How to go to Tam Coc; Ninh Binh? Which transportation vehicles between Ninh Binh, Hanoi, Halong, Got pier – Hai Phong, Cat Ba, Mai Chau, Sapa, Hue, and Phong Nha?
Tam Coc – Ninh Binh, the famous Ha Long Bay on land is one of the destinations that not to be missed when traveling to Vietnam. It attracts you with its unique natural beauty and unmatched historical and cultural values.
How to get to Ninh Binh from Hanoi, Mai Chau, Sapa, Hue, Phong Nha, Halong Bay, Got pier – Hai Phong, Cat Ba Island? This article will give you useful and detailed information about transportation between Ninh Binh and these destinations. You can easily choose a vehicle that is the most suitable for your tour.
1. Transfer between Hanoi and Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is about 100 km from Hanoi. From Hanoi, you can travel to Ninh Binh by National Highway 1A, the new expressway or the by train. So you have a lot of transportation options for this route
1.1. Transfer by Limousine D car bus
Currently, the D Car Limousine bus is very popular in Vietnam, not only for Vietnamese but also for foreigners: 9 comfortable seats with free wifi, no stop along the road, especially no increase prices on festival holidays, Vietnamese New Year holidays. And it is easy to book from the website on the Internet. Therefore, more and more tourists choose this means of transportation.
There are many Limousine bus companies operating the Hanoi – Ninh Binh route and vice versa.
Some trusted bus companies:
- Khánh An Limousine: https://khanhanlimousine.com/ ; hotline +84 19008629 or +84 19001035
- Trang An limousine: https://xetrangan.vn/; Hotline +84 327330336
- X.E Vietnam – Hotline +84 19001731
- Tu Tai limousine – Hotline +84 912 291 840
- The Long Travel : http://thelongtravel.com/tuyen;xe.html ; Hotline +84 91 6868 355 (Drop off at Tam Coc and Ninh Binh city)
- Huu Binh Limousine: Hotline +84 190096981
- Non Nước Limousine: Hotline +84 19007075
Pick up and drop off in Hanoi: bus companies have the pickup and drop off points in Hanoi city:
- Hanoi Opera House – 1 A Trang Tien str
- Hanoi central Circus – 67 Tran Nhan Tong Str ( about 2km from the city center)
- No 31- 33 – 49 Hang Dong Str, Hanoi old quarter
- No 78 Tran Nhuat Duat Str, Hanoi
- By the Noi Bai airport
Pick up/Drop off in Ninh Binh:
- Tam Coc pier
- Hidden Charm Hotel
- Bai Dinh pagoda gate
- Emeralda Resort in Van Long
- Ninh Binh city
Departure time: From 5.00AM – 21.00 daily.
Transfer time: 2.5 hours from Hanoi to Tam Coc Ninh Binh
Reference price
- From Hanoi to Ninh Binh city: 130.000 VND (6 USD)
- From Hanoi to Hang Mua – Dancing cave, Trang An pier, Tam Coc pier: 150.000 VND (7 USD)
- From Hanoi to Hoa Lu ancient capital: 170.000 VND (8 USD)
- From Hanoi to Bai Dinh temple: 180.000 VND (8.5 USD)
- From Hanoi to Emeralda Resort, Van Long nature reserve: 200.000 ( 9 USD)
How to book bus ticket?
- Online at vexere.com ( English available)
- App Vexere: download app to phone and book
- Bus companies’ hotline: could ask hotel’s reception to book for you
- Through a travel agency: You could contact any travel agency
No need to book many days in advance. Just only 1 day before, even 2 hours before the departure.
If you change your plans or want to change the departure date, time. You need to notify the bus company at least 2 hours before departure.
1.2. Transfer by local public bus
From Giap Bat bus station, there are many buses going to Ninh Binh during the day. But they are for local people, small seats, often overloading passengers, stopping along the road, delayed…
Price: 70.000 – 80.000 VND/pax (about 3,4 USD)
Transfer time: 2 hours
You have to transfer your own from hotel to bus station and vice versa
How to book the local public bus?
No need a reservation. Just go to the bus station and buy a ticket at the station.
Transferring by a local public bus in Vietnam, you will have an unforgettable experience: Before leaving the city the car will run slowly – to wait and pick up more passengers along the way, more passengers than seats… What a real adventure!
Because of these inconveniences, this type of transportation is not recommended for foreigners, especially now that you can easily book a limousine that is much more comfortable.
1.3. Transfer by train
Ninh Binh train station, built in 2015 and becoming the most modern train station in Vietnam, is one of the main stops on the North-South railway. Therefore, the train is also a popular means of transportation between these two cities.
