Phong Nha to Ninh Binh in 6.5-9.5 hours (2026)

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 transport. The journey takes 6h 30m–9h 15m and the quickest way is by bus. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $14 (355,000 VND).

TransportDurationPrice

There are seven companies operating bus trips from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh. A bus ticket costs $14 (355,000 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 $4.60 (120,000 VND).

Bus schedule from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh

8hGreen TripsSleepingCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong NhaNinh Binh Central Hotel21:00$14355,000 VNDTickets

8h30mQueen Cafe BusSleepingCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong NhaNinh Binh Central Hotel21:00$15395,000 VNDTickets

9hFull Moon PartySleepingPhong Nha Hung Thanh Bus OfficeThe Long Hotel, Tam Coc21:00$15395,000 VNDTickets

8h30mQueen Cafe BusLuxury SleepingCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong NhaMike's Travel Agency21:00$15405,000 VNDTickets

8h30mQueen Cafe BusVIP CabinCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong NhaNinh Binh Central Hotel21:00$15405,000 VNDTickets

Show all 25 companies

6h30mGrouptourSleepingPhong Nha SSBNinh Binh Luxury SSB21:25$16410,000 VNDTickets

6h30mGrouptourSleepingPhong Nha SSBNinh Binh Luxury SSB21:00$16425,000 VNDTickets

8hQueen Cafe BusSleepingCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong NhaMike's Travel Agency21:00$16425,000 VNDTickets

6h30mGrouptourSleepingPhong Nha SSBNinh Binh Luxury SSB21:1521:30$16425,000 VNDTickets

7hCamel TravelLocal sleepingPhong Nha Backpacker HostelThe Long Hotel, Tam Coc21:00$16430,000 VNDTickets

7hCamel TravelVIP SleepingThien Phu HostelThe Long Hotel21:05$17435,000 VNDTickets

7h15mCamel TravelVIP SleepingThien Phu HostelNo 46, 27/7 street21:05$17435,000 VNDTickets

7hCamel TravelVIP SleepingThien Phu HostelThe Long Hotel21:20$17440,000 VNDTickets

7h15mCamel TravelVIP SleepingThien Phu HostelNo 46, 27/7 street21:20$17440,000 VNDTickets

8hGreen TripsVIP CabinCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong NhaNinh Binh Central Hotel21:00$18460,000 VNDTickets

8hTechbus VN JSCVIP SleepingTbus PhongnhaMr Khanh Travel Agency Ninh Binh20:30$19510,000 VNDTickets

8hTechbus VN JSCVIP SleepingTbus PhongnhaMr Khanh Travel Agency Ninh Binh20:45$19510,000 VNDTickets

8hTechbus VN JSCLuxury SleepingTbus PhongnhaMr Khanh Travel Agency Ninh Binh20:45$21550,000 VNDTickets

9hTechbus VN JSCLuxury SleepingTbus PhongnhaMr Khanh Travel Agency Ninh Binh21:00$21550,000 VNDTickets

6h40mGrouptourVIP 20 SeatsPhong Nha SSBNinh Binh SSB21:00$25650,000 VNDTickets

6h40mGrouptourVIP 20 SeatsPhong Nha SSBNinh Binh SSB21:15$25660,000 VNDTickets

7hTBusSleepingCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong NhaMike's Travel Agency21:30$30780,000 VNDTickets

6h40mGrouptourVIP CabinPhong Nha SSBNinh Binh SSB21:00$31810,000 VNDTickets

8h20mGrouptourVIP CabinPhong Nha SSBNinh Binh SSB21:1021:20$31810,000 VNDTickets

7hTBusVIP CabinCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong NhaMike's Travel Agency21:30$451,160,000 VNDTickets

Available atBookaway

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!

Ninh Binh

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

1-1.5h$1.90 (50,000 VND)

You can choose from 2 ways to get from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi Railway Station: a bus for $1.90 (50,000 VND) or a taxi with rates from $15 (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 $1.50 (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 (380,000 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.

8h53mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatDong HoiNinh Binh17:05$14380,000 VNDTickets

9h7mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatDong HoiNinh Binh07:02$16420,000 VNDTickets

8h20mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatDong HoiNinh Binh18:49$17450,000 VNDTickets

9h46mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatDong HoiNinh Binh21:52$17455,000 VNDTickets

8h13mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatDong HoiNinh Binh19:30$19490,000 VNDTickets

Show all 25 companies

8h53mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperDong HoiNinh Binh17:05$24630,000 VNDTickets

8h53mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperDong HoiNinh Binh17:05$24640,000 VNDTickets

9h7mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperDong HoiNinh Binh07:02$26690,000 VNDTickets

9h46mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperDong HoiNinh Binh21:52$27710,000 VNDTickets

8h53mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperDong HoiNinh Binh17:05$29750,000 VNDTickets

8h20mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperDong HoiNinh Binh18:49$29760,000 VNDTickets

9h7mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperDong HoiNinh Binh07:02$30780,000 VNDTickets

9h7mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperDong HoiNinh Binh07:02$30790,000 VNDTickets

8h13mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperDong HoiNinh Binh19:30$32820,000 VNDTickets

8h20mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperDong HoiNinh Binh18:49$33870,000 VNDTickets

8h13mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperDong HoiNinh Binh19:30$36940,000 VNDTickets

8h13mVietnam RailwaysCabin 2 XDong HoiNinh Binh19:30$691,800,000 VNDTickets

9h30mLaman ExpressShared Cabin for 4Dong HoiNinh Binh23:45$711,860,000 VNDTickets

9h30mLaman ExpressFirst Class SleeperDong HoiNinh Binh23:45$1303,400,000 VNDTickets

9h30mLaman ExpressPremium ClassDong HoiNinh Binh23:45$1453,850,000 VNDTickets

Train tickets are available 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 $1.90 (50,000 VND).

Alternatively, you can take a regular taxi for $4.60 (120,000 VND).

Ninh Binh

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 (9,800,000 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.

Phong Nha

Vietnam Locals

Standard Car 3 PAX

$370 (9,800,000 VND)

$125 (3,250,000 VND) per person

Tickets

Vietnam Locals

Standard Minivan 8 PAX

$490 (13,000,000 VND)

$62 (1,620,000 VND) per person

Tickets

Book a Private Transfer with BookAway

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!

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 (355,000 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 355,000 VND.

About the Authors

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.

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.

How to Get From Phong Nha to Ninh Binh

Distance from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh