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How to get to Ninh Binh and Tam Coc
From Hanoi it takes 2 to 3 hours. Limousine vans from the Old Quarter or Noi Bai airport go straight to Tam Coc or the Trang An boat station, from 187,500₫ for October 2026. The train from Ga Hà Nội takes 2 hours 13 minutes, from 106,000₫ for a soft seat, but stops in Ninh Binh city, a ride away from Tam Coc and Trang An. Night buses from Tam Coc go on to Sapa, Ha Giang and Hue.
Ninh Binh at a glance
| Region | North; Ninh Bình province, which absorbed Hà Nam and Nam Định on 1 July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Usual way in | Limousine van to Tam Coc or Trang An; SE train to Ga Ninh Bình |
| Stations and terminals | Ga Ninh Bình (railway); Bến xe Đồng Gừng (bus station); Tam Coc boat station and company offices |
From Hanoi: a van to Tam Coc, or the train to the city
By limousine van. Dozens of 9 to 12-seat vans leave Hanoi's Old Quarter and Noi Bai airport from about 04:30 to the evening.
The ones worth booking go to Tam Coc or the Trang An boat station, where the boats start; others stop at an office in Ninh Binh city, which leaves you with the same onward ride as the train. The Hanoi to Ninh Binh page lists the companies and their drop-offs.
By train. Six SE trains a day stop at Ga Ninh Bình on their way south. The October 2026 timetable:
- SE7 06:00 → 08:13, SE5 08:00 → 10:13, SE9 13:00 → 15:14.
- SE3 19:20 → 21:33, SE19 19:45 → 21:54 and SE1 21:45 → 00:00.
The morning trains are the useful ones for a day out.
From Ha Long. Duy Khang's limousine runs between Tuần Châu and the Bích Động post-office stop in Tam Coc in about 3 hours 30 minutes; see the Ha Long Bay page.
Leaving Ninh Binh
Back to Hanoi by train. SE20 at 08:18 reaches Ga Hà Nội at 11:10, SE8 at 13:59 arrives at 16:20 and SE6 at 16:55 at 19:14; SE4 and SE2 pass in the small hours. For October 2026 a soft seat on SE8 cost from 106,000₫, or 92,000₫ on the 02:14 SE4.
To Noi Bai airport. Several van companies drive straight to the airport, so you need not go into Hanoi for a flight; the Hanoi route page names them.
Tam Coc to Cat Ba: one ticket, bus and ferry
Buy the bus and the boat as one ticket. Online fares for October 2026 departures: - Cat Ba Discovery: Tam Coc Queen Travel office at 09:00 and 13:30 to 6 Tùng Dinh on Cat Ba four hours later, 337,500₫. - Good Morning Cat Ba: Bến đò Tam Cốc (Tam Coc boat landing) at 14:00 to its island office at 18:30, 372,693₫, with the ferry connection guaranteed on the ticket.
| Usual way | Bus and ferry on one ticket |
|---|---|
| Where it departs | Tam Coc Queen Travel office, or Bến đò Tam Cốc |
| Where it arrives | 6 Tùng Dinh, or the Good Morning Cat Ba office |
Coming back, same date.
Each lands at a different Tam Coc address.
Tam Coc to Phong Nha: the direct day bus
A direct bus takes 5 to 6 hours. For October 2026, G8's single cabin left its Tam Coc office at 08:15 and reached Thanh Phat Hotel in Phong Nha at 13:45, for 640,500₫ online; its 09:15 from the Tam Coc boat station arrived at 15:00 for 686,250₫. An evening bus at 17:30 arrives at 23:15.
| Usual way | Direct day bus |
|---|---|
| Where it departs | G8 Tam Coc office, or the Tam Coc boat station |
| Where it arrives | Thanh Phat Hotel or Central Backpackers Hostel, Phong Nha |
Coming back:
Since 1 July 2025 Phong Nha is in Quảng Trị province, which absorbed Quảng Bình.
Ga Ninh Bình
Ga Ninh Bình, the railway station in Ninh Binh city. For October 2026, SE20 leaves for Hanoi at 08:18 (arriving 11:10), SE8 at 13:59 (16:20) and SE6 at 16:55 (19:14). Buses and vans to Tam Coc or Trang An pick up elsewhere.
On to Cat Ba and Phong Nha
- Hanoi to Ninh Binh by limousine van or trainVan · Train · Bus
- Ninh Binh to Hue: train from the city, bus from Tam CocBus · Train
- Ninh Binh to Sapa: direct cabin bus
- Ninh Binh to Ha Giang: by day from Đồng Gừng, or overnight from Tam CocBus
- Ninh Binh to Ha Long: Tam Coc to Tuần ChâuBus
- Tam Coc to Cat Ba: one ticket, bus and ferryAbout 4 to 4 hours 30 minutes, from about 320,000₫.Bus
- Tam Coc to Phong Nha: the direct day busAbout 5 to 6 hours, from about 610,000₫.Bus
Ninh Binh trains, vans and buses: what people ask
How far is Ninh Binh from Hanoi?
115 km by rail from Ga Hà Nội to Ga Ninh Bình. The train takes 2 hours 9 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes; a van to Tam Coc 2 to 3 hours.
Does the train stop at Tam Coc?
No. It stops at Ga Ninh Bình, in the city. Tam Coc and Trang An are a road ride further; many visitors take a van that goes all the way instead.
Can I take a bus from Ninh Binh to Cat Ba without booking a separate ferry?
Yes. For October 2026, Cat Ba Discovery sold one bus-and-ferry ticket from Tam Coc Queen Travel office at 09:00 to 6 Tùng Dinh on Cat Ba at 13:00, for 337,500₫ online.
How do I get from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha?
By direct bus, about 5 hours 30 minutes. For October 2026, G8 left its Tam Coc office at 08:15 and reached Thanh Phat Hotel in Phong Nha at 13:45, for 640,500₫ online.