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How to get from Hue to Hanoi
Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi is a vibrant mix of heritage and modernity.
At its heart is the Old Quarter, a favourite tourist destination bustling with cosy hotels, old residential buildings and neighbourhood cafes. Composed of 36 streets, just walking around this area will reward you with many amazing discoveries.
Hanoi’s must-visit sites include Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the 19th-century Gothic St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Make sure to try as much street food as you can, lounge at one of their many coffee shops, and stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake.
3 ways to get from Hue to Hanoi
The fastest way to travel the 675 km distance from Hue to Hanoi is by flight. This plane journey takes 3 hours and costs around 735,000 VND ($31). Other options include a 13.5-hour train and a 12.5-hour bus.
Flying from Hue to Hanoi saves a lot of time. Including airport transfers, total travel time only takes about 3 hours. Combined fares are quite reasonable too, starting from 735,000 VND ($31).
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Taking a train is an experience in itself, but takes around 13.5 hours. If you’re taking the train, pick one that travels overnight so you won’t lose a day on the journey. Also, we recommend getting a bunk on a 4-berth cabin for the most comfort.
The night bus is the cheapest option with fares from 390,000 VND ($16.50). Keep in mind that the bus is neither the safest nor most convenient way to get from Hue to Hanoi.
Itinerary from Hue to Hanoi
Hue to Hanoi by Flight
We recommend taking a flight from Hue to Hanoi as the entire journey takes only about 3 hours. If you book a flight in advance, this option can even be cheaper than taking the train.
Step 1: Hue to Hue Airport (Phu Bai)
Hue Airport is located some 15 km southeast of Hue city centre. We recommend taking a shuttle bus or a taxi to get from the city centre to the airport. Travel time is around 30 minutes.
A shuttle bus ride costs only 70,000 VND ($2.95). Buses depart from the Vietnam Airlines/Vietjet Air office in Hue city centre.
If the bus departure point is too far from your hotel, you can also take a taxi to the airport. Taxi rates start from 270,000 VND ($11.50). You can hail a taxi from the street, but we recommend pre-booking your ride through BookAway for a guaranteed comfortable ride.
You can also check our page on Hue Airport for more details.
Step 2: Hue Airport (Phu Bai) to Hanoi Airport (Noi Bai)
Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, and Vietnam Airlines offer several flights from Hue to Hanoi daily.
Airfares range from 620,000 VND ($26) to 740,000 VND ($31.50). It’s best to book your flight in advance for the best rates. Flight prices can go as high as 1,000,000 VND ($42.50) on really busy days or as the travel date nears.
The flight from Hue to Hanoi takes around 1hr 15m.
Step 3: Hanoi Airport to Hanoi
From Hanoi Airport, you’ll need to travel 30 km south to reach the city centre.
The most cost-efficient way to get to your hotel is via Express Bus 86. A ticket costs 45,000 VND ($1.90). Bus 86 makes several stops near the Old Quarter before finally parking at Hanoi Railway Station.
If you prefer a private ride, you can also take a taxi or hail a car via Grab. Taxi rates from the airport to Hanoi city centre start from 230,000 VND ($9.50).
See the page about Hanoi Airport for more details.
Hue to Hanoi by Train
It is quite a long journey from Hue to Hanoi by train. Travel time takes 13.5-16 hours, depending on which train you take.
The advantage of the train though is that you can travel overnight – you can just sleep for the most part of the journey and also save one night on accommodation.
It’s best to book a sleeper berth for more convenience. Ticket prices for a bunk in a 4-berth cabin start from 921,000 VND ($39). Rates are cheaper for soft seats and a 6-berth bunk, but they are not as comfortable.
Departure and arrival station
Trains depart from Hue Railway Station, located 2 km south of the Imperial City.
You are to get off at Hanoi Railway Station, some 2 km southwest of the Old Quarter. You can walk to your hotel or take a short taxi ride.
