Sleeper bus
Direct, cheapest, most practical
Train (via Da Nang)
Comfortable sleepers, smoother ride
Flight + bus/train (via Hanoi)
Fastest option, multiple connections
Complicated multi-transfer routes
Too many changes, longer journey
Quick answer: You can travel from Hoi An to Ninh Binh by sleeper bus, train via Da Nang, or flight via Hanoi. Travel time is about 7–17 hours and tickets cost around $18–100/pp. Bus, train and flight tickets can be searched and booked online in advance.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: approximately 700 km
- ⏱️ Travel time: 11–16 hours (sleeper bus), 13–17 hours (bus + train via Da Nang), 7–8 hours (flight + bus via Hanoi)
- 💰 Price range: $18–45 (sleeper bus), $20–55 (bus + train), $45–100 (flight + bus)
- 🚌 Best for budget: Sleeper bus
- 🚆 Best for scenic experience: Bus + train via Da Nang
- ✈️ Best for speed: Flight + bus via Hanoi
Last updated in March 2026
From Hoi An to Ninh Binh you can go by train + bus or plane + bus.
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- The travel distance from Hoi An to Ninh Binh is about 700 km. The most popular option is a sleeper train from Da Nang, about 20 km from Hoi An. Travelers can use Vietnam Railways trains or private tourist sleeper trains. Transfer from Hoi An to Da Nang is available by bus, van or taxi.
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- The train journey from Da Nang to Ninh Binh takes about 15–17 hours and tickets cost around $20–50/pp. Private tourist sleeper trains are more comfortable but more expensive.
- Another fast option is a flight from Da Nang to Hanoi and transfer by bus or train to Ninh Binh. This option takes about 7–8 hours. Sleeper buses from Hoi An to Ninh Binh take about 11–16 hours and cost around $18–45/pp.
- In Ninh Binh you can visit famous places like Trang An, Tam Coc or Hang Mua Caves. Bus, train and flight tickets from Hoi An to Ninh Binh can be searched and booked online in advance.
Discover and explore the Beauty of Trang An Complex in Ninh Binh.
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- Ninh Binh is one of the most popular places in northern Vietnam. The area is known for limestone mountains, rivers, caves and rice fields. Visitors can explore the region by boat, bicycle or motorbike and visit places like Trang An, Tam Coc and Hang Mua Caves.
| Transfer Mode – Hoi An to Ninh Binh | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeper Bus | 11-16 hours | $18-45/pp |
| Bus + Train (via Da Nang) | 13-17 hours | $20-55/pp |
| Bus + Plane (via Hanoi) | 7-8 hours | $45-100/pp |
How do I get from Hoi An to Ninh Binh?
1. BUS + TRAIN from Hoi An to Ninh Binh
👉 Budget-friendly way to travel by bus + train from Hoi An to Ninh Binh via Da Nang.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers and those who prefer train travel
- ✔️ Duration: ~15–18 hours
- ✔️ Price: ~$20–60+ per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium to high (minivan/bus + sleeper train)
- ✅ Best option: Minivan to Da Nang + sleeper train to Ninh Binh
- 💡 Tip: Book both tickets online in advance and choose a sleeper for long-distance comfort.
One of the best low-cost ways to travel from Hoi An to Ninh Binh is by bus + train via Da Nang. Da Nang Railway Station is about 30 km from Hoi An and offers regular Vietnam Railways trains and tourist sleeper trains to Ninh Binh.
The first step is a transfer from Hoi An to Da Nang by minivan, tourist bus or private taxi. Some buses also stop directly at Da Nang train station. Travel time is about 1–1.5 hours and tickets cost around $4–15/pp.
Minivans are usually more comfortable than local buses and are a good low-cost option. You can also book private taxis online in advance.
The second step is a train journey from Da Nang to Ninh Binh. You can use regular Vietnam Railways trains or tourist sleeper trains like Livitrans, Lotus Train or Laman Express.
The train ride takes about 14–16 hours. Sleeper beds are the best option for this long route, while seats are cheaper but less comfortable. Train tickets from Da Nang to Ninh Binh cost about $17–40/pp, tourist sleeper trains about $60–90/pp.
Trains arrive at Ninh Binh Railway Station near the city center. From there you can continue by taxi to Tam Coc or Trang An. Along the route, trains also pass the scenic Hai Van Pass and central Vietnam coastline.
