How to go from Ninh Binh to Hanoi [+ Hanoi to Ninh Binh]

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This guide covers the route from Ninh Binh to Hanoi and the return trip from Hanoi to Ninh Binh.  This is a regularly travelled route and you do have different options for transport.  We’ll cover the quickest way to get to Ninh Binh from Hanoi, the cheapest way to travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, and also the easiest.  We’ll also explain the geography of the area around Ninh Binh so you can understand where exactly you need to get to.  We took this route on our South to North trip through Vietnam, where Hanoi was our last stop before flying out, but after we explored the area around Ninh Binh.  Here’s our guide on how to go from Ninh Binh to Hanoi.

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These are two of the most popular places to visit in Vietnam, so it’s not surprising that there are great transport links between Hanoi and Ninh Binh.   Ninh Binh is a fabulous place to spend a few days kicking back and exploring the waterways and the glorious karst mountains around.   This isn’t a long journey, it can take as little as 90 minutes to travel from Ninh Bing to Hanoi.  This is perfect if you’re coming in the opposite direction, as it makes Ninh Binh a great day trip from Hanoi.

I’ll cover going from Ninh Binh to Hanoi first and then cover the details of how to do the route in reverse, going from Hanoi to Ninh Binh.

EASIEST WAY TO TRAVEL

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Easiest way to go from Ninh Binh to Hanoi

If you’re in a group of two or more, then this is the easiest way to travel between Ninh Binh and Hanoi. The rates are REALLY good for this route, so take a look!

Get a price here

How to Go from Ninh Binh to Hanoi – Transport Options

If you’re heading, like us, from Ninh Binh to Hanoi, you’ve likely been spending time in the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex area, and so you’ll have stayed in one of three main areas – the city of Ninh Binh, the town of Tam Coc or Trang An.  We traveled from Hoi An to Ninh Binh and then headed from Ninh Binh City to Tam Coc and stayed in Tam Coc.

Traveling to Hanoi from Ninh Binh is easy, it just depends on how you want to make the journey.

If your route through Vietnam is South to North, then Ninh Binh is a great stop before Hanoi.  The main train line comes through Ninh Binh city so you can easily get the train to Hanoi from Ninh Binh, but since this is the main line heading South to North, you will need to book your tickets early.  There are buses, and a private transfer is also an option, as it’s a reasonably short distance, the rates are also decent too.

Ninh Binh to Hanoi Bus / Limo Vans

I’ll start with the bus as this is the most convenient way for many people.  There are various different sizes of buses that run this route.  The general rule of thumb is that the bigger the bus the cheaper the price (You’re talking US$6 versus US$4 when going from a 16 seater limo minivan to a 36 seater regular coach, so don’t rule out the Limo van idea!)

Powered by 12Go system

If you’re in the Trang An Scenic Area, then you’re most likely staying in Tam Coc and that’s good news for buses.  Many of the buses from Ninh Binh to Hanoi leave from here.  And Tam Coc is a relatively small place, so it’s not hard to get from your hotel to the bus offices.

Ninh Binh to Hanoi Bus Journey Time

Buses from Ninh Binh to Hanoi can take as little as 100 minutes, this is NOT a long journey at all.  

Ninh Binh to Hanoi Bus Departure Locations

The main thing that you’ll need to confirm is that the bus is leaving from Tam Coc, rather than the city of Ninh Binh.  Otherwise, you’ll need to take a taxi (about 100,000 to 120,000 VND) from Tam Coc to their bus offices in Ninh Binh.

Ninh Binh to Hanoi Bus Departure Times

The first bus of the day from Ninh Binh to Hanoi leaves at 04:30 and the last one leaves at midnight, so you’ll have plenty of options.  You can check the times and pick the most convenient bus to Hanoi from Ninh Binh here.

Ninh Binh to Hanoi Bus Arrival Locations

Each of the different companies (and they are too numerous to list here) has its own offices and pick-up and drop-off points.  12GoAsia has brilliant maps that show both the departure location and the arrival location.

