Sleeper bus
Direct, cheapest, overnight travel
Train (soft sleeper)
More space, smoother ride
Private car/taxi
Door-to-door, flexible schedule
Flight
No direct connection
Quick answer: If you’re traveling from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi, the most popular options are by overnight train, sleeper bus, or private car. The bus is slightly faster (6.5–8.5 hours) but less comfortable, while the train takes around 8–9.5 hours and offers a smoother and safer ride. A private car is ideal if you prefer flexibility and comfort during the journey.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: approximately 400 km
- ⏱️ Travel time: 6.5–8.5 hours by sleeper bus, ~8–9.5 hours by train, or ~7–8 hours by private car
- 💰 Price range: from ~$14–20 (bus), ~$12–70 (train), or ~$200–300 (private car)
- 🚆 Best for comfort / experience: Overnight train with sleeper berths
- 🚗 Best for flexibility and privacy: Private car with door-to-door service
- 🚌 Best for budget: Sleeper bus from Tam Coc or Ninh Binh town
Last updated in March 2026
From Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi you can travel by train, bus or bus+plane.
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- Travel from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi covers about 400 km. The most popular options are Vietnam Railways trains, sleeper buses or a flight via Hanoi. Train travel takes about 8 hours and tickets start at $8/pp. Sleeper buses take about 6.5–8.5 hours and cost around $14–20/pp.
- Ninh Binh has no airport, but you can travel to Hanoi and take a direct flight to Dong Hoi. From Dong Hoi you can easily reach Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park by bus or taxi. You can also continue by train to Da Nang and Hoi An.
Dong Hoi – Gateway to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
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- Dong Hoi in Quang Binh province is the main gateway to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, famous for caves, trekking and boat trips. The park is about 45 km from Dong Hoi city.
| Transfer Mode – Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Train by Vietnam Railways + Tourist Sleeper Trains | 8–9.5 hours | $12–70 per person |
| Sleeper Bus | 6.5–8.5 hours | $14–20 per person |
| Bus + Flight (via Hanoi) | 6–8 hours | $35–80 per person |
How do I get from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi?
1. TRAIN from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi
👉 Most popular and affordable option: train from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers and those who prefer comfortable rail travel
- ✔️ Duration: ~8–9.5 hours
- ✔️ Price: $12–75 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium to high (seats or sleeper berths, tourist trains more comfortable)
- ✅ Best option: Overnight sleeper train with Vietnam Railways or tourist trains like Livitrans Express
- 💡 Tip: Choose a sleeper berth for better rest and book tickets online in advance due to popularity.
The cheapest and most popular option from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi is traveling by Vietnam Railways train or tourist sleeper train. Regular SE and QB trains offer seats and sleeper cabins for 4–6 passengers, while tourist trains usually have more comfortable 4-berth cabins.
Regular train tickets cost about $12–40/pp, while tourist sleeper trains such as Violette Train, Livitrans Express, Laman Express, Lotus Train or Damitrans Train cost about $60–75/pp. Tourist trains offer better comfort and extra services.
About 6–8 trains travel daily from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi. The train travel time is about 8–9.5 hours. Trains depart from Ninh Binh Railway Station and arrive at Đồng Hới Railway Station, see also the Vietnam Railway Map.
Train tickets to Dong Hoi can be booked online in advance and regular Vietnam Railways trains accept mobile tickets.
