1. Bus to Phong Nha
2. Train+Bus to Phong Nha
3. Questions + Travel Tips
🎫 Book a Tour Online
🎫 Book Tickets Online
Phong Nha-Ke Bang is one of the most beautiful parks in Vietnam.
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- Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is a unique place full of nature, caves and also tourist attractions. It is located about 45 km from Dong Hoi City and it is accessible only by road, because there is no railway station and no airport in Phong Nha. The closest airport is in Dong Hoi City, but there are no flights between Ninh Binh and Dong Hoi (only flights between Hanoi – Dong Hoi). Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is also a place by Kong: Skull Island movie, this movie was filmed in 2017 on this site.
- There is also the biggest cave in the world – Son Doong. There are 2 popular ways for travelers how it is possible to travel to Phong Nha-Ke Bang from Tam Coc in Ninh Binh. You can travel by sleeper tourist bus or train + local bus/taxi via Dong Hoi. You can also travel on motorbike to Phong Nha (about 2 days), but this option is a good way only for the most experienced motorbike drivers (IDP in Vietnam is necessary). Before you arrive to Phong Nha, read this article: Weather in Phong Nha and prepare carefully your trip.
From Tam Coc to Phong Nha you can travel by sleeper bus, train+bus.
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- Travel distance from Tam Coc to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is about 420 km by land via Dong Hoi. The best way is to take a sleeper bus from Tam Coc to Phong Nha, travel by sleeper bus takes about 7-9 hours. It is also the most cheapest option and you will save a time. Bus tickets to Phong Nha from Tam Coc cost about $14-28/pp. Buses depart from various places, read carefully these informations before you book your tickets.
- You can also travel by train (Vietnam Railway or Violette Train) + local bus, there are trains from Ninh Binh town (about 5 km from Tam Coc Wharf) to Dong Hoi City. From Dong Hoi you can take a local bus to Phong Nha. Travel by train of Vietnam Railways to Dong Hoi and local bus to Phong Nha takes about 11-12 hours, you can book sleeper berth or hard/soft seat. From Dong Hoi City you can travel to Da Nang – the most visited biggest city of central Vietnam or you can go to Ho Chi Minh City. Book and buy train / bus tickets to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Dong Hoi from Tam Coc in Ninh Binh easily online.
| Transfer Mode – Tam Coc to Phong Nha: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Train + Bus via Dong Hoi | 11-12 hours | $12-30/pp |
| Sleeper Bus | 7-9 hours | $14-27/pp |
How do I get from Tam Coc to Phong Nha?
1. SLEEPER BUS from Tam Coc to Phong Nha
The most used low-cost transportation option from Tam Coc in Ninh Binh to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is the trip by tourist sleeper bus. This option has the advantage that the buses leave directly from Tam Coc, so you don’t have to go to the train station first and then another local bus to Dong Hoi train station.
So you will save some time compared to the train transfer via Dong Hoi. Sleeper buses are operated on this route by various private companies such as To Vietnam Travel, Ninh Binh Footprint, Greentrips, Luxury Van Limousine, Duy Khanh, Full Moon Party Tour, Techbus VN, Hey Travel, Grouptour, Duc Duong, Sapa Discovery Travel or Queen Cafe.
BOOK BUS TICKETS to Phong Nha ➜
These companies operate classic older sleeper buses, but they also offer very new and modern buses, which tend to be a bit more expensive. Some buses of these companies also depart from Ninh Binh city center, so check the departure points carefully before ordering tickets. Travel time by sleeper bus to Phong Nha-Ke Bang from Tam Coc is approximately 7-9 hours, but sometimes it can be slightly different, delays in Vietnam happen, you have to take this into account.
The cheapest bus tickets start as low as $14/pp, and on average, bus transportation from Tam Coc to Phong Nha costs about $16-27/pp. Buses arrive at various locations in Phong Nha, you will see this again before ordering tickets online. Find and book bus tickets from Tam Coc to Phong Nha online well in advance. It is also recommended to arrive at the departure point in Tam Coc at least 30 minutes before departure.