I haven’t seen any horrid reviews for specific companies in recent months.  So either pick one that drops close to your hotel in Hanoi – or simply take a taxi.  Taxis and Grabs are cheap in Vietnam. (Note that Grab in Vietnam is charges a 4% foreign card fee, so you might want to opt for paying cash)

Ninh Binh to Hanoi Train

You know by now that we love trains and love traveling on them around the world.  We’d arrived here on the train, and we also left on the train, even though it’s actually a short journey.  One reason was that the apartment that we rented in Hanoi was pretty close to the train station and so it was easy for us to walk there after we arrived in Hanoi.

The first thing to note about taking the train from Ninh Binh to Hanoi is that you’ll need to get to the train station in Ninh Binh city, which is about 100,000 VND in a taxi.  It takes about 15 minutes to get there.   There’s no specific time requirement to check in before your train departs, they won’t run early, so just be there 10-15 minutes before departure time, so you have a chance to get to the right platform.

Ninh Binh Train Station Waiting Area
Ninh Binh Train Station Waiting Area

Ninh Binh to Hanoi Train Journey Time

It takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes to go from Ninh Binh Railway Station to Hanoi.  This doesn’t include the time it takes to go from Tam Coc to Ninh Binh.

Ninh Binh to Hanoi Train Departure Times

There are usually five trains a day that go from Ninh Binh to Hanoi.   The first goes at 02:01 and the last one goes at 16:13.  I’d recommend aiming for either the 08:58 or the 16:13 trains, which at least means that you don’t have to get up in the middle of the night!

You can buy train tickets to go from Ninh Binh to Hanoi here.

Ninh Binh to Hanoi Train Arrival Locations

The railway station in Hanoi is in a GREAT location, it’s central and it’s easy to walk from here to the UNESCO World Heritage area of the old town of Hanoi.   I’ve marked it on the map just below.

Ninh Binh to Hanoi Private Car

The journey between Tam Coc aka Ninh Binh and Hanoi is about 80-90 minutes.  And you won’t pay a huge amount for taking a private car, that will drop you right at your hotel in Hanoi.  It’s a great option, especially if there are 2 or 3 of you traveling it can actually work out to be not that much more than a bus or a train.  A private car or taxi from Ninh Binh to Hanoi should cost around US$34 – so it’s worth checking out the cost of a private transfer here.

Traveling from Hanoi to Ninh Binh

To do this route in reverse, i.e. to go from Hanoi to Ninh Binh has one further option.  And it makes it really, really easy.  Going from Hanoi to Ninh Binh is a perfect route to do as a day trip from Hanoi.  – as this really is close enough so that you can see the highlights of Ninh Binh and get back to your hotel in Hanoi.

Hanoi to Ninh Binh Day Trip

I rate Ninh Binh as the number one day trip from Hanoi because you can fit so much in and not spend so much time on the road.  Ninh Binh Day trips from Hanoi will take you to all the major sites of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex.  I think this is the best option as a day trip to Ninh Binh.

Hanoi to Ninh Binh Bus / Limo /Minivan

This is the cheapest way to travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh.  And like the reserve journey, it’s quick and easy.  There are numerous companies that run the route from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, the smaller the vehicle the more comfort you’ll generally get.  So a 16 seater van is much more comfortable (usually) than a big bus.  And the cost isn’t that much more.

Check out the cost of a minivan from Hanoi to Ninh Binh here.

Hanoi to Ninh Binh Bus Journey Time

Buses from Hanoi to Ninh Binh can take as little as about one hour and 20 minutes. 

Hanoi to Ninh Binh Bus Departure Locations

In Vietnam minivans and buses (of the private variety like these) tend to leave from their offices rather than a centralized bus station, although this does differ throughout the country.  So it’s best to check at the time you make a booking the exact location that your bus or van is leaving from.  Some of the smaller vans (11 and 16 seaters) may also offer pickup at your hotel (bliss).

Hanoi to Ninh Binh Bus Departure Times

The first bus of the day from Hanoi to Ninh Binh leaves at 04:50 and the last one leaves at 20:30, so it’s feasible to have a full day sightseeing in Hanoi and then head to Ninh Binh at the end of the day.  You can find the best bus time for you to Ninh Binh from Hanoi here.

