Sleeper bus
Direct, cheapest, no transfers
Train + bus (via Dong Hoi)
Sleeper cabins, smoother ride
Flight via Hanoi
Fastest, but multiple transfers
Train only
No direct station in Phong Nha
Quick answer: From Phong Nha-Ke Bang to Ninh Binh you can travel by sleeper tourist bus, bus + train via Dong Hoi, bus + plane via Hanoi or private taxi/car. Sleeper buses are the most popular and budget-friendly option for most travelers.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: About 400 km by road between Phong Nha and Ninh Binh.
- ⏱️ Travel time: Sleeper bus 6.5–9 h | Bus + train 10–12 h | Taxi 6–8 h.
- 💰 Prices: Bus $14–26/pp | Bus + train $10–40/pp | Taxi $230–500/car.
- 🚌 Sleeper bus: Direct, cheap and ideal for overnight travel.
- 🚆 Bus + train: Comfortable option with transfer in Dong Hoi.
- ✈️ Bus + plane: Faster transfer via Dong Hoi Airport and Hanoi.
- 🚕 Private taxi: Best for groups, families or travelers with luggage.
Last updated in March 2026
How to Get from Phong Nha-Ke Bang to Ninh Binh
Traveling from Phong Nha-Ke Bang to Ninh Binh covers about 400 km by land. The most popular option is a sleeper tourist bus, with travel time of about 6.5–9 hours and tickets from $14–26/pp.
There is no airport in Phong Nha, so another option is to travel to Dong Hoi and continue by Vietnam Railways train to Ninh Binh. You can also travel by plane from Dong Hoi to Hanoi and then continue by train or bus to Ninh Binh.
From Ninh Binh you can continue to Hanoi or Sapa. Popular attractions in Ninh Binh include Trang An, Tam Coc and Hoa Lu.
| Transfer Mode – Phong Nha to Ninh Bình | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeper Tourist Bus | 6.5–9 hours | $14–26 per person |
| Bus + Train (Vietnam Railway) | 10–12 hours | $10–40 per person |
| Plane (Direct Flights) | 1 hour | $25–70 per person |
| Private Taxi / Car | 6-8 hours | $230-500 per car |
How do I get from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh?
1. SLEEPER BUS from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh
👉 Cheapest and popular option with a sleeper bus from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers and overnight journeys
- ✔️ Duration: ~6.5–9 hours
- ✔️ Price: $14–26 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium to high (older or modern sleeper buses)
- ✅ Best option: Modern sleeper bus with companies like Techbus VN or Grouptour
- 💡 Tip: Check bus quality and reviews before booking; arrive early at departure point.
A popular low-cost transportation option to Ninh Binh from Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is the sleeper bus trip. Several companies operate bus routes between Phong Nha and Ninh Binh, and they will offer you older, but also very new and modern sleeper buses, which sometimes surpass Vietnam Railways trains in terms of comfort.
But it depends on the specific company, not all buses are very modern and comfortable, so it is advisable to do research on online platforms first, look at photos, etc. Some companiesthat operate sleeper buses from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh are Duc Duong, Sapa Discovery Travel, Duy Khanh, Ninh Binh Footprint, Luxury Van Limousine, Queen Cafe, Green Trips, TP Booking, Techbus VN, Grouptour, Full Moon Party Tour or Hey Travel.
According to the comfort and type of bus, the prices of bus tickets from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh also vary, which cost between $14-26/pp, older buses are cheaper, very new and modern buses are more expensive. The fastest buses can travel to Ninh Binh in about 6.5 hours, but the average travel time from Phong Nha is between 6.5-9 hours.
BOOK BUS TICKETS to Ninh Binh ➜
It should also be taken into account that these sleeper buses also make other stops, e.g. for refreshments, the toilet or pick up other travelers during the journey. Driving times can also vary slightly, buses can also have delays in departure and arrival, this happens in Vietnam and it is good to expect this.
