There are many ways for you to travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, like motorbike, bus, minivan, private car, and train. Depending on your favorite, demand, and real-time budget, choose the right way to have a convenient and interesting journey.
Overview Of
Vacationers typically choose to mix Hanoi and Ninh Binh in their Northern Vietnam itinerary because the two locations offer an excellent combination of Vietnam’s rich culture, history, and captivating natural beauty. Hanoi is the bustling capital of Vietnam, with its historic attractions, colonial architecture, colourful street food scene, as well as iconic cultural landmarks.
Ninh Binh, also called “Halong Bay on land,” has attractive natural scenery featuring dramatic limestone karsts, peaceful rice paddies, and quiet rivers. You can take boat trips via caves (like Trang An, Tam Coc), historic pagodas (Bich Dong), and bike through beautiful villages. Visiting both Hanoi and Ninh Binh, you can have a chance to revel in both the vibrant energy of Hanoi and the serene splendor of Ninh Binh, making a properly-rounded journey to Northern Vietnam.
How Far Is It From Hanoi To Ninh Binh?
Ninh Binh is located South of Hanoi, and the direct road distance between these two places generally ranges from 90 to 100 kilometers. This is not too far a distance, so Ninh Binh is a popular and reachable destination for travelers who want to have a day experience of this vacation spot from Hanoi. This measurement is typically used for the journey through QL1A (National Highway 1A), as well as some recent expressways connecting Hanoi and Ninh Binh.
The average travel time from Hanoi to Ninh Binh varies depending on the specific transportation chosen and the real-time situation on the road. Traveling by private car or luxury limousine minivan, the journey normally takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, which is the quickest and maximum travel time. Local buses can take slightly longer, around 2 to 2.5 hours, and motorbike usually falls in the 3 to 4 hour range. Some riders can ride a motorbike within 2 to 3 hours, but it is dangerous because you should continuously ride without short breaks.
How to Travel From Hanoi To Ninh Binh?
Taking an exciting itinerary from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, you can use many types of transportation, like a motorbike, bus, minivan, or private car. In this part of this blog, Seni World will show you how to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh.
By Motorbike
Touring from Hanoi to Ninh Binh by motorbike brings you a completely blended experience of flexibility and real experience. You can have the freedom to discover at your own pace, see any scenic spots, local villages, or hidden cafes that buses or private cars will be able to bypass. Particularly, if you are solo vacationers or pairs, traveling from Hanoi to Ninh Binh by motorbike will help you have an exhilarating feeling.
However, a motorbike adventure from Hanoi to Ninh Binh also comes with high hazards, especially for less experienced riders. You can become tired, and direct exposure to weather elements (including solar, wind, and dust) can lessen comfort. Furthermore, carrying large bags and luggage on a motorbike is impractical, restricting what you can convey. Besides, the traffic on QL1A (National Highway 1A) can be crowded, dense, and challenging for you.
| Aspect | Details |
| Route |
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| Distance | About 90 to 100 kilometers, depending on the right route taken from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. |
| Travel Time |
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| Suggested Stop | The Hanoi to Ninh Binh distance is relatively short, so you don’t need to stop too much. For relaxation, you can have a brief break in:
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By Bus or Minivan
Hanoi to Ninh Binh bus or minivan journey gives a balanced blend of affordability and comfort. Not only saving your money, but you also avoid the strain of navigating traffic yourself, and may loosen up during the adventure. However, a bus or minivan can have less personal space, and they are fixed by the operator’s schedule.
Seni World will give you some information about the price, the travel time, and some important notes about buses and minivans below:
| Vehicle Type | Price (VND) | Travel Time | Notes |
| Local bus | About 100,000 – 150,000 VND (per person) | About 2 – 2.5 hours | Local buses are a low-priced selection, generally departing from main bus stations in Hanoi, like Giap Bat bus station or My Dinh bus station. You will have basic seating and may make many stops along the way from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. So they can probably be much less convenient than other choices, particularly in peak hours. |
| Limousine Minivan | About 150,000 – 250,000 VND (per person) | About 1.5 – 2 hours | Limousine minivan frequently has 9-seater or 11-seater luxurious, wider, and extra secure seating, commonly have USB charging ports, and free water. They regularly provide trips from Hanoi to Tam Coc or Trang An in Ninh Binh. This is a popular type of transportation for tourists due to its suitable price, convenience, and comfort. |
| Private Minivan | About 1,200,000 – 2,000,000+ VND (per car) | About 1.5 – 2 hours | A private minivan has the best level of privacy, flexibility, as well as comfort, so it is perfect for families or small companies. You can easily set your personal departure time and have direct pick-up from your accommodation in Hanoi, then drop-off at a specific area in Ninh Binh. The ticket is charged per car, not per person, which will be budget-friendly for groups and communities. |
By Private Car
Traveling from Hanoi to Ninh Binh by private car is very convenient and flexible, especially in the direct lodging-to-lodging transfers. This selection is ideal for travelers seeking a cozy and personalised journey without the trouble of public transportation or self-driving. However, the cost will be higher than other types of transportation.