BOOK TRAIN TICKETS to Dong Hoi ➜
| Train | Departs in Ninh Binh | Arrival in Dong Hoi | Ticket Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train SE1 (seat, sleeper) | 23:07 | 06:30 | From $17.00 |
| Train SE7 (seat, sleeper) | 08:17 | 16:19 | From $15.00 |
| Train SE5 (seat, sleeper) | 11:11 | 19:16 | From $15.00 |
| Train SE11 (seat, sleeper) | 23:43 | 08:13 | From $15.00 |
| Train SE9 (seat, sleeper) | 15:08 | 23:53 | From $13.40 |
| Train SE17 (seat, sleeper) | 22:35 | 07:33 | From $13.40 |
| Train SE23 (seat, sleeper) | 16:19 | 01:22 | From $17.00 |
| Train QB1 (seat, sleeper) | 22:16 | 06:10 | From $17.00 |
| Train SE3 (seat, sleeper) | 21:35 | 04:51 | From $17.00 |
| Violette Train SE1 (sleeper) | 23:07 | 06:30 | From $70.00 |
| Violette Train SE3 (sleeper) | 21:35 | 04:51 | From $70.00 |
| Violette Train SE19 (sleeper) | 21:55 | 05:40 | From $70.00 |
| Damitrans Train SE3 (sleeper) | 21:35 | 04:51 | From $65.00 |
| Livitrans Express SE1 (sleeper) | 23:07 | 06:30 | From $65.00 |
| Livitrans Express SE3 (sleeper) | 21:35 | 04:51 | From $65.00 |
| Livitrans Express SE19 (sleeper) | 21:55 | 05:40 | From $65.00 |
| Violette Train SE19 (sleeper) | 21:55 | 05:40 | From $70.00 |
| Violette Train SE3 (sleeper) | 21:35 | 04:51 | From $70.00 |
| Violette Train SE1 (sleeper) | 23:07 | 06:30 | From $70.00 |
| Charmy Express SE19 (sleeper) | 21:55 | 05:40 | From $65.00 |
| Charmy Express SE3 (sleeper) | 21:35 | 04:51 | From $65.00 |
| Charmy Express SE1 (sleeper) | 23:07 | 06:30 | From $65.00 |
| Laman Express SE19 (sleeper) | 21:55 | 05:40 | From $70.00 |
| Lotus Train SE19 (sleeper) | 21:55 | 05:40 | From $70.00 |
2. SLEEPER BUS from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi
👉 Budget alternative: sleeper intercity bus from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers and flexible schedules
- ✔️ Duration: ~6.5–8.5 hours
- ✔️ Price: $14–20 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (sleeper buses)
- ✅ Best option: Sleeper bus with companies like HK Buslines, Camel Travel or Ninh Binh Interbus
- 💡 Tip: Consider the train for better comfort, but buses can be faster and depart from places like Tam Coc.
Another popular option is to travel by sleeper bus. Sleeper buses are widely used in Vietnam and can sometimes be faster than trains on this route.
Between Ninh Binh and Dong Hoi in central Vietnam, companies such as HK Buslines, Camel Travel, Hoang Long, Green Trips or Ninh Binh Interbus operate modern sleeper buses.
Travel time by sleeper bus is about 6.5–8.5 hours and tickets cost around $14–20/pp. There are also direct buses from Tam Coc to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
For better comfort, trains are usually a better choice, but sleeper buses are useful for overnight travel and flexible departures.
| Bus Service | Departs in Ninh Binh | Arrival in Dong Hoi | Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| HK Buslines | 09:00 | 15:30 | From $23.00/pp |
| HK Buslines | 19:00 | 01:30 | From $23.00/pp |
| HK Buslines | 21:30 | 04:00 | From $23.00/pp |
| Sapa Disc. Travel | 22:00 | 05:40 | From $23.00/pp |
| Sapa Disc. Travel | 09:30 | 17:10 | From $23.00/pp |
| Sapa Disc. Travel | 13:15 | 20:55 | From $23.00/pp |
| Cat Ba Disc. | 09:15 | 16:15 | From $22.00/pp |
| Cat Ba Disc. | 20:15 | 03:15 | From $22.00/pp |
| Quang Dung | 18:30 | 01:00 | From $12.00/pp |
| Ninh Binh Inter. | 20:00 | 03:30 | From $14.00/pp |
| Hung Long | 01:15 | 06:45 | From $18.00/pp |
| Hung Long | 13:30 | 19:00 | From $13.00/pp |
| Hung Long | 21:00 | 02:30 | From $13.00/pp |
| Binh Hoai | 17:45 | 00:15 | From $25.00/pp |
| Binh Hoai | 19:45 | 02:15 | From $25.00/pp |
3. BUS + FLIGHT from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi (via Hanoi)
👉 Fast but expensive option: bus + flight from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi via Hanoi.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers who prefer flights and want to avoid long train/bus rides
- ✔️ Duration: ~5–7 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $75–100 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: high (minivan transfer + short flight)
- ✅ Best option: Minivan to Noi Bai Airport + direct flight to Dong Hoi with Vietnam Airlines
- 💡 Tip: Consider total travel time including airport check-in—train can be similarly fast and cheaper.
