How to get from Phong Nha 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 3 ways to travel from Phong Nha to Hue?
There are 3 ways to travel the 215 kilometre (134 miles) distance from Phong Nha to Hue. You can choose between the bus, private transfer and train. The journey takes 3 to 6 hours and the quickest way is by bus. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 208,000 VND ($7.90).
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.
Phong Nha to Hue by Bus
There are two types of buses you can take when travelling from Phong Nha to Hue. The first one is a DMZ Bus Tour that stops at the Vinh Moc Tunnels and Ben Hai River. During this 6-hour tour, you get an extra historical tour of Vietnam.
Tickets for the DMZ bus cost 600,000 VND ($23), which already includes the bus transfers, entrance fees and a local guide.
If you don’t have time to spare for the historical tour or want a budget-friendly ride, you can take a direct bus from Phong Nha to Hue. There are several bus companies offering bus trips in the morning and the afternoon.
With a direct bus, you can get to Hue in 3.5-4.5 hours. Ticket prices start from 208,000 VND ($7.90).
Departure and arrival station
The buses from Phong Nha to Hue have varying departure and arrival points.
DMZ Bus
With the DMZ Bus, you will be picked up from your hotel in Phong Nha about 30 minutes before departure time. This bus makes a 1-hour stop at Vinh Moc Tunnels and a 30-minute stop at Ben Hai River Museum. The bus parks at DMZ Bar in Hue city centre at around 13:30.
DMZ Bus tickets can be booked with Phong Nha and Sy’s Homestay. You can visit Phong Nha’s website or contact Sy’s Homestay through their Facebook page.
Direct Buses
Queen Cafe Bus, Grouptour, and TBus all depart from the Central Backpackers Hostel along the main street in Phong Nha.
Meanwhile, you can board the Full Moon Party Tour bus at Phong Nha Hung Thanh Bus Office, just a 5-minute walk from the backpackers hostel. Note that Hung Thanh, a bus company that used to operate this route, gets bad reviews about overloading, rude staff, and dirty buses.
All direct buses park at the Doi Cung area in Hue city centre.
Bus schedule from Phong Nha to Hue
Phong Nha to Hue by Train
When you want to travel by train from Phong Nha to Hue, you’ll first have to go to Dong Hoi Railway Station (not Dong Ha!).
You can find Dong Hoi Train Station some 40 km southeast of Phong Nha. That’s 1.5 hours by bus or an hour by taxi.
In Hue, the city centre is a 10-minute taxi ride or a 30-minute walk from the railway station.
Step 1: Phong Nha to Dong Hoi Railway Station by Bus
From Phong Nha, you can catch Local Bus #4 to get to Dong Hoi Railway Station. A bus ticket costs 50,000 VND ($1.90).
Bus #4 is available daily from 05:30 to 17:00. You can hail this bus along the main street in Phong Nha. However, it can only take you up to Dong Hoi Central Bus Station. From here, it’s a short taxi ride or a 15-minute walk to the train station.
You can also get a taxi to take you straight from your hotel in Phong Nha to Dong Hoi Railway Station. Rates start from 400,000 VND ($15.20) for the 1-hour taxi ride.
See our page on Dong Hoi to Phong Nha for more details.
Step 2: Dong Hoi to Hue by Train
Vietnam Railways operates several daily train trips from Dong Hoi to Hue.
Ticket prices start from 179,000 VND ($6.80). The journey takes about 2h 55m - 3h, depending on which train you take.
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 at Hue Railway Station. Depending on the location of your hotel, you can reach it on foot (about 30 minutes) or via a short taxi ride.
Phong Nha to Hue by Private Transfer
You can take a private transfer from Phong Nha to Hue. Rates start from 2,654,000 VND ($100) for a 2-seater car.
If you’re travelling in a larger group, you can also rent a bigger minivan.
We recommend booking your ride via BookAway because they offer spacious cars that come with trusted drivers.
Check Private Transfers with BookAway
Private Transfer options from Phong Nha 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 Phong Nha 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 Phong Nha to Hue
What is the distance from Phong Nha to Hue?
The distance from Phong Nha to Hue is 215 kilometre (134 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Phong Nha to Hue?
The fastest way to get from Phong Nha to Hue is by bus and takes 3 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Phong Nha to Hue?
The cheapest way to get from Phong Nha to Hue is by bus with ticket costs starting from 208,000 VND ($7.90).
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.
