How to get from Hoi An to Hue
Why visit Hue?
Hue in central Vietnam is a treat for history buffs. 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. Explore the Imperial Citadel, cruise down the Perfume River, or sample an Imperial Banquet.
But if you ask us, the best thing to do in Hue is to ride a motorbike to the nearby Hai Van Pass — one of the greatest ocean roads in the world. This will reward you with some of the most jaw-dropping views you’ll see in Vietnam!
What are the 4 ways to travel from Hoi An to Hue?
There are 4 ways to travel the 120 kilometre (75 miles) distance from Hoi An to Hue. You can choose between the bus, minivan, private transfer and train. The journey takes 1 hour 40 minutes to 5 hours 20 minutes and the quickest way is by bus. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 160,000 VND ($6.10).
Where to stay in Hue?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Hue at the bottom of this page.
Hoi An to Hue by Bus
Travelling by bus is convenient because it takes you from the centre of Hoi An to the centre of Hue.
But there’s a catch, buses take a different route through a tunnel. This means that you will completely miss the amazing views from the Hai Van Pass.
Still want to take the bus from Hoi An to Hue?
There are ten companies operating on this route. Bus fares start from 160,000 VND ($6.10) and travel time is around 1 hour 40 minutes to 5 hours.
Departure and arrival station
Camel Travel departs from its headquarters in Hoi An, some 2 km east of the Old Town. It arrives at the Camel Travel Office in the centre of Hue, 2 km east of the Imperial City.
Techbus VN JSC leaves from its bus station in Hoi An, 1.5 km north of the Old Town. It parks along Doi Cung Street in Hue city centre.
Bus schedules from Hoi An to Hue
PRO TIP: Before you hop on the bus, get some delicious Phi Banh Mi! This is a few minutes walk from the Old Town.
Hoi An to Hue by Train
If you’re not a fan of riding motorbikes, the train is a good alternative.
There is no direct train from Hoi An to Hue, but you can take one from Da Nang to Hue. This route offers almost the same views as a motorcycle ride.
To get to Da Nang, you can take a bus or a taxi from Hoi An.
Step 1: Hoi An to Da Nang Railway Station by Minivan
There are 2 ways to travel the journey that takes 45m - 2h from Hoi An to Da Nang Railway Station: by minivan for 68,000 VND ($2.60) or by taxi with rates from 440,000 VND ($16.70).
We recommend booking your minivan or private transfer through BookAway, which offers spacious cars with professional drivers.
See our page about Da Nang Railway Station for more details.
IMPORTANT: There used to be cheap local buses operating from Hoi An to Da Nang. But the last time we checked (February 2023), these buses were not available anymore. Some touts try to take advantage of this situation by offering overpriced taxis, which is why it’s best to book your minivan or private ride with a trusted company beforehand.
Step 2: Da Nang to Hue by Train
There are 4 trains operating from Da Nang to Hue, but only three of these travel during the day. Book a daytime train to enjoy the views of Hai Van Pass!
Ticket prices start from 100,000 VND ($3.80) for the train journey that takes 2h 24m - 3h 20m.
We recommend booking your tickets online through BookAway. Their site is intuitive, provides a clear picture of what you can expect, and offers great customer service. If you’re eyeing the best deals, you might occasionally find slightly cheaper tickets on Baolau.
You are to get off the train at Hue Railway Station, some 2 km away from the city centre. You can get to your hotel on foot or via a short taxi ride.
PRO TIP: Use the free N26 debit card to avoid the extra fees charged by your bank. This N26 debit card is becoming very popular among travellers, because they don’t charge any fees on payments in foreign currencies (most banks charge 3%-5%). New members can order one for free on the N26 website
Hoi An to Hue by Minivan
Another way to travel directly from Hoi An to Hue is by minivan. But like the bus, minivans take the Hai Van Tunnel instead of the Hai Van Pass.
Since you will miss the scenic views either way, we recommend taking the bus instead of the minivan. Buses are cheaper and more spacious.
Minivan fares start from 323,000 VND ($12.30) for the 3 hours to 3 hours 20 minutes journey.
Departure and arrival station
Viet Nam Travel Bus, iVietnam, Barri Ann Travel and April Adventure depart from their own offices in Hoi An, about 1 km north of the Old Town.
All minivans arrive at Qua Luu Niem in the centre of Hue, 2 km east of the Imperial City.
Van schedules of Hoi An to Hue
Hoi An to Hue by Private Transfer
With a private transfer, you can travel door-to-door from Hoi An to Hue.
Rates start from 1,774,000 VND ($68) for a car that can fit 2 people. We recommend booking your ride online through BookAway. They offer excellent customer service as well as spacious cars with polite drivers.
Private Transfer options from Hoi An to Hue
Best places to stay in Hue
Hong Thien Ruby Hotel - Budget Friendly
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 - Budget Friendly
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 - Mid Range
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.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Hoi An to Hue. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions about Hoi An to Hue
What is the distance from Hoi An to Hue?
The distance from Hoi An to Hue is 120 kilometre (75 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Hoi An to Hue?
The fastest way to get from Hoi An to Hue is by bus and takes 1 hour 40 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Hoi An to Hue?
The cheapest way to get from Hoi An to Hue is by bus with ticket costs starting from 160,000 VND ($6.10).
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.
