Buses from Lao Cai to Ninh Binh

Buses from Lao Cai to Ninh Binh

NaN Passengers

Other Options

Lao Cai to Ninh Binh Bus Schedule

Lao Cai to Ninh Binh Bus Schedule
Transport NameRoute TimePrice
Saigon DMC SUV 4pax Any timeVND 5,111k
Techbus VN JSC Van + VIP Bus 05:30 - 15:30VND 720k
Techbus VN JSC Sleeper 40 06:15 - 15:15VND 360k
Techbus VN JSC Van + VIP Bus 09:10 - 19:15VND 720k
Techbus VN JSC Van + VIP Bus 10:10 - 20:15VND 720k
Techbus VN JSC VIP 34 Sleeper 12:45 - 21:45VND 403k
Grouptour VIP 32 Sleeper 15:50 - 00:20VND 672k
Techbus VN JSC VIP 34 Sleeper 16:15 - 01:15VND 420k
Grouptour Sleeper 38 21:15 - 06:25VND 409k
Techbus VN JSC Sleeper 40 22:00 - 07:00VND 360k

Transportation from Lao Cai to Ninh Binh

Facts about the bus from Lao Cai to Ninh Binh

Cheapest Bus$14
Fastest Bus7h 28m
Earliest Bus12:00 AM
Latest Bus10:30 PM
Daily Bus Routes576
Distance263 kilometers
Bus CompaniesDuc Duong Bus, Full Moon Party Tour, Grouptour, Luxury Van Limousine, Ninh Binh Footprint, Sapa Discovery Travel, Sapa Ethnic Travel, Techbus VN JSC, Vietnam Railways

Lao Cai to Ninh Binh Destination Reviews

RB
Bus left on time, but we arrived in Tam Coc at 4:45am (2 hours earlier than indicated on 12goAsia).
This review was autotranslated
Bus Sleeper 40, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Mar 8, 2024
KG
We booked a VIP bus ticket, but in the end everyone who had a bus leaving Sapa to Ninh Binh between 9 and 10 pm was put on the same bus leaving at 9.25. The driver drove like a mad man and we arrived more than 2 hours earlier than planned in the middle of the night in Tam Coc (not good if there is no one there at the guesthouse yet). We did not make any toilet break during the 6 hours drive and the people from the bus were unbelievably rude - yelling at us when we were not fast enough entering the bus, slapping my feet with a flip flop, drawing the curtains and turning on the private light at my seat half an hour before we arrived, ... I had the feeling they were on drugs. No idea why they operate like that - and why the authorities are not doing anything against it. Never again.
Bus VIP Sleeper 34, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Dec 25, 2023
XD
We booked tickets from Sa Pa to Ninh Binh, departure was supposed to be at 12:20. We arrived at the indicated address at 12 and they told us to wait. At 12:30 we asked if the bus was delayed and they told us that it would depart at 1pm. At 1:10pm they told us that the bus was broken and that we needed to wait until 4:30pm, in a different location. Then the departure was actually at 4:40pm (delayed again), the "luxury sleeper bus" was very smelly (like a strong smell of feet mixed with cigarettes). The driver wasa not friendly at all, almost rude. We were originally supposed to arrive in Ninh Binh at 9:20pm, but we arrived at 1am and we had to ask for a late check-in at the hotel. Furthermore, the arrival stop in Nimh Binh is really far from the city center (there are no stop in town) so take this into consideration when booking the same route
Bus VIP Sleeper 34, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Dec 23, 2023
MP
In the schedule it said the bus was leaving at 21:45h. I was lucky to be there at 21, because the bus was leaving at 21:15h. Moreover, it was supposed to arrive to destination around 6:30am (even the worker in the office was telling us that)... at 3:30am we were told to get off the bus, so we couldn't plan to spend the night anywhere in advance and we had to knock some hostels doors to have a place to sleep. LET US KNOW THE CORRECT SCHEDULES!
Bus Sleeper 40, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Dec 20, 2023
EM
Same as all other terrible reviews. Stopped for hours mid route not sure what to do, but our luggage ended up on the roof which would have been disastrous if it had rained. Staff physically shoving you down the bus and shouting at you. Despite getting confirmation from the helpline that we were definitely getting dropped at ninh binh central hotel, ended up getting kicked out at tam coc bus station 1.5hrs before arrival time so 4.30am. I guess it got us from A to nearly B but it was far from pleasant, but we expected all of this from reading reviews which made it a little easier to deal with
Bus VIP Sleeper 34, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Nov 15, 2023
FM
I had the sleeping bus almost only for me, it was quite empty and i got the 5 seats at the end only for me, was excellent so
Bus Sleeper 40, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Nov 2, 2023
S
SCAM. After arriving at the bus station and showing the two tickets in VIP class we are told that we have to wait for the next bus. After 10 minutes they told us to get on the bus that was there. They literally put my partner in the first bunk (because to say cabin is too long) and they took me among people who were lying on the floor of the bus to another bunk that was already occupied. They put me there and the man who was inside on the floor. The bus was full of people on the floor in deplorable conditions. The photos on their website are far from the reality. If you want to take a bus I recommend Bookaway and the company Sao Viet in vip cabin.
This review was autotranslated
Bus VIP Sleeper 34, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Oct 22, 2023
JM
The bus doesn’t have toilet, and that’s is a very big problem. Threre are so much stops and we don’t can go to the toilet.
Bus Sleeper 40, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Sep 22, 2023
RC
Very unfriendly Service.
Bus VIP, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Sep 15, 2023
MB
poor communication, had to change bus without bèing told why even though the bus also went to the same destination, over crowded people sleeping on the floor
Bus Sleeper 40, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Mar 5, 2023
4.4
30 customer reviews
5
34%
4
20%
3
13%
2
33%
1
0%

