How do you travel between Hoi An and Hue, and vice versa? It’s a question I’m asked regularly, and the good news is that there are several ways to reach Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.

I have been living in Hoi An since 2012, and I’ve made this journey many times using different means of transport. My personal favorites are still the scooter and the private car, which offer far more flexibility than the train or the bus, especially if you want to enjoy the journey itself.

Routes, travel time, prices, pros and cons of each option: I explain everything in this article to help you choose the mode of transport that best suits your trip.

Distance between Hue and Hoi An

The distance between Hue and Hoi An is approximately 125 km (around 3 hours by direct route). It’s not a short journey, but it’s also very manageable to do in one day.

The route passes through the iconic Hai Van Pass, a spectacular 21 km-long mountain road running along the coastline, with stunning views over the East Sea of Vietnam. It is widely considered one of the most scenic roads in the country, so be sure to have your camera ready for some incredible landscape photos.

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

Getting from Hoi An to Hue

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 The journey from Hoi An takes around 4 to 5 hours, with ticket prices around 199,000 VND per person.

Several companies operate buses between Hoi An and Hue, but Sinh Tourist clearly stands out from the rest.

When I say “stands out,” it’s important to stay realistic: don’t expect a premium or luxury service. That said, it remains the most reliable and decent option among the bus companies available in Hoi An.

The buses are air-conditioned, clean, and usually equipped with Wi-Fi. Honestly, for the price, it does the job.

Bus schedule (2 departures per day)

8:00 AM departure, arriving around 12:00 PM
1:45 PM departure, arriving around 5:15 PM

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

Please note: these buses do not go via the Hai Van Pass and do not stop at any sightseeing spots. It is strictly point A to point B.

SINH TOURIST
Address: 646 Hai Ba Trung Street, Hoi An
Tel: +84.235.3863948
Email: hoian@thesinhtourist.vn
Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Advantages	Disadvantages
Affordable	Chaotic driving
	No flexibility
	No monument visits

2. Train from Hoi An to Hue

This is without hesitation one of the most scenic train routes in Vietnam. On one side, the train runs along the Hai Van Pass, and on the other, you’ll enjoy views of the beach and the Lap An Lagoon. The journey is simply stunning.

There is no train station in Hoi An, so you’ll first need to travel to Da Nang Railway Station (address: 791 Hai Phong Street, Da Nang). This adds around one hour of transfer time and slightly increases the overall cost of the trip.

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, a tourist train has been operating between Da Nang and Hue, in both directions.

From Hue to Da Nang

Train HD1: departs from Hue Railway Station at 7:45 AM, arrives in Da Nang at 10:35 AM
Train HD3: departs from Hue at 2:25 PM, arrives in Da Nang at 5:40 PM

From Da Nang to Hue

Train HD2: departs from Da Nang Railway Station at 7:50 AM, arrives in Hue at 11:05 AM
Train HD4: departs from Da Nang at 3:00 PM, arrives in Hue at 5:45 PM

The ticket price is 150,000 VND per person. Tickets are available on Bao Lau, as mentioned earlier.

Classic train vs Tourist train

What makes the tourist trains different from regular trains:

Live music performances on board
Tasting of local specialties from Hue and Da Nang
A 10-minute stop at Lang Co

I’ve also written a dedicated article about this tourist train between Da Nang and Hue if you’d like more details.

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 between Hoi An and Hue into a full-day excursion?

Instead of a simple transfer, this is a great opportunity to visit several iconic sites along the way, such as the Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha, the Hai Van Pass, Lập An Lagoon, and Lăng Cô Bay, among others.

A direct transfer usually takes between 3 and 3.5 hours, with or without passing through the Hai Van Pass. By adding stops like the Marble Mountains and Lady Buddha, you should plan for around 6 to 6.5 hours, including breaks.

One of the biggest advantages of traveling by private car is flexibility. You can choose:

your departure time
the places you want to visit
the pace of the day

The driver will pick you up directly from your hotel in Hoi An and drop you off at your hotel in Hue, or vice versa. By leaving early in the morning or in the early afternoon, you can avoid most of the crowds and enjoy the journey in much better conditions.

lap an lang co hue 8 — Lap An sur la route

You can book through a local transportation agency, which usually offers more reasonable prices than hotels or large international platforms.

