Train
Best balance of comfort, price, and reliability
Standard bus / minivan
Cheapest option with frequent departures
Private car / taxi
Fast door-to-door transfer via highway
Motorbike (for most travelers)
Longer ride on busy roads, only for experienced riders
Quick answer: Traveling from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa is straightforward and offers several convenient options. The distance is approximately 170 km, and the journey usually takes 3–4 hours depending on your chosen mode of transport. The most popular option is the train, which provides a comfortable and reasonably priced trip. Alternatively, you can take a bus, minibus, private car, or even ride a motorbike, each with its own advantages. It’s recommended to book tickets in advance, especially on weekends and holidays when demand is higher.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: ~170 km
- ⏱️ Travel time: 3–4 hours
- 💰 Price range: Train $5-13/pp • Bus/van $4-13/pp • Bus/van to Puluong $15/pp • Taxi/car about $90-330/car.
- 🚆 Best for comfort: Train (e.g., SE1, SE3, SE5, SE7)
- 🚌 Best for budget: Bus or minibus (e.g., Vietnam Travel Bus, Dai Thang, Daiichi Travel…)
- 🚗 Fastest option: Private car or taxi (~2.5–3 hours)
- 🏍️ For adventurers: Motorbike (requires experience and international driving license)
Last updated in March 2026.
From Hanoi to Thanh Hoa you can travel by train, bus/van or motorbike.
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- Travel distance is about 170 km from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa. There are 4 ways how you can travel to Thanh Hoa from Hanoi – by train, bus / minivan, private taxi/car or motorbike. The most popular option is to travel by train. Travel time by train is about 3-3.5 hours and train tickets cost about $5-13/pp. Trains depart from Hanoi Railway station in 120 Le Duan street and arrive to Thanh Hoa Railway Station (2 Dương Đình Nghệ).
- Another option how to reach Thanh Hoa is to travel by bus or minivan. Travel time by bus or minivan is also about 3-4 hours and bus tickets cost about $5-13/pp. Teoretically you can also travel by bus/van to Pu Luong Retreat in Thanh Hoa province. If you can drive a motorbike, you can try it, but this option is only for the most experienced motorbike drivers, IDP is necessary. The most comfortable options is to book a private taxi/car with a driver. From Thanh Hoa you can travel by train or bus to central Vietnam. You can search and book tickets to Thanh Hoa from Hanoi online.
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- Thanh Hoa is the capital of this province and is about 170 km south of Hanoi, 50 km from Ninh Binh and it is the seaside. This province is not so much visited by foreign tourists, because it is not like the Ha Long Bay. But for some peope and travellers it could be the good reason for visit this province. It is the seaside, so you can visit some of the beaches at the South China sea. You will find them mostly in Sam Son town, it is about 10 km from Thanh Hoa city. But be careful in high season this place and the beaches can be overcrowded by thousands of Vietnamese.
- Southern part is mostly lowlands, but the northern part of this province is mountainious. In the far of the north you will find Pu Hu nature reserve, it is about 160 km of Thanh Hoa city. In the western part of Thanh Hoa province you can visit Xuan Lien national park and in the southern part of this province you can visit Ben Em national park. Teoretically you can also travel by train to central and southern Vietnam, you can visit Hoi An or Hue.
How do I get from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa?
1. TRAIN from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa
👉 Cheapest and reliable way to travel from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers & easy rail transfer
- ✔️ Duration: ~3–3.5 hours
- ✔️ Price: $5–15 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (seats or sleeper cabins available)
- ✅ Best option: Regular train seat for this short journey
- 💡 Tip: Book tickets online in advance and arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before departure.
A popular low-cost transportation option from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa is the Vietnam Railways train. On this shorter route, you will use regular trains that will offer you comfortable seats or sleeping beds, the seats will be fully sufficient. You can use about 6-8 trains on this route every day, these numbers can change during the year.
The timetable is therefore somewhat limited and it is advisable to get an overview of transfers in advance. Vietnam Railways trains depart from Hanoi Railway Station and arrive at Thanh Hoa Railway Station (2 Dương Đình Nghệ), see Vietnam railway map. These trains do not end at Than Hoa station, but continue further into central or southern Vietnam.
So they can be used further if you continue to travel to other areas. Both stations are easily accessible from city centers. Train travel time from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa is approximately 3-3.5 hours, each train has a slightly different travel time. The train is usually a cheap option of transport, and this also applies here.
