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How to get from Hanoi to Hue
Hue in central Vietnam is a treat for history buffs. Explore the Imperial City, cruise down Perfume River, or sample an Imperial Banquet. As the former national capital and seat of the Nguyen Dynasty, Hue is the best place to get to know Vietnam’s last imperial family.
When travelling the 675 km distance from Hanoi to Hue, you have 3 options: a 3-hour flight, a 13.5-hour train, or a 12.5-hour bus. Rates range from 390,000 VND ($16.50) to 1,012,000 VND ($42.50).
3 ways to get from Hanoi to Hue
Taking a flight from Hanoi to Hue saves you a lot of time compared to the train or bus. Including airport transfers, this flight journey takes only around 3 hours. And with combined rates from 735,000 VND ($31), a flight can be cheaper than the train when you book in advance.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Although a bit expensive, sleeper trains are still pretty convenient and also saves you one night on accommodation. We recommend booking a bunk in a 4-berth train cabin to make the 13.5 journey very comfortable. A ticket costs around 1,012,000 VND ($42.50).
Taking the bus is the cheapest option at 390,000 VND ($16.50). It can be a bit uncomfortable, though, for the long 12.5-hour journey. Still, the bus is something to consider if you are on a tight budget.
Itinerary from Hanoi to Hue
Hanoi to Hue by Flight
The flight is the most convenient way to get from Hanoi to Hue. This flight journey only takes 3 hours, already including the transfers to and from the airports.
Step 1: City Centre to Hanoi Airport by Bus
Hanoi Airport (Noi Bai) is located 30 km north of Hanoi city centre.
If you’re staying in or around the Old Quarter, the best way to get to the airport is via Express Bus 86. These buses have several pick-up points within the city centre, and you just have to find the nearest bus stop to your hotel. A bus ticket costs 45,000 VND ($1.90).
Alternatively, you can take a taxi or hail a car via Grab with rates from 230,000 VND ($9.50).
For more details and transport options, check out our page on Hanoi Airport.
Step 2: Hanoi to Hue by Flight
Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, and Vietnam Airlines are the three carriers operating flights from Hanoi to Hue. Flight time takes a little over an hour.
Ticket prices range from 620,000 VND ($26) to 740,000 VND ($31) when you book your tickets in advance.
Note that airfares are more expensive in the high season or close to the travel date. When booking only a few days before your trip, expect to pay around 1,000,000 VND ($42).
Step 3: Hue Airport (Phu Bai) to City Centre by Bus
From Hue Airport (Phu Bai), you will then have to travel 15 km northwest to get to Hue city centre. That’s around 30 minutes by shuttle bus or taxi.
When travelling solo, the more cost-efficient way would be to take a shuttle bus. The bus will take you up to the Vietnam Airlines/Vietjet Air office in the city centre, from where you can walk or take a short taxi ride to your hotel. A bus ticket costs 70,000 VND ($2.90).
If you want to be brought straight to your hotel, you can also take a taxi for around 270,000 VND ($11).
Visit our guide on Hue Airport for more info.
Hanoi to Hue by Train
Travelling by train from Hanoi to Hue takes around 13.5 hours. It’s not exactly something you would consider when you can just take a 3-hour flight. But the train is actually a good alternative when you want to save a night on accommodation.
If you take an overnight train, you can just sleep for the most part of the journey and wake up fully recharged in Hue.
For the most comfort, we recommend getting a bunk in a 4-berth cabin, with prices from 1,012,000 VND ($42.50). Cheaper fares are available for soft seats or a bunk in a 6-berth sleeper, but they may not be good enough for such a long journey.
Departure and arrival station
Trains depart from Hanoi Railway Station, which you can find 2 km southwest of the Old Quarter. Depending on your hotel’s location, you can get to the train station via a few minutes walk or a short taxi ride.
You are to get off at Hue Railway Station, about 2 km south of the Imperial City.
Train Schedule From Hanoi to Hue (Sleeper berth)
Train tickets are available for early online booking on Baolau.
Looking for more luxury?
Although the trains above are already good choices, you can get a lot more luxury when you book with Lotus Express. More expensive options don’t always offer a lot of extra value, but this company really receives exceptional reviews.
Expect very clean conditions, a comfortable bed, excellent wifi and great staff. In short, it’s a little luxury hotel room on a train!
You can book a bunk in a Lotus Train via BookAway.
Train Schedule with Lotus luxury train
Hanoi to Hue by Bus
The bus is the most affordable way to get from Hanoi to Hue, with ticket prices from 390,000 VND ($16.50).
Camel Travel, The Long Travel, and Queen Cafe all offer overnight bus trips for this route. Ticket prices start from 390,000 VND ($16.50).
Travel time by bus from Hanoi to Hue takes 12.5-13.5 hours, but you’ll hopefully spend most of the journey sleeping. Note that most buses arrive really early in Hue, so you may want to contact your hotel beforehand for early check-in.
Departure and arrival station
Camel Travel and The Long Travel depart from the Camel Travel Office in Hanoi, about 2 km south of the Old Quarter. They park at 62 Chu Van An Street in Hue city centre.
Queen Cafe departs from the Queen Cafe Office in Hanoi, just a few minutes walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. It arrives at Laurel Hotel in Hue centre.
Bus schedules from Hanoi to Hue
Buy your tickets online beforehand through BookAway for guaranteed seats.
Our favourite places to stay in Hue
Hong Thien Ruby Hotel
Hong Thien Ruby Hotel offers great value if you don't want to spent too much on an accommodation. Excellent breakfast, good location and friendly staff. What do you need more? Single beds incl. breakfast from $16 and double rooms from $24.
Hotel La Pere
Another hotel that offers great value for money is Hotel La Perle. This eco-friendly hotel is located in the same area and also offers an outstanding breakfast plus fresh fruit all day long! Double rooms start from $24.
Cherish Hue Hotel
Want to treat yourself? The experience you get a Cherish Hue Hotel would cost you over $100 in a Western country, but here it won't cost you more than $42! The staff is super professional and a breakfast buffet like this is hard to find anywhere else! The hotel also has a spa where you get a 30% discount as a guest and you can get a massage or other treatment for very reasonable prices.
Things to do in Hue
Things to do in HueThe online activity platform Klook offers many tours in Hue at great prices. I used it now for a couple of times and had great experiences. And the prices are often even lower than when you book with a local travel agent!
And most important, by booking the activity in advance, you avoid the problem of fully booked tours.
More routes to Hue
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About the author(s)
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
