Hanoi To Hue: How To Travel By Plane, Bus Or Train

Find out how to travel from Hanoi to Hue in Vietnam. Whether you want to get there by plane, bus, or train, I will let you know how to book, prices, and more!

No doubt you will find yourself in Hanoi at some point during your trip to Vietnam. Traveling south from here, many travelers find themselves on an overnight journey between Hanoi and Hue.

Hue was the first city I visited after heading out of Hanoi. Many itineraries listed it as a must-see, and I quickly found out why, thanks to the impressive Imperial City.

A good thing to be aware of is getting from Hanoi to Hue can, unfortunately, take quite a bit of time.

The most popular way to travel to Hue, and definitely the most comfortable, is by train. It will be a 14 hour journey, however, the majority of travelers book an overnight ticket as it will also save you a night’s accommodation.

Luckily, if a train isn’t up your alley, there are plenty of other choices as well.

So let’s get into all the specifics to determine which one is the best for you and the most economical for the wallet!

	Time	Cost	Highlight
Train	14 hours	from $40	Comfortable journey
Luxury Train	14 hours	from $60	Super comfortable journey
Bus	12 hours	from $13	The cheapest transport
Tourist Bus	13 hours	from $14	More comfortable than the regular bus
Plane	1 hour	from $35	The fastest way to travel

How To Get From Hanoi To Hue: All Transport Options Explained

🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Vietnam: Baolau & 12.Go Asia

The Distance Between Hanoi & Hue

Whether you decide to travel to Hue via road or rail, the distance will be around the same.

The two options follow a similar route down to Hue being around 700 kilometers in distance.

You will find, though, that the road typically hugs the coastline, whereas the train heads a bit further inland during the journey. On the plane, the journey covers around 600 kilometers.

The main factors that will sway you towards taking the bus, train, or plane will be your budget, how long you want to travel for, and how comfortable you want to be.

How Long Does It Take To Travel From Hanoi To Hue

Bus: The trip to Hue takes approximately 12 to 13 hours on the bus.

Plane: It takes approximately 1 hour to travel to Hue on a plane.

Train: From Hanoi, it takes 14 hours to arrive in Hue. Even though this is the longest choice, it certainly is the most comfortable if you happen to book a soft sleeper!

arriving from hanoi to hue — driving into the hue citadel

1. Booking An Overnight Train RECOMMENDED

Taking the train is my absolute favorite way to see Vietnam. There always seem to be incredible countryside or coastal views out the window.

I have actually taken the train completely from North to South.

Though being at night is it worth taking the train to Hue? Especially when there are cheaper options that will have views?

What To Expect On The Train

Now before we get too into all the specifics about this train journey, let’s get back to basics.

There are two different types of trains you can book when in Vietnam, the regular train and the luxury train.

The normal train is operated by Vietnam Railways. This is where you will find the affordable tickets. They have the option of hard or soft sleeper berths, as well as hard or soft seats.

Currently, they operate this journey to Hue multiple times per day with the SE3, SE19, SE1, SE7, SE5, and SE9 trains. Though they all depart at a different time so make sure to research which will be best for you.

If you decide to book this train, I highly recommend booking a 4-berth soft sleeper cabin over a 6-berth hard sleeper. This is simply because the 4-berths are a lot more comfortable with more headroom, privacy, and thicker mattresses.

I have used these types of trains throughout the country and honestly have not had any issues.

What Is The Luxury Train Like

In contrast, the luxury train is a lot nicer than the regular train.

There are a few options you have when booking a luxury train to Hue. These are either Livitrans, Lotus Train or Viollet Express.

It is still an overnight journey. However, the main difference here is the amenities and facilities you are provided with onboard.

These trains are not actually their own individual trains. They operate onboard the regular Vietnam Railways. However, what they have done is decked out a few of the carriages on board and increased the amenities you are provided.

You will find that your cabin is a lot nicer onboard, with proper pillows, snacks, and free Wifi. You will also have access to the lounge at the train station for a more peaceful spot to relax and wait until boarding is ready.

Of course, it costs a little more than the regular train, though the exact price difference depends on the operator you decide to book with.

The Train Schedule To Hue

Below is the train schedule departing Hanoi and arriving in Hue.

As you can see, it really isn’t too much more expensive for some of the luxury trains. Though in exchange you get a lot more amenities to make your overall journey a lot more comfortable.

Please be aware that in the following table, the price for the Vietnam Railways trains starts at the cheapest point, aka for the seats. The luxury trains are always for the soft sleeper beds as that is all they offer.

