Franz ElizTravellers visiting Hanoi often visit Ninh Binh, too. Depending on traffic, one can get to Ninh Binh from Hanoi in just under 2 hours via a limo bus. During my trips to Ninh Binh, I travelled with Limousine Trang An.
Limousine Trang An is a bus service that covers Hanoi and Ninh Binh routes. Both locals and foreign travellers often opt for this bus service. Upon request, passengers can be dropped off at their Ninh Binh accommodation. Note that communication with the bus drivers can sometimes be a challenge.
For those looking for affordable rides from Hanoi to Ninh Binh or from Ninh Binh to Hanoi, I recommend travelling with Limousine Trang An. In this post, I’ll share my experience with Limousine Trang An and some quick tips on planning your ride with them. Let’s get started.
Reasonable Bus Tickets to Ninh Binh and Hanoi
Taking the bus is one of the best ways to travel to Ninh Binh from Hanoi or vice versa.
While you can travel to Ninh Binh by train from Hanoi (the price is reasonable), it’s generally more expensive than regular buses which would cost less than VND100,000 (about US$4).
Limousine Trang An is different from your regular bus ride. It’s more comfortable than regular buses and, hence more expensive. A one-way Limousine Trang An ticket from Hanoi to Ninh Binh costs about VND170,000 (about US$6.98) It’s not cheap, but it’s not expensive, either, considering the more luxurious ride experience it offers than regular buses or trains. Some of these buses even have massage seats.
Mini Buses in Vietnam Can Get You to Your Destination Quickly
A minibus such as Limousine Trang An often offers quicker rides between Hanoi and Ninh Binh than regular buses and trains that may take 2 hours or longer. I remember arriving in Ninh Binh in just under 2 hours with Limousine Trang An; also the same for my ride back to Hanoi.
A one-way local train ticket from Hanoi to Ninh Binh may cost you about US$12 (for a hard seat), whereas you’d only pay a fraction of that when you travel by a limo bus like Limousine Trang An. The ticket for travelling from Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Limousine Trang An now is about VND170,000 (about US$6.98).
You Might Come Across Pricier Bus Tickets
If you think your VND170,000 bus ticket is expensive, wait till you see some of the bus ticket prices online. I found one charging for US$13, with a 3-hour journey. Sorry, but ain’t nobody got time for that!
Jokes aside, I advise you to compare prices before booking your tickets. Unless it’s the Vietnamese New Year, there usually are many tickets available so minute booking usually won’t be a problem.
Is Travelling From Hanoi to Ninh Binh Better by Bus Than by Train?
Travelling from Hanoi to Ninh Binh is better by bus than by train if you want to travel cheaply. Minibuses are pricier than regular buses but are affordable and quicker than trains. Depending on the ticket you choose, your bus seat might also be more comfortable than that of a train.
Travelling by train is generally more expensive than travelling by bus. For example, a one-way hard-seat adult train ticket from Hanoi to Ninh Binh via the Reunification Express Train may cost about US$12 per person. However, a regular bus ride may cost less than US$10. Even so, the experience of travelling by train in Vietnam might be worth it, especially if you’ve always wanted to try it.
I haven’t taken a train in Vietnam despite having visited the country frequently. Perhaps I would someday. Personally, I wouldn’t want to travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh by train as I find travelling by minibuses such as Limousine Trang easier, quicker, and cheaper.
Limousine Trang An’s On-Time Schedule
I discovered Limousine Trang An through a friend’s recommendation. My friend Jay works in Ninh Binh and sometimes goes to Hanoi with Limousine Trang An. He said the buses are usually reliable and I could get one from Hanoi’s Central Circus.
Jay helped me contact someone from the Limousine Trang An and the person contacted me right after. I was told to wait at Central Circus. So, I took a taxi to the Central Circus and waited for my ride there. For your information, Central Circus is one of Limousine Trang An’s pickup locations in Hanoi.
I didn’t have to wait long before entering the bus. The bus was on time and only took under 2 hours to arrive in Ninh Binh.
Drop-Off at Ninh Binh Hotels
One of the best things about travelling with this bus company is that they can drop passengers off at their hotels in Ninh Binh. In 2022, the bus dropped me off at a homestay near Mua Caves.
But before arriving at the homestay, the bus driver stopped the van and had all passengers switch vehicles. Another van driver waited by the roadside and then helped us arrange our bags in his vehicle. At first, I was a bit worried about whether or not there would be enough space for everyone’s luggage. The van was smaller than the limo bus.
Fortunately, the car was enough for everyone. The new driver then sent us to our homestays. I thought that was weird, but I didn’t find it a hassle as it was done swiftly.
What’s the Best Way To Book a Ride With Limousine Trang An?
The best way to book a ride with Limousine Trang An is online, whether via their website or Facebook page. Alternatively, customers can also book a ticket via WhatsApp or Zalo. Zalo is a popular chat app in Vietnam.
Jay gave me the contact number of a guy working with Limousine Trang An. I was informed that this guy doesn’t speak English, but he communicates with customers using Google Translate. For your information, many locals use Google Translate to communicate with foreigners.
