Located in central Vietnam, Hue is one of the country’s cities with the richest historical legacy — so if you’ve decided to include it in your itinerary and you’re wondering how to get there, you’ve come to the right place: in this post we explain how to get to Hue from different points around the country, including Hoi An, Phong Nha, Hanoi and Ninh Binh.
Building your full route? This guide is part of how to get around Vietnam, where you’ll find all the country’s main connections gathered on a single page.
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How to get from Hanoi to Hue
The best way to travel from Hanoi to Hue is either a domestic flight or the overnight sleeper train, depending on how much of a hurry you’re in and your travel style. Either way, to reach the imperial city from Hanoi you’ll cover the roughly 670 km separating the two.
The fastest option: fly from Hanoi to Hue
If you prioritize time and comfort over the experience, the fastest way to reach Hue is a Hanoi–Hue domestic flight.
There are several direct flights daily from Noi Bai international airport to Phu Bai airport in Hue, taking just over an hour — so counting airport transfers and security, you’ll be in Hue in about 4 hours.
The route is served by Vietnam Airlines and, to a lesser extent, Vietjet; one-way tickets usually run between 1 and 2 million VND (~US$38–77).
Hue’s airport is 15 km from the center, so once you land it’s an easy taxi ride into the city.
Alternative option: fly to Da Nang
If the flights to Hue don’t fit your dates or schedule, you can always fly to Da Nang, central Vietnam’s main city.
Da Nang and Hue are just over 100 km apart, so once you arrive you can take a taxi, a bus or the train to Hue.
Night train from Hanoi to Hue, the most rewarding option
We say most rewarding because it’s certainly not the shortest.
Taking the train from Hanoi to Hue — especially late in the day to make use of the night — gives you both savings and a genuinely unique experience.
The Reunification Railway runs several trains a day from Hanoi to Hue, letting you discover what riding a Vietnamese sleeper train is like.
There are sleeper carriages with 2, 4 or 6 beds, so you can pick more or less company depending on your priorities.
Among the train’s advantages: you generally rest well, you can get up and stretch your legs, and there’s a café carriage. On the downside, it’s not the fastest option, taking 12 to 13 hours to reach Hue.
That’s why it’s an excellent choice if you use the night for the journey.
- Duration: 12 to 13 hours
- Price: From 920,000 VND (~US$35) in 6-berth cabins, 1,200,000 VND for 4-berth cabins, and a bit more for private carriages. All have air conditioning, a power outlet and a personal reading light.
You can check prices and timetables at this link
Pro tip: Book a lower berth (pricier, but more comfortable) and keep your hoodie handy — it sometimes gets cold. Four-bed compartments offer more space than six-bed ones, though they’re not always available.
The night bus from Hanoi to Hue, the cheapest option
For those after a cheaper way to get from Hanoi to Hue, the night bus is a very good option.
Several companies run sleeper buses from Hanoi. As always, of all the bus options we recommend the Cabin Bus type, with individual sleeping compartments offering good space and comfort.
If comfort isn’t a concern, the traditional sleeper bus with standard bunks is the cheapest option of all.
- Duration: 11 to 13 hours
- Price: From 400,000 VND (~US$15) for the standard sleeper and around 700,000–900,000 VND for the Cabin Bus.
You can check prices and timetables here
Private car or taxi.
If you’d rather not depend on timetables, you can book a private transfer from Hanoi to Hue.
They’ll pick you up at your hotel at the time of your choosing, and the trip drops to about 9–10 hours, with stops to your taste.
- Price: from 8,000,000 VND (~US$310) per vehicle (4 seats).
How to get from Ninh Binh to Hue
If you’re in Ninh Binh or Tam Coc, the options for traveling from Ninh Binh to Hue are very similar to those from Hanoi, with a few nuances we explain here.
The best way from Ninh Binh to Hue: take the train
The train remains our favorite option for this leg. The trains departing from Hanoi stop in Ninh Binh about two hours into the journey.
So the duration is slightly shorter than boarding in the capital.
Trains depart from Ninh Binh station, so if you’re staying in Tam Coc, you’ll need to get to Ninh Binh (about 10 km) to catch it.
- Duration: 9 to 11 hours
- Price: From 720,000 VND (~US$28) in 6-berth cabins, 1,000,000 VND for 4-berth cabins, and a bit more for private carriages. All have air conditioning, a power outlet and a personal reading light.
Night bus from Ninh Binh to Hue
As with the previous legs, the cheapest way from Ninh Binh to Hue is the bus.
Among this option’s advantages, beyond the price, is that the buses stop in Tam Coc — where you’re probably staying — sparing you the trip to Ninh Binh to start your journey.
Also, starting from Tam Coc instead of Hanoi shaves about 2 hours off the trip.
- Duration: 7–10 hours
- Price: From 400,000 VND for the standard sleeper and around 700,000–900,000 VND for the Cabin Bus.
Timetables and prices at this link.
Alternative option: head to Hanoi airport and fly to Hue
If none of the options above convinces you, don’t worry — you can always travel straight to Noi Bai airport and catch a flight to Hue.
You can go directly from Tam Coc to Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport in a shared or private van in about 2.5 hours — timetables and bookings here.
Make sure to line up your Hue flight with enough time to reach the airport from Tam Coc.
