Ready for a trip to remember? Transferring from Ninh Binh to Pu Luong is an ideal combination for beautiful landscapes, grand rice terraces, and stilted houses, and to stay in Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Whether you opt for the cushy limo bus, a more gritty motorbike tour, or just want a private pickup with no nonsense, this adventure will cover the green fields, quaint local villages, and towering mountains of Thanh Hoa Province. Here is your guide to planning your trip from Ninh Binh to Pu Luong!
Distance: About 145 to 185 kilometers, depending on your specific route.
Base: Ninh Binh (and Tam Coc).
Destination: Pu Luong Nature Reserve, Province of Thanh Hoa.
Travel Time from Ninh Binh to Pu Luong: How Long Does It Take?
Average Time: It takes about 3.5-5 hours (According to traffic).
Roads Travelled: Mainstream high roads are quicker, whereas scenic mountain roads are slower.
Traffic: May impact travel time, particularly during the high season.
Stops Along the Way: Dipping in to take photos, eat, sight see, etc.
Factors Affecting Travel Time from Ninh Binh to Pu Luong
Road Conditions: You can go faster on well-maintained highways, but with winding mountain roads, you’ll want to take your time.
Transportation Mode:
Limousine Bus: Comfortable, air conditioning, about 3.5 ~ 4 hours.
Private Car: A bit more flexible and quicker, about 3 hours.
Motorbike Adventure: more scenic, but significantly longer, 4 - 5 hours.
Departure Times: Buses generally leave at 7:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Private transfers can be arranged at any time.
Transportation Options: How to Travel from Ninh Binh to Pu Luong
Limousine Bus: Comfort and Convenience
Pu Luong Express Bus is a great option for mixed comfort and affordability.
Pick-up Departure Time: 08:00 AM (daily) from Ninh Binh.
Pick-up: Ninh Binh city / Tam Coc / Van Long area.
Drop-off Points: In Ban Don centre and on the 15C road, such as Pu Luong Retreat, Bocbandi Retreat, Happy Home, Eco Garden, etc.
Car Models: Dcar Limousine, 16 Dseat Hyundai Solati, Ford Transit van.
Amenities: Air-conditioning and mineral water on request.
Cost: Around $20 per person, one way.
To visualize and help facilitate your trip, have a look at the Pu Luong Map.
Limousine Bus (Sours: daiichitravel)
Private Car Transfer: Flexibility and Privacy
Private car transfer is at your service and an adequate and convenient way of transport that will bring you the most convenience, comfort, and flexibility.
Vehicle Options:
4-seat car: Perfect for couples or small groups.
7-seater car: For families or groups with additional luggage.
16-seater minivan: Ideal for bigger groups.
Estimated Travel Time: Approximately 3.5-4 hours (road condition dependent)
Cost:
4-seater: Starting from $80.
7-seater: Around $90.
A 16-seater minivan: About $120.
Booking Tips:
Book early, especially during busy travel times.
Make sure there is air conditioning in the vehicle for a chill ride.
This is especially useful if you would like to visit sights along the way, for example, Cuc Phuong National Park.
Private Car Transfer (Sours: nhasanpuluong)
Motorbike Adventure: Scenic and Thrilling
For the adventurous, you can hire a motorbike and travel from Ninh Binh to Pu Luong to take in the beauty of Vietnam.
Approximate travel time: 3-4 hours with stops & traffic on the roads.
The Gear: Renting costs $10 to $15 a day (fuel not included).
Safety Tips:
The use of a helmet and safety gear is recommended.
Bring a raincoat.
Always inspect the brakes, the tires, and the amount of fuel in your motorbike.
Motorbike Adventure (Sours: puluongexcursions)
Taxi Transfer: Direct and Hassle-Free
From Ninh Binh to Pu Luong, taxis are the most direct and easiest way to travel to Pu Luong from Ninh Binh for people who don’t have a lot of time.
Estimated Fare: Around $40-$50 for the one-way journey.
Recommended Taxi Services:
Mai Linh Taxi
Thanh Nga Taxi
Ninh Binh Taxi
Booking Tips:
Fix the fare before you get in.
Avoid overpricing; rather, take a metered taxi.
Checking the driver and the condition of the vehicle.
Taxi Transfer (Sours: vnpay)
Self-Drive Car: Independence and Exploration
Renting a car is a great way to be in full control of your adventure.
Recommended Route: Ninh Binh → Highway 12B → Ho Chi Minh Road → Cam Thuy → Pu Luong.
The roads: These are mostly good, but be careful on those winding mountain roads near Pu Luong.
