ong LimousineVIP SleepingHueNinh Binh16:30$21560,000 VNDTickets
11hNinh Binh FootprintRoyal CabinHue - Vy DaNinh Binh FootPrint Travel15:00$25650,000 VNDTickets
9h45mDuy Khanh LimousineVIP CabinHue Office - No 78 Tran Quang Khai StreetNinh Binh16:45$33870,000 VNDTickets
10h30mDuy Khanh LimousineVIP CabinHue Office - No 78 Tran Quang Khai StreetNinh Binh16:30$38990,000 VNDTickets
Available atBookaway

Stations

Map of stations
Click to explore
From
To

Booking Tip

If your hotel is located in Tam Coc, we recommend taking a bus that goes straight to the village. This way, you won’t have to spend extra on the taxi ride from Ninh Binh City.
Ninh Binh
Train11 departuresDuration12h+Pricefrom$22560,000 VND

Hue to Ninh Binh by Train

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 12h - 12h 09m. Ticket prices start from $22 (560,000 VND) 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.

Train schedule from Hue to Ninh Binh

12h16mVietnam RailwaySecond Class AC SeatHue Train StationNinh Binh Train Station03:31$22560,000 VNDTickets
12h35mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatHueNinh Binh03:34$22580,000 VNDTickets
13h10mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatHueNinh Binh18:28$24620,000 VNDTickets
12h15mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatHueNinh Binh13:43$24620,000 VNDTickets
11h37mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatHueNinh Binh15:32$24620,000 VNDTickets
Show all 30 companies
11h19mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatHueNinh Binh16:24$24630,000 VNDTickets
12h16mVietnam RailwaySecond Class AC SeatHue Train StationNinh Binh Train Station13:4315:3216:22$25660,000 VNDTickets
12hVietnam RailwaySecond Class Sleeper ACHue Train StationNinh Binh Train Station13:43$36930,000 VNDTickets
13h10mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperHueNinh Binh18:28$38980,000 VNDTickets
12h15mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperHueNinh Binh13:43$381,000,000 VNDTickets
12h35mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperHueNinh Binh03:34$381,000,000 VNDTickets
12hVietnam RailwaySecond Class Sleeper ACHue Train StationNinh Binh Train Station15:3216:22$401,040,000 VNDTickets
13h10mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperHueNinh Binh18:28$421,100,000 VNDTickets
12h35mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperHueNinh Binh03:34$421,100,000 VNDTickets
11h37mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperHueNinh Binh15:32$441,140,000 VNDTickets
11h19mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperHueNinh Binh16:24$441,160,000 VNDTickets
12h15mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperHueNinh Binh13:43$451,160,000 VNDTickets
12h33mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperHueNinh Binh20:41$461,200,000 VNDTickets
11h37mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperHueNinh Binh15:32$481,260,000 VNDTickets
11h19mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperHueNinh Binh16:24$491,280,000 VNDTickets
12hVietnam RailwayFirst Class SleeperHue Train StationNinh Binh Train Station20:35$491,280,000 VNDTickets
12hVietnam RailwayFirst Class SleeperHue Train StationNinh Binh Train Station13:4315:3216:2220:41$501,320,000 VNDTickets
12h16mVietnam RailwayFirst Class Sleeper (Reunification Express)Hue Train StationNinh Binh Train Station20:41$501,320,000 VNDTickets
11h57mLotus TrainShared Deluxe Cabin for 4Hue Train StationNinh Binh Train Station20:54$711,860,000 VNDTickets
11h47mViolette Express TrainShared Cabin for 4HueNinh Binh15:3216:22$741,940,000 VNDTickets
12h40mLaman ExpressShared Cabin for 4HueNinh Binh20:35$751,980,000 VNDTickets
11h19mVietnam RailwaysCabin 2 XHueNinh Binh16:24$942,480,000 VNDTickets
12h40mLaman ExpressFirst Class SleeperHueNinh Binh20:35$1353,600,000 VNDTickets
12h40mLaman ExpressPremium ClassHueNinh Binh20:35$1554,050,000 VNDTickets
11h37mLotus TrainVIP CabinHue Train StationNinh Binh Railway Station20:40$2707,100,000 VNDTickets
Available atBookaway

Stations

Map of stations
Click to explore
From
To

Booking Tip

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.
Ninh Binh
FlightVia HanoiDuration5h 40mPricefrom$521,360,000 VND

Hue to Ninh Binh by Flight

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.

Step 1: Hue city centre to Hue Airport by Taxi

30m$10 (270,000 VND)
Hue Airport is 30 minutes away from the city centre. The best way to get there is by taxi with rates from $10 (270,000 VND).

Step 2: Hue to Hanoi by Flight

1h 10m$24 (630,000 VND)

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

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

The flight takes 1h 10m.

Check Flights on Skyscanner

Step 3: Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Minivan

4h$18 (460,000 VND)

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 $18 (460,000 VND) per person.

Flight tickets are available on Bookaway.

Alternative: Hanoi Airport to Ninh Binh by Taxi

2h$44 (1,160,000 VND)

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 $44 (1,160,000 VND).

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

Check Private Transfers with BookAway
Ninh Binh

Reach out to our Community

1

Hello, do you know how I can book the SE20 train that departs at 21:30? I can't find it on any of the booking websites.

M
MaartenGeckoRoutes team

Hi Esmee, unfortunately, the SE20 is currently not available anymore. We just updated the entire route yesterday with the latest availability. Safe travels!

0
1
STAY

Our favourite places to stay in Ninh Binh

Here are our favourite places to stay in Ninh Binh for every budget.

Tam Coc Family Hotel
Budget

Tam Coc Family Hotel
































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.



Check availability
Tam Coc Bungalow
Mid-Range

Tam Coc Bungalow





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 (840,000 VND) and dorm rooms from $6 (158,000 VND). 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.
Check availability

ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION

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!

Rounding it up

That's the full picture for getting from Hue to Ninh Binh, roughly 453 kilometres (281 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $13 (350,000 VND). The quickest trip takes 5h 40m.

Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Hue to Ninh Binh?

The distance from Hue to Ninh Binh is 453 kilometres (281 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Hue to Ninh Binh?

The fastest way to get from Hue to Ninh Binh is by flight and takes 5h 40m.

What is the cheapest way to get from Hue to Ninh Binh?

The cheapest way to get from Hue to Ninh Binh is by bus with ticket costs starting from 350,000 VND.

About the Authors

Ela
Ela

Senior Travel Writer

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.

Maarten
MaartenReviewer

Founder & Trip Planning Expert

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.

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Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep Gecko Routes free and up to date.

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