The distance between Hanoi Station (120 Le Duan) and Ninh Binh Station (1 Alley 41 Hoang Hoa Tham, Ninh Binh City) is 115 km, the travel time from Hanoi to Ninh Binh by train is more than 2 hours.
Train time table
From Hanoi to Ninh Binh:
- SE19 depart at 20.10 – Arrive 22.20 – Travel time: 2h15
- SE5 depart at 9.00 – Arrive 11.20 – Travel time: 2h20
- SE7 depart at 6.00 – Arrive 08.20 – Travel time: 2h20
- SE1 depart at 19.30 – Arrive 21.45 – Travel time: 2h15
- SE3 depart at 22.00 – Arrive 00.10 – Travel time: 2h10
From Ninh Binh – Hanoi
- SE20 depart at 10.00 – Arrive 12.30 – Travel time: 2h30
- SE6 depart at 17.30 – Arrive 20.00 – Travel time: 2h30
- SE8 depart at 13.15 – Arrive 15.30 – Travel time: 2h15
- SE2 depart at 02.30 – Arrive 04.50 – Travel time: 2h30
- SE4 depart at 03.20 – Arrive 05.30 – Travel time: 2h10
Price:
Train fares from Hanoi to Ninh Binh train will vary depending on the type of seat in the cabin (soft seat, 6 bed cabin, or 4 bed cabin) and date of travel.
The fare will be from 90.000 – 250.000 VND
How to book train ticket?
There are 3 ways to book train tickets from Hanoi to Ninh Binh:
- Book online at the website: dsvn.vn. It is easily, choose travel date then train, seats, then “book”. After that, the ticket will be sent to your email. You just need to show this e ticket when check in.
- Book directly at the railway station: You can easily book at the railway station
- Book through travel agency: You can also buy train tickets through local travel agencies, but the price is more expensive than buying directly because there is an additional service fee. But you will be assured because you can contact anytime and receive travel information as well as advice.
Note: It is available only for train ticket 1 month before the departure date
1.4. Transfer by motorbike
If you have a long time to stay in Vietnam and want to enjoy the feeling of ‘adventurous traveling by motorbike’ you can rent a motorbike from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. One advantage of this vehicle is you do not need to rent a car to explore Ninh Binh.
However, the motorbike route is the old National Highway 1A, with many bad sections and quite dangerous because of many trucks and other vehicles. You will ride about 2.5 hours for this nearly 100 km.
- Travel route: Hoan Kiem Lake – Giai Phong str – Ngoc Hoi town – National Road 1 A – Phu Ly city – Ninh Binh – Tam Coc. Use your google map on your phone for better.
- Note: Motorbike is not allowed on the highway Phap Van – Cau Gie
Where to rent a motorbike in Hanoi?
In the old quarter, there are some motorbike rental shops. Price from 150.000 – 200.000 VND/day ( 7-9 USD) not included gasoline
2. Transfer between Halong/Hai Phong/Cat Ba and Ninh Binh
Halong Bay is definitely an indispensable destination for your trip to Vietnam. You can travel to Ha Long first, Ninh Binh later or vice versa.
Currently, there are many buses to transfer between Ha Long and Ninh Binh, so you do not need to return to Hanoi to continue the trip as in the past.
You need to pay attention to the arrival time of your cruise, and which pier in Halong to book the suitable buses.
Normally, there are some pick up and drop off points at Bai Chay center, Tuan Chau international port, Hon Gai wharf, Pha Got wharf, Cat Ba center.
In Ninh Binh, you can choose to pick up and drop off point in Ninh Binh city center or Tam Coc tourist area, the fare does not change.
Note that overnight cruises usually start at 12.00 noon and end at 11am-11:30am the following day. Therefore, if you go from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay, you need to choose the early morning bus, from 6:30 am to 8:00 am, and if you go from Halong Bay to Ninh Binh, choose the bus time after 12:00.
