1. Train – Hue to Ninh Binh
2. Bus – Hue to Ninh Binh
3. Flight + Bus / Train
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Hue to Ninh Binh – The Best Ways to Travel:
From Hue to Ninh Binh you can travel by train, sleeper bus or plane + bus.
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- Exploring the route from Hue to Ninh Binh offers travelers three primary options: train transfer, sleeper bus, or a combination of flight and subsequent train/bus via Hanoi. Among these, the most favored and cost-effective means is by train. The journey by train from Hue to Ninh Binh spans around 12 hours, with ticket prices ranging from $15 to $85 per person, depending on the train type and seating preference. Notably, there are sleeper overnight trains with 4-6 berth cabins and private luxury train options.
- Alternatively, travelers can opt for a sleeper tourist bus, taking approximately 11-13 hours, with ticket costs ranging from $14 to $30 per person. For the swiftest travel, a direct flight to Hanoi followed by a train, tourist bus, or minivan to Ninh Binh proves ideal, taking only 2-3 hours from Hanoi. Although Hue offers direct flights to Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport in just 1-1.5 hours, travelers must then proceed by train or bus to Ninh Binh, as Ninh Binh itself lacks an airport. Secure your train or bus e-tickets from Hue to Ninh Binh or flights to Hanoi conveniently online.
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- Ninh Binh serves as a convenient stopover for travelers journeying from the south to the north, boasting a plethora of intriguing tourist spots easily accessible within its lowland terrain. Visitors can effortlessly navigate the area by renting a motorbike or bicycle. Notable attractions include the captivating karst landscapes and scenic boat rides in the Trang An Complex and Tam Coc, along with the historic remnants of Hoa Lu ancient capital.
- Renowned as one of northern Vietnam’s top destinations, Ninh Binh is approximately 580 km from Hue, offering several transit options such as trains (seating or sleeper), buses, or a direct flight to Hanoi (as Ninh Binh lacks an airport). Travelers seeking efficiency may prefer taking a flight to Hanoi and then proceeding by train or bus to Ninh Binh. From Ninh Binh, onward travel options include buses or trains to Hanoi or Halong Bay, with van/bus services also available to Mai Chau.
| Transfer Mode – Hue to Ninh Binh: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Train | 11-12.5 hours | $15-85/pp |
| Sleeper Intercity Bus | 14 hours | $14-30/pp |
| Flight + Bus | 6-7 hours | $40-100/pp |
| Private Transfer | 7-8 hours | $200-300/car |
How do I get from Hue to Ninh Binh?
1. TRAIN from Hue to Ninh Binh
The most used, relatively comfortable and cheapest way to get to Ninh Binh from Hue is by Vietnam Railways train or tourist sleeper train. It is an ideal form of transport where you can also relax, as there are also trains with sleeping beds, as well as seats, which are cheaper.
Trains marked as SE also include the more comfortable tourist sleeper trains Violette Train, Livitrans Express, Laman Express, Lotus Train, which are arranged as separate carriages in regular trains of Vietnam Railways. These tourist sleeper trains are more expensive than regular trains, train tickets for regular trains from Hue to Ninh Binh cost around $15-45/pp (seats or beds) and tourist sleeper trains range from $60-85/pp.
Regular trains of Vietnam Railways have cabins with 4-6 sleeping beds, tourist trains have cabins for 2-4 passengers, mostly they are cabins for 4 passengers. If you would like to see the coast of central Vietnam on the way, it is better to choose a seat or bed on the right side of the train from where you will have a nice view of the Vietnamese countryside.
BOOK TRAIN TICKETS to Ninh Binh ➜
Since the travel time is long, the train journey from Hue in central Vietnam to Ninh Binh in northern Vietnam takes approximately 11-12.5 hours, depending on the type of train, it is better to choose a sleeper bed. You can also buy food on the train to Ninh Binh and there are toilets on the train.
Trains depart from Hue Railway Station and arrive at Ninh Binh Railway Station, this railway station is a short distance from the city center of Ninh Binh, so everything is within easy reach. Ninh Binh Train Station is approximately 5 km from the popular Tam Coc-Bich Dong, where many tourists stay and from where you can start your exploration of Ninh Binh or Trang An area (see Vietnam railway map).