Buses depart from and arrive at various locations in Ninh Binh, such as the popular area of Tam Coc, Trang An and or downtown Ninh Binh. You can search and book bus tickets from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh online even in advance. Always read all instructions for these bus transfers and tickets carefully. It is also advisable to arrive at the departure point at least 30 minutes before the departure of the bus.
| Bus Company | Departs in Phong Nha | Arrival in Ninh Binh | Bus Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP Booking | 08:50 | 16:50 | From $26.00 |
| TP Booking | 21:00 | 05:00 | From $16.00 |
| Duc Duong | 08:50 | 16:20 | From $26.00 |
| Duc Duong | 14:10 | 21:40 | From $26.00 |
| Duc Duong | 20:15 | 03:45 | From $21.00 |
| Duc Duong | 21:00 | 04:00 | From $21.00 |
| Techbus VN | 09:00 | 16:30 | From $25.00 |
| Techbus VN | 20:10 | 03:40 | From $19.00 |
| Techbus VN | 21:00 | 04:50 | From $15.00 |
| Sapa Discovery Travel | 09:30 | 16:30 | From $23.00 |
| Sapa Discovery Travel | 20:30 | 03:30 | From $16.00 |
| Sapa Discovery Travel | 21:30 | 04:30 | From $16.00 |
| Full Moon Party | 20:40 | 05:00 | From $17.00 |
| Full Moon Party | 20:40 | 05:00 | From $17.00 |
| Grouptour | 21:00 | 06:00 | From $15.00 |
| Greentrips | 21:00 | 04:00 | From $15.00 |
| Queen Cafe | 21:00 | 05:00 | From $15.00 |
| Luxury Van Lim. | 21:00 | 05:30 | From $24.00 |
| Ninh Binh Foot | 21:00 | 05:00 | From $24.00 |
| Duy Khanh | 21:00 | 04:30 | From $26.00 |
2. BUS + TRAIN from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh
👉 Budget alternative of transfer to Ninh Binh with a bus and train transfer via Dong Hoi.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers who prefer trains and don’t mind transfers
- ✔️ Duration: ~9–12 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $14–75 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium to high (local bus + train seat or sleeper)
- ✅ Best option: Bus/taxi to Dong Hoi + sleeper train to Ninh Binh
- 💡 Tip: Choose a sleeper berth for comfort and check local bus times in advance.
There is no direct train from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh, but you can travel by train from Dong Hoi. This option has 2 steps: local bus or taxi from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi, then a Vietnam Railways train to Ninh Binh.
The trip from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi takes about 1.5 hours by local bus. Buses arrive near Bến xe Nam Lý, about 400 m from Dong Hoi Railway Station. Bus tickets cost about $2/pp.
From Dong Hoi Railway Station you can travel by regular or tourist sleeper train to Ninh Binh. The train journey takes about 8–10 hours.
BOOK TRAIN TICKETS to Ninh Binh ➜
Train tickets to Ninh Binh cost about $12–35/pp for regular trains or about $50–75/pp for tourist sleeper trains like Livitrans Express or Lotus Train.
Trains arrive at Ninh Binh Railway Station, near the city center. From there you can continue by taxi to Tam Coc or Trang An.
Train travel in Vietnam is comfortable and sleeper berths are recommended for this longer route. Train tickets can be searched and booked online in advance.
3. BUS / TAXI + FLIGHT from Phong Nha to Hanoi
👉 Fast but more complex option with flight and transfers via Dong Hoi and Hanoi.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers who want to save time and combine flight + ground transfer
- ✔️ Duration: ~6–9 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $75–140+ per person
- ✔️ Comfort: high (short flight + minivan or bus)
- ✅ Best option: Taxi/minibus to Dong Hoi + flight to Hanoi + minivan to Ninh Binh
- 💡 Tip: Check limited flight schedules in advance and use direct airport transfer to Ninh Binh.
There are no direct flights from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh, but you can travel via Dong Hoi and Hanoi. This option has 3 steps: transfer to Dong Hoi Airport, flight to Hanoi and then bus or minivan to Ninh Binh.
From Phong Nha you can travel to Dong Hoi Airport by local bus or private taxi. The journey takes about 1.5 hours.
Direct flights from Dong Hoi to Hanoi are operated mainly by Vietnam Airlines. Flight time is about 1 hour and tickets usually cost about $60–100/pp.
From Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi you can continue by tourist bus, minivan or private taxi to Ninh Binh, Tam Coc or Trang An.
The transfer from Noi Bai Airport to Ninh Binh takes about 3–4.5 hours. Minivans are convenient because they stop in places like Tam Coc or Trang An.
Bus and minivan tickets from Noi Bai Airport cost about $15–20/pp. Private taxis are faster and more comfortable, with prices from about $35–120/car.