2. TRAIN + BUS from Tam Coc to Phong Nha
Another way to travel from Tam Coc to Phong Nha-Ke Bang is by bus and train via the city of Dong Hoi. There is no direct rail connection to Phong Nha Park, so it is necessary to take a train from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi city and from there continue by local bus or private transfer to Phong Nha.
So this option has a total of 3 steps, a transfer to the train station in Ninh Binh, from there a train ride to Dong Hoi and then a bus or taxi ride to Phong Nha. Be aware that this option will take more travel time than a sleeper bus. The first step is to go to the train station in Ninh Binh and it is only about 6 km from Tam Coc, so it is best to take a private taxi.
The second step is to travel by train of Vietnam Railways (+ tourist sleeper trains) from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi. Regular trains offer seats and sleeping beds, seats are the cheapest option, and these trains also include more comfortable tourist sleeping trains, which are the most expensive variant of train travel.
Since the train journey from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi takes approximately 8-9.5 hours, it is definitely advisable if you choose a sleeper bed. Train tickets for regular trains from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi cost between $12-40/pp (seats or sleepers), tourist sleeper trains such as Violette Train, Livitrans Express, Laman Express, Lotus Train or Damitrans cost $57-75/pp ( sleeping beds only).
Regular trains have cabins with sleeping beds for 4-6 passengers, tourist trains usually have cabins for 4 passengers, exceptionally also for 2 passengers. Every day there are approximately 6-8 trains between Ninh Binh and Dong Hoi including tourist sleeper trains, you will definitely choose the connection you want.
BOOK TRAIN TICKETS to Dong Hoi ➜
You can find and book train tickets to Dong Hoi from Ninh Binh online even in advance, read all conditions and instructions for tickets and train transfer. Regular trains to Dong Hoi from Vietnam Railways also accept mobile tickets only, it is not necessary to print them.
Tourist trains may have different conditions for train tickets, so read everything carefully. Trains from Ninh Binh arrive at Dong Hoi Railway Station, which is in the city center and only 400 m from the local bus stop for Phong Nha.
The third and last step is to take a local public bus from the Bến xe Nam Lý stop. This is a local bus, so don’t count on great comfort and some service, it’s a simple smaller bus for local residents as well. The trip by this local bus from Dong Hoi – Bến xe Nam Lý to Phong Nha takes approximately 1.5 hours, but the bus makes other stops along the way, so this transfer may be delayed.
The travel route from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha is approximately within 50 km. You can buy tickets to Phong Nha when you board this bus and the fare is cheap, costing about $2/pp. If you don’t want to take this bus, another option is a private transfer/taxi that you have to arrange in Dong Hoi city, but this is a more expensive option, but it can be faster and more convenient.
❓ FAQ + Tips – Travel from Tam Coc to Phong Nha:
1. How to book + buy bus and train tickets from Tam Coc to Phong Nha?
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- You can book tickets from Tam Coc to Phong Nha-Ke Bang online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
- You can search + book another travel route, e.g. Ninh Binh > Dong Hoi, Phong Nha > Hue…
2. How long does it take to get from Tam Coc to Phong Nha-Ke Bang?
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- Travel by sleeper tourist bus from Tam Coc to Phong Nha-Ke Bang takes about 7-9 hours.
- Travel by train + local bus from Tam Coc to Phong Nha-Ke Bang (via Dong Hoi) takes about 11-12 hours.
3. How much does it cost to get from Tam Coc to Phong Nha-Ke Bang?
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- Transfer by sleeper tourist bus from Tam Coc to Phong Nha-Ke Bang costs about $14-27/pp.
- Transfer by train + local bus from Tam Coc to Phong Nha-Ke Bang (via Dong Hoi) costs about $17-30/pp.
4. What is the travel distance from Tam Coc to Phong Nha-Ke Bang?
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- Travel distance from Tam Coc to Phong Nha-Ke Bang Park via Dong Hoi is about 420 km by land.
5. Is there some direct train from Tam Coc to Phong Nha / Dong Hoi?
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- If you want to travel by train you have to go to Ninh Binh town. From Ninh Binh town you can travel by train of VR (seats or berths) to Dong Hoi City. Tam Coc and Phong Nha have no railway stations. Ninh Binh Railway Station is about 5 km from Tam Coc Wharf.