You can easily search and buy train tickets from Hue to Ninh Binh in Vietnam online even in advance, which is recommended, especially for luxury tourist sleeper trains like Violette Train, Livitrans Express, Laman Express or Lotus Train. Tickets for regular trains of Vietnam Railways can also be used as e-tickets in a mobile phone, it is not necessary to print them, conditions may be different for tourist trains, so read everything carefully when purchasing.
2. SLEEPER BUS from Hue to Ninh Binh
Another low-budget transport option from Hue to Ninh Binh is to travel by sleeper bus. On the route between Ninh Binh and Hue there are plenty of older, but also very modern to luxurious sleeper buses of various private companies. You can choose and book tickets from Hue to Ninh Binh from the following companies: Techbus VN, Duy Khanh Transport, Grouptour, Viet Nam Travel Bus, Ninh Binh Footprint, Sapa Discovery Travel, Duc Duong, Full Moon Party Tour or Hey Travel.
Bus tickets from Hue to Ninh Binh cost depending on the type of bus, but on average they range from $14-31/pp per sleeper. It is therefore roughly the same price as a sleeping bed on the train, so definitely consider whether it is better to choose a train journey, the train tends to be more comfortable.
BOOK BUS TICKETS to Ninh Binh ➜
However, it is worth adding that the buses in Vietnam have recently been modernized and are of high quality, some even have LCD TVs or a toilet on board. The travel time by sleeper tourist bus to Ninh Binh from Hue is about the same again as the train by Vietnam Railways, and is roughly 11-13 hours.
Most of these sleeer buses are not direct connections, and along the way, even before arriving in Ninh Binh in northern Vietnam, they stop at other places in central Vietnam, or pick up other travelers. You can search and book bus tickets from Hue to Ninh Binh easily online and in advance.
When ordering bus tickets to Ninh Binh from Hue in central Vietnam, please read all instructions regarding the bus transfer carefully. Most companies also accept mobile e-tickets, but this may not apply to all companies.
3. FLIGHTS + BUS / TRAIN from Hue to Ninh Binh
The fastest and most convenient way to get to Ninh Binh from Hue is to take a direct flight to Hanoi (Noi Bai Airport) and from there take a bus/minivan or train to Ninh Binh. Ninh Binh city itself does not have an airport, but there are several direct flights between Hue and Hanoi every day, and they are sometimes cheap. It is then possible to continue directly from Noi Bai Airport by private minivan or bus to Ninh Binh. This transport option can take you approximately 6-7 hours together with waiting at the airport, it also depends on the waiting time for the bus at the airport in Noi Bai. This method is ideal if you want to visit, for example, Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam.
1. Direct flight from Hue to Hanoi
The first step of the journey is a direct flight from Hue to Hanoi, it is the fastest and most convenient way to get to Hanoi in the north of Vietnam. Flight time from Hue to Hanoi in northern Vietnam is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. There are several flights from Phu Bai Airport in Hue to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi every day and are operated by Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways or Hanh Air Systems (see map of airports in Vietnam). The cheapest flights from Hue to Hanoi are usually offered by VietJet Air, otherwise prices average $40-100/pp. Most of the operated flights from Hue to Hanoi are Economy flights, so read carefully all the conditions of these flights.
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- Book your direct flight from Hue to Hanoi online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜
2. Bus, Taxi, Train from Noi Bai Airport / Hanoi to Ninh Binh
The next step will be the journey from Noi Bai Airport, or from Hanoi to Ninh Binh either by bus, minivan, train or private car. Some buses or minibuses run directly from Noi Bai Airport to Ninh Binh, which is the fastest way of transfer. Transportation by buses or minibuses from the airport to Ninh Binh can take 2.5-3 hours, and some minibuses also stop in Hanoi, depending on the company.
On this trip, you can use private minibuses from XE Vietnam, Daiichi Travel, Techbus VN, Ninh Binh Excursion Company, the fare for these minibuses is on average $15-30/pp. But you can also use private taxis/cars, they are of course more expensive, but more comfortable and sometimes faster, the fare ranges from $35-170/pp, depending on the type of car, there are various modern and luxury cars on offer.
BOOK TICKETS – Hanoi to Ninh Binh ➜
However, if you want to visit Hanoi as well, you can also travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. You can get to Hanoi from Noi Bai Airport by bus or other private transfers. And from Hanoi, you can also use the Vietnam Railways train or again other buses and minivans or a private taxi, the offer and timetables are long and everyone chooses their suitable route. Some minivans have the advantage of going directly to specific places in Ninh Binh, such as Tam Coc, Trang An or Hoa Lu.