2.1. Reference bus companies:
2.1.1. The Long travel
Currently, The Long bus is serving all the bus route from Ninh Binh to Halong/Bai Tu Long/Lan Ha Bay and vice versa
- Bus type: Limousine 9 seaters, 16 seaters
- Web: thelongtravel.com
- Hotline: 091 6868 355 ( English available)
Departure time, price of Limousine Dcar The Long:
- Ninh Binh – Got pier ( Hai Phong): 7.30 – 12.30 – 18.30 and vice versa: 8.30 – 13.30 – 19.00
- Ninh Binh – Cat Ba island: 7.30 – 13.30 and vice versa: 7.30 – 16.30
- Ninh Binh – Hon Gai/Halong: 7.30 – 12.30 – 18.30 and vice versa: 7.00 – 12.00 – 18.00
- Ninh Binh – Bai Chay/Tuan Chau/Halong: 7.30 – 12.30 – 18.30 and vice versa: 7.30 – 12.30 – 18.30
- Travel time: 3 – 4 hours
- Price: 300.000 VND ( 13 USD)
Departure time, price of 16 seat bus The Long:
- Ninh Binh – Got pier ( Hai Phong): 7.00 – 9.00 – 13.00 – 14.00
- Ninh Binh – Cat Ba island: 7.00 – 9.00 – 13.00 – 14.00 and vice versa: 7.30 – 9.30 – 12.30 – 15.30 – 17.00
- Ninh Binh – Hon Gai/Halong: 6.30 – 7.00 – 11.30 and vice versa: 12.00 – 13.30 – 17.00
- Ninh Binh – Bai Chay/Tuan Chau/Halong: 6.30 – 7.00 – 11.00 and vice versa: 12.00 – 13.00 – 17.00
- Travel time: 3 – 4 hours
- Price: 200.000 – 300.000 VND ( 9 – 13 USD)
2.1.2. Good Morning Cat Ba:
- Bus type: D car limousine 9 seats and 6- 34 seat bus
- Add: 13 Hang Huong str, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Web: Goodmorningcatba.com
- Pick up/Drop off point:
At Cat Ba: All hotels in Cat Ba
In Ninh Binh: Ninh Binh city and Tam Coc pier
Departure time:
From Cat Ba to Ninh Binh:
- From Cat Ba at 7.30 – Arrive in Ninh Binh at 12.00 – Limousine D Car – Price: 18 USD
- From Cat Ba at 7.30 – Arrive in Ninh Binh at 12.30 – 16/29/35 seat bus – Price: 14 USD
- From Cat Ba at 9.30 – Arrive in Ninh Binh at 14.30 – 16/29/35 seat bus – Price: 14 USD
- From Cat Ba at 12.30 – Arrive in Ninh Binh at 17.30 – 16/29/35 seat bus – Price: 14 USD
- From Cat Ba at 15.30 – Arrive in Ninh Binh at 20.30 – 16/29/35 seat bus – Price: 14 USD
- From Cat Ba at 17.00 – Arrive in Ninh Binh at 21.30 – Limousine D Car – Price: 18 USD
From Ninh Binh to Cat Ba:
- From Ninh Binh at 6.30 – Arrive in Cat Ba at 11.30 – 16/29/35 seat bus – Price: 14 USD
- From Ninh Binh at 7.00 – Arrive in Cat Ba at 11.30 – Limousine Dcar – Price: 18 USD
- From Ninh Binh at 9.30 – Arrive in Cat Ba at 14.30 – 16/29/35 seat bus – Price: 14 USD
- From Ninh Binh at 13.00 – Arrive in Cat Ba at 18.00 – 16/29/35 seat bus – Price: 14 USD
- From Ninh Binh at 14.00 – Arrive in Cat Ba at 19.00 – 16/29/35 seat bus – Price: 14 USD
- From Ninh Binh at 14.00 – Arrive in Cat Ba at 18.30 – Limousine Dcar – Price: 18 USD
2.1.3. Cat Ba Discovery:
- Bus type: 29 seats
- Web: catbadiscovery.com
- Pickup/Drop off points:
At Cat Ba: All hotels in Cat Ba
At Ninh Binh: Ninh Binh city, Tam Coc pier
2.1.4 Daiichi Bus
- Bus type: Samco Felix 29 seats and Huyndai Universe Express 45 seats, new and clean, and modern
- Web: daiichibus.vn
- Hotline: 1900 2141
- Pick up/Drop of point:
At Cat Ba: 217 Road 1 April, Cat Ba, Hai Phong
At Ninh Binh: Tam Coc pier and Big C ( Tops Market) Ninh Binh
2.1.5. Ninh Binh Limousine
- Bus type: Limousine D Car 19 seats
- Hotline: 1900 70 70
- Pickup/Drop off point:
At Quang Ninh: All hotels in Halong city, Bai Chay city, Tuan Chau Pier and Hon Gai ( around 5km from Vincom Plaza Halong)
At Ninh Binh: at bus office 53 Tran Hung Dao str, Ninh Binh Railway station, Tam Coc, Trang An, Bai Dinh, Hang Mua and Van Long nature reserve
3. Transfer between Mai Chau and Ninh Binh
From Ninh Binh, you can now go straight to Mai Chau, which is also a remarkable destination in the North of Vietnam with bus service of The Long which is developing. It is so convenient for a trip to Vietnam, even if you do not need the tour service of the travel agency.