Where to Park in Pu Luong: You can park at most lodgings, i.e, Pu Luong Hanasa Resort, and Ecocharm.
Self-Drive Car (Sours: geosnature)
Essential Travel Tips for Your Journey from Ninh Binh to Pu Luong
Packing Essentials for Your Journey from Ninh Binh to Pu Luong
If you’re traveling from Ninh Binh to Pu Luong, pack smart to make sure you have a pleasant adventure:
Raincoat/Poncho: The weather at Pu Luong Nature Reserve is unpredictable, especially in the rainy season. A thin raincoat will keep sudden showers at bay.
Casual Clothing: For a trek, pair warm clothes with a warm jacket & warmer gloves.
Sturdy Walking Shoes: You’ll need a good pair of these for walking around the rice terraces and up the mountain trails. Heels are strictly forbidden and not advised for any of the terrain.
Snacks and Water: There are local restaurants along the way, so snacks and a reusable water bottle are always a good idea.
Sunscreen and Insect Repellent: The sun is an enemy to all so protect yourself and avoid those pesky mosquito bites, especially if in heavily forested areas.
Personal First Aid kit: Pain medication, stomach medication, band aid for small cuts, etc, etc.
Wearing Poncho for the trip to Pu Luong Nature Reserve (Sours: baotintuc)
Local Customs and Etiquette in Pu Luong
The Thai and Muong ethnic groups inhabit Pu Luong Nature Reserve. To stay safe and have fun, keep these local practices in mind:
Be respectful of local traditions: Always seek consent before photographing locals or entering someone’s stilthouse.
Dress appropriately: When traveling to villages, be sure to be clothed in a manner that covers shoulders and knees.
Respect for elders: Any local elder must be greeted with a friendly smile and a slight nod to show respect.
Reduce plastic waste: Don’t litter, particularly in natural settings. Bring your reusable bags, bottles, and containers.
Support local businesses: Opt for town-based homestays, buy homemade crafts, and eat local meals to contribute to the community.
Safety Tips for Motorbike Travelers
Want to ride a motorbike from Ninh Binh to Pu Luong? It’s an exciting adventure, but safety should be top of mind:
Protective Equipment: Always wear a helmet, gloves and study shoes. Add knee and elbow pads for more safety.
Inspect Your Bike: Make sure your brakes, tyres, and lights are working before you start your journey.
Stay Awake on Mountain Roads: The roads to Pu Luong Nature Reserve might be winding and steep. Drive long and slow, particularly in wet conditions.
Bring a Map or GPS: Know where you are going. It is best if you follow the directions on the Pu Luong Map.
Night Driving Not Ideal: The mountain roads are very dangerous to drive during the dark because the visibility is poor.
Obey the local traffic laws: Drive on the right-hand side of the road!
How to Choose Reliable Travel Services
No matter whether you are booking a limousine bus, private car, or motorbike, you need a professional travel service provider to travel from Ninh Binh to Pu Luong:
Opt for Reliable Bus Companies: Some of the best buses are Pu Luong Express Bus and Ninh Binh Express Bus, which ply every day.
Check Reviews: Read reviews online on popular platforms such as Google, TripAdvisor, Facebook etc before taking any decision of booking.
Make a Reservation: In high season, it’s best to sign up early for the class time you want.
Make sure it’s safe: Make sure the car is kept in good condition, has air conditioning, and a competent driver.
Avoid Unendorsed/Illegal Drivers: Do not accept rides or tours from unendorsed or tourist drivers.
Ask for Clear Details: When you rent a motorbike or private car, ask for the price and where you will go and what’s included (e.g. air conditioning or fuel).
Conclusion
Ready for an adventure you’ll never forget? From Ninh Binh to Pu Luong is the transportation service that offers to bring you wonderful landscapes, warmly stilted houses, and unforgettable impressions. Whether you opt for a comfortable limousine bus, a convenient private car, or an exciting motorcycle ride, you’ll have an awesome time. Do not overlook the verdant rice terraces, secret waterfall, and genial hospitality of Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Curious about how to pull it off? The trick here is to getting to Pu Luong the correct way. Ready to begin? View the Pu Luong Map and book your Ninh Binh to Pu Luong adventure now!
Ranana
You feel like organized tour, but you are in a privet tour. Impress Travel make the different.
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Ebrahim
Tour of Vietnam
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
Solly Pochee
The tour was fantastic
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating! We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC. The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T". I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all. Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team. Sulaiman Pochee
Bernard Lim
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
Derek.Schooling
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel
This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress. Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.
My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide). Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
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