How to Get from Hoi An to Hué ?

Journey from Hue to Hoi An

How to make the journey from Hue to Hoi An, and vice versa? It’s a question I’m asked hundreds of times a year, and the good news is, there are several ways to reach Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam (classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993).

In my 14 years as an expatriate in Hoi An, I’ve made this journey several times using different modes of transportation, but the two I particularly favor are scooter or private car, offering much more flexibility than the train or bus. You can depart whenever you want, stop wherever you desire, and explore the various landmarks and sites between Hoi An and Hue.

Despite Hue having an airport, there is no direct connection between Danang and Hue due to the close proximity of the cities.

Distance between Hue and Hoi An

The distance between Hue and Hoi An is approximately 125 km, partly traversing flat terrain and then winding through small cliffside roads offering views of Vietnam’s central coast. It’s not a short distance, but it’s manageable in a day, taking about 3 to 3.5 hours to travel from Hoi An to Hue (or vice versa).

The route is linked by the iconic Hai Van Pass (also known as the Pass of the Clouds), a breathtaking 21 km mountainous stretch along the coast, offering views of the East Sea of Vietnam. It’s one of the most picturesque roads in Vietnam. So, get your camera ready for some incredible landscape shots!

Transport Options from Hoi An to Hue

TRANSPORT	DURATION	PRICE
Bus	4h – 5h	199,000 VND per person
Train (from Da Nang)	4h	from 77,000 VND per person
Private Car	3h30	1,450,000 VND for a 4-seater car
Shuttle	4h	400,000 VND per person
Motorcycle	3h30	150,000 VND to 300,000 VND per motorcycle
Easy Rider	3h30	1,500,000 VND

1. Bus from Hoi An to Hue

The journey takes approximately 4-5 hours from Hoi An, with a cost of around 199,000 VND per person. While there are several bus companies connecting Hoi An to Hue, Sinh Tourist stands out among the rest. Their buses are air-conditioned, equipped with WiFi, and maintained clean. What more could you ask for?

Two buses depart daily:

• The first departure is at 8:00 AM with an arrival around 12:00 PM.
• The second departure is at 1:45 PM and arrives around 5:15 PM.

You can directly book your ticket on the Sinh Tourist website and pay online.

Note that the buses do not pass through the Hai Van Pass or other landmarks; it’s a direct journey.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Affordable	Chaotic driving
	No flexibility
	No monument visits

2. Train from Hoi An to Hue

I believe one of the best train routes in Vietnam is from Hoi An to Hue and vice versa. On one side, you traverse the Hai Van Pass, and on the other, the coastline. Absolutely stunning.

There’s no train station in Hoi An, so you’ll need to first head to Da Nang Railway Station (Address: 791 Hai Phong Street, Danang). This adds extra transfer time and increases the cost of the journey.

The train journey from Da Nang to Hue takes approximately 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on the departure time.

For the Da Nang to Hue train journey, prices range from 81,000 VND to 201,000 VND depending on the class chosen (hard seat, soft seat, or berth). You can read my dedicated article on getting to Da Nang Railway Station from Hoi An.

To book a train ticket, you can use specialized websites like 12goasia, Bao Lau (slightly higher prices but website clearer), through the official website of the Vietnamese Railways (DSVN), or directly at Da Nang Railway Station.

IMPORTANT: Vietnam-Railway.com is not the official website of the railway company but simply a travel agency.

Train Schedule from Da Nang to Hue

TRAIN	DEPARTURE TIME	ARRIVAL TIME	SOFT SEAT	HARD SEAT	SOFT BERTH
SE2	13:51	16:17	129,000 vnd	174,000 vnd	201,000 vnd
SE4	12:57	15:27	129,000 vnd	174,000 vnd	192,000 vnd
SE6	10:22	13:38	99,000 vnd	111,000 vnd	125,000 vnd
SE8	08:56	11:26	81,000 vnd	110,000 vnd	142,000 vnd
SE20	18:05	20:36	108,000 vnd	–	–

Connecting Central Heritage Tourist Train

Since March 26, 2024, there has been a new tourist train service between Da Nang and Hue, and vice versa.

From Hue, the HD1 train departs from Hue Railway Station at 7:45 AM and arrives at Da Nang Railway Station at 10:35 AM; the HD3 train departs from Hue Railway Station at 2:25 PM and arrives at Da Nang Railway Station at 5:40 PM.

In the opposite direction, from Da Nang City, the HD2 train departs from Da Nang Railway Station at 7:50 AM and arrives at Hue Railway Station at 11:05 AM; the HD4 train departs from Da Nang Railway Station at 3:00 PM and arrives at Hue Railway Station at 5:45 PM.

The ticket price is 150,000 VND per ticket. Tickets are available on 12go.asia.

Classic Train vs. Tourist Train

What sets tourist trains apart from classic trains:

• Musical performances
• Tasting of culinary specialties from Hue and Da Nang
• 10-minute stop in Lang Co

Advantages	Disadvantages
Affordable	No flexibility
One of the most beautiful train journeys in Vietnam	No monument visits
Safety	No train station in Hoi An
	Additional travel between Hoi An and Da Nang

3. Private Car from Hoi An to Hue

Why not turn your journey from Hoi An to Hue into a day trip and visit some of the most popular tourist sites along the way? Including Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha, Hai Van Pass, Lap An Lagoon, and Lang Co Bay. Transform a potentially boring four-hour trip into a six-hour adventure.

The journey takes between 3 to 3.5 hours (without or with the Hai Van Pass) and even longer if you add Marble Mountains and Lady Buddha (6 to 6.5 hours).

