1. Bus + Train to Hoi An
2. Bus – Hoi An to Ninh Binh
3. Flight + Bus to Hoi An
4. FAQ + Travel Tips + Info
🎫 Book a Tour to Ninh Binh
🎫 Book Ticket to Ninh Binh
From Hoi An to Ninh Binh you can go by train + bus or plane + bus.
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- Spanning approximately 700 km by land, the journey from Hoi An to Ninh Binh offers travelers a diverse array of transportation options. For a seamless and comfortable travel experience, the preferred method of reaching Ninh Binh from Hoi An is by boarding a sleeper train from Da Nang. With Da Nang located just 20 km from Hoi An, travelers can easily access sleeper trains operated by Vietnam Railways or private tourist trains like Lotus Train, Livitrans Express, or Violette Trains. Transportation from Hoi An to Da Nang is readily available via bus/van or taxi. The train journey from Da Nang to Ninh Binh spans approximately 15–17 hours, with train tickets ranging from $20–50 per person (Vietnam Railways) or $77–135 per person (private tourist train).
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- While there are no direct flights connecting Hoi An or Da Nang to Ninh Binh due to the absence of an airport in Ninh Binh, travelers can opt for a direct flight to Hanoi (Noi Bai International Airport) followed by a bus/train journey to Ninh Binh. The combination of air travel and ground transportation from Hoi An to Ninh Binh via Da Nang and Hanoi is the quickest option, taking approximately 7–8 hours. Alternatively, travelers can choose to embark on a scenic journey by sleeper bus, with travel time averaging between 11–16 hours and ticket prices ranging from $18–45 per person. For those unsure of the best mode of land travel, opting for a sleeper train is recommended.
- From Ninh Binh, travelers can explore nearby attractions such as Trang An Ecotourism Site, Tam Coc, and Hang Mua Caves. With its myriad of accommodations ranging from homestays to bungalows, Ninh Binh ensures a comfortable and memorable stay for every traveler. While Ninh Binh lacks its own airport, it boasts a well-connected railway station and is easily accessible from central and northern Vietnam, including Hanoi. Plan your journey from Hoi An or Da Nang to Ninh Binh conveniently by booking bus, train, or flight tickets online.
Discover and explore the Beauty of Trang An Complex in Ninh Binh.
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- Ninh Binh, nestled in northern Vietnam, stands as one of the region’s most captivating and sought-after tourist destinations. Often referred to as the „Ha Long Bay on land,“ Ninh Binh boasts hundreds of limestone monoliths adorned with lush greenery, interspersed with winding rivers and cavernous caves. To truly immerse yourself in this UNESCO-protected landscape, embark on a serene paddleboat tour along its meandering waterways or ascend to the summit of its iconic peaks. Ideal for exploration by motorbike or bicycle, Ninh Binh offers visitors an array of captivating attractions such as Trang An Ecotourism Site, 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
The first and most popular low-cost transfer option from Hoi An to Ninh Binh is a bus and train trip via the city of Da Nang. Da Nang train station is approximately 30 km from Hoi An city. From there, regular Vietnam Railways trains depart for Ninh Binh, and these trains also include more comfortable tourist sleeper trains intended mainly for tourists. So this option has 2 steps, the first step is transfer to Da Nang train station and then train to Ninh Binh.
The first step is easy, you can use various private minivans or tourist buses from Hoi An to Da Nang. Some of them also go directly to Da Nang train station, some to the city center or even to other places. These buses or minivans are the cheapest transfer options to Da Nang, bus tickets from Hoi An to Da Nang cost between $4-15/pp, depending on the type of bus or minivan.
The cheapest tickets sometimes range from $2/pp. The travel time by bus or minivan from Da Nang to Hoi An takes approximately 1-1.5 hours, it depends on what other stops the buses make and also on the chosen route of the company. You can use various companies on this route, such as Barri Ann Travel, Hoi An Food Tour, Viet Nam Travel Bus, April Adventure, Vietnam Explore Travel, Duc Duong, iHome Transfer, Techbus VN, Queen Cafe, Hoi An Express, Hanh Cafe, Queen Cafe and more.
