Limousine / shuttle bus + ferry
Best mix of comfort, price, and seamless transfer
Standard bus + ferry
Cheapest option with simple all-in-one ticket
Private car + ferry
Flexible door-to-door journey via Hai Phong
Train + ferry
Multiple transfers, slower and less convenient
Quick answer: Traveling from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh is easy thanks to direct bus + ferry connections. Most travelers choose combined tourist bus and ferry tickets because they are affordable, comfortable and convenient.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: About 160 km via Hai Phong.
- ⏱️ Travel time: Bus + ferry 4–6 hours | Private car + ferry 4–5 hours.
- 💰 Prices: Bus + ferry from US$10/pp | Private car from US$70/car.
- 🚍 Best option: Combined tourist bus + ferry transfer.
- 🚆 Via Hanoi: Possible by ferry + bus/train if you want to visit Hanoi.
- 🚕 Private transfer: Best for groups or travelers with larger luggage.
Last updated in March 2026
From Cat Ba to Ninh Binh you can travel by bus + ferry, bus + train or private taxi.
The distance from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh is about 160 km. The most popular option is a combined bus and ferry transfer via Hai Phong, taking about 4–6 hours. Tickets cost approximately $10–21 per person.
There are no direct flights on this route. You can also travel by private taxi for maximum comfort or continue from Ninh Binh to Hoi An and Da Nang or Phong Nha.
Ninh Binh is famous for nature and historic sites.
Ninh Binh is known for Trang An, Tam Coc, Hoa Lu, and Bai Dinh Pagoda. Renting a bicycle or motorbike is a great way to explore this beautiful region.
| Transfer Mode – Cat Ba to Ninh Binh | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Bus + Ferry | 5 hours | $10–20 per person |
| Bus + Train + Ferry (via Hanoi) | 7–8 hours | $13–17 per person |
| Private Taxi / Car + Ferry | 4-5 hours | $70–180 per car |
How do I get from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh?
1. BUS / VAN + FERRY from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh
👉 Most popular and budget-friendly bus + ferry from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers and those looking for an easy combined transfer
- ✔️ Duration: ~4–6 hours
- ✔️ Price: $10–21 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (modern buses + short ferry ride)
- ✅ Best option: Combined bus + ferry ticket with companies like Cat Ba Express or Good Morning Cat Ba
- 💡 Tip: Book a combined ticket in advance to ensure smooth transfers without hassle.
The most popular and affordable way to travel from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh is by tourist bus with a short ferry crossing via Hai Phong. Companies such as Techbus VN, Duc Duong Bus, Good Morning Cat Ba, Daiichi Travel, Cat Ba Express, and The Long Travel operate comfortable daily services.
The journey takes about 4–6 hours, including the 20-minute ferry crossing, and tickets cost around $10–21 per person. Buses depart from Cat Ba Town and arrive in Ninh Binh City, Tam Coc, or Trang An, depending on the company.
Combined bus and ferry tickets can be booked online in advance. Be sure to check the latest transfer instructions, as many operators also accept e-tickets on your mobile phone.
