Train (sleeper)
Direct, comfortable cabins, scenic
Flight via Hanoi
Fastest, but extra transfer needed
Sleeper bus
Budget option, widely available
Motorbike
Very long ride, demanding route
Quick answer: Travelling from Hue to Ninh Binh is straightforward, with trains and sleeper buses being the most popular choices for this long north–south journey. The train is the most comfortable option with predictable travel times, while sleeper buses provide a cheaper alternative. Flying is the fastest route, but requires a connection in Hanoi followed by a bus or car transfer to Ninh Binh.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: approx. 580 km by bus/train • approx. 480 km by plane (via Hanoi).
- ⏱️ Travel time: Sleeper bus ~14 h | Train ~11–12 h | Flight + bus ~6–7 h.
- 💰 Price range: Sleeper bus US$13–30 pp | Train US$20–85 pp | Flight (Hue–Hanoi) US$30–100 pp.
- 🚆 Train: Most comfortable and reliable option.
- 🚌 Sleeper bus: Cheapest but longer travel time.
- ✈️ Flight + bus: Fastest but requires a connection via Hanoi.
Last updated in March 2026
From Hue to Ninh Binh you can travel by train, sleeper bus or flight + bus.
- Travel distance from Hue to Ninh Binh is about 580 km. The most popular and comfortable option is traveling by train with Vietnam Railways or luxury sleeper trains. Train travel takes about 11–12 hours and tickets cost about $15–85/pp.
- Sleeper tourist buses are usually the cheapest option with travel time of about 11–13 hours and tickets from $14–30/pp. Overnight buses and trains help save daytime hours and accommodation costs.
- The fastest option is a direct flight from Hue to Hanoi and then transfer by train, bus or minivan to Ninh Binh. Flights to Hanoi take about 1–1.5 hours, while travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh takes another 2–3 hours.
- Ninh Binh is one of the top tourist destinations in northern Vietnam, famous for limestone mountains, rivers and boat trips in Trang An and Tam Coc.
- Popular attractions include Hoa Lu ancient capital, Trang An Scenic Complex and Tam Coc. From Ninh Binh you can continue to Hanoi or Ha Long Bay.
| Transfer Mode – Hue to Ninh Binh | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Train | 11-12.5 hours | $15-85 per person |
| Sleeper Intercity Bus | 14 hours | $14-30 per person |
| Flight + Bus | 6-7 hours | $40-100 per person |
| Private Transfer | 7-8 hours | $200-300 per vehicle |
How do I get from Hue to Ninh Binh?
1. TRAIN from Hue to Ninh Binh
👉 Cheapest and popular option with a train from Hue to Ninh Binh.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers and overnight journeys
- ✔️ Duration: ~11–12.5 hours
- ✔️ Price: $15–85 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium to high (seats or sleeper cabins; better in tourist trains)
- ✅ Best option: Sleeper berth on a tourist train like Livitrans Express or Laman Express
- 💡 Tip: Choose a sleeper and sit on the right side for coastal views.
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.