For this route, it will be enough for you to use a cheaper comfortable minivan, it is better than a sleeper bus. It is also possible to use private taxis to the train station, sometimes they are the same price as smaller minivans or minibuses. You can search and buy tickets from Hoi An to Da Nang online even in advance.
The second step is to travel by train to Ninh Binh from Da Nang. This is a popular railway route from central to northern Vietnam and you can use regular trains of Vietnam Railways and tourist sleeper trains Livitrans, Violette Train, Laman Express and Lotus Train. All the trains depart from Da Nang Railway Station and arrive at Ninh Binh Railway Station in Ninh Binh (see Vietnam Railway Map).
Ninh Binh Railway Station is close to the city center and approximately 5 km from the popular area of Tam Coc-Bich Dong, so you can take a private taxi directly to this place and stay here.
On this route from Da Nang to Ninh Binh, it is better to choose a sleeper bed either on a regular or a tourist train, as the journey time is about 14-16 hours. The seat is not a suitable option for such a long route, but on the other hand, it is the cheapest option on the train. Train tickets from Da Nang to Ninh Binh range in price from $17-40/pp (seats + sleepers) in regular trains and $60-90/pp in tourist sleeper trains. If you would like to see the coast of central Vietnam from the train window, it is advisable to choose a bed on the right side of the train.
The train will also take you through the fascinating Hai Van Pass, which is a short distance from Da Nang city. The trains also make other stops in other cities such as Hue, Dong Hoi, Vinh and others before arriving in Ninh Binh. Search and buy train tickets to Ninh Binh from Da Nang online, read all ticket instructions. Regular trains also accept mobile phone tickets.
BOOK TRAIN TICKETS to Ninh Binh ➜
2. SLEEPER BUS from Hoi An to Ninh Binh
Another, but not as popular, option to travel from Hoi An to Ninh Binh in Vietnam is by sleeper bus. These buses depart from various locations in Hoi An and arrive at locations such as Ninh Binh City, Tam Coc and or even Trang An Complex. Be aware that these sleeper buses usually make other stops before arriving in Ninh Binh, however some buses may be faster than regular trains from Da Nang.
Travel time by sleeper bus to Ninh Binh from Hoi An is approximately 11-16 hours, depending on the route and bus company you choose. For bus transfer from Hoi An to Ninh Binh, you can use different companies such as Techbus VN, Grouptour, Van Luc Tung, Futabus, Duc Duong, Queen Cafe, Full Moon Party Tour, An Phu Hoi An Travel, Viet Nam Travel Bus, Green Trips, Sapa Discovery Travel or Vietnam Luxury Travel.
BOOK BUS TICKETS to Ninh Binh ➜
These companies will offer you classic older, but also very modern and new comfortable sleeper buses on this route. Bus tickets from Hoi An to Ninh Binh range, but prices are on average $18-45/pp. Which roughly corresponds to the prices of train tickets from Da Nang. You can search and book these bus tickets to Ninh Binh from Hoi An online well in advance.
It is advisable to arrive at the departure point in Hoi An at least 30 minutes before the bus departure. Always read all ticket and bus transfer instructions and follow company rules to avoid potential complications.
The bus can be an alternative to the train transfer, however, for such a long route, it is better to choose a sleeping berth on the train from Da Nang. Again, this is a transport option that is mainly suitable for solo low-cost travellers.
3. FLIGHT + BUS from Da Nang to Ninh Binh (via Hanoi)
The fastest option of transportation from Hoi An to Ninh Binh can be using a combination of air transfer and bus via Hanoi. This option has a total of 3 steps and that is a transfer to Da Nang Airport, then a direct flight to Hanoi and a bus transfer from Noi Bai Airport to Ninh Binh.