BOOK TICKETS – Noi Bai to Ninh Binh ➜
Tickets for flights, buses and private transfers can be searched and booked online in advance.
4. PRIVATE TAXI / CAR from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh
👉 Most comfortable but expensive option with a private car from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers seeking comfort, privacy, and direct transfer
- ✔️ Duration: ~6–8 hours
- ✔️ Price: $230–500 per car
- ✔️ Comfort: very high (modern cars, SUVs or minivans with driver)
- ✅ Best option: Private transfer with companies like Mango Travel or Vietnam Locals
- 💡 Tip: Ideal for groups—split the cost and choose flexible pickup/drop-off points.
The most expensive, but at the same time relatively comfortable option for transportation from Phong Nha-Ke Bang to Ninh Binh is the option of booking a private taxi/car with a driver. Some companies such as Mango Travel, T Travel or Vietnam Locals offer their vehicles on the route. These companies offer modern comfortable classic smaller cars, SUVs or even minivans for more people traveling in one group.
Prices depend on the type of vehicle and transportation by taxi or private car from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh costs between $230-500/car. The vehicles offered can also transport a certain number of passengers, e.g. smaller cars from 2-3 passengers or larger cars or minivans up to 8 passengers.
BOOK TAXI / CAR to Ninh Binh ➜
Transfer by private car from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh takes about 6-8 hours, it also depends on where you leave from and where exactly you want to go. The advantage is that you can choose your departure and arrival point, which can also save some time. A private car transfer from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh is suitable for travelers who have a larger budget for their travel, but it will probably not be a suitable transportation option for low-cost or solo travelers.
| Taxi Service | Travel Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mango Travel | 6:30 | From $237.00 / Comfort 2pax |
| Mango Travel | 6:30 | From $246.00 / SUV 4pax |
| Mango Travel | 6:30 | From $294.00 / Van 10pax |
| T Travel | 6:00 | From $237.00 / Economy 2pax |
| T Travel | 6:00 | From $246.00 / Comfort 3pax |
| T Travel | 6:00 | From $284.00 / SUV 5pax |
| T Travel | 6:00 | From $355.00 / Van 10pax |
| Vietnam Locals | 8:00 | From $372.00 / Standard 3pax |
| Vietnam Locals | 8:00 | From $492.00 / Minivan 8pax |
❓ FAQ + Travel Tips – Phong Nha-Ke Bang to Ninh Binh:
How to book tickets from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh?
How long does it take from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh?
Sleeper buses take about 6.5–9 hours. Bus + train via Dong Hoi takes about 10–12 hours.
How much does transport from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh cost?
Bus tickets cost about $14–26/pp. Bus + train transfers cost about $10–40/pp.
What is the distance from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh?
The travel distance is about 400 km by land.
What is the best transport option?
The most popular option is a sleeper tourist bus. Faster transfers are possible via Dong Hoi and Hanoi.
What is the cheapest way to travel?
The cheapest option is a local bus to Dong Hoi and then a Vietnam Railways train to Ninh Binh.
Is there a direct flight from Phong Nha?
No, there are no airports in Phong Nha or Ninh Binh.
Where can you travel from Ninh Binh?
You can travel by train or bus to Hanoi or continue by tourist bus to Ha Long Bay.
How to travel from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha?
You can travel by sleeper bus or by train + bus via Dong Hoi.
When is the best time to visit Phong Nha?
The best time to visit is during the dry season with less rainfall.
How to get from Noi Bai Airport to Ninh Binh?
You can travel by bus, minivan, train or private taxi. Read more: Noi Bai Airport to Ninh Binh.
Practical Travel Tips for Phong Nha to Ninh Binh
Traveling from Phong Nha-Ke Bang to Ninh Binh is a popular route from central to northern Vietnam. You can travel by sleeper bus, train + bus or private taxi.
- Prepare for a Long Trip: Travel time is usually about 6.5–12 hours.
- Use Sleeper Buses: Overnight buses are the most popular option on this route.
- Bring Snacks & Water: Some buses have only short refreshment stops.
- Dress Comfortably: Air-conditioning on buses can be cold overnight.
- Train via Dong Hoi: You can combine a local bus and Vietnam Railways train.
- Charge Your Devices: Bring a power bank and offline entertainment.
Tip: Bus and train tickets from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh can be searched and booked online in advance.