Phong Nha to Ninh Binh – Best Routes & Tips (Trains, Buses & More)

From natural to cultural, Vietnam is really full of marvels, and this trip from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh will enable one to behold some of its amazing beauty. Although utterly different in sceneries and vibes, both happen to highlight the beauties of the landscape of Vietnam. This Vietnam travel guide has everything one may need to make his or her journey between these two iconic places smooth and convenient.
Btw did you know that the famous hollywood movie - Kong: Skull Island had some of the scenes shot in Ninh Binh, pretty cool. Right?

Overview of the Journey

Distance between Phong Nha and Ninh Binh: roughly 400 km. This could take anything between 6 to 12 hours, depending on how you go about it. You usually have three options: going by bus, by train, or flying and then doing the rest by road. Each gives you a different vibe, so, therefore, it depends on what fits your schedule, how much cash you want to spend, and how comfy you wanna be.

Travel Options

Sleeper Bus: Cheap and Easy

• Duration: 8–10 hours.
• Price: $13–$25 per person.
• Sleeper buses remain a favorite of people who want to save some money and get around effectively. Most of them usually leave in the evening, which allows you to catch some Z's on your way and then roll into the morning light of Ninh Binh. Good companies include Queen Cafe and Full Moon Party Bus, which provide very comfortable reclining chairs, charging ports, and clean bathrooms. If you want a central transport planning solution for the rest of your trip in Vietnam, you can download the Vexere app where you can pay for bus or train tickets in Vietnam online. In fact, they also allow you to book the ticket via the app and pay later in cash to the driver.
• Pros: Directly, less expensive. As long as you are less than 6 feet tall, you can sleep comfortably as these buses have slots where you can fit in your legs easily and sleep.
• Cons: Comfort is variable and might be affected by noise or delays. And most of these buses do not have a washroom so you will have to hold it till they arrive at one of the food stops. The bus does stop at least 2-3 times along the way.
  

Train and Bus in One: Just Relaxed, Laid Back

• Duration: 10–12 hrs.

• Cost: $15–$50 (train) + $2–$5 (local bus).

• Details: A train from Dong Hoi (near Phong Nha) goes to Ninh Binh. Dong Hoi is some 45 km from Phong Nha and is accessible by local bus or taxi. The train ride offers spectacular views of Vietnam's countryside, such as rice paddies and limestone karsts.

• Pros: Scenic journey, more legroom compared to buses.

• Cons: Several changes are necessary; travel takes longer. If you are carrying a lot of baggage, it might be a bit inconvenient.
  

Flight and Ground Transfer: Fastest Means

• Duration: 7–8 hours with transfers.
• Price: $40–$100 per person.
• Details: Fly from Dong Hoi to Hanoi, then catch the onward bus or train to Ninh Binh. More expensive, but it will cut the travel time right down and will be so much more comfortable.
• Pros: Very good for tight schedules.
• Cons: No direct flights, many modes of transport are involved.

Highlights Along the Way

• Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

• Before you bounce from Phong Nha, make sure to check out some of its great caves, including Paradise Cave and Phong Nha Cave. These places have out-of-this-world stalactites and super old limestone formations, so seriously you cannot miss them!
  And if you have at least a couple of days, we highly recommend doing the Elephant cave tour and The duck stop experience.

Or you can do a Phong Nha tour by yourself ( i.e. a self guided tour).

• Trang An Landscape Complex

• After reaching Ninh Binh, visit the UNESCO-listed Trang An Landscape Complex, which is often said to be "Halong Bay on land"; go on a leisurely cruise through pictorial valleys and limestone caves.
  And do not, we repeat, DO NOT MISS the Trang An boat tour, you will thank us later ;)

Local Experiences

• Food: The local food that you have to try: "Bún Bò Huế" in Phong Nha, and those famous goat dishes in Ninh Bình.

• Cultural Sites: Those are really old-school landmarks, such as pagodas and temples around Ninh Binh, especially Bai Dinh and Hoa Lu!

Accommodation Tips

• Phong Nha: You can pick between some comfy homestays or eco-lodges for a chill vibe right by nature.

• Ninh Binh boat tour: Has everything from budget guesthouses to fancy resorts with views over the rice fields. Tam Coc is a favorite among travelers although it can feel a bit touristy to some. If you can ignore the crowd or visit early in the morning (before 10 a.m) then this might be your top highlight on Ninh Binh!

Travel Tips

• Reservation: Book bus or train tickets beforehand, particularly in peak tourist seasons. And if you are coming during Tet Festival, then good luck!

• Packing: Bring snacks, water, and travel essentials for long journeys.

• Safety: If driving between destinations, hire a local driver as Vietnamese roads can be challenging to navigate. If you already have some experience driving in Hanoi or Ho chi minh city, then you will feel it is pretty easy to drive a motorbike in Ninh binh and Phong nha as the traffic is like 5% of what you see in hanoi, it's pretty chill!

FAQs

• What's the cheapest transportation from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh? The cheapest ones are usually the sleeper buses, starting from $13. You can also ask your homestay in Phong nha to book the bus to Ninh binh for you as sometimes they can get a better last minute price than third party sites like Vexere or Baolau.

• Is there a direct flight? No, but flights from Dong Hoi to Hanoi, combined with further ground transport to Ninh Binh, are faster.

• How long does it take to travel by train? About 10–12 hours depending on the connections and stops.

• When's the best time to check it out? Spring (March–April) and autumn (September–October) have nice weather and pretty views in both places.

• Can I book tickets online? Yes, platforms like Baolau, 12go.asia, and Bookaway allow easy online bookings.

• How much does the taxi cost from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi airport? The cheapest taxi you can book from would be by using the Grab app which should cost anywhere between $12-$18 depending on the time of day you are booking.

• What is the cheapest way to travel from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi airport?
  The public bus from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi is the cheapest option which would cost around $3!
  It leaves from right outside the Rice House restaurant (google maps link), starting at 6:00 AM and running until 5:00 PM. This bus runs almost every hour so you’ve got plenty of options with departures at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 and so on until the last bus at 5:00 PM. This is the perfect option for backpackers and tourists on a budget but if you are in a rush then leave from Phong Nha at least 4-5 hours before your flight departure.