Top 4 Best Ways To Travel From Ninh Binh To Halong Bay

1. Overview

Ninh Binh is located south of the capital, Hanoi, and is a province of Vietnam. There are many places to visit in Ninh Binh, such as Hoa Lu, Trang An, Tam Coc, etc. Ha Long Bay belongs to Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province. Ha Long Bay is a favorite destination for tourists and became a World Heritage Site in 1994. What could be better than visiting two famous tourist destinations, travelling from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay, to experience the majesty of the mountains and hills and winding blue water? In particular, these locations are not too far apart, and you can travel by many means of transport.

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2. Distance from Ninh Binh to HaLong Bay

Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh are about 200 km apart and take about 3.5 hours by car. Distance may vary according to different travel routes. The main route is through the Hanoi-Hai Phong Highway, also known as the best way to get to Ha Long. Main routes to Halong Bay from Ninh Binh

Route 1: Ninh Binh – Nam Dinh – Hai Phong – Ha Long: The distance is about 197 km and takes 3.5 hours to drive. 

Route 2: Ninh Binh – Hung Yen – Hai Phong – Ha Long: The second route is a little longer, about 220 km, but the ride is shorter than 3.25 hours.

In every respect, both ways share the same route map but are still designated to meet different travel needs. Many drivers have considered traffic flow, road quality, and tolls to choose the most suitable way to travel from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay.

3. The top 4 best ways to travel from Ninh Binh to Ha Long Bay

3.1. Ninh Binh to Halong Bay by bus

The bus is known to be the most popular choice to go from Ninh Binh to Ha Long Bay. You can choose one of two options: local bus or a limousine from Ninh Binh. There are many different bus providers and schedules to choose from.

3.1.1. Local bus

Local buses are the most economical way to travel. Bus ticket prices range from 8 to 10 USD per seat for one-way travel. It is usually a 45-seat bus equipped with limited amenities and is sometimes of low quality. Travel time can be up to 4.5–5 hours because there are many stops to find more passengers along the way. And you have to go to the bus station to catch a bus, but there are buses running regularly every day.

3.1.2. Limousines

Limousines are tourist buses that are much more convenient than local buses thanks to the quality of service and direct pick-up. Unlike local buses, limousines only stop at fixed locations, so travel time is reduced to 3.5 hours. These buses typically have spacious interiors, are air-conditioned, and provide passengers with amenities like free water and Wi-Fi. It also offers breathtaking views of the Vietnamese countryside along the way. Fares range from 15 to 20 USD, depending on the provider and bus type.

3.1.3. A list of some reputable and quality buses from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay

3.2. Ninh Binh to Halong Bay by motorbike

If you are looking for an exciting two-wheeled adventure, riding a motorbike from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay is an experience not to be missed. It’s the best way to explore local life and stunning rural landscapes. You’ll see views from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay, passing through breathtaking landscapes. You can also stop to take photos or take a flexible break.

The travel time is about 5–6 hours. By motorbike, you can avoid highways and tolls that prohibit motorbikes. The price to rent a motorbike ranges from 7 to 10 USD per day, plus fuel costs of 3 to 4 USD. It is important when renting a motorbike that you choose a high-quality motorbike to ensure safety throughout the journey. Also, don’t forget to check the weather before starting your journey to avoid any inconvenience.

3.3. Ninh Binh to Halong Bay by taxi/private car

Traveling by private car or taxi is the fastest and most comfortable way to get from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay. You can be flexible about your driving time and route. This option is best suited for families with children or groups of friends. But it is also the most expensive means of transportation.

The cost of a round trip by private car varies depending on the size of the vehicle, with a 4-seat car costing around 170 USD, a 7-seat car costing 190 USD, and a 16-seat minivan costing 230 USD. Prices include fuel, water bottles, highway tolls, parking fees, and driver fees, but do not include other costs such as entrance fees and tour guides. You should choose a car with more seats than the number of passengers to accommodate luggage.

The travel time is about 3.5 hours, and you can refer to the following car rental shops in Ninh Binh:

StarH tourist car rental

• Tel: (+84) 965 126 777
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chothuexedulichstarh

Ninh Binh car rental company

• Tel: (+84) 975 562 168
• Website: https://www.ninhbinhrentalcar.com/

3.4. Ninh Binh to Ha Long Bay by train

There is no direct train route between Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh. You will need to travel to Hanoi station or Hai Phong station, then take the train to Halong Bay. Traveling by train is quite an enjoyable experience, as you can admire the rural beauty along the way. To get to Halong Bay by train, you will have to take two separate trains. The first train runs from Ninh Binh to Hanoi and takes about 2.5 hours. From Hanoi, you will need to catch a second train to Halong Bay, which takes about 7 hours.

As for the Ninh Binh train to Hanoi, there are five departures every day from Ninh Binh Station to Hanoi Station. The earliest departure is at 3:20 am, and the latest departure is at 4:50 pm. There are many ticket options, including hard and soft seats and sleeper beds, with prices ranging from 2 to 10 USD. From Hanoi to Halong Bay, there are fewer train options, and the journey takes nearly 7 hours, with prices ranging from 3 USD to 6 USD. However, if you want to experience local rail travel in Vietnam, trains may be an interesting option to consider.

4. Famous places you should visit when traveling from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay

4.1. Trang An eco-tourism area, Ninh Binh

Trang An eco-tourism area has been recognized by UNESCO as a dual world heritage site. Trang An attracts tourists with its wild beauty and vast mountains, which are likened to Halong Bay on land. Trang An World Heritage Complex is a place that preserves many forest ecosystems on limestone mountains, flooded forests, and many historical, cultural, and archaeological relics. In addition, you can visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, Mua Cave, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Tam Coc, and Bich Dong. You can see more here.

4.2. Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is a majestic natural wonder perfected after millions of years of transformation and has been recognized many times by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage. The geology of Ha Long Bay is mainly limestone islands over 500 million years old, some of which contain traces of prehistoric people.

Ha Long Bay is a quite famous tourist destination with many beautiful places that you cannot miss on any trip. Some famous destinations in Halong Bay you can refer to are: Fighting Islet, Ngoc Vung Island, Con Coc Islet, Ti Top Island, Sung Sot Cave, etc. You can see more here.

In addition, you should also enjoy delicious and famous dishes from Ha Long, such as Ngan Bien, Squid Patties, Sam Bien, Bun Be Be, Chao Hau Sua, Ha Long Pearl Yogurt, Banh Gat gu, Sa Sung, etc, to have the most complete experience in this city.

5. Some experiences traveling from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay

Buy your tickets as early as possible to avoid overbooking and price increases, especially during peak seasons or holidays. 

Prepare necessary items such as first aid equipment, water, and some medicine because most vehicles follow the highway with only a few stops. 

Check the rental car carefully in case you want to travel alone. 

Dress neatly when visiting spiritual sites in Ninh Binh.

6. Conclusion

Above is all the useful information about the top 4 best ways to travel from Ninh Binh to Ha Long Bay that Metta Voyage shares with you. If you need more information or schedules for trips to Vietnam and Southeast Asian provinces, do not hesitate to contact us immediately.

7. Contact us

Website: www.mettavoyage.com

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