For a private car transfer (4-seater) between Hoi An and Hue, prices generally range between 1,450,000 and 1,550,000 VND, depending on whether the route goes via the Hai Van Pass or not.

Personally, I’ve been using Hoi An Transport Service for many years. One of the main advantages is that prices are fixed and clearly displayed on their website, with no hidden fees or surprises.

Another big plus is that the manager, Olivier, is French and responds in English and in French, which makes the booking process much easier and avoids any misunderstanding.

You can check prices directly on their website or contact them via WhatsApp: +84 123 844 1732.

Please note that if you book through your hotel or a travel agency, the price is usually higher, as a commission is added to the final rate.

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

4. Shuttle from Hue to Hoi An

The shuttle bus is a good option for traveling to Hue, especially if you’re traveling as a couple or prefer a small bus. The number of passengers is usually limited to around 10 people, which is more comfortable than a standard bus.

Departure is from the company’s office in Hoi An, and the shuttle drops you off at Mayla Coffee in Hue. The price is around €17 per person. Please note that if the shuttle is not full, additional passengers may be picked up along the way. The journey takes approximately 4 to 5 hours.

There are two departures per day: 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

This is a simple and efficient solution if you’re looking for a fairly direct transfer without having to deal with multiple connections, even though pickup and drop-off points are fixed.

Hoi An Express

Address: 190 Ton Duc Thang Street, Hoi An
Duration: 4–5 hours (depending on traffic)

You can book the Hoi An Express shuttle on Klook, one of the most popular ticket-booking platforms.

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

5. Motorcycle from Hoi An to Hue

If you have an adventurous spirit, you can rent a scooter or a motorbike in Hoi An and ride all the way to Hue.

Rental prices usually start at around 150,000 VND for a scooter, and range from 300,000 to 1,000,000 VND for a motorbike, depending on the model and rental duration.

To cross the Hai Van Pass, you have two options:

Ride up to the summit (which I clearly recommend) to enjoy the views
Or take the shuttle through the tunnel under the mountain, which is practical but offers no scenery (around 30,000 VND for a scooter and 8,000 VND per person)

Along with a private car, a scooter or motorbike is one of the best ways to do this journey. You are completely free to stop wherever you want, whenever you want, and truly enjoy the route.

Safety considerations

I do not recommend traveling by scooter or motorbike if you’re traveling with children. The road between Hoi An and Hue is not the safest in the region, mainly due to sometimes unpredictable local driving, especially in mountainous areas and on busy roads.

In case of a flat tire or mechanical issue, you’ll notice many phone numbers painted on walls along the Hai Van Pass. These belong to local roadside mechanics who are used to responding quickly in this area.

Where to rent a scooter or motorbike

For rentals, I recommend Motorvina or Style Motorbikes, two reliable and well-established rental companies.

They both have offices in Hue, which allows you to drop off the bike there if you don’t plan to return to Hoi An.

I’ve also written a dedicated article about scooter rental in Hoi An if you’d like more details.

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

easy rider hoi an hue vietnam — Easy Rider Hoi An

The last option to travel from Hoi An to Hue is to go with an Easy Rider.

A full-day Easy Rider trip usually costs around 1,500,000 VND per person (approximately €65 / $70). However, it’s important to know that “Easy Rider” has become a generic term, used by many independent motorbike drivers offering tours. As a result, quality and reliability can vary significantly from one driver to another.

Best Places to See Between Hoi An and Hue

col des nuages citadelle sommet — Hai Van Pass

montagnes de marbre danang 5 — Hai Van Pass

Instead of taking the direct route, you can enhance your journey with several stops to discover places that are truly worth the detour.

1. Hai Van Pass

This iconic mountain pass is considered one of the most beautiful roads in Vietnam. The scenery is spectacular, with breathtaking coastal views and remnants from the French colonial period still visible at the summit.

Stopping at one of the cafés along the climb is an experience in itself and definitely not to be missed.

2. Marble Mountains

Another very popular stop, the Marble Mountains are located in Da Nang. They consist of five limestone hills, only one of which is open to visitors. This is one of Da Nang’s must-see attractions, often included on the route between Hoi An and Hue.

