Hue to Hoi An

How to Get From Hue to Hoi An

4Options
2h 10mFastest
$6.80From
ElaMaartenWritten by Ela · Reviewed by Maarten ·

Bus · Van · Train · Private Transfer

Hue was Vietnam's imperial capital, 103 kilometres (64 miles) north of Hoi An. Its walled citadel sits beside the Perfume River. Hoi An trades that for lantern-lit streets and tailors' shops. The bus is the cheapest way to get from Hue to Hoi An at $6.80 (174,000 VND). If you want the coastal views, take the train. The private transfer covers the trip in 2h 10m - 4h.

DISTANCE

Distance from Hue to Hoi An

Hue and Hoi An are about 103 km (64 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 123 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 2h 10m and 5h.

~103 km
Straight-line distance
~123 km
Route distance
Map of Hue – Hoi An

4 ways to travel from Hue to Hoi An

There are four ways to travel from Hue to Hoi An. You can choose between the bus, van, train, and private transfer. The journey takes 2h 10m – 5h and the quickest way is by private transfer. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $6.80 (174,000 VND).

Busfrom$6.802h 30m – 5h22 options to bookBus2h 30m–5h$6.80Cheapest

Hue to Hoi An by Bus

The bus is a direct way to get from Hue to Hoi An. This may make it seem like the more convenient option. But unfortunately, unlike trains, buses pass through the Hai Van Tunnel instead of the Hai Van Pass.

That means that when you take the direct bus, you will miss the splendid views this route has to offer.

Still want to travel by bus from Hue to Hoi An? Bus tickets start from $6.80 (174,000 VND) for the 2h 30m - 5h journey.

There are fourteen companies operating modern buses on this route.

Bus schedule from Hue to Hoi An

Queen Cafe Bus · Sleeping$6.80
4h 15m
7 Doi Cung Hue → 105 Ton Duc Thang
07:45
Tickets
King Express Bus · Sleeper$8.20
5h
7 Doi Cung Hue → 105 Ton Duc Thang
07:45
Tickets
G8 Sapa Open Tour · VIP Limousine$8.50
3h – 3h 10m
Hue Railway Station → 134 Ton Duc Thang
13:2014:2015:20
Tickets

Tickets sold on Bookaway

Stations

Map of stations
Click to explore
From
To

Booking tip

If you’re heading back from Hue to Hoi An after exploring the ancient city, you can also pre-book roundtrip bus tickets online through BookAway.
Vanfrom$113h – 4h9 options to bookVan3h–4h$11

Hue to Hoi An by Van

A minivan ride from Hue to Hoi An costs around $11 (280,000 VND). The minivan journey takes about 3-4h, depending on traffic.

Like the bus, though, minivans travel through a tunnel. So you will still miss the impressive views along the way!

There are eight companies operating on this route, and some offer free hotel pickup. This can save you the hassle and extra cost of getting to the departure point.

All minivans arrive in the city centre, so you shouldn’t have a hard time reaching your accommodation from the van terminals.

Van schedule from Hue to Hoi An

Thuan Phat Limousine · Standard$11
3h 30m
TTTM Vincom Plaza → Song Hoai Square
05:0005:3006:00
Tickets
Thuan Phat Limousine · Limo$11
3h 30m
TTTM Vincom Plaza → Song Hoai Square
07:0010:3014:00
Tickets
HAV Travel · Limo$12
3h
60 Chu Van An, Hue → 445 Hai Ba Trung
05:0006:0007:00
Tickets

Tickets sold on Bookaway

Stations

Map of stations
Click to explore
From
To
Trainfrom$143h 25m – 4h 40m·Via Da Nang6 options to bookTrainVia Da Nang3h 25m–4h 40m$14

Hue to Hoi An by Train

We highly recommend taking the train from Hue to Hoi An — that is, if you’re not comfortable riding a motorbike for this route.

There is no direct train between Hue and Hoi An. Vietnam Railways only operate from Hue Railway Station to Da Nang Train Station, from where you can transfer to a bus or taxi to Hoi An. Despite this not being a direct train ride, we still think the train is the best alternative to taking the motorbike.

With the train, you will still have a full view of Hai Van Pass — one of the best Vietnam tours out there. And we mean it when we say, this is one view you shouldn’t miss when travelling through Central Vietnam!

Step 1: Hue to Da Nang by Train

2h 25m – 3h 40m · $7.90 (202,000 VND)

There are four trains operating from Hue Train Station to Da Nang daily. We recommend taking one of the trains travelling during the day so that you can enjoy the view as it passes along Hai Van Pass.

Train tickets from Hue to Da Nang cost around $7.90 (202,000 VND) for a soft seat. This train ride takes around 2h 25m - 3h 40m.

Vietnam Railways · Soft Seat$4.70
2h 32m – 3h 45m
07:0510:3014:30
Tickets
Vietnam Railways · 6-Bed Cabin (middle berth)$8.90
2h 33m – 2h 44m
07:5510:3021:40
Tickets
Vietnam Railways · 6-Bed Cabin (lower berth)$9.80
2h 32m – 2h 44m
07:5510:3019:43
Tickets

Stations

Map of stations
Click to explore

Tickets sold on Bookaway

Booking tip

If you’re travelling on a weekend or during peak season, book your train tickets online beforehand. This way you’ll have a better chance of getting a soft seat by the window! If you buy your tickets at the railway station on the day of your trip, the good seats may already be sold out.

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.

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

Step 2: Da Nang Railway Station to Hoi An by Minivan

1h · $6 (155,000 VND)

From Da Nang Train Station, you can take either a minivan or a taxi to Hoi An centre.

Minivans are available every day from 07:00 to 21:00. Book your minivan seat beforehand to avoid any hassle on the day of your trip. Ticket prices start from $6 (155,000 VND).