Let’s see more information private car from Hanoi to Ninh Binh below:
| Car Type | Estimated Price (VND) | Travel Time | Best For |
| 4-Seater Sedan | About 1,200,000 – 1,800,000 VND | About 1.5 – 2 hours | Solo tourists, couples, or small communities of 1-2 members with light to moderate bags and luggage. This is a direct and comfortable type of transportation. |
| 7-Seater SUV/MPV | About 1,500,000 – 2,200,000 VND | About 1.5 – 2 hours | Small communities of 1-5 members or families with standard bags want to have the comfort. |
| 9-Seater Luxury Limousine Van | About 1,800,000 – 2,800,000 VND | About 1.5 – 2 hours | Up to 8 members in a group or small companies who love high comfort, and want to unwind on large seating, as well as many modern amenities. |
By Train
Hanoi to Ninh Binh train adventure gives you a more cozy and larger seating in comparison to a local bus. You can experience picturesque views on the road, especially in Spring (from March to May) and Autumn (from September to October), which are the best times to visit Hanoi and Ninh Binh.
Furthermore, trains are much less susceptible to street site visitors delays, as well as have affordable ticket prices.
| Aspect | Details |
| Travel Time | About 2 – 2.5 hours |
| Cabin Types or Options |
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| Required Documents | For booking and boarding, you must have your passport (for global travelers) or a valid ID (for Vietnamese travelers) for identification. Make certain the name on your train ticket matches your ID. |
| Estimated Price |
Ticket prices can vary based on each train, time of day, as well as how far you book it in advance. |
| Best For | Travelers seeking a more conventional and beautiful sightseeing journey, people who prefer larger seating, and those who want to say goodbye to ugly road traffic delays. The train is a perfect choice for you to see the countryside views from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. |
Tips For Traveling From Hanoi To Ninh Binh
If you want to have a smooth, happy, and memorable trip from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, you need to learn more about the travel experience in this itinerary. Seni World has collected some essential tips for you to have a wonderful adventure from Hanoi to Ninh Binh.
Book minivans or personal cars in advance
During the peak season, on the weekends, or holidays, you need to book the tickets or the service of transportation, especially if you choose minivans or personal cars. Let’s do it a few days in advance for availability and better prices.
Remember the travel time
You need to spend about 1.5 to 2 hours for the trip from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, but don’t forget to account for pick-up or drop-off times, as well as the heavy traffic in Hanoi. You need to have an extra 30 to 60 minutes buffer for comfort movement.
Protect yourself on the motorbike
If you ride a motorbike, make certain you have a global driving permit, carefully wear a high-quality helmet, and be cautious with the chaotic traffic in Hanoi. Besides, let’s check out the motorbike’s status before renting.
Confirm the departure and arrival
You should recognise your pick-up point in Hanoi (like Hanoi Old Quarter or a specific bus station) and your drop-off in Ninh Binh (like Tam Coc, Trang An, or the city center). Let’s discuss and confirm this issue with your transportation operator.
Stay hydrated and bring snacks
No matter what, whether it’s a motorbike, a bus, a minivan, or a private car, have a bottle of water and some mild snacks. They will help you not be hungry, as well as drinking enough water to refresh yourself, and make the adventure more relaxed.
Final Thoughts
Traveling from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, you can choose various types of transportation, like a thrilling motorbike, a budget-friendly bus and minivan, a comfortable private car, or a relaxed train. It will depend on your favorite, demand, and budget. If you want to take an adventure from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, consult about interesting things to see and to do in these 2 places, and receive support for the visa process, let’s contact Seni World, a reputable tour operator from Vietnam. We are here to help you from A to Z on your Hanoi to Ninh Binh trip, and throughout wonderful Vietnam.
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