6. Is there a flight from Tam Coc – Ninh Binh to Phong Nha?
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- It is not possible to travel by plane because there are no flights from Tam Coc to Phong Nha, there are no airports. There are only direct flights from Hanoi to Dong Hoi City. Travel by plane from Hanoi to Dong Hoi takes about 1.5 hour.
7. What is the best way of transfer to Phong Nha from Tam Coc?
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- Because there are tourist sleeper buses from Tam Coc to Phong Nha-Ke Bang, take a sleeper bus.
8. Where you can go from Dong Hoi or Phong Nha?
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- From Dong Hoi you can travel to central and southern Vietnam. E.g. you can travel by train or tourist bus to Hue, beautiful historical place of central Vietnam. There are also some tourist buses from Phong Nha-Ke Bang to Hue. You can search for these bus tickets on Baolau or 12go.asia.
9. Where to stay in Phong Nha?
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- Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park offers various cheap small guesthouses or hotels and there are also various local homestays in various sites in this park. Check this and book your accommodation in Phong Nha easily online.
- Book your accommodation in Phong Nha (Discount up to 60%).
10. What are the main attractions in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park?
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- Phong Nha-Ke Bang is famous for its stunning caves and karst landscapes. The park is home to the world’s largest cave, Son Doong Cave, which offers breathtaking underground landscapes. Other popular caves to explore include Paradise Cave, Phong Nha Cave, and Dark Cave. The park also offers opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and zip-lining, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the park’s natural beauty.
11. Are there any cultural or historical sites to visit in Phong Nha-Ke Bang?
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- While Phong Nha-Ke Bang is primarily known for its natural wonders, there are cultural and historical sites to visit as well. You can explore the Vinh Moc Tunnels, a complex network of tunnels used during the Vietnam War. Additionally, nearby villages like Phong Nha and Son Trach offer opportunities to learn about local traditions and interact with the local people.
12. What is the best time to visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park?
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- The best time to visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang is during the dry season, which typically lasts from April to August. During this time, the weather is generally favorable, with less rainfall and pleasant temperatures. It’s important to note that the park can get crowded during peak tourist seasons, so it’s advisable to plan your visit accordingly and book accommodations and tours in advance.
13. Are there any trekking or hiking opportunities in Phong Nha-Ke Bang Park?
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- Yes, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park offers excellent trekking and hiking opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. You can embark on guided treks through the park’s lush jungles and scenic trails, allowing you to explore the diverse flora and fauna. Popular trekking routes include the Phong Nha Botanic Garden trail, the Ho Chi Minh trail, and the Tu Lan Cave system trek.
14. Are there accommodations available near Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park?
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- Yes, there are various accommodations available near Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park to suit different budgets and preferences. The town of Son Trach, located near the park’s entrance, offers a range of guesthouses, hotels, and resorts. You can find options ranging from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious eco-lodges. It’s advisable to book in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to secure your preferred accommodation.
BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Phong Nha ➜
🚍 Bus from Tam Coc to Phong Nha-Ke Bang – Schedule + Bus Tickets:
Bus Schedule - Tam Coc to Phong Nha | Departs in Tam Coc | Arrival in Phong Nha | Bus tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
Techbus VN | 20:00 | 03:30 | From $14.00 |
Sapa Discovery Travel | 18:45 | 01:45 | From $23.00 |
Sapa Discovery Travel | 19:45 | 02:45 | From $23.00 |
Sapa Discovery Travel | 22:00 | 05:00 | From $18.00 |
Full Moon Party | 19:10 | 02:40 | From $17.00 |
Full Moon Party | 20:00 | 03:40 | From $23.00 |
To Vietnam Travel | 19:00 | 03:00 | From $17.00 |
To Vietnam Travel | 20:00 | 04:00 | From $23.00 |
Ninh Binh Footprint | 19:00 | 03:00 | From $17.00 |
Luxury Van Lim. | 20:30 | 04:00 | From $23.00 |
Duc Duong | 07:00 | 14:30 | From $25.00 |
Duc Duong | 18:45 | 01:15 | From $25.00 |
Duc Duong | 20:10 | 03:40 | From $25.00 |