If you’re travelling in a group or you’re carrying bulky luggage, you can also take a taxi. Rates from the railway station to your hotel in Hoi An start from $17 (440,000 VND).

You can pre-book your minivan or private transfer via BookAway. See our guide for Da Nang Railway Station to Hoi An for more details.

IMPORTANT: There used to be a cheap local bus that operated from Da Nang Station to Hoi An. A cheap local bus runs from Da Nang Station to Hoi An every 20 to 30 minutes, from about 05:30 to 18:00, and takes 70 to 90 minutes.

Private Transferfrom$16per car2h 10m – 4h10 options to bookPrivate Transfer2h 10m–4h$16per car

Hue to Hoi An by Private Transfer

Looking for a door-to-door ride? You can get a private car or a taxi ride from Hue to Hoi An.

Rates start from $16 (400,000 VND) for a 5-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about $3.10 (80,000 VND) per person.

We recommend booking with BookAway, which offers comfortable cars that come with professional drivers.

iVietnam · Luxury$16
3hper car
14/42 Nguyen Cong Tru, Hue → Bap Homestay
Any time you choose
Tickets
Hue Happy Travel · SUV Car 5 PAX$58
2h 10mper car
Lang Co Beach → Hoi An - Any hotel in the city center
Any time you choose
Tickets
iVietnam · SUV Car 5 PAX$54
4hper car
14 Kiet 42 Nguyen Cong Tru → 439 Cua Dai
Any time you choose
Tickets

Reach out to our Community

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STAY

Our favourite places to stay in Hoi An

Here are our favourite places to stay in Hoi An for every budget.

Budget

HaLo HomeStay

HaLo Homestay is an incredible budget option. You won't quite believe the standard of the rooms for the price you're paying. They're large, modern and very clean. The owners serve a delicious breakfast and will do everything they can to guarantee you a perfect stay. They even have free bikes for you to use. From the homestay you can reach the Old Quarter or beach within 5 minutes.

Double rooms from: $11 (280,000 VND)

Check availability
Mid-Range

Flame Flowers Homestay

Expect a warm welcome when you arrive at Flame Flowers Homestay. The owners feel like family from the moment you meet them. Guests have been known to extend their stays here as they just can't face leaving. The spacious rooms provide you with everything you need - a good nights sleep and ultimate comfort!

Double rooms from: $25 (640,000 VND)

Check availability
Mid-Range

Vina Beach Pool Villas

Dreaming of a luxurious retreat right next to the beach? Vina Beach Pool Villas tick all the boxes. There's a relaxing pool, lush gardens and it's only steps away from the beach. And after a hard day of relaxing, their super comfortable beds offer the best nights sleep. On top of that, the owners can't do enough to ensure you have an unforgettable stay.

Double rooms from: $40 (1,020,000 VND)

Check availability

ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION

Why Visit Hoi An?

Hoi An is a charming city on Vietnam's central coast. Once a major port, the mixed influences of Japanese, Chinese, and European merchants are still visible here.

Its Old Town is a well-preserved fusion of foreign and indigenous architecture, laid out in a small-scale model of a 15th to 19th-century trading hub. No wonder it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Travelling to Hoi An feels like walking back in time.

Rounding it up

That's the full picture for getting from Hue to Hoi An, roughly 103 kilometres (64 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $6.80 (174,000 VND). The quickest trip takes 2h 10m.

Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Hue to Hoi An?

The distance from Hue to Hoi An is 103 kilometres (64 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Hue to Hoi An?

Journey times from Hue to Hoi An overlap: bus 2h 30m - 5h, van 3-4h, train 3h 25m - 4h 40m, private transfer 2h 10m - 4h. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.

What is the cheapest way to get from Hue to Hoi An?

The cheapest way to get from Hue to Hoi An is by bus with ticket costs starting from 174,000 VND.

What is the best way to travel from Hue to Hoi An?

The best way to travel the 120 km from Hue to Hoi An is by riding a motorbike over the Hai Van Pass. We highly recommend this option if you know how to ride a motorbike or don't mind riding with a tour guide!

Check out our 3-day itinerary for Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An for the best way to explore Hai Van Pass and other attractions in Central Vietnam like Lang Co Beach, the Golden Bridge and the Marble Mountain.

What are the other options for travelling from Hue to Hoi An?

If you're not into riding motorbikes, you can choose from 4 other options: a 4-hour train ride, a 3.5-hour bus, a 3.5-hour van, and a 3-hour private transfer. Fares are from $4.40 (114,000 VND) to $67 (1,720,000 VND).

Why is the train a good alternative to riding a motorbike from Hue to Hoi An?

The train is the best alternative to riding a motorbike from Hue to Hoi An because it allows you to experience the same scenic views. Also, the train is an affordable option with prices from $4.40 (114,000 VND).

What are the pros and cons of taking the bus or minivan from Hue to Hoi An?

The advantage of taking a bus or minivan is that they operate directly from the centre of Hue to the centre of Hoi An. The downside is that they take a different route through a tunnel. This means that when you take a bus or a minivan, you will miss the views of Hai Van Pass.

What is the best time to depart from Hue to Hoi An by motorbike?

It's best to depart early morning from Hue when taking a motorbike to Hoi An. Take your time, enjoy the view, and arrive at the Marble Mountains by sunset. From here, it's a 30-minute twilight ride to Hoi An.
CHANGELOG

Route Update History

  • Updated Bus by selene
  • Updated Train by selene
  • Updated Minivan by selene
  • Updated Private by selene

About the Authors

Ela
Ela

Senior Travel Writer

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.

Maarten
MaartenReviewer

Founder & Trip Planning Expert

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.

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