If you are visiting Vietnam, Hanoi, the country’s capital and second largest city, is a good place to start your adventure. Hanoi is a charming city full of historic architecture, narrow streets with a great atmosphere in the old quarter, monuments, parks and gardens. And all this on the edge of the Red River and around various lakes. There are plenty of places to go after exploring Hanoi, but if you feel like a bit of relaxation, we recommend heading south to the small town of Ninh Binh. Known as one of Vietnam’s hidden gems, the landscape around Ninh Binh is spectacular, and as an off-the-beaten-path city, it’s the perfect place to experience authentic Vietnamese culture. After reading our guide, you will find that traveling from Hanoi to Ninh Binh will be a breath of fresh air.
Travel options from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
There is a little less than 100 kilometers between Hanoi and Ninh Binh, so the distance to travel from one place to another is not too long. By road, the journey takes approximately 90 minutes, but the actual travel time may be longer depending on the mode of transport chosen. The good thing is that there are several options available. You can go by train, bus or private taxi. Prices vary greatly between the three options, so there is something for all budgets.
Train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
Let’s start with the cheapest option, which is the train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. If you are traveling on a budget, the train is the cheapest way to travel as long as you buy the right ticket as there are several options to choose from. It is possible to travel on a first-class sleeper train, a second-class sleeper train with an air-conditioned second-class seat, and a standard second-class seat. First class sleeper trains are, as you can imagine, the most expensive option, while standard second class seats are the cheapest.
Which one to choose? The truth is, since it’s not a very long trip, you don’t need to spend extra to travel in a compartment with a bed. The trip takes two to two hours and forty-five minutes, and they don’t even travel at night. Departures take place throughout the day. The first is at 6am and the last is around 8pm, though it may vary depending on which Hanoi station you are departing from. You can depart from Hanoi Central Station or from Ga Giap Bat which is a bit further south of the city.
In addition to being a cheap means of transport, traveling by train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh is quite popular as Vietnam Railways trains are generally reliable and relatively comfortable. Many tourists prefer to travel by train rather than by car. The tour offers fantastic landscapes, but there are usually more beautiful places to see from the train. In addition, train travel always has a romantic atmosphere that many travelers love.
Another positive aspect of traveling by train is that the station is in the center of Ninh Binh, so you won’t have to travel far to get to your hotel from the station. Plus, with so many daily departures, it’s easy to find an option that suits your plans, whether you want to travel in the morning, afternoon or last minute.
From Hanoi to Ninh Binh by bus
After the train, the cheapest option to travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh is by bus. The scheduled bus travel time is 90 minutes, but be prepared for delays in both departure and arrival times. Buses can be delayed and, depending on traffic, the journey from Hanoi to Ninh Binh can take more than 90 minutes.
Hoang Long is one of the bus companies that offer this service and they usually have four departures a day, one in the morning, one in the afternoon and two last minute. Buses may have a sleeping option even if they don’t run at night, and are a good option to have more space and stretch your legs, so they’re perfect for tall people. The buses are well equipped, have a toilet, air conditioning, hostess and snacks.
However, traveling by bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh has its drawbacks. First of all, the Hanoi bus station from which they depart is in the south of the city, so if you live downtown, you will need to get to Hanoi Nuoc Ngam Station. Also, when you arrive in Ninh Binh, you won’t find yourself in the center of the city. The bus travels south of the city, leaving travelers on the highway. You won’t be in the middle of anywhere, but you will need to take a taxi to get downtown, which adds some money to the initial price of the tour.
Private taxi from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
The last option is the most expensive, but if you are traveling in a group it can be quite affordable. A private taxi is the most convenient option as it will take you door to door. Cat Ba Express is one of the taxi operators that offers transportation services from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, picking you up from your hotel in downtown Hanoi. You can book a standard sized car, but a private taxi is cheaper if you order one of the large vehicles such as a 7 seater minivan or 16 seater van as the cost is quite reasonable when shared between so many people.
You have already found that traveling from Hanoi to Ninh Binh is easy and inexpensive. With three different modes of transport and so many departure times to choose from, it won’t be hard for you to find the option that best suits your plans.