BOOK TRAIN TICKETS to Ninh Binh ➜
| Train | Departure | Arrival | Ticket Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train SE2 (soft seat, sleeper) | 13:33 | 03:20 | From $24.00 |
| Train SE4 (soft seat, sleeper) | 12:38 | 02:29 | From $24.00 |
| Train SE8 (soft seat, sleeper) | 23:20 | 13:38 | From $23.00 |
| Train SE6 (soft seat, sleeper) | 01:59 | 16:48 | From $23.00 |
| Train SE12 (soft seat, sleeper) | 16:05 | 07:31 | From $23.00 |
| Train SE10 (soft seat, sleeper) | 09:06 | 02:03 | From $23.00 |
| Train SE20 (soft seat, sleeper) | 18:00 | 09:04 | From $23.00 |
| Train SE24 (soft seat, sleeper) | 10:13 | 05:40 | From $23.00 |
| Lotus Train SE20 (sleeper) | 18:00 | 09:04 | From $70.00 |
| Laman Express SE20 (sleeper) | 18:00 | 09:04 | From $75.00 |
| Violette Trains SE2 (sleeper) | 13:33 | 03:20 | From $75.00 |
| Violette Trains SE4 (sleeper) | 12:38 | 02:29 | From $75.00 |
| Violette Trains SE20 (sleeper) | 18:00 | 09:04 | From $75.00 |
| Livitrans SE2 (sleeper) | 13:33 | 03:20 | From $75.00 |
| Livitrans SE4 (sleeper) | 12:38 | 02:29 | From $75.00 |
| Livitrans SE20 (sleeper) | 18:00 | 09:04 | From $75.00 |
| Charmy Express SE2 (sleeper) | 13:33 | 03:20 | From $72.00 |
| Charmy Express SE4 (sleeper) | 12:38 | 02:29 | From $72.00 |
| Charmy Express SE20 (sleeper) | 18:00 | 09:04 | From $72.00 |
2. SLEEPER BUS from Hoi An to Ninh Binh
👉 Low-cost but long way to travel by sleeper bus from Hoi An to Ninh Binh.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers who prefer a direct transfer
- ✔️ Duration: ~11–16 hours
- ✔️ Price: $18–45 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (sleeper buses, varying quality)
- ✅ Best option: Sleeper bus with companies like Techbus VN or Futabus
- 💡 Tip: Book tickets online in advance and consider train as a more comfortable alternative.
Another low-cost option from Hoi An to Ninh Binh is a sleeper bus. Buses depart from Hoi An and arrive to Ninh Binh City, Tam Coc or Trang An.
Travel time by sleeper bus is about 11–16 hours. Companies on this route include Techbus VN, Futabus, Queen Cafe or Grouptour.
BOOK BUS TICKETS to Ninh Binh ➜
Modern sleeper buses are available and tickets cost about $18–45/pp. It is recommended to arrive at the departure point at least 30 minutes before departure.
Sleeper buses are popular mainly with solo and budget travelers, but the train from Da Nang is usually a more comfortable option for this long route.
| Bus Company | Departure | Arrival | Ticket Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duc Duong | 07:05 | 21:40 | From $35.00 |
| Duc Duong | 12:30 | 03:30 | From $35.00 |
| Duc Duong | 14:10 | 02:55 | From $35.00 |
| Duc Duong | 16:00 | 05:15 | From $35.00 |
| Techbus VN | 12:55 | 03:55 | From $34.00 |
| Techbus VN | 15:40 | 06:20 | From $34.00 |
| Duy Khanh | 13:00 | 04:20 | From $34.00 |
| Queen Cafe | 12:30 | 03:00 | From $24.00 |
| Queen Cafe | 13:45 | 04:15 | From $24.00 |
| Sapa Discovery | 13:30 | 03:30 | From $34.00 |
| Sapa Discovery | 16:00 | 06:00 | From $35.00 |
| VietNam Travel Bus | 12:45 | 05:45 | From $30.00 |
| VietNam Travel Bus | 16:45 | 06:45 | From $28.00 |
| VietNam Travel Bus | 21:00 | 11:00 | From $30.00 |
| Green Trips | 13:30 | 04:00 | From $18.00 |
| Grouptour | 12:13 | 03:13 | From $31.00 |
| Grouptour | 13:00 | 06:30 | From $33.00 |
| Grouptour | 17:10 | 08:10 | From $31.00 |
| Full Moon Party | 12:40 | 05:00 | From $26.00 |
| An Phu Hoi An | 12:45 | 03:45 | From $25.00 |
| An Phu Hoi An | 17:45 | 08:45 | From $29.00 |
| Cocovip | 13:30 | 05:30 | From $32.00 |
| Cocovip | 15:00 | 07:00 | From $48.00 |
| Vietnam Luxury Travel | 17:00 | 07:00 | From $36.00 |
3. FLIGHT + BUS from Da Nang to Ninh Binh (via Hanoi)
👉 Fastest way to travel by flight + bus from Hoi An to Ninh Binh via Hanoi.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers who want to save time and prefer air travel
- ✔️ Duration: ~6–9 hours
- ✔️ Price: ~$60–130 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: high (flight + modern minivan/bus)
- ✅ Best option: Flight Da Nang → Hanoi + minivan to Ninh Binh
- 💡 Tip: Plan connections carefully and book all tickets online in advance.
