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How to get from Hue to Phong Nha
There are 3 ways to travel the 210 km journey from Hue to Phong Nha: a 4-hour bus, a 4.5-hour indirect train, and a 4-hour private transfer. Rates range from 183,000 VND ($7.50) to 2,700,000 VND ($115).
The bus offers a direct and affordable transfer from Hue to Phong Nha. An advantage of the bus is that it departs and arrives at the city centre of both towns. You won’t need to worry about getting extra transfers.
The train is a comfortable option, but can only take you up to Dong Hoi, which is still 40 km away from Phong Nha. From the train station, you can take a bus or a taxi to get to the national park.
If you have the budget for it, you can also get a private transfer, which will take you door-to-door from Hue to Phong Nha. Prices start from 2,700,000 VND ($115) for a 4-seater car.
Itinerary from Hue to Phong Nha
Hue to Phong Nha by Bus
Queen Cafe and Grouptour offer direct buses from Hue to Phong Nha. Ticket prices start from 255,000 VND ($10.50) for the 4-hour journey.
Pre-pandemic, there also used to be a DMZ Bus Tour that makes a stop at the Vinh Moc Tunnels and Ben Hai River. This tour has been temporarily suspended for this route, but you can still join it when travelling on the opposite direction from Phong Nha to Hue.
Bus schedules from Hue to Phong Nha
Hung Thanh is another direct bus operator for this route. However, we don’t recommend travelling with them because they get bad reviews. These include overloading, rude staff, and dirty buses. If you still want to travel with Hung Thanh, you can book a ticket through Phong Nha Locals.
Departure and arrival stations
Different buses have varying departure and arrival points.
Direct Buses
Queen Cafe and Grouptour depart along Doi Cung Street in Hue city centre. They both park at Central Backpackers Hostel along the main street in Phong Nha.
*DMZ Bus
*COVID-19 UPDATE: The last time we checked (October 2022), DMZ Bus has yet to resume tour operations to the Vinh Moc Tunnels.
Sy’s Homestay operates the DMZ Bus. With the tours to the Vinh Moc Tunnels and Ben Hai River still suspended, they only offer direct trips from Hue to Phong Nha. The bus departs from the DMZ Bar in Hue and drops you off at your hotel in Phong Nha.
For the latest updates, you can contact Sy’s Homestay through their Facebook page or you can send them an email at [email protected]
Hue to Phong Nha by Train
Travelling by train involves an extra bus or taxi transfer because there is no train station in Phong Nha. You can only take the train up to Dong Hoi Railway Station, from where you can take a bus or taxi to Phong Nha.
Step 1: Hue to Dong Hoi by Train
You can choose from four trains when travelling from Hue to Dong Hoi.
Ticket prices start from 133,00 VND ($0.55) for a soft seat, which should be comfortable enough for the 3-hour journey. More expensive sleeper bunks are also available if you’re looking to catch up on some snooze.
Trains depart from Hue Train Station, just across Perfume River and 2 km away from the Imperial City. You are to get off at Dong Hoi Railway Station, 40 km southeast of Phong Nha.
Train schedules From Hue to Dong Hoi
Step 2: Dong Hoi to Phong Nha by Bus or Taxi
From Dong Hoi Railway Station, you can take a 1.5-hour bus or a 1-hour taxi to Phong Nha. Rates start from 50,000 VND ($2.10) and 400,000 VND ($17), respectively.
Buses from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha are available only from 05:30 to 17:00. This means that you can only catch the bus if you take the early morning train (SE8). All other trains will arrive in Dong Hoi outside the operating hours of the bus.
You can find the nearest bus stop some 1.5 km away across Dong Hoi’s Central Bus Station. That’s about 15 minutes away on foot or 5 minutes away by taxi, which costs around 40,000 VND ($1.70).
If you’re taking any of the trains leaving in the afternoon, then you have no choice but to get a taxi from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha. You can find them just outside the train station. Prepare to haggle because some drivers will try to charge you at least 500,000 VND ($21) or more!
See our guide for Dong Hoi to Phong Nha for more details.
Hue to Phong Nha by Private Transfer
Looking for a private ride? You can get also get a taxi from Hue to Phong Nha. Rates start from 2,700,000 VND ($115) for a 4-seater car.
Book your private transfer through BookAway so you can expect a spacious car with a professional driver.
Book a Private Transfer with BookAway
Our favourite places to stay in Phong Nha
Thao Nguyen Homestay
Thanks to the great hospitality of the family, this homestay will feel like your home. After a day of trekking you can take a dive in the pool or sit back and relax with a Netflix movie. The homestay is located right in front of the bus stop in the center of Phong Nha. Rooms with mountain views already start from $21,- including an outstanding breakfast!
Bonus: Free cancellation policy till the last day!
Phong Nha Rustic Home
Want a more unique experience? The interior of Phong Nha Rustic Home creates a real rustic feel which makes you feel one with nature. It's located outside the city center, but you can use their free-bicycle rental to explore the National Parks or get to the center. Rooms start from $24.
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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.
