Traveling from Hanoi to Ninh Binh is a popular choice for visitors looking to explore the stunning landscapes of Vietnam. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a longer stay, getting from Hanoi to Ninh Binh is convenient and offers several options, including tours, buses, cars, and trains.
Überblick über die Reise von Hanoi nach Ninh Binh
Entfernung & Zeit
- Entfernung: 100 km
- Reisezeit: around 2 to 2,5 hours
Optionen
Ninh Binh is very close to Hanoi, so the best and fastest options are all over the road. There is an express highway which makes this trip in just 2 hours.
- Tour: Lot of options and best if you are limited in time
- Limousine bus: Best option in comfort, price, and convenience
- Car: Great for most flexibility
- Train: Not recommended for this short distance, less convenient, and significantly more travel time
Option 1: Going by tour
This is the best option if you are limited in time. Especially if you just have 1 day, it can be a hassle putting all the sights you want to see in one day. An extra benefit is that these tours are very affordable because you don’t need to arrange private transfers in Ninh Binh itself to go to all the sights.
There are both 1-day tours and 2-day, 1-night tours from Hanoi. The big benefit is that you make the most of your stay in Ninh Binh. The only downside is that you have less freedom to decide on last-minute changes. However, if you’ve planned before that you, for example, want to do the Trang An boat tour, see the viewpoint of Mua Cave, and walk around Hoa Lu, everything is good. It is highly recommended to do this in a small group tour for a more personal experience.
Option 2: Limousine van from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
When traveling not with a tour, this is your best option for three reasons:
Super convenient: Limousine vans drive throughout the day, with many different time schedules to pick from. Most of them include both a pick-up at your hotel in Hanoi and drop-off at your hotel in Ninh Binh.
Very comfortable: They are more comfortable than a car. These vans have VIP-like seats, very comfortable for sitting, and lots of legroom. Some might even have WiFi or a massage seat function.
Short travel time: Going by limousine van takes only 2 to 2.5 hours of driving between Hanoi and Ninh Binh.
Affordable: A limousine van service might sound expensive, but these shared bus services are very cheap, with prices around 6 to 8 euros.
Option 3: By private car
A private car always comes with a driver, as foreigners on tourist visas are not allowed to drive in Vietnam. But don’t worry; firstly, you don’t want to drive in the chaotic traffic of Hanoi. And second, a car that includes a driver is often still cheaper than if you would rent a car without a driver in Europe.
The biggest benefit is the convenience and flexibility. They can pick you up and drop you off at any location. Even better, you can make a complete itinerary, instead of only going from A to B. You can stop at different sights along the way between Hanoi and Ninh Binh, or go straight to Ninh Binh and use the car for sightseeing in Ninh Binh for the whole day and let them drop you off at your accommodation at the end of the day.
Keep in mind that drivers are normally not English-speaking guides and when doing a complete itinerary, you get a fixed price for the driving, but meals and entrance fees are not included, unlike a tour.
Option 4: By train to Ninh Binh
Yes, both Hanoi and Ninh Binh have a train station. However, this is not the best option. Compared with the limousine van service, it’s way more limited in time schedules, and there is no pick-up and drop-off at the hotel. This would also mean that after arriving in Ninh Binh, you have to take a taxi from the station to your accommodation in Tam Coc or the countryside. In the end, you will spend more money and significantly more travel time.
If you do prefer this option, there are around 5 trains a day. Prices for a soft seat start at around 7 euros, and the train trip takes around 2.5 hours.
Read here more about train travel in Vietnam.