The fastest way to travel from Hoi An to Ninh Binh is by bus + flight + bus via Hanoi. This option includes transfer to Da Nang Airport, direct flight to Hanoi and bus transfer to Ninh Binh.
The first step is a bus, minivan or taxi from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport. Travel time is about 1–1.5 hours and tickets cost around $6–15/pp.
Private minivans are a cheap and comfortable option. It is recommended to arrive at the airport at least 2.5 hours before departure.
BOOK TICKETS to Da Nang Airport ➜
The second step is a direct flight from Da Nang to Hanoi. Flight time is about 1.5 hours and tickets cost around $40–100/pp. Flights are operated by VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines or Bamboo Airways.
The last step is transfer by minivan or bus from Noi Bai Airport to Ninh Binh. Travel time is about 3–4 hours and tickets cost around $15–20/pp.
Minivans arrive to places like Tam Coc, Trang An or Ninh Binh City. You can also travel by train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh if you want to visit Hanoi first.
BOOK BUS TICKETS to Ninh Binh ➜
❓ FAQ + Travel Tips – Travel from Hoi An to Ninh Binh:
How to book and buy tickets from Hoi An to Ninh Binh?
You can book bus, train and flight tickets online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
What is the travel time from Hoi An to Ninh Binh?
Travel by sleeper bus takes about 11–16 hours. Flights via Hanoi take about 8–9 hours.
How much does it cost to travel from Hoi An to Ninh Binh?
Bus tickets cost about $18–45/pp. Flights via Hanoi cost about $45–100/pp.
What is the travel distance from Hoi An to Ninh Binh?
The distance from Hoi An to Ninh Binh is about 700 km.
What is the most fastest option of transfer from Hoi An to Ninh Binh?
The fastest option is a flight to Hanoi and transfer by bus or train to Ninh Binh.
What to choose – train or bus from Hoi An to Ninh Binh?
The sleeper train is usually more comfortable than the sleeper bus for this long route.
How to travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh?
You can travel by train, tourist bus, minivan or taxi in about 2–2.5 hours. Read also: How to get to Ninh Binh from Hanoi?
How to move and explore Ninh Binh?
You can explore Ninh Binh by bicycle, motorbike or private taxi. Motorbike rental is widely available.
Where to travel from Ninh Binh?
Popular routes are Ninh Binh to Hanoi, Sapa or Ha Giang.
How to go to Ninh Binh from Noi Bai Airport?
From Noi Bai Airport to Ninh Binh you can travel by bus, van, taxi or train via Hanoi.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Hoi An to Ninh Binh
Traveling from Hoi An to Ninh Binh is a long journey across central and northern Vietnam. You can travel by sleeper bus, train via Da Nang or flight via Hanoi.
- Night Travel: Sleeper buses and trains save hotel costs and daytime travel.
- Train Comfort: Sleeper trains are usually more comfortable than long-distance buses.
- Bring Snacks: Carry water and simple snacks for the long trip.
- Weather Changes: Temperatures can vary between central and northern Vietnam.
- Scenic Views: Day trains offer beautiful coastal and countryside scenery.
- Arrival Area: Many hotels are located around Tam Coc or Trang An, not Ninh Binh station.
- Book Early: Tickets may sell out during holidays and weekends.
Tip: Bus, train and flight tickets from Hoi An to Ninh Binh can be searched and booked online in advance.