So you don’t have to deal with the transfer from Ninh Binh city to these popular and touristic places, where most tourists are also accommodated. Trains from Hanoi to Ninh Binh are the cheapest way to travel, train tickets range from $6.00-10.00/pp for a comfortable 2nd class seat and there are several trains throughout the day. You can book tickets to Ninh Binh easily online in advance.
BOOK a PRIVATE TOUR to Ninh Binh ➜
❓ FAQ + Tips – Travel route from Hue to Ninh Binh:
1. How to book and buy tickets or flights from Hue to Ninh Binh?
2. What is the travel time from Hue to Ninh Binh?
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- Travel by sleeper bus from Hue to Ninh Binh takes about 14 hours.
- Travel by train by Vietnam Railways from Hue to Ninh Binh takes about 11-12 hours.
- Travel by plane + bus from Hue to Ninh Binh (via Hanoi – Noi Bai Airport) takes about 6-7 hours.
3. How much does it cost to travel from Hue to Ninh Binh?
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- Transfer by sleeper bus from Hue to Ninh Binh costs about $13-30/pp.
- Transfer by train from Hue to Ninh Binh costs about $20-85/pp (regular or tourist trains).
- Transfer by plane – direct flight from Hue to Hanoi costs about $30-100/pp.
4. What is the travel distance from Hue to Ninh Binh?
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- Travel distance from Hue to Ninh Binh is about 580 km by train/bus/minivan or about 480 km by plane.
5. Is it possible to travel by plane directly from Hue to Ninh Binh town?
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- No, you can a direct flight to Hanoi (about 1 hour, Noi Bai Airport) and from this airport you can travel to Ninh Binh. Read this article: How to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh?
6. What is the cheapest option of transport from Hue to Ninh Binh?
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- The cheapest way how to get to Ninh Binh is to travel by train (hard seat), tran ticket costs about $13/pp.
7. What is the best option of transfer from Hue to Ninh Binh?
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- The best way how to travel to Ninh Binh from Hue is to travel by plane and bus (via Hanoi). It is also the most fastest and comfortable way how to reach Ninh Binh from Hue in central Vietnam.
8. What to choose – train or bus from Hue to Ninh Binh?
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- If you want to travel by land, You should travel by train from Hue to Ninh Binh, for this long journey it is better to take a train, it is more comfortable, if you can – avoid the bus.
9. Where to rent a motorbike or bicycle in Ninh Binh?
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- You can rent a motorbike or bicycle for example in Tam Coc, there are some motorbike rentals, or you can ask at the hotel, they have motorcycles and bicycles for tourists.
10. Where you can go and travel from Ninh Binh?
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- From Ninh Binh you can continue to the north of Vietnam. One of the visited place in the north is Ha Long Bay and you can travel by bus or minivan from Ninh Binh to Ha Long town (or Cat Ba Island).
11. How to get from Ninh Binh to Hanoi?
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- Do you want to travel from Ninh Binh to Hanoi? It is only about 90 km and you can travel by train, van or bus, tickets are cheap, read: How to get from Ninh Binh to Hanoi? You can also book private transfer to Hanoi – Noi Bai Airport.
12. 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.
13. What to visit between Hue and Ninh Binh?
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- If you are traveling by train or bus, you can visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park – about 40 km from Dong Hoi. Phong Nha offers a lot of activites for tourists and intersting places in nature. There is also the largest cave in the world – Son Doong. From Phong Nha you can travel by tourist bus to Ninh Binh, or you can take a train from Dong Hoi.
14. How to travel solo in Vietnam?
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- Embarking on a solo adventure in Vietnam involves securing the necessary visa, meticulous budgeting for accommodation, meals, and activities, prioritizing health with vaccinations and a well-equipped first aid kit, familiarizing yourself with basic Vietnamese phrases for effective communication, and staying connected through translation apps to navigate the diverse landscapes and vibrant culture seamlessly.
15. What are the most interesting things and facts about Vietnam?
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- Vietnam, a country with a captivating allure, is celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, including the mesmerizing limestone karsts of Halong Bay, the terraced rice fields of Sapa, and the bustling waterways of the Mekong Delta. Its rich history unfolds through ancient temples in Hanoi, the imperial city of Hue, and the Cu Chi Tunnels, providing a glimpse into Vietnam’s resilience during wartime. The country’s vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality further enhance the allure of this Southeast Asian gem. Read this: 15 Interesting Things of Vietnam.