3. Linh Ung Pagoda

Along the way, you can stop at Linh Ung Pagoda, the largest pagoda in Da Nang. Its main highlight is Lady Buddha, a massive white statue visible from several of the city’s beaches.

Located on the Son Tra Peninsula, the pagoda also offers an impressive panoramic view over Da Nang.

pagode linh ung lady bouddha — Lady Bouddha

4. Lang Co Bay

Just after the Hai Van Pass, you can stop at Lang Co Bay, often listed among the most beautiful bays in the world. The beach is stunning and makes for a perfect break during the journey.

5. Lap An Lagoon

On the opposite side of Lang Co lies Lap An Lagoon, famous for its seafood restaurants built directly along the water. It’s an excellent spot for lunch, with fresh seafood as the local specialty.

6. Bach Ma National Park

Located in the mountains, Bach Ma National Park is a former French hill station. Covering nearly 40,000 hectares of preserved nature, it offers beautiful hiking trails, waterfalls, and the remains of old French villas scattered throughout the forest.

It’s an ideal stop for nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts, far from the hustle and bustle of the cities.

7. An Bang Ghost Village

Last but not least, the An Bang Ghost Village (also known as the An Bang Cemetery) is a unique and unusual site near Hue. It is in fact a vast cemetery, famous for its colorful, oversized tombs, surprisingly beautiful and impressive.

Many of these mausoleums were financed by Vietnamese expatriates, who sent money back home to build increasingly elaborate family tombs.

Best Itineraries for Hoi An – Hue (Price & Duration)

I have compiled a list of the best itineraries that you can take. The itineraries between Hoi An and Hue have been formatted for better readability and clarification of details such as durations and prices for private cars.

These itineraries are only feasible by scooter or private car.

1. Hoi An => Hai Van Pass => Hué

This is the most classic route.

Travel duration: 3h30
Prices range from 1,550,000 VND for a 4-seater car to 1,650,000 VND for a 7-seater car.

2. Hoi An => Marble Mountains => Lady Buddha => Hai Van Pass => Hué

This route is the previous one enhanced with two stops, the Marble Mountains and Lady Buddha.

Travel duration: 6h (including visitation time)
Recommended visitation time: 2h for the Marble Mountains + 1h for Lady Buddha
Prices range from 1,750,000 VND for a 4-seater car to 1,850,000 VND for a 7-seater car.

3. Hoi An => Bana Hills => Hai Van Pass => Hue

If you want to see the famous Golden Bridge in the Bana Hills theme park, add it to your itinerary.

Travel duration: 9h30 (including visitation time)
Recommended visitation time: 6h for Bana Hills
Prices range from 2,200,000 VND for a 4-seater car to 2,300,000 VND for a 7-seater car.

4. Hoi An => My Son Sanctuary => Hai Van Pass => Hue

If you haven’t visited the My Son Sanctuary during your trip to Hoi An, why not do it on the journey that takes you to Hue.

Travel duration: 7h30 (including visitation time)
Recommended visitation time: 3h for the My Son Sanctuary
Prices range from 2,150,000 VND for a 4-seater car to 2,350,000 VND for a 7-seater car.

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 a motorbike or a private car, mainly for the flexibility they offer. Being able to choose your departure time, your route, and stop whenever you like gives you real freedom on this journey.

If you’re traveling on a tighter budget, the train remains an excellent option, especially since the route between Da Nang and Hue is one of the most scenic in Vietnam.

The shuttle bus, on the other hand, isn’t necessarily as economical as it may seem. Prices are charged per person, there are only two departures per day, and drop-off is not directly at your hotel, which limits flexibility.

If you’re traveling light, with minimal luggage, Easy Riders can be an interesting alternative, especially if you enjoy motorbike travel and off-the-beaten-path routes.

Finally, I would place the bus as a last option. Driving standards are often poor, and drivers usually speak little or no English. Even though Sinh Tourist is more reliable than most bus companies in Hoi An, it is clearly not the most comfortable or enjoyable option for this journey.

How to Get from Hoi An to Hué ? Bus, train, car, motorcycle