Hanoi to Ninh Binh Train

The main inconvenience of taking the train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh is that the closest railway station to the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is in Ninh Binh City.  Ninh CBinh City is about 100,000 to 120,000 VND by taxi from Tam Coc, which is the main town where you’ll stay to visit the area.

That’s not too much of a hassle in itself, being that the taxi is relatively cheap, but it’s just a consideration.

The railway station in Hanoi is, IMHO, in a great location and easy to get to, especially if you’re staying in the old town area of Hanoi. 

Hanoi Railway Station
Hanoi Railway Station

Hanoi to Ninh Binh Train Journey Time

It takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes to go from Hanoi Train Station to Ninh Binh Train Station.  This doesn’t include the time it takes to get from Ninh Binh Train Station to Tam Coc.

Hanoi to Ninh Binh Train Departure Times

There are usually five trains a day that go from Hanoi to Ninh Binh.   Trains depart from Hanoi for Ninh Binh at 06:10, 15:30, 19:20, 19:50 and 20:55.  This is the main North to South train line, so most people will be going quite some distance further, and tickets get booked early on these trains, so buy tickets early!

You can buy train tickets to go from Hanoi to Ninh Binh here.

Hanoi to Ninh Binh Train Arrival Location

You’ll arrive, as I said above, at the Ninh Binh City Railway station, which is a short taxi ride from Tam Coc and the Trang An Scenic Landscape complex.   You can rent motorbikes from a place just by the station (it’s marked on Google Maps), and the road between Ninh Binh and Tam Coc isn’t that busy.

Hanoi to Ninh Binh Private Transfer

This really is the most convenient way to travel to Ninh Binh from Hanoi if you’re planning on staying for more than a day trip.  Collection directly from your Hanoi hotel and drop off at your hotel in the Scenic Area.  It’s not particularly expensive, especially if there are 2 or more of you traveling.  It’s also the quickest way to travel between these two locations.  So get a price for it before you count it out.

Key Routes to Travel in Vietnam

Want to know more about different forms of transport in Vietnam? Our guide to Vietnam transport is here. And here’s how to travel some of the popular routes around Vietnam, your options, and how we did it.

Map of Train Stations in Ninh Binh and Hanoi

You can also see the full map of train stations between Hanoi and Ninh Binh here

Map of How to Go from Ninh Binh to Hanoi in Vietnam

The quickest way to get from Ninh Binh to Hanoi

The quickest way to get to Hanoi from Ninh Binh is a private transfer, they’ll meet you at your hotel and you won’t need to wait for a scheduled departure.  You can book a prepaid transfer to Hanoi from Ninh Binh here. 

The cheapest way to go from Ninh Binh to Hanoi

The cheapest way to get to Hanoi from Ninh Binh is to take the bus.  There are heaps of buses each day and at all hours, just be sure to pick one that gets you from the town in which you’re staying and relatively close to where you’re staying in Hanoi.  You can check the bus options from Ninh Binh to  Hanoi here.

The best way to go from Ninh Binh to Hanoi

I vote for the train always as the best way to go from Ninh Binh to Hanoi, (and we did have a fabulous train ride), but in this instance, I’d say the convenience factor of the private transfer is well worth it, especially seeing as this is a cheap part of the world to get a private transfer.

Final Words on How to Go from Ninh Binh to Hanoi (& Back)

Whether you’re going from Ninh Binh to Hanoi or Hanoi to Ninh Binh this is a well-traveled route and you have a number of options (and comfort levels) to do this journey.  Be sure to opt for a transport method that gets you to the right part of Hanoi or Ninh Binh, and enjoy the locations at either end they’re both glorious places to visit.

Travel Tips for Exploring Vietnam

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AUTHOR

Sarah Carter
Sarah Carter is an avid reader, writer and traveller. She loves hiking, sailing, skiing and exploring the world through food. She left a successful career in IT security and compliance in both the UK and US to travel the world with husband and partner in adventure, Nigel.

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