Trang An Boat Tour - Which is the best routes?

Updated: 25 Sep 2020

Trang An Boat Tour is the best choice for travelers in Ninh Binh. Boat is special activity in Vietnam, attracting a lot of people from all over the world.

A relaxing boat trip will show you the natural beauty of caves, temples in Trang An. Limestone mountains grow out over the river, it makes an amazing sight.

But how to choose the best routes, it is a problem. Today i will help you to figure and choose the best option for Trang An Boat Tour.

Our post hightlight for Trang An Boat Tour as below.

Trang An Boat Tour – Routes In Details.
- Route 1 – 9 caves, 3 temples- Longest ride and most beatiful.
- Route 2 – 4 caves, 3 temples - Medium ride.
- Route 3 – 3 caves, 3 temples - Shortest one.
How much does Trang An boat tour cost?
Best Time to do Trang An Boat Ride?
Tips to Make Your Trip Become More Amazing
How to get to Trang An Boat Tour
Suggested Itinerary Trang An Boat Tour from Hanoi in 1 Day?
- - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Hoa Lu Trang An Mua Cave Small Group Tour – ALL IN ONE
  - Bai Dinh Trang An Mua Cave Small Group Tour from Hanoi
  - Hoa Lu Trang An Day Tour from Hanoi

Trang An Boat Tour – Routes in Details

Each tour has a different route and it will take you to different caves and temples.
A large map with 3 optional tours is shown clearly at the ticket counter. But i am sure that you will be confused if you did not read my post.

The price is the same but the boat trip is different, follow me to get the details.

How much does Trang An boat tour cost?

The ticket counter is on the left of the sign. Each boat can hold a maximum of 4 people and price ticket is 250.000 VND/person. If you have 2 person, you will have to wait for 2 more people to start the journey.
If you cannot find anyone, you will have to pay full price tickets of 1,000,000 VND for each boat.

However, you should not be too worried about things. Because Trang An is always so crowded with visitors every seasons in the years, you can easily find two more guests to go with your boat.

Each boat will have a local guide or a boatman who sit at the back. You should wear a life jacket to ensure safety for your trip.

Route 1 – 9 caves, 3 temples

The longest and most northerly route
Habour – Trinh Temple – Toi Cave– Sang Cave – Nau Ruou Cave – Tran Temple – Ba Giot Cave – Seo Cave– Son Duong Cave – Khong Palace – Bao Hieu Temple– Khong Cave – Tran Cave – Quy Hau Cave – Habour.

It is the main route and the most beautiful one. This route is designed for anyone who like exploring geological. You will be impressed by the magnificent grottos, limestone karst and the ancient temple.

Time is around 3 hours on boat. So should be ready, well prepared.

Route 2 – 4 caves, 3 temples:

Medium Lenght

Boat Wharf – Lam Cave – Thanh Cao Son Temple – Vang Cave – Thanh Truot Cave – Suoi Tien Temple – Dai Cave – Hanh Cung Vu Lam Temple

Some tourists choose this routes, because it is more suitable if you go with your family and the people who don’t have long time in a day.

Although its length is shorter than the first route, the beauty of the cave and scenery alongside the river will surely not disappoint you! After Route 2 you should visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, or Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – cultural and spiritual tourism area to do sightseeing and Buddha rites to Make Your Amazing Full Day Trip

Route 3 – 3 caves, 3 temples

Shortest length
Boat Wharf – Trinh Temple – Dot Cave – May Cave – Suoi Tien Temple – Dia Linh Mountain – Dai Cave – Hanh Cung Vu Lam Temple – Kong: Skull Island Film Set

And the last option will be for a relaxing purpose. This route has the least of destination and shortest time spent, so you will have a quick view of the Trang An.

If you want to see limestonemountains, photographers: you have to travel less and have more time to take photos , this road is definitely for you. Also, the pace of the trip is slower, so you have more time for sightseeing.

When to take Trang An Boat Ride?

With the typical weather of Ninh Binh, you can choose to do a Boat Tour any time of the year. However, to find about about its own characteristics, January – March (according to the lunar calendar) would be better: Good weather and green rice field.
But as my experience, May or Auguest, It is the nicer time, even it is hot but you can see the harvest season ( yellow rice field).

How to plan the best boat tour to Trang An?

These are all the things you should know before go to Trang An to get an Amazing boat tour.

If you are planning to take a Trang An Boat Tour from Hanoi in the middle of the day, please do not forget to bring umbrellas or hats to protect yourself from the sun or rain.
We highly recommend that you should wear the life jacket. It is included in Trang An boat tour ticket. Even the water level is not high. But for your safety.
You should bring water and snacks as this trip will takes about 3 hours.
Each boat has an extra paddle. You can try and help the locals too. It is easy.
If you have not much time to plan a trip from Hanoi to Trang An. You can follow my advice at the end of the post.

I suggest some attractive destinations nearby as below.

Mua Cave – The best checkin point with panoramic view of Ngo Dong River.
Bai Dinh Pagoda: The biggest pagoda in Indochina.
Tam Coc Boat Ride on Ngo Dong River. It looks like Trang An but it is only 3 big natural caves.
Trang An Boat Tour Overview

How to get : Trang An Boat Tour

Previously, there was not any public transportation to Trang An. Therefore, you should use the facilities are listed here, it depends on your location.

