Hue to Ninh Binh

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How to get from Hue to Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh offers a great change of scenery after exploring the historic town of Hue.

Ninh Binh’s main tourist draw is the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, located in the tranquil town of Tam Coc. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can find here some amazing viewpoints, limestone peaks, temples and pagodas to explore.

Join a boat tour that follows the Trang An River through rice paddies surrounded by karst mountains. Such a sight to behold!

3 ways to get from Hue to Ninh Binh

Transport mode	Duration	Costs		Availability
Train	11-13.5 hours	500,000 VND ($20.50)		Check Train Tickets
Bus	10-12.5 hours	390,000 VND ($16.00)		Check Bus Tickets
Flight	5hrs 40m	1,360,000 VND ($56.00)		Check Flights

There are 3 ways you can travel the 590 km from Hue to Ninh Binh: by train (11-13.5 hours), by bus (10-12.5 hours), and by flight (5hrs 40m). Rates range from 390,000 VND ($16.00) to 1,360,000 VND ($56.00).

The train is the most convenient way to travel the long distance from Hue to Ninh Binh. Ticket prices start from 500,000 VND ($20.50) for a soft seat, but you can also book a sleeper berth for more comfort. The train journey takes 11 to 13.5 hours.

The bus is a cheap alternative to the train. With the bus, you can get a sleeper bunk from Hue to Ninh Binh for around 390,000 VND ($16.00). Buses might not be as comfortable as trains, though. Also, all buses arrive in the middle of the night in Ninh Binh.

You can also take a flight from Hue to Ninh Binh. It’s fast, but not direct as there is no airport in Ninh Binh. You can only take a flight to Hanoi, from where you will have to take a minivan the rest of the way. Combined fares can be quite expensive starting at 1,360,000 VND ($56.00).

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

Hue to Ninh Binh by Train

Duration: 11-13.5 hours

Cost: 500,000 VND ($20.50)

Duration: 11-13.5 hours

Cost: 500,000 VND ($20.50)

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 11-13.5 hours. Ticket prices start from 500,000 VND ($20.50) 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 schedules from Hue to Ninh Binh

Train	Schedule	Sleeper berth
Vietnam Railways SE8	03:34-16:27	530,000 VND ($21.50) Check Train Tickets
Vietnam Railways SE6	13:51-01:55	530,000 VND ($21.50) Check Train Tickets
Vietnam Railways SE4	15:15-02:38	505,000 VND ($20.50) Check Train Tickets
Vietnam Railways SE2	16:16-03:23	500,000 VND ($20.50) Check Train Tickets

Note that the abovementioned prices are for the cheapest seats available. As this is quite a long journey, you might want to upgrade your tickets to a 6-berth sleeper or a 4-berth sleeper. Rates for a sleeper bunk from Hue to Ninh Binh start from 770,000 VND ($31.50).

Hue to Ninh Binh by Bus

Duration: 10-12.5 hours

Cost: 390,000 VND ($16.00)

Duration: 10-12.5 hours

Cost: 390,000 VND ($16.00)

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 390,000 VND ($16.00). Travel time is 10 to 12.5-hours, depending on which bus you take.

Departure and arrival station

The Long Travel and Camel Travel buses depart from their terminal along Chu Van An Street in Hue city centre. Queen Cafe buses leave from the Queen Cafe office, also within the city centre.

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 schedules from Hue to Ninh Binh

Bus Operator	Schedule	Costs
Camel Travel (to Tam Coc)	17:00-05:00	390,000 VND ($16.00) Check Bus Tickets
The Long Travel* (to Tam Coc)	17:00-05:30	460,000 VND ($18.50) Check Bus Tickets
The Long Travel* (to Ninh Binh City)	16:40-03:40	467,000 VND ($19.00) Check Bus Tickets
Queen Cafe (to Ninh Binh City)	17:00-03:00	430,000 VND ($17.50) Check Bus Tickets

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.

Hue to Ninh Binh by Flight

Duration: 5hrs 40m

Cost: 1,360,000 VND ($56.00)

Duration: 5hrs 40m

Cost: 1,360,000 VND ($56.00)

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.

Step 1: Hue city centre to Hue Airport by Taxi

Duration: 30 minutes

Cost: 270,000 VND ($11.00)

Duration: 30 minutes

Cost: 270,000 VND ($11.00)

Hue Airport is a 30-minute ride from the city centre. The best way to get there is by taxi with rates from 270,000 VND ($11.00).

Step 2: Hue to Hanoi by Flight

Duration: 1hr 10m

Cost: 630,000 VND ($26.00)

Duration: 1hr 10m

Cost: 630,000 VND ($26.00)

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

Airfares start from 630,000 VND ($26.00) if you book your tickets early. Do note that ticket prices can go as high as 1,100,000 VND ($45.00) during peak season or if you book near the travel date.

The flight takes a little over an hour.

Check Flights on Skyscanner

Step 3: Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Minivan

Duration: 4 hours

Cost: 460,000 VND ($18.50)

Duration: 4 hours

Cost: 460,000 VND ($18.50)

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 ($18.50) per person.

Minivan Schedule from Hanoi Airport to Ninh Binh

Minivan	Schedule	Duration	Cost
Duy Khang Limousine (to Ninh Binh)	14x departures a day from 05:30 to 19:30	4 hours	470,000 VND ($19.00) Check Minivan Tickets
Khanh Anh Limousine (to Tam Coc)	14x departures a day from 05:30 to 18:30	4 hours	460,000 VND ($18.50) Check Minivan Tickets

Alternative: Hanoi Airport to Ninh Binh by Taxi

Duration: 2 hours

Cost: 1,150,000 VND ($47.00)

Duration: 2 hours

Cost: 1,150,000 VND ($47.00)

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 ($47.00).

Check Private Transfers with BookAway

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