One of the most popular legs for anyone visiting Vietnam runs from Hanoi, the country’s capital, to Ninh Binh, famous for its beautiful World Heritage landscapes.
If you’re looking for information on how to get from Hanoi to Tam Coc or Ninh Binh, good news: in this guide we cover every option with up-to-date prices, timetables and where to book, so you can pick the one that best fits your trip.
Building your full route? This guide is part of how to get around Vietnam, where you’ll find all the country’s main connections gathered on a single page.
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Hanoi to Ninh Binh or Tam Coc: your transport options
The distance between the two is roughly 100 km and the trip takes 2 to 2.5 hours. To get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh you have essentially 3 main transport options: bus, train or taxi.
- The easiest way to reach Ninh Binh is by bus. The price normally includes pickup at your Hanoi hotel and drop-off at your accommodation in Ninh Binh or Tam Coc, for around 200,000 VND (~US$7.70).
- For a slightly cheaper option, the local bus departs from Giap Bat station in Hanoi and drops you in Ninh Binh for just 70,000 VND. Bear in mind you’ll need separate transport to Giap Bat and, once in Ninh Binh, to your accommodation — so depending on the latter, the savings can be small or none at all.
- The second option is the train to Ninh Binh — fast, comfortable and ideal if you’re staying in Ninh Binh city, which is where the train station is located.
- The third option is booking a tour to visit Ninh Binh. This option is ideal for those short on time, or who’d rather not plan the sights and the transport between them on their own.
| Type | Price | Duration | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | 200,000 VND | 2 to 3 h | Check here |
| Public bus | 70,000 VND | 2 to 3 h | Ask at Giap Bat station |
| Train | 90,000 VND | 2 h 15 min | Check here |
| Tour from Hanoi | From US$48 | Full day | Check here |
| Airport bus | 300,000 VND | 3 h | Check here |
1. Hanoi to Ninh Binh by bus
The most popular option for reaching Ninh Binh. It’s usually operated with vans or minibuses run by different companies, and the big advantage is that it’s a door-to-door service: they pick you up at your Hanoi accommodation and take you straight to your accommodation in Ninh Binh or Tam Coc.
You can book:
- At your accommodation in Hanoi or Ninh Binh
- Directly online here, in advance to avoid missing out on seats — though this route rarely runs short of transport options.
Remember to pick one of the VIP or Luxury minibuses or vans if you want a more comfortable ride.
The public bus to Ninh Binh
This Hanoi–Ninh Binh bus departs from Giap Bat bus station in Hanoi, roughly once an hour. Avoid the touts offering alternatives and buy your ticket directly at the counter. Like the train, it’s a great idea if you’re staying in Ninh Binh city, where it stops.
It’s less appealing if you’re staying in areas like Tam Coc or Trang An, since you’ll still have to pay for a taxi to get there after stepping off the bus in Ninh Binh.
The trip takes 2 to 3 hours and costs just 70,000 VND (~US$2.70).
Before jumping in, keep in mind that Giap Bat station is a 30-minute taxi ride from Hanoi’s old quarter, so factor in that extra time and money — which brings us to a better option: the train.
2. Hanoi to Ninh Binh by train
One of the main advantages of taking the train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh is that both stations sit in the center of their cities, so you won’t need any extra transfers if you’re staying in Ninh Binh.
The other big advantage is comfort.
Around 6 or 7 trains leave for Ninh Binh daily. Ideally, travel first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon to make the most of your day.
Like the public bus, the train is very cheap — just 90,000 VND (~US$3.50) for a regular seat, though if you like traveling in full comfort you can book a berth from just 115,000 VND.
That sounds like a great idea at first, but it isn’t always: most sleeper compartments have 6 berths, and the two top ones are very uncomfortable — squeezed against the ceiling and the air conditioning. If you go this route, make sure you don’t end up with one of those.
You can buy tickets at the station, online through this website, or on the official site (only if you have a card from a Vietnamese bank to pay with).
3. Day trip or tour from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
A day trip to the beautiful town of Ninh Binh is a great option if you’re pressed for time — especially if you only have a few hours or a single day to see it.
The nice thing about these excursions is that they usually include round-trip transport, a guide (generally English-speaking) and a route through the main sights — and sometimes accommodation, on multi-day tours, or entrance fees. Make sure to check what’s included and what isn’t before booking.
Here’s a shorter excursion and a more complete one, so you can choose to your taste.
How to get from Hanoi airport to Ninh Binh or Tam Coc
If you’ve just landed at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi and want to head straight to Ninh Binh from the airport, good news: several bus companies operate this route.
The same applies in reverse: if you’re in Ninh Binh, there’s no need to go into Hanoi first and then out to the airport — you can go directly. It’s usually done in very comfortable minibuses that get you to Ninh Binh in just under 3 hours.
Tickets run between 250,000 and 300,000 VND (~US$10–11.50).
You can book online here.
Frequently asked questions about getting from Hanoi to Ninh Binh or Tam Coc
Here’s a summary of the questions we all end up asking.
The easiest way to travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh is by bus or minivan. The big advantage of this option is that they usually pick you up at your hotel and drop you in Ninh Binh or Tam Coc, depending on where you are staying. Other options are the train or a tour.
The trip from Hanoi to Ninh Binh takes between 2 and 3 hours — a little more or less depending on the transport you choose.
It depends on your taste, but in our opinion Tam Coc is the better base. Its calm, its proximity to the main sights and the greenery all around make it a great place to sleep.
Keep in mind, though, that Tam Coc is the most touristy spot — so if you want a more local experience, staying in Ninh Binh and renting a motorbike to get around is also a great idea.
You can go directly by bus from Noi Bai (HAN) to Ninh Binh or Tam Coc without passing through the city, and vice versa. Alternatively, you can also make the trip by taxi.
✔️ Information reviewed and last updated on March 20, 2026
