What to expect when visiting Hue
Hue in central Vietnam is a treat for history buffs. As the former national capital and seat of the Nguyen Dynasty, Hue is the best place to get to know Vietnam’s last imperial family. Explore the Imperial Citadel, cruise down the Perfume River, or sample an Imperial Banquet.
But if you ask us, the best thing to do in Hue is to ride a motorbike to the nearby Hai Van Pass — one of the greatest ocean roads in the world. This will reward you with some of the most jaw-dropping views you’ll see in Vietnam!
3 ways to get from Ninh Binh to Hue
There are three ways to travel the distance of 575 km (357 miles) from Ninh Binh to Hue: by bus (10h - 11h 30m), train (10h 34m - 11h 51m) and flight (2h 45m - 4h 45m). The journey takes between 2h 45m - 11h 51m and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 390,000 VND ($15.60) for the bus.Where to stay in Hue?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Hue at the bottom of this page.
Ninh Binh to Hue by Bus
There are a few bus companies operating on the Ninh Binh to Hue route, including Camel Travel, Queen Cafe Bus and Long Travel*. These buses each offer one bus departure per day.
The bus ride takes 10h - 11h 30m. Although this option is the cheapest at 390,000 VND ($15.60), we don’t recommend travelling this long distance by bus. The night train is much safer and offers more comfort since you will have a mattress instead of a reclined seat.
Departure and arrival station
If you’re staying in Tam Coc, you can take a Long Travel bus that departs outside their hotel. The two other buses depart from the street across the Ninh Binh train station in the city centre.
You will be dropped off at Chu Van An street in Hue city centre. From here, you can already find various accommodations and establishments in the area.
Bus schedule from Ninh Binh to Hue
We recommend booking your tickets at least a few days in advance to secure your seat on the bus.
Ninh Binh to Hue by Train
Taking the night train from Ninh Binh to Hue is convenient for the long journey to Hue. You can get a good night of sleep and won’t lose a day travelling. You can also think of it as saving a night on accommodation.
Travel time by train can take 10h 34m - 11h 51m with prices from 720,000 VND ($29) for the sleeper berths.
Departure and arrival station
Trains depart from Ninh Binh Railway Station in the city centre. This railway station is about a 5-minute ride from the city bus station.
From Hue Railway Station, you can take a 10-minute taxi to Hue city centre. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also take a 25-minute walk!
Below are our recommend night train schedules:
Train schedule from Ninh Binh to Hue
It’s best to book your train tickets in advance to secure a seat or a sleeper berth. You can read more in our post about travelling by train in Vietnam.
Ninh Binh to Hue by Flight
Ninh Binh does not have an airport so you will have to catch a flight from the closest airport, which is in Hanoi. Note that the two airports are also outside the city centres, so aside from the flight itself, you will still have to take additional rides.
We think the train is the better option for this route. It’s convenient and saves you a lot of daytime compared to taking a flight.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Ninh Binh to Hanoi by Minivan
From Ninh Binh, you need to travel 95 km to Hanoi Airport. There are luxury minivans on this route with multiple departures throughout the day.
Khanh An Limousine offers free hotel pick-up in Tam Coc, while Duy Khang Limousine can pick you up from any hotel in Ninh Binh.
Travel time is 2-4 hours with rates from 455,000 VND ($18.20).
If you miss the direct minivan to the airport or depart after their last trip, you can still travel to Hanoi Airport by minivan + taxi. This alternative is a bit cheaper than the direct minivan to the airport.
Step 2: Hanoi to Hue by Flight
There are three airlines operating the Hanoi to Hue route: Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, and Vietnam Airlines. There are usually flights in the morning and in the evening, so you can just book the flight that is convenient for you.
If you book early, you can find tickets as cheap as 600,000 VND ($24), but they can get up to 1,000,000 VND ($40). The flight takes about 1hr 15m.
Step 3: Hue Airport to Hue city centre by Taxi
Hue Airport is located outside the city centre, so you still need to travel the 15 km distance to the city. Taxis are available right outside the airport. A taxi ride for 30 minutes would cost around 250,000 VND ($10).
Private cars are available on BookAway with rates from 270,000 VND ($10.80). You can also book via Klook in advance for around 300,000 VND ($12).
You can read more in our Hanoi to Hue.
Our favourite places to stay in Hue
Hong Thien Ruby Hotel - Budget Friendly
Hong Thien Ruby Hotel offers great value if you don’t want to spent too much on an accommodation. Excellent breakfast, good location and friendly staff. What do you need more? Single beds incl. breakfast from $16 and double rooms from $24.
Hotel La Pere - Budget Friendly
Another hotel that offers great value for money is Hotel La Perle. This eco-friendly hotel is located in the same area and also offers an outstanding breakfast plus fresh fruit all day long! Double rooms start from $24.
Cherish Hue Hotel - Mid Range
Want to treat yourself? The experience you get a Cherish Hue Hotel would cost you over $100 in a Western country, but here it won’t cost you more than $42! The staff is super professional and a breakfast buffet like this is hard to find anywhere else! The hotel also has a spa where you get a 30% discount as a guest and you can get a massage or other treatment for very reasonable prices.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ninh Binh to Hue
What is the distance from Ninh Binh to Hue?
The distance from Ninh Binh to Hue is 575 km (357 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Ninh Binh to Hue?
The fastest way to get from Ninh Binh to Hue is by flight and takes 2h 45m - 4h 45m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Ninh Binh to Hue?
The cheapest way to get from Ninh Binh to Hue is by bus with ticket costs starting from 390,000 VND ($15.60).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Ninh Binh to Hue. 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!
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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.
