Camel Transport, Duc Duong Bus, Duy Khanh Transport, Full Moon Party Tour, Green Trips, Grouptour, HK Sapa Open Tour, King Express Bus, Luxury Van Limousine, QH Discovery Travel, Queen Cafe Bus, Sapa Discovery Travel, The Queen Tourist, To Vietnam Travel, Vietnam Luxury Travel, VietNam Travel Bus, Vin Bus
Hanoi to Phong Nha Destination Reviews
JB
Jonny B
They got us to our destination close to the advertised time. However, their communication was incredibly poor. First, we were told we had a free upgrade to a VIP cabin bus when we arrived at the bus stop. But then after 2 hours on the bus, we were told to get off - noone told us why we had to get off or where we were - it was a while before we realised we were in Ninh Binh. Eventually we found out we had to change busses - they should have told us this in advance before we booked! We had to wait for an hour sitting on the side of the road, at one point they told us to get on the wrong bus before they realised. When we did get on the bus to Phong Nha, it was not the VIP upgrade we had been promised. The rest of the journey from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha went without issue.
Hanoi to Phong Nha, Bus Sleeper, Queen Cafe Bus (Queen Cafe Bus), Nov 21, 2023
RC
Rodrigo C
Old bus, the seats had cuts in the leather and where not working properly. The driver made only 1 stop for toilet in a 10h trip. He was overspeeding and made some dangerous overtakes. It was hard to get any sleep.
Hanoi to Phong Nha, Bus Sleeper 41, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Oct 18, 2023
DM
David M
Air conditioning was broken and we come 3,5hours late
Hanoi to Phong Nha, Bus Sleeper 38, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Sep 5, 2023
D
Delphine
A bus that deserves to exist
Night buses are very practical, so you don't have to waste a day in transport.
This review was autotranslated
Bus qui a le mérite d exister
C est très pratique les bus de nuit, pour ne pas perdre une journée dans les transports
Hanoi to Phong Nha, Bus VIP, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Jun 2, 2023
LF
Lucy F
It wasn’t as described in photos. No tv very small sleeper seat. Rude staff, waited 2 hours after departure time to actually get on bus with no info
Hanoi to Phong Nha, Bus VIP 33 Sleeper , Cua Ong Limousine (Cửa Ông Limousine), Feb 19, 2023
AR
Anna R
Not on time with no information when the bus is coming, the driver very impolite, bags were thrown around. When leaving the bus the driver was very angry that we want to get our suitcases from the luggage compartment and even pushed my son to get in there to look for it. No information about the name of the stop so for foregners like us it was very stressful. I found out at the last moment that I am supposed to get off especially that the voucher said arrival at 6am and we aeeived at 4am so I had no way of knowing that it is my stop.
Hanoi to Phong Nha, Bus Sleeper 41, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Sep 17, 2022
Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Hanoi to Phong Nha 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 Hanoi to Phong Nha 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 Hanoi from Phong Nha?
If travelling by bus, you will cover the distance of 600 km between Hanoi and Phong Nha.
How long does it take to get from Hanoi to Phong Nha by bus?
Buses normally need between 6h and 12h hours to get to Phong Nha from Hanoi. 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, The Queen Tourist offers the fastest service. Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour) 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 Hanoi to Phong Nha 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 Hanoi and Phong Nha remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by King Express Bus and costs USD 13.96. A Duy Khanh Transport (Công ty cổ phần thương mại và dịch vụ vận tải duy khánh)'s ticket will set you back USD 13.96 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.