16. What to expect from Vietnam Culture?
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- Expect a vibrant cultural tapestry in Vietnam, characterized by traditional values, a strong sense of community, and a deep-rooted respect for family. You’ll encounter a fusion of French, Chinese, and indigenous influences in art, architecture, and cuisine. Traditional water puppetry, folk music, and dance performances showcase the country’s artistic flair. The importance of rituals and festivals in daily life adds a colorful dimension, while the warmth and friendliness of the Vietnamese people make for a welcoming and enriching cultural experience.
17. What is the weather in Vietnam and what to expect?
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- Weather in Vietnam varies with a tropical climate featuring distinct wet and dry seasons. In the north, the dry season (October to April) brings cooler temperatures, while the wet season (May to September) is marked by higher humidity and heavy rainfall. Central Vietnam experiences a dry period (January to August) with lower humidity and a wet season (September to December) characterized by increased rainfall. In southern Vietnam, the dry season (December to April) offers warm temperatures, while the wet season (May to November) brings higher humidity and occasional heavy rainfall. For accurate information, check local forecasts.
BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Vietnam ➜
🚆 Train Schedule / Timetable – Hue to Ninh Binh + Train tickets:
Train Schedule - Hue to Ninh Binh | Departs in Hue | Arrival in Ninh Binh | Train Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
Train SE4 (soft seat, sleeper) | 15:32 | 03:09 | From $19.30 |
Train SE6 (soft seat, sleeper) | 13:43 | 01:58 | From $19.30 |
Train SE8 (soft seat, sleeper) | 03:34 | 16:09 | From $17.00 |
Train SE12 (soft seat, sleeper) | 18:28 | 07:38 | From $17.00 |
Train SE2 (soft seat, sleeper) | 16:24 | 03:43 | From $19.00 |
Train SE20 (soft seat, sleeper) | 20:41 | 09:14 | From $17.00 |
Lotus Train SE20 (sleeper) | 20:41 | 09:14 | From $69.00 |
Violette Train SE2 (sleeper) | 16:24 | 03:43 | From $70.00 |
Violette Train SE4 (sleeper) | 15:32 | 03:09 | From $70.00 |
Violette Train SE20 (sleeper) | 20:41 | 09:14 | From $70.00 |
Livitrans SE2 (sleeper) | 16:24 | 03:43 | From $58.00 |
Livitrans SE4 (sleeper) | 15:32 | 03:09 | From $58.00 |
🚍 Bus Schedule / Timetable – Hue to Ninh Binh + Bus tickets:
Bus Schedule - Hue to Ninh Binh | Departs in Hue | Arrival in Ninh Binh | Bus Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
Grouptour | 16:00 | 04:30 | From $14.00 |
Full Moon | 15:00 | 03:00 | From $27.00 |
Full Moon | 16:20 | 04:40 | From $16.00 |
Techbus VN | 05:00 | 16:40 | From $28.00 |
Techbus VN | 15:40 | 03:20 | From $28.00 |
Duc Duong | 04:45 | 16:00 | From $29.00 |
Duc Duong | 15:00 | 01:00 | From $29.00 |
Duc Duong | 16:10 | 03:25 | From $29.00 |
Queen Cafe | 16:30 | 03:45 | From $18.00 |
Sapa Discovery Travel | 15:30 | 02:30 | From $14.00 |
Sapa Discovery Travel | 17:00 | 04:00 | From $14.00 |
Sapa Discovery Travel | 19:46 | 06:45 | From $25.00 |
Vietnam Luxury Travel | 15:30 | 02:30 | From $17.00 |
Vietnam Luxury Travel | 17:00 | 04:00 | From $24.00 |
King Express Bus | 16:45 | 02:45 | From $14.00 |
Duy Khanh | 16:00 | 04:00 | From $24.00 |
Ninh Binh Foot. | 05:00 | 17:00 | From $26.00 |
Ninh Binh Foot. | 09:00 | 21:00 | From $26.00 |
Ninh Binh Foot. | 15:00 | 03:00 | From $17.00 |
Ninh Binh Foot. | 18:00 | 06:00 | From $26.00 |