Train tickets to Thanh Hoa from Hanoi cost in the range of $5-15/pp (seats or sleepers), these prices may change slightly during the year. Train tickets from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa are easy to find and buy online in advance. When booking tickets online, you can also choose the location of the seat or bed, which is an advantage.
Tickets for regular trains are accepted and stored on a smartphone as e-tickets, so it is not necessary to print them. However, always read the up-to-date information and instructions for the train transfer and tickets to avoid any complications. It is also advisable to arrive at Hanoi Railway Station at least 30 minutes before the train departs.
BOOK TRAIN TICKETS to Thanh Hoa ➜
| Train | Departs in Hanoi | Arrival in Thanh Hoa | Train Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train SE3 (seats, sleeper) | 19:20 | 22:37 | From $7.00 |
| Train SE1 (seats, sleeper) | 20:50 | 00:08 | From $7.00 |
| Train SE7 (seats, sleeper) | 6:00 | 09:26 | From $7.00 |
| Train SE9 (seats, sleeper) | 12:50 | 16:18 | From $7.00 |
| Train SE5 (seats, sleeper) | 08:55 | 12:20 | From $7.00 |
| Train SE17 (seats, sleeper) | 20:25 | 23:37 | From $7.00 |
| Train SE23 (seats, sleeper) | 13:55 | 17:27 | From $7.00 |
2. BUS / VAN from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa (Sam Son)
👉 Direct and comfortable way to travel from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa (Sam Son).
- ✔️ Good for: beach travelers & direct transfer to Sam Son
- ✔️ Duration: ~3 hours
- ✔️ Price: ~$13 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium to high (modern minivans for small groups)
- ✅ Best option: Minivan transfer with direct drop-off in Sam Son
- 💡 Tip: Book tickets online in advance and confirm your exact drop-off point with the driver.
Many travelers and tourists head to the town of Sam Son and the beach of the same name, a short distance from Thanh Hoa city. There are plenty of different hotels and apartments in Sam Son for visitors looking for beach relaxation and entertainment attractions with relaxation.
If you would like to get to Sam Son in Thanh Hoa, you can use a minivan/minibus service from Hanoi. For this purpose, you can use the company VietNam Travel Bus, which will offer you a transfer from Hanoi to Sam Son by minivan, minibus. These minivans or minibuses are mostly for 9 passengers and will offer you perfect comfort and a faster ride.
BOOK VAN TICKETS to Thanh Hoa ➜
The minivan travel time from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa – Sam Son is approximately 3 hours, of course there may be slight time differences. Minivan tickets from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa – Sam Son cost around $13/pp and you can easily search and book online ahead of time.
VietNam Travel Bus minivans can take you all the way to Sam Son Park, which is a short walk from the largest beach in the area. You can also use this minivan for a transfer to Thanh Hoa city if you arrange with the driver to stop you in the city. Sam Son beach area is located approximately 12 km from Thanh Hoa city center.
3. BUS from Hanoi to Puluong Retreat
👉 Direct and convenient way to travel from Hanoi to Puluong Retreat.
- ✔️ Good for: nature lovers & off-the-beaten-path travel
- ✔️ Duration: ~4.5 hours
- ✔️ Price: ~$15 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium to high (minivans or small buses)
- ✅ Best option: Direct minivan transfer from Hanoi
- 💡 Tip: Book tickets online in advance and check if pickup from your hotel or airport is included.
Puluong Retreat is a popular tourist resort that offers accommodation in beautiful nature without the hustle and bustle of the big city. It offers perfect services and is very popular among foreign tourists and is part of Thanh Hoa province. From the city of Thanh Hoa, Puluong Retreat is located approximately 130 km.
However, even from Hanoi, you can use a transfer directly to this place in the form of a bus or minibus. Companies such as Techbus VN, Daiichi Travel and Luxury Van Limousine offer transfers to Puluong Retreat directly from Hanoi.
These private transport companies will offer you smaller buses, minibuses or minivans on this route, and the journey time from Hanoi to Puluong Retreat is about 4.5 hours.
BOOK TICKETS to Puluong Retreat ➜
Transfer by bus or minivan from Hanoi to Puluong Retreat costs around $15/pp. Tickets for bus transfers from Hanoi to Puluong Retreat can be searched and purchased online in advance. Some companies will arrange a transfer from Noi Bai Airport in combination with a bus transfer to Puluong Retreat.