- Bus type: 16 seat
- Travel time: 4 hours
- Web: thelongtravel.com
- Hotline: 091 6868 355 ( English available)
- Departure time and price:
4. Transfer between Hue/Phong Nha and Ninh Binh by train
If you travel from Central Vietnam, the best and most convenient way to get directly to Ninh Binh is by train.
From Phong Nha, you need to move to Dong Hoi station at Sub-zone 4, Nam Ly ward, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh, 6 km from Dong Hoi town center, 45 kms from Phong Nha.
The distance between Ninh Binh station to Dong Hoi is 407 km, the train runs about 7.5 hours. And to Hue is 573 km, takes about 11 hours on the train.
You can choose SE7, SE5, SE3, SE9, SE19 for the direction from Ninh Binh to Hue / Dong Hoi or SE8, SE6, SE2, SE20 for the vice versa.
4.1. Train time table Ninh Binh – Dong Hoi – Hue:
- SE 7 from Ninh Binh at 8.15 – arrive Dong Hoi at 16.20 – arrive Hue at 19.45
- SE 5 from Ninh Binh at 11.20 – arrive Dong Hoi at 19.15 – arrive Hue at 22.20
- SE 3 from Ninh Binh at 17.15 – arrive Dong Hoi at 01.20 – arrive Hue at 04.40
- SE 9 from Ninh Binh at 21.45 – arrive Dong Hoi at 05.20 – arrive Hue at 08.30
- SE 19 from Ninh Binh at 22.25 – arrive Dong Hoi at 06.00 – arrive Hue at 09.25
4.2. Train time table Hue – Dong Hoi – Ninh Binh
- SE 8 From Hue at 01.40 – Arrive in Dong Hoi at 04.55 – Arrive Ninh Binh at 13.10
- SE 6 From Hue at 05.00 – Arrive in Dong Hoi at 08.40 – Arrive Ninh Binh at 16.50
- SE 2 From Hue at 16.25 – Arrive in Dong Hoi at 19.40 – Arrive Ninh Binh at 03.15
- SE 20 From Hue at 21.30 – Arrive in Dong Hoi at 00.55 – Arrive Ninh Binh at 09.20
4.3. Price:
The fare depends on the type of seat, the type of cabin you book. There are soft chairs, 4-bed cabin and 6-bed cabin. All is with air conditioning.
- For soft seat: Ninh Binh – Dong Hoi: 260.000 VND (12 USD) and Ninh Binh – Hue 386.000 VND (18 USD)
- 4 bed Cabin: Ninh Binh – Dong Hoi: 520.000 VND (23 USD) and Ninh Binh – Hue 676.000 VND (30 USD)
- 6 bed Cabin: Ninh Binh – Dong Hoi: 415.000 VND (18 USD) and Ninh Binh – Hue 495.000 VND (22 USD)
Note: During the peak period (traditional Tet, summer holidays, 30/4 – 1/5, National Day 2/9), the demand for local travelers increase, so the price will be higher.
4.4. Tourist train:
Besides the ordinary carriages of the Vietnam Railways Corporation, you can book the luxury carriages exploited by private companies, equipped with wooden floors, wooden cladding and cozy soft beds. In addition, it also includes drinks and snacks for passengers. The staff on the train can speak English. If you take a night train you should choose a comfortable one throughout the journey.
4.4.1 Livitrans train
- Web: livitrans.com
- Ninh Binh – Dong Hoi ( SE3) – Price: 1.450.000 VND ( 63 USD)
- Ninh Binh – Hue ( SE3) – Price : 1.500.000 VND (65 USD)
- Hue – Ninh Binh( SE2) – Price: 1.500.000 VND (65 USD)
4.4.2 Violet Train
Web: violetexpresstrain.com
- Ninh Binh – Dong Hoi (SE3) – Price: 1.380.000 VND (60 USD)
- Ninh Binh – Hue (SE3) – Price: 1.380.000 VND (60 USD)
- Hue – Ninh Binh (SE2) – Price: 1.440.000 VND (64 USD)
- Dong Hoi – Ninh Binh (SE2) – Price: 1.440.000 VND (64 USD)
4.5. How to book train ticket to Ninh Binh?
- Book at local travel agency: You can also buy train tickets through local travel agencies, but the price is more expensive than buying directly because there is an additional service fee. But you will be assured because you can contact anytime and receive travel information as well as the advice
- Book online at dsvn.vn. choose departure and arrival railway station, travel date then train, seats, then “book”. After that, the ticket will be sent to your email. You just need to show this e ticket when check in.
- Book directly at railway station.
>>> Note: It is available only for train ticket 1 month before the departure date
Hopefully, you have all necessary information for your plan to Ninh Binh. If you need any further information, do not hesitate to Contact us
Source: https://traveland.com.vn