How to get from Lao Cai to Ninh Binh by bus

Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Lao Cai to Ninh Binh by bus may not be the fastest way of travel, yet many travellers prefer to rely on the bus on this route; with easy online booking and tickets of different classes for all tastes and budgets available, the bus from Lao Cai to Ninh Binh a conscious and budget-friendly option.

Check the timetable before you book your ticket and read other travellers’ reviews to choose the trip that suits you best. Note that there may be several bus terminals at your departure or arrival point – always double-check where you are leaving from and arriving to. It may prove crucial if you have connecting trips.

Here is the list of operators serving the route: .

How far is Lao Cai from Ninh Binh?

If travelling by bus, you will cover the distance of 263 km between Lao Cai and Ninh Binh.

How long does it take to get from Lao Cai to Ninh Binh by bus?

Buses normally need between 7h 30m and 12h hours to get to Ninh Binh from Lao Cai. Note that the travel time is for your reference only and can depend on different factors such as traffic and weather conditions. Heavy rainfalls almost inevitably make the trip longer due to poor visibility or floods. Road and surface repairs which happen quite often, result in detours and longer travel times. Major national holidays, long weekends, or peak season periods may cause delays both in departures and arrivals – plan accordingly to avoid disappointment, especially if you have further connections and a tight schedule.

On this route, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour) offers the fastest service. Luxury Van Limousine buses usually take the longest time to complete the journey.

Remember, though, that tickets offering the shortest travel time are normally the most expensive ones. Yet it pays to spend a bit more to ensure your bus goes direct without additional stops and uses highways instead of local roads.

How much does it cost to get from Lao Cai to Ninh Binh by bus?

The price of your bus ticket will depend not only on the distance you need to cover but on the class of your coach. E.g. expect to shell out more for VIP or sleeper buses while ordinary buses though being the cheapest option, often are a compromise on comfort and travel time. Of course, they do their job, too, and can be the only option if you hop on/off in the middle of the route.

Anyway, travelling by bus between Lao Cai and Ninh Binh remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company) and costs USD 13.73. A Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour)'s ticket will set you back USD 13.73 on average.

Travelling by bus essentials

  • If you are planning to travel during the high season, weekends, or national holidays, booking your bus tickets in advance is highly recommended. The demand is at its highest, yet very often, the number of coaches serving the route remains the same. The earlier you reserve your seat, the better. On some routes, you need to secure your ticket more than a month in advance; on others, a couple-of-days advanced booking is enough. During such periods, try to book online beforehand whenever possible, as showing up at the bus station without a ticket may result in many-hours of waiting in the queue or leave you downright stranded.
  • VIP, 1st, Gold, and similar bus tickets are the most expensive option, but they provide a higher level of comfort. Normally the price of such tickets will include wide soft reclining seats, blankets, water and snacks or lunch, and sometimes some toiletries. Upper-class buses travel faster, make fewer stops during the route, and normally provide more spacious seating to their passengers and a better travel experience.
  • Not all buses have an on-board toilet, but generally, for all trips longer than three hours, all operators schedule a bathroom and/or a lunch stop. While operators definitely do their best to keep on-board toilets clean, the smell may be an issue sometimes. For longer trips, booking a seat a bit farther from the toilet may be a good idea. Also, using bathroom stops for your toilet needs is always better than trying to find your balance in an on-board toilet on the run.
  • If you travel by an air-con bus, make sure to pack layers. A hoodie, a warm scarf, or a beanie hat may prove a good idea. Air-conditioning on buses tends to be excessive, and running nose and sore throats abound after even not the longest bus rides.
  • Always use the security belts even if your bus ride attendant or driver does not insist on it. Your safety comes first – for you, for sure. All buses normally are equipped with security belts, but they may be fixed behind your seat. Take time to find the belt and fix it appropriately.
  • To avoid being disturbed by overhead lights, switched on during stops even at night, and too loud music or sound from the on-board entertainment system, have earplugs and a sleeping mask at hand.
  • As a courtesy to other passengers, avoid using strong perfumes or smelly foods. Some foods like cheeses or durians are forbidden to take on-board – check in advance. Alcohol is also prohibited on the majority of buses.
  • Note that if the bus requires refuelling en-route, passengers will be asked to get off the bus. Operators are not allowed to refuel with passengers on board due to safety reasons. Usually, it takes from 5 to 10 minutes and is often combined with a toilet/lunch stop.
  • If not stated otherwise in your tickets, arrive at the bus station 20-30 minutes before departure. It will give you enough time to find the departure platform and check-in. For international trips, you may need more time for check-in and border formalities.