Train schedules from Hue to Hanoi (Sleeper berth)
TIP: Take either SE2 or SE12 so that you can have a good night’s sleep and arrive just in time to start the day in Hanoi. This way, you can explore the Old Quarter as soon as you arrive (or maybe after a cup of their amazing coffee)!
Hue to Hanoi by Bus
If you’re on a budget, you can also take the bus from Hue to Hanoi. Buses are neither as safe nor as comfortable as a flight or a train ride, but they offer a very affordable alternative.
Bus fares from Hue to Hanoi start from 390,000 VND ($16.50), just about half the price of taking a flight. Camel Travel, The Long Travel, and Queen Cafe are among the companies offering buses for this route.
All buses for this route operate overnight. So even though the travel time takes 12.5-13.5 hours, you won’t lose a whole day in the journey.
As buses arrive very early in Hanoi, you can either check in early at your hotel or spend the morning at one of Hanoi’s neihborhood coffee shops.
Departure and arrival station
Both Camel Travel and The Long Travel depart from 62 Chu Van An Street in Hue city centre. They park at the Camel Travel Office in Hanoi, about 2 km south of the Old Quarter.
Queen Cafe departs from Laurel Hotel in Hue centre and arrives at the Queen Cafe Office in Hanoi, just a few minutes’ walk from Hoan Kiem Lake.
Bus schedules from Hue to Hanoi
For guaranteed seats, we recommend booking your ticket online via BookAway, which offers the most number of bus selections from Hue to Hanoi.
Frequently asked questions about travelling to Hanoi from Hue
What is the fastest way to get from Hue to Hanoi?
The fastest way to travel the Hue-Hanoi route is by flight. This flight journey takes around 3 hours, already including transfers. Combined fares start from 735,000 VND ($31).
How much is a train ride from Hue to Hanoi?
Ticket prices for a train ride from Hue to Hanoi start from 921,000 VND ($39) when you book a 4-berth sleeper. If you don’t mind sharing a train cabin with more people, 6-berth sleepers are cheaper at around 810,000 VND ($34.50) per person.
How long does it take to travel from Hue to Hanoi?
Travelling to Hanoi from Hue takes 3 hours by flight, 13.5 hours by train, and 12.5 hours by bus.
What are my options when travelling from Hue to Hanoi?
There are 3 ways you can travel from Hue to Hanoi: by flight, by train, and by bus. We recommend taking a flight for speed and convenience.
Can I take a bus from Hue to Hanoi?
Yes, there are a number of bus trips available from Hue to Hanoi daily. The bus is the cheapest option with fares from 390,000 VND ($16.50). It may not be the most comfortable way to travel this long journey, though. We think it will be worth spending more on a flight or a train journey.
Our favourite places to stay in Hanoi
Nova Luxury Hotel
Just landed in Hanoi? In this hotel, you will get the best night of sleep you had since ages. The friendly staff will give you a warm welcome and serve a wonderful breakfast buffet the next morning! Located in the middle of the center, but completely isolated from all the noise.
Double rooms with city view from: $42
Visiting Halong Bay
For many travellers, Halong Bay is one of the highlights of Vietnam. The stunning landscape and breathtaking views over the limestone rocks look almost unreal!
To experience Halong Bay in the best way, you can book a boat cruise departing from Hanoi. Organized tours departing from Hanoi are often cheaper than tours sold by agencies in Halong Bay and another advantage is that you don't need to organize your transport to get there.
We recommend to book your boat tour online to get the best prices and be certain that you book with a trusted company. I already spoke to many travellers who booked boat trips from a random agency on the street and were very disappointed by the service and conditions of this boat.
See here our recommendtion of well-rated boat cruises
- Halong Bay Day trip (from $39 pp)
- Halong Bay Cruise (from $185 for 2 pers)
*Both tours include free pick-up and drop-off in Hanoi.
Want to have a broader choice of tours? Check out Halongbaytours for more boat cruises around Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay (Cat Ba).
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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.
