Phong Nha to Ninh Binh

How to Get From Phong Nha to Ninh Binh

3Options
6h 30mFastest
$14From
ElaMaartenWritten by Ela · Reviewed by Maarten

Bus · Train · Private Transfer

Ninh Binh is limestone karst country, 292 kilometres (181 miles) north of Phong Nha. Rivers wind between the towers, and rowing boats take you through flooded caves. The private transfer gets you from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh in 8h. The bus is the cheapest at $14 (345,000 VND), and the train costs more.

DISTANCE

Distance from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh

Phong Nha and Ninh Binh are about 292 km (181 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 396 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 6h 30m and 11h 30m.

~292 km
Straight-line distance
~396 km
Route distance
Map of Phong Nha – Ninh Binh
Travelling the other way?Ninh Binh to Phong Nha→

3 ways to travel from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh

There are three ways to travel from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh. You can choose between the bus, train, and private transfer. The journey takes 6h 30m – 11h 30m and the quickest way is by bus. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $14 (345,000 VND).

Busfrom$146h 30m – 9h25 options to bookBus6h 30m–9h$14Cheapest

Phong Nha to Ninh Binh by Bus

There are seven companies operating bus trips from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh. A bus ticket costs $14 (345,000 VND) for the journey that takes 6h 30m - 9h.

While the bus is a direct option, we can’t guarantee that it is comfortable.

Queen Cafe Bus doesn’t really get a lot of good reviews. There have been incidents of overbooked buses, rude staff, and aggressive driving. These aren’t always the case. But if you’re taking the bus, we recommend arriving early at the bus station.

Own experience: I travelled this route with Queen Bus and had a very comfortable ride. However, the last two passengers who entered the bus had to sleep in the walkway, even though they booked their tickets from their accommodation. Travelling by bus in Vietnam is not as safe as in Western countries. Taking the train is safer, but for this route, it comes with an extra transfer.

Departure and arrival station

Queen Cafe departs from Central Backpackers Hostel in Phong Nha city centre. It arrives at Ninh Binh Central Hotel in the centre of Ninh Binh.

If your hotel is in Tam Coc, you can get there by taxi for around $4.70 (120,000 VND).

Bus schedule from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh

Green Trips · Sleeping$14
8h
Central Backpackers Hostel - Phong Nha → Ninh Binh Central Hotel
21:00
Tickets
Queen Cafe Bus · Sleeping$15
8h 30m
Central Backpackers Hostel - Phong Nha → Ninh Binh Central Hotel
21:00
Tickets
Full Moon Party · Sleeping$15
9h
Phong Nha Hung Thanh Bus Office → The Long Hotel, Tam Coc
21:00
Tickets

Tickets sold on Bookaway

Stations

Map of stations
Click to explore
From
To

Booking tip

We recommend booking your ride online at least a few days before via BookAway.

TIP: Let your accommodation know when you expect to arrive and which bus company you booked with. When luck is on your side, you can check in early and enjoy your room straight away!

Trainfrom$169h 15m – 11h 30m·Via Dong Hoi25 options to bookTrainVia Dong Hoi9h 15m–11h 30m$16

Phong Nha to Ninh Binh by Train

There is no train station in Phong Nha, but there is one in the nearby city of Dong Hoi, 40 km away. From here, there are several trains leaving for Ninh Binh daily.

Step 1: Phong Nha to Dong Hoi by Bus

1h – 1h 30m · $2 (50,000 VND)

You can choose from 2 ways to get from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi Railway Station: a bus for $2 (50,000 VND) or a taxi with rates from $16 (400,000 VND).

Buses are available from 05:30 to 17:00. They depart from the main street in Phong Nha and stop across Dong Hoi’s Central Bus Station. From here, you can get to the train station via a 5-minute taxi for around $1.60 (40,000 VND).

See our route guide on how to travel from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha for more details.

Step 2: Dong Hoi to Ninh Binh by Train

8h 15m – 9h 45m · $14 (370,000 VND)

There are a number of trains operating daily from Dong Hoi to Ninh Binh.

Only one of those trains operates during the day. That’s about 9 hours of train ride, though, and it will take up your entire day.

We recommend travelling at night so that you don’t lose a lot of daytime on the journey. But note that even with the night train, you will arrive very early in the morning in Ninh Binh. Advise your accommodation beforehand so that you can still check in as soon as you arrive.

Vietnam Railways · Second Class Seat$14
8h 53m
17:05
Tickets
Vietnam Railways · Second Class Seat$16
9h 7m
07:02
Tickets
Vietnam Railways · Second Class Seat$17
8h 20m
18:49
Tickets

Stations

Map of stations
Click to explore

Tickets sold on Bookaway

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.

You will find Ninh Binh Railway Station in the centre of Ninh Binh. From here, many accommodations are within walking distance. But we recommend staying in Tam Coc, a laidback village along Tam Coc River.

See our guide to Ninh Binh for more on why we prefer to stay in Tam Coc.

Optional: Ninh Binh to Tam Coc by Taxi

15m · $1 (25,000 VND)

From Ninh Binh Railway Station, you can get to Tam Coc via a motorbike taxi for 15 minutes or a regular taxi.

Take the motorbike taxi only if you’re not carrying bulky luggage. A ride to Tam Coc costs $1 (25,000 VND) to $2 (50,000 VND).

Alternatively, you can take a regular taxi for $4.70 (120,000 VND).

Private Transferfrom$370per car8h2 options to bookPrivate Transfer8h$370per car

Phong Nha to Ninh Binh by Private Transfer

Looking for a way to travel in private from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh? It’s quite pricey, but it’s possible.

Rates for a 3-seater car start from $370 (9,500,000 VND). You can also get a minivan that can fit up to 8 passengers.

Book your private transfer via BookAway to get a nice car that comes with a trusted driver.

Vietnam Locals · Standard Car 3 PAX$370
8hper car
Any time you choose
Tickets
Vietnam Locals · Standard Minivan 8 PAX$490
8hper car
Any time you choose
Tickets

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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 (820,000 VND) and dorm rooms from $6 (154,000 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 Phong Nha to Ninh Binh, roughly 292 kilometres (181 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $14 (345,000 VND). The quickest trip takes 6h 30m.

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 Phong Nha to Ninh Binh?

The distance from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh is 292 kilometres (181 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh?

Journey times from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh overlap: bus 6h 30m - 9h, train 9h 15m - 11h 30m, private transfer 8h. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.

What is the cheapest way to get from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh?

The cheapest way to get from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh is by bus with ticket costs starting from 345,000 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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