Short answer: since 1 January 2026 the Trang An boat tour costs 300,000 VND per adult (about $11.50) and 150,000 VND for children 1.0–1.3 m; kids under 1 m go free. The ticket includes a hand-rowed boat for up to 4 passengers and your chosen route. There are 3 routes of about 2.5–3.5 hours. The wharf opens at 7:00 and the last boats leave around 16:00. Trang An is about 100 km – roughly 2 hours by road – from Hanoi.
If you only have one day in Ninh Binh, this is the boat trip I’d choose. Tam Coc is lovely too, but Trang An gives you more caves, more temples and quieter water. You sit low in a small sampan, a local rower (often a woman from the nearby villages) paddles you through limestone mountains, and every few minutes the boat slides into a cave so low you’ll have to duck.
How much is the Trang An boat tour in 2026?
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | 300,000 VND (up from 250,000 VND in 2025) |
| Child 1.0–1.3 m | 150,000 VND |
| Child under 1.0 m | Free |
The ticket covers the boat, the rower, one route and basic insurance. Boats take up to 4 passengers, so if you’re a couple you’ll usually share with another couple – totally normal. Many visitors give the rower a small tip at the end (50,000–100,000 VND per boat is fine); it’s appreciated but never required.
Prices checked in September 2026. Some visitor groups get discounts at the ticket counter – bring your passport.
Which Trang An route should you choose?
| Route | Time | Highlights | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route 1 | about 3–3.5 hours | The most caves (9), including the long, low Dark Cave and Bright Cave, plus Trinh Temple and Tran Temple | Cave lovers, first-timers who want “the classic” |
| Route 2 | about 2.5–3 hours | A balance of caves and temples: Cao Son Temple, Suoi Tien Temple and Vu Lam Palace | People who like history and a slower pace |
| Route 3 | about 2.5–3 hours | The Kong: Skull Island film set, plus caves and temples | Film fans and families with kids |
My honest tip: if it’s your first time, Route 1 is the one people talk about afterwards. If you’re travelling with young children, pick Route 3 – the film set gives them a fun stop to stretch their legs.
What will you see along the way?
Trang An is part of the Trang An Landscape Complex, listed by UNESCO in 2014 for both its nature and its culture. Along the river you’ll stop at small temples tucked under the cliffs – places where local people still come to pray – and pass through caves carved by water over millions of years. Some temple stops have steps up into the forest; take them slowly, especially in the heat.
When is the best time to visit Trang An?
- Time of day: go early (7:00–8:00) or after about 14:30. Between mid-morning and lunchtime the queue at the wharf can be long, especially with tour groups.
- Season: spring (March–May) is green and fresh; late May–June brings golden rice fields around Ninh Binh; autumn (September–November) is dry and comfortable.
- Avoid if you can: weekends and Vietnamese holidays (Tet, 30 April–1 May, 2 September), when domestic visitors pour in.
How to get to Trang An from Hanoi
Trang An is about 100 km south of Hanoi, around 2 hours by road. You can take a daily limousine bus to Ninh Binh and a taxi to the wharf, or join a guided day tour with hotel pickup – the easy option if you also want to see Mua Cave or Bai Dinh Pagoda on the same day.
Want it without the hassle? Our Ninh Binh tours include hotel pickup in Hanoi, the Trang An boat ticket and a local guide.
What to bring
- Hat and sunscreen – there’s little shade on the water. Rowers usually have umbrellas or conical hats on the boat.
- Water – 3 hours on the river is longer than it sounds.
- Light rain jacket in the wet season.
- Cash in small notes for drinks at temple stops and a tip for your rower.
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees if you want to go inside the temples.
FAQ
How much is the Trang An boat ticket in 2026?
300,000 VND for adults and 150,000 VND for children 1.0–1.3 m, since 1 January 2026.
How long is the Trang An boat tour?
Between about 2.5 and 3.5 hours, depending on the route.
Trang An or Tam Coc – which is better?
Trang An has more caves and temples and feels bigger; Tam Coc is shorter and famous for rice fields along the river. With one day, I’d pick Trang An.
Which route has the Kong: Skull Island set?
Route 3.
Can I do Trang An as a day trip from Hanoi?
Yes – it’s about 2 hours each way, and most day tours combine it with Mua Cave or Bai Dinh.
Plan your Ninh Binh day with a local: see our Ninh Binh tours or message us and we’ll suggest the best route for your dates.