BOOK BUS TICKETS to Ninh Binh ➜
| Bus Company | Departs in Cat Ba Island | Arrival in Ninh Binh | Bus Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Techbus VN | 07:40 | 12:40 | From $12.00 |
| Techbus VN | 08:00 | 11:40 | From $18.00 |
| Techbus VN | 12:45 | 16:25 | From $12.00 |
| Techbus VN | 15:45 | 19:25 | From $18.00 |
| The Long Travel | 09:30 | 14:00 | From $15.00 |
| The Long Travel | 12:30 | 17:00 | From $15.00 |
| The Long Travel | 15:30 | 20:00 | From $15.00 |
| Good Morning Cat Ba | 07:30 | 12:00 | From $18.00 |
| Good Morning Cat Ba | 09:30 | 14:30 | From $18.00 |
| Good Morning Cat Ba | 12:30 | 17:30 | From $18.00 |
| Good Morning Cat Ba | 15:30 | 20:30 | From $18.00 |
| Good Morning Cat Ba | 16:30 | 21:00 | From $18.00 |
| Daiichi Travel | 09:00 | 13:00 | From $19.00 |
| Daiichi Travel | 12:30 | 16:30 | From $19.00 |
| Daiichi Travel | 16:00 | 20:00 | From $19.00 |
| Daiichi Travel | 09:00 | 13:20 | From $19.00 |
| Daiichi Travel | 12:30 | 16:50 | From $19.00 |
| Daiichi Travel | 16:00 | 20:20 | From $19.00 |
| Cat Ba Discovery | 08:00 | 11:40 | From $17.00 |
| Cat Ba Discovery | 09:00 | 12:40 | From $17.00 |
| Cat Ba Discovery | 13:00 | 16:40 | From $17.00 |
| Cat Ba Discovery | 15:00 | 18:40 | From $17.00 |
| Cat Ba Discovery | 15:00 | 18:40 | From $17.00 |
| Full Moon Party | 07:45 | 11:10 | From $12.00 |
| Full Moon Party | 12:30 | 15:55 | From $12.00 |
| Full Moon Party | 15:40 | 19:05 | From $12.00 |
| Grouptour | 12:10 | 16:40 | From $12.00 |
| Grouptour | 12:25 | 16:55 | From $12.00 |
| Grouptour | 16:00 | 20:30 | From $12.00 |
| Grouptour | 17:00 | 21:00 | From $12.00 |
| Sapa Discovery | 08:00 | 12:30 | From $10.00 |
| Sapa Discovery | 12:30 | 17:00 | From $10.00 |
| Ninh Binh Footprint | 08:00 | 12:00 | From $10.00 |
| Ninh Binh Footprint | 12:00 | 16:00 | From $12.00 |
| VietNam Travel Bus | 08:00 | 13:00 | From $16.00 |
| VietNam Travel Bus | 12:30 | 17:30 | From $16.00 |
| Duc Duong | 08:00 | 12:20 | From $17.00 |
| Duc Duong | 12:15 | 16:35 | From $17.00 |
| To Vietnam Travel | 08:30 | 13:00 | From $11.00 |
| To Vietnam Travel | 12:15 | 16:45 | From $11.00 |
| Ha Long Bus Travel | 08:30 | 12:30 | From $13.00 |
| Ha Long Bus Travel | 12:30 | 16:30 | From $13.00 |
2. BUS / TRAIN from Cat Ba to Ninh Binh (via Hanoi)
👉 Flexible and budget-friendly route via Hanoi with a mix of bus, ferry and train.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers who want more departure options and a train experience
- ✔️ Duration: ~6–9 hours total (bus + ferry + train)
- ✔️ Price: $15–32 per person (total)
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (bus/minivan + train seats)
- ✅ Best option: Bus + ferry to Hanoi + Vietnam Railways train to Ninh Binh
- 💡 Tip: Allow enough transfer time in Hanoi and book tickets in advance for smoother connections.
Another budget option is to travel by bus + ferry to Hanoi and then continue by Vietnam Railways train to Ninh Binh. This route takes longer than the direct bus but is a good choice if you want to stop in Hanoi.
The bus and ferry transfer from Cat Ba to Hanoi takes about 4–6 hours and costs around $11–25 per person. Companies such as Cat Ba Express, Techbus VN, Daiichi Travel, and Grouptour operate modern buses and minivans with the ferry crossing included.
From Hanoi, continue by train to Ninh Binh. The train journey takes about 2–2.5 hours, tickets cost around $4–7 per person, and trains arrive close to the city center. From Ninh Binh Station, you can easily reach Tam Coc by taxi or local transfer.
BOOK TRAIN TICKETS to Ninh Binh ➜
3. TAXI / CAR + FERRY from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh
👉 Most comfortable and fastest private taxi + ferry from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh.
- ✔️ Good for: groups, families or travelers seeking maximum comfort
- ✔️ Duration: ~4–5 hours
- ✔️ Price: $70–180 per car
- ✔️ Comfort: high (private car, SUV or minivan with driver)
- ✅ Best option: Private car with ferry transfer included and hotel pickup/drop-off
- 💡 Tip: Share the vehicle cost with others to make this option more cost-effective.
