Getting from Hanoi to Ninh Binh (and back)

Ninh Binh is also known as the Ha Long Bay on land for an apparent reason – it looks like Ha Long Bay but on land instead of water. Hundreds of limestone monoliths topped by dense greenery emerge from the ground, scattered around the city with rivers flowing through them and caves formed in them. This is definitely a must-visit place in Vietnam.

The journey from Hanoi to Ninh Binh or back is effortless. The two areas are approximately 100 km apart, with Ninh Binh sitting south of Hanoi. There are five options between these two areas: bus, limousine, train, taxi, and most exciting way: scooter.

TAKING THE BUS

You can easily book a bus from the Hanoi Old Quarter to Ninh Binh almost every hour during the day, and the journey takes around 90 minutes. Buses are available every day, but usually busier on the weekends. The cost is about 250.000 VND ($13) per person for a one-way fare. The reverse route and bus are precisely the same.

Don’t hesitate to contact us to arrange the simplest way to travel to Ninh Binh From Hanoi.

GETTING THE TRAIN FROM Hanoi TO Ninh Binh

Trains run from Hanoi to Ninh Binh throughout the day – it usually takes two and a half hours to get there, depending on how often the train stops along the way. But it would be best if you took a taxi from the train station in Ninh Binh City to the hotel you are staying in.

A single fare costs about 200.000 VND ($9) per person, and again, the train runs every day.

Limousine FROM Hanoi TO Ninh Binh

Running at all hours, seven days a week, a limousine is the most flexible travel method. The limousine is a 10 seater minibus that runs to no fixed schedule and is particularly prevalent when there is a limited bus or train service (in the evenings) or none, at night, or mainly on the Vietnamese new year when there is no bus running.

 The main difference is that, within Hanoi and Ninh Binh, they will pick up and drop off at any point along the way, and out of the city, at any junction or bus stop (even those not served by the bus route).

DRIVING

Renting a scooter and driving to Ninh Binh is the most exciting way. Hanoi- Ninh Binh highway starts at the Nuoc Ngam bus station and ends at Ninh Binh Junction. It is the fastest way to get between the two areas, and without traffic, driving takes around one and a half hours. However, during busier hours, it could easily take twice this time. Google Maps will help you find the road quickly.