Which airport is near to Ninh Binh?

[Airport near Ninh Binh]: Noi Bai vs Tho Xuan distance

There is no airport in Ninh Binh itself. Travelers must fly into either Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi (120 km away) or Tho Xuan Airport (THD) in Thanh Hoa (70 km away), then take a car or bus. Understanding these options helps ensure a smooth trip.

Which airport is near to Ninh Binh? A complete guide

Heres the short answer: Ninh Binh doesnt have its own commercial airport. The nearest major airport is Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi, located about 120 km away. This is the main gateway for most travelers. A smaller domestic option, Tho Xuan Airport (THD), is geographically closer, but its rarely the better choice for international visitors due to limited flight options and transport links.

Ninh Binh’s airport situation: the reality

A lot of travelers type airport near Ninh Binh into search, hoping to find a flight that lands right in the middle of the limestone karsts.

The honest answer is that there’s no airport in Ninh Binh itself. The nearest airport is Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi, approximately 120 km away, which takes about 2 to 2.5 hours to drive depending on traffic. There’s also a domestic airport called Tho Xuan Airport (THD) in Thanh Hoa province, around 70 km from Ninh Binh. While it’s closer on a map, it’s mostly a military airport with limited commercial flights, so for most visitors, especially those coming from abroad, Hanoi is the practical choice.

I’ve spoken to travelers who booked flights to Thanh Hoa thinking it would save them time, only to discover they had to wait 6 hours for a connecting flight from Saigon, then struggle to find a taxi to Ninh Binh. So, while Tho Xuan is geographically closer, the overall journey often ends up being more complicated. That’s why Noi Bai is the standard recommendation.

Noi Bai International Airport (HAN): the primary gateway

Noi Bai Airport (HAN) is the largest airport in northern Vietnam, handling both international and domestic flights.

It’s located about 30 km north of Hanoi’s city center, but that doesnt matter much because you wont be going into Hanoi—you’ll be heading straight to Ninh Binh, which lies 120 km to the south. That sounds far, but the drive is actually quite comfortable on the modern Phap Van – Cau Gie expressway. In fact, the total travel time from the airport to Ninh Binh is usually between 1 hour 45 minutes and 2 hours 15 minutes, depending on traffic conditions outside the airport.

How to get from Noi Bai Airport to Ninh Binh

Getting from HAN to Ninh Binh is pretty straightforward, and you have a few solid options depending on your budget and how much stuff you’re carrying.

Private transfer: This is the most popular option for first-time visitors. You book a car in advance, and the driver waits for you at the arrivals gate with a sign. The cost typically ranges from $45 to $60 USD for a standard sedan. ^[3] It’s door-to-door, takes about 2 hours, and theres zero stress. I’ve used this after long-haul flights, and honestly, it’s worth it just to collapse into a seat without thinking about bus stations.

Limousine shuttle bus: This is a great mid-range choice. These are 9-seater vans with comfortable, reclining seats—they call them limousines in Vietnam. Many companies like Hung Thanh or Xe Limousine offer direct routes from the airport to Ninh Binh city. The cost is around $12 to $15 USD per person. The catch is you might have to wait 30-60 minutes for the van to fill up, but its still far easier than navigating public buses.

Train: You cant take a train directly from the airport. You’d need to take a taxi (about $15) into Hanois city center to Hanoi Railway Station. From there, trains to Ninh Binh run regularly, taking just over 2 hours and costing around $5-$8 for a standard seat. If ^[5] you arrive at the airport in the morning, this can be a scenic, affordable way to travel, though it’s not ideal if you’re arriving late at night or with heavy luggage.

Is there an overnight stay in Hanoi required?

No. Unless your flight lands after 10 PM, you can travel directly to Ninh Binh. Most private transfers and shuttles operate until around 10 or 11 PM. If your flight lands later, you’ll probably need to stay overnight near the airport or in Hanoi and travel in the morning. In that case, there are plenty of hotels near the airport (like the Paragon Noi Bai or the Crowne Plaza) where you can crash and rest before hitting the road.

Tho Xuan Airport (THD): the ‘closer’ but smaller option

Tho Xuan Airport (THD) is about 70 km west of Ninh Binh, making it the closest airport by distance. However, its a small airport primarily serving domestic flights from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Da Nang. There are no international flights here.

If you’re already traveling within Vietnam, say from Saigon, flying to THD can cut your road travel time to Ninh Binh by almost half compared to going through Hanoi. But—and this is a big but—flights to THD are less frequent. You might find one in the morning and one in the evening. If you miss it, you’re stuck. Getting a taxi from THD to Ninh Binh is also less organized. Pre-booking a car is essential, and it usually costs around $50-$60. I’ve had friends try this, and they ended up waiting 40 minutes for a Grab that never came. ^[6]

Comparison: Noi Bai (HAN) vs Tho Xuan (THD) for Ninh Binh access

Choosing between these two really depends on where youre flying from. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide.

Which airport fits your trip? HAN vs THD

Most travelers will find Noi Bai is the logical choice, but Tho Xuan has its niche. Here’s how they stack up.

Noi Bai Airport (HAN) - Hanoi

Approx. 120 km (2 - 2.5 hours drive).

High. Plenty of English signage and staff. Easy to book transport in advance.

Excellent. Many direct limousine buses, private car services, and organized tours.

International travelers, families, and anyone arriving from overseas. It's the default hub.

Extensive. Dozens of domestic and international carriers with flights arriving throughout the day and night.

Tho Xuan Airport (THD) - Thanh Hoa

Approx. 70 km (1 - 1.5 hours drive).

Low. Less English support, limited transport infrastructure. Better for independent travelers.

Limited. Taxis and private cars are available but must usually be pre-booked; few shuttle options.

Domestic travelers already in Vietnam, specifically those flying from Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang who want to avoid Hanoi.

Limited. Serves mainly domestic routes with 2-3 flights daily from HCMC and Danang.

Anna’s smooth arrival: How a private transfer made all the difference

Anna, a travel blogger from the UK, landed at Noi Bai at 10 PM after a 15-hour flight. She was exhausted and worried about navigating unfamiliar roads at night. She had pre-booked a private car through her hotel in Tam Coc for $55 USD.

The driver was waiting right outside the arrivals gate with a sign. Anna didn’t have to haggle with taxi drivers or figure out which bus to take. She climbed into an air-conditioned sedan and dozed off for the 2-hour drive.

By midnight, she was checking into her homestay, feeling fresh enough to explore Trang An the next morning. She later told me that spending a bit more on the transfer was the best decision—it turned a potentially stressful first night into a restful one.

Minh’s domestic shortcut: Flying into Thanh Hoa from Saigon

Minh, a Vietnamese expat living in Ho Chi Minh City, planned a weekend trip to Ninh Binh with his partner. They wanted to maximize their time, so they booked a 7 AM flight to Tho Xuan Airport (THD).

The flight was 1 hour 45 minutes. After landing, they had to wait 20 minutes for a pre-arranged taxi to pick them up. The drive to their homestay in Ninh Binh took just over an hour.

They were having lunch by 10:30 AM—about 4 hours after leaving their apartment in Saigon. Minh said, "If we had flown to Hanoi, we’d have had to drive another 2.5 hours. This felt like we landed right next door." However, he noted that this route only works because they knew exactly how to book the car in advance.