Puluong Retreat is a secluded place off the beaten track and transfer by minivan or bus is practically the only way to get here. However, it offers a great authentic stay in an agricultural area where the tourist crowds don’t go.
BOOK Your STAY in Puluong Retreat ➜
4. TAXI / CAR from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa
👉 Most comfortable and flexible way to travel from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa.
- ✔️ Good for: private travel, groups & door-to-door service
- ✔️ Duration: ~3 hours
- ✔️ Price: $90–330 per car
- ✔️ Comfort: very high (modern cars, SUVs or minivans with AC)
- ✅ Best option: Private car with driver for direct hotel transfer
- 💡 Tip: Ideal for groups – split the cost and book online in advance for best availability.
The most comfortable—and understandably the most expensive—way to travel to Thanh Hoa is by booking a private, modern taxi or car service with a professional driver. This option offers the highest level of convenience and flexibility. Typically, a private transfer from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa takes around three hours, although the exact travel time can vary depending on your specific destination within Thanh Hoa and traffic conditions.
One reputable company providing this service is VT Travel, which specializes in comfortable and efficient private transfers. They offer modern, well-maintained vehicles suitable for small groups, including options for 2 or 4 passengers.
BOOK TAXI / CAR to Thanh Hoa ➜
With VT Travel, you can enjoy a door-to-door service starting from your hotel in Hanoi straight to your hotel in Thanh Hoa, eliminating the hassle of public transport or multiple transfers. Another reliable private company is Linh Chau Transport with modern cars like SUV, minivans and other limousines.
Because of the personalized service, comfort, and convenience, the private taxi transfer is the most expensive way to get from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa. The price typically ranges between $90 and $330 per car / minivan, making it a premium choice for travelers who prioritize comfort and a stress-free journey. You can also book a private minivan / minibus for up to 15 or 25 passengers.
| Taxi Service | Travel Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| VT Travel | 03:00 | From $106.00 / Standard 2 pax |
| VT Travel | 03:00 | From $117.00 / Standard 4 pax |
| Linh Chau | 03:30 | From $90.00 / Comfort 3 pax |
| Linh Chau | 03:30 | From $94.00 / SUV 5 pax |
| Linh Chau | 03:30 | From $132.00 / Van 10 pax |
| Linh Chau | 03:30 | From $284.00 / Minibus 15 pax |
| Linh Chau | 03:30 | From $284.00 / Limousine 7 pax |
| Linh Chau | 03:30 | From $332.00 / Minibus 25 pax |
❓ FAQ + Travel tips – Travel from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa:
How to book tickets from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa?
You can book tickets from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
How long does it take to travel from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa?
Travel by train takes about 3–3.5 hours. Bus or van transfer takes about 3–4 hours.
What is the distance from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa?
The travel distance from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa is about 170 km.
How to rent a motorbike in Hanoi?
You can search and book motorbikes online with BIKESBOOKING ➜.
How much does transport from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa cost?
Train tickets cost about $5–13/pp. Bus or van tickets cost about $4–13/pp.
What is the best transport option?
Travel by train is the most comfortable and popular option for this route.
What is the cheapest way to travel to Thanh Hoa?
The cheapest option is a Vietnam Railways train with hard or soft seats.
Is there a direct flight from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa?
No, there are no useful direct flights between Hanoi and Thanh Hoa.
Where to stay in Thanh Hoa?
You can search hotels and beach resorts in Thanh Hoa on Agoda.
Where can you travel from Thanh Hoa?
From Thanh Hoa you can continue by train or bus to Dong Hoi, Hue, Vinh or Da Nang.
How to travel solo in Vietnam?
Read this guide about solo travel in Vietnam with tips for transport and local culture.
Practical Travel Tips for Hanoi to Thanh Hoa
Traveling from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa is an easy and popular route in northern Vietnam. You can travel by train, tourist bus, limousine van or private car.
- Best Option: Vietnam Railways trains are comfortable, reliable and affordable.
- Bus Transfer: Limousine vans and buses are slightly faster and operate frequently.
- Start Early: Morning departures usually avoid heavier traffic leaving Hanoi.
- Avoid Cheap Offers: Use trusted companies and avoid unofficial buses in Hanoi Old Quarter.
- Rainy Season: Heavy rain can occasionally affect road travel times.
- Book Early: Train and bus tickets may sell out during weekends and holidays.
Tip: Train, bus and private transfer tickets can be searched and booked online in advance.