The most convenient but at the same time the most expensive transfer option from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh is by private car/taxi with driver. It is therefore a private car/taxi reservation where you also have your own experienced driver at your disposal. Private cars depart from Cat Ba town.
Modern and comfortable cars, SUVs or minivans for multiple people from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh are offered by Ouros Travel, Saigon DMC, APT Travel Limousine Bus, Hanoi VIP Transfer and the journey time by this option is approximately 4-5 hours.
BOOK PRIVATE CAR to Ninh Binh ➜
A private car is not suitable for low-cost travelers, a private car/taxi ride from Cat Ba to Ninh Binh costs around $70-180/vehicle. Smaller cars are usually cheaper, minivans or SUVs are usually more expensive. However, if you book a minivan for several people in a group of travelers, such a transfer can pay off in the end.
You can search and book your private car from Cat Ba to Ninh Binh online even in advance. Always read all instructions carefully before ordering your car to Ninh Binh.
| Taxi Company | Travel Time | Price (Car) |
|---|---|---|
| Ouros Travel | 04:00 | From $90.00 / Comfort 3pax |
| Ouros Travel | 04:00 | From $98.00 / SUV 4pax |
| Ouros Travel | 04:00 | From $150.00 / Van 9pax |
| APT Travel | 03:00 | From $110.00 / SUV 5pax |
| APT Travel | 03:00 | From $119.00 / Limousine 9pax |
| Saigon DMC | 04:00 | From $89.00 / Comfort 3pax |
| Saigon DMC | 04:00 | From $99.00 / SUV 4pax |
| Saigon DMC | 04:00 | From $145.00 / Van 9pax |
| Hanoi VIP Transfer | 04:00 | From $70.00 / SUV 5pax |
| Hanoi VIP Transfer | 04:00 | From $90.00 / Van 10pax |
❓ FAQ + Travel Tips – Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh:
How to book tickets from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh?
You can book bus + ferry tickets from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
How to book a tour in Ninh Binh?
You can search and book tours in Ninh Binh with KLOOK ➜.
How long does it take to travel from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh?
Travel by bus + ferry takes about 4–6 hours. Private car transfer takes about 4–5 hours.
How much does transport from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh cost?
Bus + ferry tickets cost about $10–20/pp. Private car transfer costs about $70–180/car.
What is the distance from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh?
The travel distance is about 160 km via Hai Phong.
Is there a ferry from Cat Ba Island to Hai Phong?
Yes, the route includes a short ferry or boat transfer from Cat Ba Island to Hai Phong.
Can you travel directly to Tam Coc?
Yes, some buses travel directly to Tam Coc without stopping in Ninh Binh city.
Is there a flight from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh?
No, there are no flights between Cat Ba Island and Ninh Binh.
Is there a direct train from Ha Long to Ninh Binh?
No, there is no direct train. You need to travel via Hanoi or Hai Phong.
How to explore Ninh Binh?
The best way to explore Ninh Binh is by motorbike or bicycle around Tam Coc, Trang An and Bai Dinh.
Where can you travel from Ninh Binh?
From Ninh Binh you can continue to Hue or Da Nang + Hoi An.
Are there buses from Cat Ba Island to Hanoi?
Yes, there are tourist buses with ferry transfer to Hanoi. Read: Cat Ba to Hanoi – Bus Schedule.
Practical Travel Tips for Cat Ba to Ninh Binh
Traveling from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh is a popular route combining ferry and bus transport in northern Vietnam. You can travel by tourist bus + ferry, private car or via Hanoi.
- Best Option: Combined bus + ferry tickets are the easiest and most popular choice.
- Morning Departures: Early departures usually offer smoother ferry connections and fewer delays.
- Ferry Transfer: Most routes include a short ferry or speedboat transfer to Hai Phong mainland.
- Bring Essentials: Keep water, snacks and valuables in a small backpack during ferry crossings.
- Weather Conditions: Heavy rain or rough sea can occasionally affect ferry schedules.
- Book Early: Bus and ferry tickets can sell out quickly during weekends and holidays.
Tip: Bus, ferry and combined transfer tickets can be searched and booked online in advance.