However, it also depends on the waiting time at the airport and the transfer at Noi Bai airport to the bus, so it is good to plan this option well, find out the departure and departure times of the buses, etc. However, it can be advantageous if you would also like to visit Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam.
The first step is to travel by bus or minivan from Hoi An to Da Nang airport. There are a lot of private minivans or smaller buses of different companies going to Da Nang airport, some of them are e.g. Techbus VN, Duc Duong, Barri Ann Travel, April Adventure or Viet Nam Travel Bus and others.
It is approximately 30 km from Hoi An to Da Nang airport and the journey time by these minivans or minibuses is approximately 1-1.5 hours. This is a cheap option of transport, but minivans will offer you sufficient comfort. Traveling by bus or minivan from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport costs on average $6-15/pp and minivans depart from various locations or hotels in Hoi An.
If you would not like to use these minivans, another option is private cars/taxi or possibly Grab taxi. It is advisable to arrive at the airport well in advance, at least 2.5 hours before the flight to Hanoi.
BOOK TICKETS to Da Nang Airport ➜
The second step is a direct flight from Da Nang Airport to Hanoi. Flights are operated to Noi Bai Airport, which is approximately 30 km north of central Hanoi (see Vietnam Airports Map). The direct flight time from Da Nang to Hanoi is about 1.5 hours and tickets cost between $40-100/pp. These prices may also vary according to the season, they may be higher in the tourist season, they may be lower in the off-season.
So it’s a good idea to do your research beforehand and book accordingly. Most of these direct flights are Economy class. The cheapest flights will be offered by VietJet Air, other airlines operating flights to Hanoi are Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Vietravel Airlines and Hanh Air Systems. You can easily search and book flights from Da Nang to Hanoi online.
The last step is a transfer by bus or minivan from Noi Bai Airport to Ninh Binh. In theory, you can also use a private car/taxi, but this option is of course significantly more expensive than a minivan or bus. Buses from Noi Bai Airport to Ninh Binh are operated by various companies such as Grouptour, Trang An Limousine, Daichii Travel, Duy Khang Limousine, Techbus VN, Truly Ha Giang, Ninh Binh Excursion and XE Vietnam.
These companies will offer you mostly comfortable and modern air-conditioned minivans for a limited number of passengers. Travel time by bus or minivan from Noi Bai Airport to Ninh Binh is approximately 3-4 hours and tickets cost approximately $15 to $20/pp.
The advantage of these transfers is that you can arrive in Ninh Binh to various popular places such as Trang An, Hoa Lu, Tam Coc or Ninh Binh city. If you would like to travel by train, you must first go to Hanoi and then take the Vietnam Railways train to Ninh Binh. This can be used if you want to visit Hanoi as well. You can search and book tickets for minivans and buses from Noi Bai Airport to Ninh Binh easily online.
BOOK BUS TICKETS to Ninh Binh ➜
❓ FAQ + Travel Tips – Travel from Hoi An to Ninh Binh:
1. How to book and buy tickets from Hoi An to Ninh Binh?
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- You can book tickets from Hoi An to Ninh Binh online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
- you can also search another route, e.g. Hoi An to Da Nang, Da Nang to Ninh Binh…
2. What is the travel time from Hoi An to Ninh Binh?
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- Transfer by sleeper tourist bus from Hoi An to Ninh Binh takes about 11–16 hours.
- Transfer by bus + train from Hoi An to Ninh Binh (via Da Nang) takes about 13–17 hours.
- Transfer by bus + plane from Hoi An to Ninh Binh (via Hanoi) takes about 8-9 hours.
3. How much does it cost to travel from Hoi An to Ninh Binh?
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- Travel by sleeper bus / van from Hoi An to Ninh Binh costs about $18–45/pp.
- Travel by bus + train from Hoi An to Ninh Binh (via Da Nang) costs about $20–55/pp.