How to get from Phong Nha to Hue
Phong Nha and Hue, both in central Vietnam, are about 223 km apart.
If you’re exploring the caves of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and need to know how to get from Phong Nha to Hue, you have two main alternatives: the direct bus or the train via Dong Hoi. Let’s look at each:
The best option from Phong Nha to Hue: take the bus
If you’re after a simple, cheap and fast way to reach Hue from Phong Nha, the bus is your best bet.
Several direct buses connect Phong Nha with Hue every day, departing from Phong Nha’s main street — often they’ll even swing by your accommodation to pick you up, dropping you at Hue’s central station.
Since it’s a shorter leg than most in Vietnam, you can do it by day or overnight on the sleeper bus.
- Duration: Around 4–5 hours.
- Price: from 350,000 VND (~US$13.50) per leg.
Phong Nha to Hue by train via Dong Hoi
If you prefer the train and a more relaxed journey, simply travel from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi (about 50 km) by taxi (use Grab or arrange it with your accommodation) and, once there, take the train directly to Hue.
Several trains a day depart from Dong Hoi station to Hue, taking about 3 hours. Add the roughly 45 minutes it takes to get from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi.
Here’s the link to the train timetables.
- Duration: About 4 hours, including the train and the car ride from Phong Nha.
- Price: Train tickets run around 300,000 VND (~US$11.50) for a seat, a bit more for a berth. Add what the car from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi costs — generally around 150,000–200,000 VND per vehicle.
Private transfer from Phong Nha to Hue
Since the two aren’t very far apart, you can also book a private transfer straight from Phong Nha to Hue. Talk to your accommodation to arrange this kind of service, or if you prefer, you can book it in advance through this link.
- Duration: About 4 hours
- Price: from 2,600,000 VND (~US$100) per vehicle
Pro tip: Book in advance and agree on the stops you want to make. It’s pricier, but ideal if you’re traveling as a group or family.
How to get from Hoi An to Hue
Hoi An is Vietnam’s most famous and most visited town.
If you’re in Hoi An and Hue is your next stop, you can choose between a spectacular tour, the bus, or the train via Da Nang. Here’s each of the options for traveling from Hoi An to Hue.
The best way from Hoi An to Hue: a tour over the Hai Van Pass
The most fun way — and the one we recommend trying — to travel from Hoi An to Hue is a motorbike tour over the famous Hai Van Pass, a beautiful mountain road with spectacular views over the sea and the city of Da Nang.
These tours also include stops at the beach, a waterfall and Da Nang’s Marble Mountains.
You can see the details and book at this link.
- Duration: About 8–10 hours
- Price: From 1,200,000 VND (~US$46) per person.
The budget option from Hoi An to Hue: the bus
Fast, cheap and hassle-free. If all you want is to get from A to B, the bus is without doubt your best move.
You can take the regular bus (cheaper and slower) or a door-to-door van (more comfortable and faster).
Several companies offer bus transfers as well as tourist minivans.
Here are the timetables and prices.
- Duration: 3 to 4 hours
- Price: From 175,000 VND (~US$6.70) for the bus to around 330,000 VND for van transfers.
Pro tip: If you go by van, pick a seat on the right side to enjoy the sea views as you climb the Hai Van Pass. The bus doesn’t cross this mountain pass — only the vans do.
Take the train to Hue from Hoi An (via Da Nang)
Hoi An has no train station, but you can travel to nearby Da Nang to catch the train to Hue.
We explain how to get from Hoi An to Da Nang here.
Once in the city, catch the Da Nang–Hue train — there are several a day. It’s a short leg, so no berth needed; a regular seat will do.
Here are the train timetables.
- Duration: 2.5 hours for the Da Nang–Hue train, plus about 45 minutes from Hoi An to Da Nang. Total: 3.5 to 4 hours.
- Price: 250,000 VND (~US$9.60) for the train, plus whatever it costs you to reach Da Nang from Hoi An.
Summary of transport options for getting to Hue
Here’s a handy summary table with all the options above.
| Route | Option | Timetables and prices |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi → Hue | Direct flight | check here |
| Hanoi → Hue | Night train | check here |
| Hanoi → Hue | Night bus | check here |
| Hanoi → Hue | Private car | check here |
| Hanoi (via Da Nang) → Hue | Flight to Da Nang + transfer | check here |
| Ninh Binh / Tam Coc → Hue | Night train | check here |
| Ninh Binh / Tam Coc → Hue | Night bus | check here |
| Tam Coc (via Hanoi) → Hue | Van + flight | check here |
| Phong Nha → Hue | Direct bus | check here |
| Phong Nha → Hue | Train via Dong Hoi | check here |
| Phong Nha → Hue | Private car | check here |
| Hoi An → Hue | Hai Van Pass tour (motorbike or van) | check here |
| Hoi An → Hue | Bus / door-to-door van | check here |
| Hoi An (via Da Nang) → Hue | Train from Da Nang | check here |
A few final tips for traveling to Hue
- Book early. Both sleeper buses and night trains fill up fast, especially on holidays and in high season. Buy your tickets in advance, online or through your accommodation.
- Pick the right season. The weather in Hue is generally good from January to July; from August to December it rains often and typhoons are common.
- Bring warm layers for the night buses. The air conditioning tends to run strong, and you’ll be glad to have a hoodie.