| Train | Departs in Hue | Arrival in Ninh Binh | Train Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| VR Train SE2 (seats, sleeper) | 16:08 | 03:20 | From $21.00 |
| VR Train SE4 (seats, sleeper) | 15:17 | 02:29 | From $21.00 |
| VR Train SE8 (seats, sleeper) | 02:05 | 13:38 | From $21.00 |
| VR Train SE12 (seats, sleeper) | 19:01 | 07:31 | From $20.00 |
| VR Train SE6 (seats, sleeper) | 04:36 | 16:48 | From $20.00 |
| VR Train SE10 (seats, sleeper) | 13:04 | 02:03 | From $21.00 |
| VR Train SE20 (seats, sleeper) | 20:38 | 09:04 | From $21.00 |
| VR Train SE24 (seats, sleeper) | 14:07 | 05:40 | From $20.00 |
| Violette Trains SE4 (sleeper) | 15:17 | 02:29 | From $70.00 |
| Violette Trains SE20 (sleeper) | 20:38 | 09:04 | From $70.00 |
| Damitrans Trains SE4 (sleeper) | 15:17 | 02:29 | From $70.00 |
| Livitrans Express SE2 (sleeper) | 16:08 | 03:20 | From $67.00 |
| Charmy Express SE2 (sleeper) | 16:08 | 03:20 | From $72.00 |
| Livitrans Express SE4 (sleeper) | 15:17 | 02:29 | From $67.00 |
| Lotus Train SE20 (sleeper) | 20:38 | 09:04 | From $72.00 |
| Laman Express SE20 (sleeper) | 20:38 | 09:04 | From $75.00 |
2. SLEEPER BUS from Hue to Ninh Binh
👉 Cheap option with a sleeper intercity bus from Hue to Ninh Binh.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers and overnight travel
- ✔️ Duration: ~11–13 hours
- ✔️ Price: $14–31 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium to high (modern sleeper buses, some with extra amenities)
- ✅ Best option: Modern sleeper bus with companies like Techbus VN or Grouptour
- 💡 Tip: Compare with train prices—train is often more comfortable for similar cost.
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.
| Bus Company | 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 |
3. FLIGHTS + BUS / TRAIN from Hue to Ninh Binh
👉 Fastest option of getting to Ninh Binh from Hue with a flight and transfer via Hanoi.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers who want to save time and prefer flying
- ✔️ Duration: ~6–7 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $55–130+ per person
- ✔️ Comfort: high (short flight + bus/minivan or train)
- ✅ Best option: Direct flight to Hanoi + minivan to Ninh Binh
- 💡 Tip: Use a direct minivan from Noi Bai Airport to avoid extra transfers.
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.
❓ FAQ + Tips – Travel route from Hue to Ninh Binh:
How to book tickets from Hue to Ninh Binh?
You can book train, bus or flight tickets online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
How long does it take to travel from Hue to Ninh Binh?
Train travel takes about 11–12 hours, sleeper buses about 11–14 hours and flights via Hanoi about 6–7 hours in total.
How much does transport from Hue to Ninh Binh cost?
Sleeper buses cost about $13–30/pp, trains about $15–85/pp and flights from Hue to Hanoi about $30–100/pp.
What is the travel distance from Hue to Ninh Binh?
The travel distance is about 580 km by train or bus.
Is there a direct flight from Hue to Ninh Binh?
No, Ninh Binh has no airport. You can take a direct flight from Hue to Hanoi and continue by train or bus.
What is the cheapest way to travel?
The cheapest option is usually a train hard seat or sleeper bus.
What is the best transport option?
Most travelers prefer sleeper trains because they are more comfortable for this long overnight journey.
Train or bus – what is better?
Trains are usually more comfortable and spacious than sleeper buses for long-distance travel.
What can you visit between Hue and Ninh Binh?
You can stop in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, one of the top natural attractions in central Vietnam.
Where can you travel from Ninh Binh?
From Ninh Binh you can continue to Ha Long Bay, Hanoi or Cat Ba Island.
Practical Travel Tips for Hue to Ninh Binh
Traveling from Hue to Ninh Binh is a long route through central and northern Vietnam. Most travelers choose overnight sleeper trains or buses for this journey.
- Choose Overnight Travel: Sleeper trains and buses save daytime hours and hotel costs.
- Train Is More Comfortable: Trains usually offer more space and smoother travel than buses.
- Pack Essentials: Bring water, snacks, chargers and a small travel pillow.
- Weather Changes: Ninh Binh is often cooler than Hue, especially in winter months.
- Book Early: Sleeper cabins and buses can sell out during holidays and weekends.
- Plan Your Arrival: Most trains and buses arrive near Ninh Binh center or Tam Coc area.
Tip: Bus, train and flight tickets can be searched and booked online in advance.