- Travel by plane + bus from Hoi An to Hanoi (via Da Nang, Hanoi) costs about $45–100/pp.
4. What is the travel distance from Hoi An to Ninh Binh?
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- Travel distance from Hoi An to Ninh Binh is about 700 km by train / bus.
5. What is the most fastest option of transfer from Hoi An to Ninh Binh?
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- The most fastest way how to get to Ninh Binh from Hoi An is to take a direct flight to Hanoi and bus or train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. Travel time is about about 7–8 hours.
6. What to choose – train or bus from Hoi An to Ninh Binh?
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- If you do not know how to travel and you want to travel by land, take a sleeper train of VR or private sleeper tourist train. It is better, avoid the bus, this option is not so comfortable.
7. How to travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh?
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- Ninh Binh is only about 100 km from Hanoi and there are various tourist buses / minivans or trains and taxi to Ninh Binh city. Various buses arrive to Tam Coc, Trang An Scenic Complex or Hoa Lu. Travel time from Hanoi to Ninh Binh is about 2.5 hours. Read this article: How to get to Ninh Binh from Hanoi?
8. How to move and explore Ninh Binh?
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- Ninh Binh lies in lowlands, so it is very easy to rent a motorbike or bicycle online or at your hotels and explore this area on your own. Another option is to rent a private taxi/car.
9. Where to travel from Ninh Binh?
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- You can travel from Ninh Binh to Hanoi by tourist bus or train, taxi. Hanoi is the capital and it is only about 90-100 km from Ninh Binh. Another popular tourist place is Sapa in Lao Cai province and you can take a bus/train via Hanoi (travel time is about 9–11 hours) from Ninh Binh to Sapa. Sapa is one of the most visited places in northern Vietnam. From Sapa you can travel by tourist bus or motorbike to Ha Giang.
10. How to go to Ninh Binh from Noi Bai Airport?
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- Traveling from Noi Bai Airport to Ninh Binh offers a range of transportation options to suit every traveler’s preferences. Whether you opt for the economical convenience of buses, the comfort of private taxis, or the adventurous combination of bus and train travel, your journey promises to be filled with excitement and memorable experiences awaiting you in the stunning landscapes of Ninh Binh.
BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Ninh Binh ➜
🚆 Train Schedule / Timetable – Da Nang to Ninh Binh + Train tickets:
| Train Schedule – Da Nang to Ninh Binh: | Departure | Arrival | Ticket Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train SE2 (soft seat, sleeper) | 13:55 | 03:43 | From $24.00 |
| Train SE4 (soft seat, sleeper) | 12:57 | 03:09 | From $24.00 |
| Train SE8 (soft seat, sleeper) | 00:56 | 16:09 | From $20.00 |
| Train SE6 (soft seat, sleeper) | 10:30 | 01:58 | From $22.30 |
| Train SE12 (soft seat, sleeper) | 15:43 | 07:38 | From $22.30 |
| Train SE20 (soft seat, sleeper) | 18:05 | 09:14 | From $22.30 |
| Lotus Train SE20 (sleeper) | 18:05 | 09:14 | From $70.00 |
| Laman Express SE20 (sleeper) | 18:05 | 09:14 | From $75.00 |
| Violette Train SE2 (sleeper) | 13:55 | 03:43 | From $70.00 |
| Violette Train SE4 (sleeper) | 12:57 | 03:09 | From $70.00 |
| Violette Train SE20 (sleeper) | 18:05 | 09:14 | From $70.00 |
| Livitrans SE2 (sleeper) | 13:55 | 03:43 | From $62.00 |
| Livitrans SE4 (sleeper) | 12:43 | 02:58 | From $62.00 |
🚍 Bus Schedule / Timetable – Hoi An to Ninh Binh + Bus tickets:
| Bus Schedule – Hoi An to Ninh Binh: | 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 |