Another option is traveling by bus + flight via Hanoi – Noi Bai Airport. Ninh Binh has no airport, so you first need to travel about 130 km north to Hanoi and then take a direct flight to Dong Hoi.
Private minivans and buses from companies such as Trang An Limousine, Techbus VN or Duy Khang Limousine travel from Ninh Binh to Noi Bai Airport. Tickets cost about $15–20/pp and travel time is around 2.5–4 hours.
The second step is a direct flight from Hanoi to Dong Hoi Airport, see the airport map of Vietnam. Direct flights are operated mainly by Vietnam Airlines.
Flight time from Hanoi to Dong Hoi is about 1.5 hours and Economy tickets cost around $60–80/pp. When airport transfers and waiting time are included, the total travel time can be similar to the train journey.
Direct flights from Hanoi to Dong Hoi can be searched and booked online in advance.
BOOK DIRECT FLIGHT to Dong Hoi ➜
4. PRIVATE CAR from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi
👉 Most comfortable but expensive option: private car/taxi from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers seeking comfort, privacy, and direct door-to-door transfer
- ✔️ Duration: ~6–8 hours
- ✔️ Price: $200–300 per car
- ✔️ Comfort: high (modern cars with driver)
- ✅ Best option: Private transfer with companies like Mango Travel or VT Travel
- 💡 Tip: Ideal for small groups—split the cost to make this premium option more affordable.
You can also travel from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi by private modern taxi or car with a driver. This is one of the most expensive transport options and is suitable for travelers who are not concerned about their budget. The main advantage is that you can choose your own departure point in Ninh Binh and arrival point in Dong Hoi, which can save you some time.
PRIVATE TAXI / CAR to Dong Hoi ➜
A private car or taxi transfer from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi takes approximately 6-8 hours, although this may vary slightly depending on your exact route. The companies Mango Travel and VT Travel offer private car transfers to Dong Hoi, with prices ranging from $200 to $300 per car. You can divide the fare among the passengers, and vehicles are available for 2 to 4 people. You can search, view and book your private modern car to Dong Hoi easily online.
❓ FAQ + Tips – Travel route from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi:
How to book tickets from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi?
You can book train, bus or private transfer tickets online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
How long does it take from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi?
Sleeper buses take about 6.5–8.5 hours and trains about 8–9.5 hours. Flights from Hanoi take about 1.5 hour.
How much does travel from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi cost?
Train tickets start at $8/pp, buses cost about $14–20/pp and flights from Hanoi about $25–80/pp.
What is the travel distance from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi?
The travel distance from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi is about 400 km.
Are there luxury sleeper trains to Dong Hoi?
Yes, you can use tourist sleeper trains such as Violette Train, Livitrans Express or Laman Express.
Is there a direct flight from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi?
No, Ninh Binh has no airport. Direct flights to Dong Hoi operate from Hanoi – Noi Bai Airport.
What is the fastest way to get to Dong Hoi?
The fastest option is to travel via Hanoi and take a direct flight to Dong Hoi.
What is the cheapest transport option?
The cheapest option is usually a hard seat train ticket, but sleeper berths are more comfortable.
Which beaches can you visit in central Vietnam?
Popular beaches are in Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, Hue or Cam Ranh. Read more here: The Best Beaches in Central Vietnam.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi
Traveling from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi connects northern Vietnam with the caves, beaches and national parks of central Vietnam. You can travel by train, sleeper bus, private car or flight via Hanoi.
- Night Travel: Sleeper trains and buses save time and one hotel night.
- Morning Departure: Early departures are usually more comfortable during hot months.
- Pack Snacks: Some parts of the route have limited roadside services.
- Weather Changes: Bring light layers and a rain jacket during rainy season.
- Take Breaks: Stretch during stops on longer bus journeys.
- Arrival Time: Arriving before evening traffic in Dong Hoi is more convenient.
- Book Early: Trains and sleeper buses can sell out on weekends and holidays.
Tip: Bus and train tickets can be searched and booked online in advance.