One of the biggest advantages of taking this journey by private car is flexibility. You choose the departure time, the landmarks to see, etc. The driver picks you up from your hotel in Hoi An and drops you off at your hotel in Hue (and vice versa).

By departing early in the morning or in the afternoon, you avoid the tourist crowds.

You can opt for a local transport agency offering reasonable prices. Expect to pay around 1,450,000 VND to 1,550,000 VND depending on whether you pass through the Hai Van Pass or not for the journey in a 4-seater car.

Generally, if you go through your hotel or a travel agency, the price will be higher because the hotel or agency takes a commission.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Flexibility	Expensive
Customized monument visits
Photo stops possible
Pick up at your hotel

4. Shuttle from Hue to Hoi An

The shuttle service offers transfers to Hue and is a good option if you’re traveling in a group or prefer a smaller bus (they limit passengers to a maximum of 10). You’ll need to go to their office in Hoi An, and they’ll drop you off at Mayla Coffee in Hue.

The price is around €17 per person. Additionally, if the shuttle isn’t full, they may pick up passengers along the way. The journey will take about four to five hours. The first departure is at 8:00 AM, and the second is at 4:00 PM. This would be the best option if you’re looking for a quick and hassle-free journey without the need to go to a pick-up location.

Hoi An Express – Duration: 4-5 Hours –  – Adress : 190, Ton Duc Thang street, Hoi An

Advantages	Disadvantages
Affordable for couples	No flexibility
	Long journey
	No hotel pick-up

5. Motorcycle from Hoi An to Hue

If you’re adventurous, you can rent a motorcycle or scooter in Hoi An (prices range from 150,000 VND for a scooter to 300,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND for a motorcycle) to make the journey.

To pass through the Hai Van Pass, you can either ride to the summit (which I recommend) or take the shuttle that passes through the tunnel beneath the mountain (30,000 VND for a scooter and 8,000 VND for an adult).

With a private car, motorcycle/scooter is the best mode of transportation for the journey since you can make stops anywhere.

I don’t recommend a scooter/motorcycle if you’re traveling with children because the road isn’t the safest in the region. The main reason is the chaotic driving of the locals.

If you experience a flat tire or another issue, look for one of the many phone numbers painted on the walls of the Hai Van Pass; they correspond to roadside assistance services.

I recommend renting from a reputable company like Motorvina or Style Motobikes. They have an office in Hue, and you won’t need to return the motorcycle if you’re not coming back to Hoi An.

Advantages	Disadvantages (LES -)
Affordable	Driving in chaotic traffic
Total flexibility	Not recommended for families with children
Photo stops at your discretion	Limited luggage space
Possible monument visits

6. Easy Rider from Hoi An to Hue

The last option is Easy Riders.

A one-day Easy Rider motorcycle tour costs around 1,500,000 VND (€65). However, it’s worth noting that “Easy Rider” has become a generic term for independent drivers offering motorcycle tours. Choosing a good and safe driver can be a bit of a gamble. My recommendation is Mr. Thong, who has been doing this route since 2014.

The biggest advantage of Easy Riders is that they know the places very well, especially hidden gems like small coves at the Hai Van Pass or fishing villages near Lang Co.

Among the dozens of different Easy Riders in Hoi An, I recommend Easyrider Private Day Trips (Email: mrthongtours@gmail.com | 109 Le Hong Phong Street, Hoi An), which I took for my first.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Safety	Expensive
Hotel pick-up	Not ideal if you have a lot of luggage
Excellent local knowledge

What to See Between Hoi An and Hue

This route is well-known and popular among tourists because there are several landmarks to see along the way.

Firstly, there’s the Hai Van Pass with its stunning landscapes and French war remnants. At the summit of the mountain, there’s a gate (Hải Vân Quan) engraved with the words “The First Gate of Vietnam”.

I must warn you that the place is touristy, and you’ll undoubtedly be approached, with attempts to sell you something.

Along the journey, after the mountains, you’ll come across Lang Co, one of the most beautiful bays in the world, with a magnificent beach. I recommend a quick stop if you’re a fan of relaxation, seafood, or photography.

I can also mention Lap An Lagoon, which is on the opposite side of Lang Co and has several seafood restaurants directly on the lagoon. Whether it’s Lang Co or Lap An, it’s an excellent place to dine during your journey.

You can also include the Marble Mountains, located in Da Nang. It’s actually five small mountains that you can visit, one of the city’s most popular attractions. If you’d like to know more, head to my article on the Marble Mountains of Da Nang.

On the route, you can make a stop at Da Nang’s largest pagoda, Linh Ung, where the main attraction is Lady Buddha, a massive white statue visible from Da Nang Beach. It’s located on the Son Tra Peninsula.

Additionally, you can take a detour to Bach Ma National Park, ideal for those of you who enjoy trekking.

My Opinion

Personally, I would choose either the motorcycle or the private car because I love the flexibility it offers. Being able to choose the departure time and route provides a lot of freedom.

If you’re on a tight budget, I recommend the train, especially since the route is one of the most beautiful in Vietnam.

The shuttle isn’t as cheap as it seems because the price is per person, there are only 2 shuttles per day, and it doesn’t drop you off at your hotel.

If you don’t have much luggage, Easy Riders can be an interesting solution.

I would rank the bus at the bottom of the list because the driving is poor and the drivers often don’t speak English or speak very little. Even though Sinh Tourist is better than most bus companies in Hoi An, it’s not perfect.