From Ninh Binh City Center:

If you are in Ninh Binh or Tam Coc, the best way to get Trang An is by motorbike or taxi. You can rent a motorbike in one day with 150,000 VND/day, taxi will cost about 15,000 VND/km.

The best taxi companies: Mai Linh Taxi, Hoa Lu Taxi, Xuan Thanh Taxi, Van Xuan Taxi… which are famoust and best taxi in Ninh Binh. You should ask your hotel/ hosts to help you to call.

By Bus

There are two kinds of local buses:

- Local Bus: You must go to Giap Bat Bus Station, buy your own ticket ( 80K) and then find the correct bus name and they will send you to Ninh Binh city, not nearby the tourist attractions. Moreover, you must take taxi/ grab to the bus station. It is extra cost. Especially you must try to learn some Vietnamese, there is no English speaking guide at bus station. Sometimes you are cheated so I don’t recommend even it is cheap. You should use our tourist bus.

- Tourist bus: Normal bus or limousine, it is only 2,5 hours, pick up at your hotel ( In Old Quarter) and drop off at Tam Coc Area ( Main tourist area). Cost is from 6-12 USD/ ticket/ one way. So it is very fast and saving time. If you want a safe and on time, you should book with your hotel/ travel agency, because they will be responsible to connect the best bus/limousine drivers. Of course, small extra fee is acceptable.

By train

Same as local bus, it is taking time, even it is cheap and same as local bus price. You need to go to train station ( 2 km far from Old Quarter). They now have only one train at 09.00AM to Ninh Binh ( City not tourist attractions) So you can save money but not save time,

By Private Car or Motorbike

Private motorbikes are good and cheap for good skilled drivers, young adventure guides. You can drive from the south/ central to Ninh Binh or drive from Hanoi (110 km far). Renting automobile motorbikes is from 10-15 USD/ day. But prepare some deposit, passport. It is the cheapest way but not for any people.

If you want a stress less way, take a private car, it is more expensive but you can go anytime you want and go to any place you like, the price is around 70-80 USD/ one way.

If you come from the south/ central, you should use the train. If you want to go directly from Halong Bay, you can ask the boat manager or your travel agency, they can arrange the bus/ limousine with good price. So you can save one way back to Halong Bay. It is very good to save time and money.

My suggestion for Trang An Boat Tour from Hanoi in 1 Day?

Typically tour provider will transfer you in a shuttle bus or private car and you can arrange the pick-up destination and date. Remember that, if you pay money for the service, you can deal fairly.

Yes, there are some GOOD tours, and this may be the best way for you to go if you are short of time. Everything will be organised for you, including transport and meals. We would suggest having a look at this day trip from Hanoi. Here are a few of the suggestions:

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Hoa Lu Trang An Mua Cave Small Group Tour – ALL IN ONE

Trang An Mua Cave Small Group Tour (Maximum 15 participants) is one of the most satisfying boat tour in Ninh Binh with a combination of visiting picturesque Trang An Tour at Ecotourism Landscape and exploring a spectacular Mua caves.

Our tour will make your day become memorable because of a fixed convenient schedule for climbing to the top of the Mua cave seeing how a panoramic view of Ninh Binh is, slowly moving on a rowing boat in Ecotourism Trang An Tour to discover mysterious caves.

Bai Dinh Trang An Mua Cave Small Group Tour from Hanoi

Trang An Bai Dinh Mua Cave Small Group Tour( Maximum 15 Person/Group) is one of the most satisfying Day Tour in Ninh Binh with a combination of visiting picturesque Boat Tour at Trang An Eco tourism Landscape and exploring a spectacular Mua caves, Bai Dinh Pagoda is the largest spiritual pagoda in Viet Nam and one of the must-see places in Ninh Binh…

This day tour is highly recommended for family groups including children, elders or groups of friends… with a reasonable itinerary and great price.

Hoa Lu Trang An Day Tour from Hanoi

Hoa Lu Trang An Day Tour takes you from Hoa Lu Capital which is the historic capital of Vietnam, ancient land enriched to Trang An Complex with cultural and geographic wonders that recently world heritage site listed. Enjoy Hoa Lu Trang An 1 Day Tour with Biking, Rowing 3 hours boat trip at Trang An Grottoes

You may consider to do more:

Private Trang An Tour From Hanoi
2 Days Tour Ninh Binh from Hanoi

Here is some great information from my traveling experiences, you can use to choose the best route. Especially we suggest how to go, you can go by your self, or simply join the great tours from us. We provide both High quality small group tours or if you want private tours, contact us to arrange. We are also online 24 hours, you can contact us to discuss directly. We will provide you you more details information.

Best regards

Luan

Local Tours Vietnam

Address: 39 Ngo Huyen St, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam

Home Phone: +84462700496 Hotline/Whatsapp/Zalo: +84961708126 or +84905555369

Website: http://www.localtoursvietnam.com

Visit Local Tours Vietnam on Tripadvisor Link