The guy helped me book my seat. He was friendly and helpful. I was asked to board the bus at Central Circus. To ensure I didn’t get lost, he gave me a landmark. He said the bus would park in front of a gym next to the circus. Finding the gym and the circus was easy since they both had clear signboards. Overall, the process was pretty straightforward.
Location address: 69 Tran Nhan Tong Street
Where Do Customers Wait for the Bus To Return to Hanoi?
Customers returning to Hanoi can wait for the bus in Tam Coc. Customers may also request to be picked up from their preferred location provided that it’s easy to find. It’s best to communicate with a staff via call or messaging.
While in Tam Coc, I waited for my bus ride near the Tam Coc boat jetty. I asked to be picked up from there. As soon as the bus driver arrived, the bus company’s staff informed me to board the bus. As I boarded the bus, I asked the driver if the bus was indeed on its way to Hanoi, just to make sure I didn’t get into the wrong bus.
There were already other passengers when I boarded the bus. Later, the bus driver went to pick up other passengers elsewhere.
Is Travelling With Limousine Trang An Worth It?
I found travelling with Limousine Trang An worth it. The bus ticket was affordable; overall, I had a good experience with the company. For that reason, I would recommend it to other travellers as well. But don’t take my word for it; please do your due diligence before booking a ride.
That’s because awful services can happen to anyone, anytime, no matter how good a company’s reputation is.
There have been complaints against the company, mainly due to communication problems. Some travellers complained that the drivers and staff were rude, unprofessional, and unhelpful. People also complained about having to switch to a different vehicle halfway, and they were not dropped at their hotels upon arriving in Hanoi.
Is There Anything Negative About This Company?
The lack of proper communication is probably the only negative about this company, in my opinion. But overall, I think Limousine Trang An is good. It’s convenient, not so expensive for most tourists, the seats are comfortable, there’s air-conditioning, and the bus is usually on time.
Fortunately, I didn’t experience rudeness from the company staff during my trip. I didn’t mind the vehicle switching, either, as it was done quickly.
However, I can understand why some people might not like the switch from a limo bus to a minivan. It can feel cramped in the car. I’m small, so it didn’t annoy me. But it might be uncomfortable for some people.
Additionally, some customers complained about the dangerous driving style of the drivers. I have to agree with the customers. My driver drove very fast and it seemed quite dangerous. Then again, such driving is quite common in Vietnam, if not many countries in Southeast Asia. I sort of got used to it. But that doesn’t mean I find it acceptable, either.
The Drop-Off in Hanoi Was a Little Confusing
I remember being dropped off at the Central Circus upon returning to Hanoi instead of my hotel. I was a bit confused at first and so were the two passengers in front of me. We weren’t sure if we were supposed to get down there. Eventually, we figured that it was the last stop. The driver didn’t even bother to collect payment from me.
Luckily, a Vietnamese lady helped me get the driver’s attention so I could pay him. I took a Grab to get to my hotel right after. It would’ve been better if the company had informed me exactly where I was expected to be dropped off. Then again, I didn’t remember to ask about that.
Now, don’t let these deter you from booking a ride if you feel like it’s the best option. Everyone’s travel experience differs, and everyone responds to their situations differently. Just because others had bad experiences with a company, or just because some things can be confusing in other countries, that doesn’t mean you’ll find it true for you, too.
Tips for Travelling With Limousine Trang An
As discussed earlier, the bus company do have bad reviews from unhappy customers. But remember that negative reviews on a business don’t always reflect the true overall nature of a business.
Here are some tips for travelling with Limousine Trang An (or any bus company in Vietnam, in general):
- Arrange your trip with a staff with good communication skills. While it’s better to have an English speaker, sometimes you just need to settle with one who isn’t. But even a non-English speaker can be helpful. The staff who assisted me barely spoke English, but he still managed to communicate effectively with me via chat messaging and Google Translate.
- Understand that not everyone in Vietnam speaks English. Many youngsters now speak English, but older folks usually don’t, or at least speak very little English. Your bus driver is probably an older Vietnamese or someone who lacked access to the language when younger. So, chances are there will be language barriers.
- Tell your driver where you want to be dropped off in Ninh Binh. Your driver will likely already know where to drop you off in Ninh Binh. But if the driver doesn’t, let them know. If you book your accommodation online, you can show the hotel name to the driver.
- Don’t change your booking at the very last minute. I was informed to let the bus company know about any change to my booking. Any plan change needs to be done one day in advance. For example, if you want to be picked up from a different location than the one agreed earlier, let the staff know about it. Also, if you’re running slightly late, let the staff know so the driver will try to wait for you.
- Pay for your bus ticket online or in cash. You can pay for your ride directly to the bus company or your driver. But if you book your ride via WhatsApp just as I did, then you might be asked to transfer money instead. The guy who assisted me informed me that I could get my hotel receptionist to help me transfer the money to him. Otherwise, paying the driver was fine, too, which was what I did.
Final Thoughts
So, what have you learned from this post? Would you consider booking a trip to Ninh Binh with Limousine Trang An? If you are, I recommend reaching out to a staff who can communicate clearly via chatting apps like WhatsApp or Zalo.
Make sure to confirm your pick-up and drop-off locations. If booking via WhatsApp, make sure to have enough cash, preferably the exact amount. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to use Google Translate to communicate with the locals.
Happy travels!