Train	Departure Time	Length	Price
SE3 (Vietnam Railways)	19:25	13h	from $21.00
SE19 (Vietnam Railways)	20:00	13h 34m	from $19.00
SE1 (Vietnam Railways)	22:20	12h 27m	from $21.00
SE7 (Vietnam Railways)	06:00	13h 51m	from $20.00
SE5 (Vietnam Railways)	08:50	13h 33m	from $18.00
SE9 (Vietnam Railways)	14:25	14h 14m	from $17.00
Livitrans	19:25	13hr	from $65.00
Violette Train	19:25	13h	from $68.00
Lotus Train	22:20	12h 27m	from $54.00

Types Of Tickets Available Onboard

Nowadays it is a lot easier to buy tickets. Vietnam Railways also accepts online tickets, which prevents the common stress of freaking out, wondering where you can print that ticket you just purchased online.

There are various types of cabin choices available, so you can pick the perfect option for you. Here is a breakdown of the types of tickets sold on the following trains:

Types Of Tickets Onboard	SE1	SE3	SE5	SE9	SE19	SE7*
Standard Seat (Fan)			✅	✅	✅
Air Conditioned Hard Seats			✅	✅	✅
Air Conditioned Soft Seats	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Air Conditioned Hard Sleeper (6 Berth)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Air Conditioned Soft Sleeper (4 Berth)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Privately Run Luxury Sleeper Carriages	✅	✅

* SE7 only operates during busy times of the year such as during Tet

Buy Tickets Online

You can purchase tickets online. It can be a bit confusing as some websites still say you need to print out to ticket and swap it with a proper one at the train station.

I ended up booking with Baolau.

Their website said I didn’t need to print off my ticket and instead just show it on my phone to the attendant on the train. This is what I did, and I didn’t have any issues.

Buy Tickets From Vietnam Railways

Another option is buying your tickets directly at Vietnam Railways. You often can’t find the cheaper hard/soft seater tickets available on third-party websites as they are not a popular choice for travelers.

So, if you are on a budget, you can book direct for slightly cheaper prices.

appreciating the beauty inside hue citadel

🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Vietnam: Baolau & 12.Go Asia

What Berth To Book

There is an assortment of seating or berths you can book on the trains. Be aware that even though you may book the same class twice, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will be the same.

Several trains have been refurbished in recent years, making them a lot more comfortable. However, this isn’t the case with all of the trains.

Hard Or Soft Seat

These seats are more basic, with a hard seat being one of the cheapest options available.

This is good for shorter journeys, though I would think twice before booking one for the long journey between Hanoi and Hue.

Hard Or Soft Sleeper

Most travelers will choose a soft sleeper when taking long journeys in Vietnam. This is definitely the most comfortable way to travel.

Also, it is the safest with fewer people around you.

The only difference between the hard sleeper and soft sleeper berths is the number of people you will be sharing with. A hard sleeper sleeps 6 people, whereas a soft sleeper sleeps 4 people.

So contrary to the name, you won’t be sleeping on a hard surface. You will just have less headroom if you want to sit upright.

Lower Or Upper Berth

The appeal of the lower berth is simply that it is a lot easier to get into. There is no climbing an awkward ladder, trying not to fall off while the train moves.

The lower ones are also generally slightly bigger as they are permanent fixtures.

The upper berth is a lot more private! Just be aware you may also have the air conditioning blowing straight onto you, so bring an extra jacket on board to keep warm!

Top tip: If you book your train via Baolau you can pick in advance whether you want a lower or upper berth.

My Experience Taking The Train From Hanoi To Hue

It’s a 14-hour ride to Hue, departing at 8 pm from Hanoi and arriving at 10 am. The Baolau website had a variety of options to choose from and I could even pick my exact seats.

We decided on a four-berth soft sleeper, lower bunks, on train SE19 seeing as it would be a long journey which cost 720000 VND and a small booking fee.

The Hanoi Railway Station is located a twenty-minute or so walk away from the Old Quarter. So we strapped on our bags and began navigating our way. Soon enough we arrived and managed to figure our way to our train and carriage with no help whatsoever, super proud.

When arriving at the station on the lower level, head straight through where there will be a sign displaying what gate the train is departing from.

Once you have found that, head up the escalator on the left to the second floor, then through the door on either side of the building. There should be electronic signs stating what carriages are in which direction and it is all quite easy to figure out.

Entering the carriage it was obvious it was not the most flash, but also it was not run down as all those horror stories I had previously read online made it sound.

The four-berth cabin was simple, with basic wooden fixings, a small table, power sockets, and two lights. When we arrived, our two cabinmates were already there.

The train departed at the exact minute, and we soon fell asleep to the rocking movements. At approximately 10 pm, loud music started playing, and a woman came over the loudspeaker stating we had arrived in Ninh Binh.

It went quiet after that and we all fell back to sleep. Then, at 2 am, the noise started again, having arrived in Vinh, and our two cabinmates departed, leaving James and me by ourselves for the remaining 8 hours.

After that, I fell asleep quickly, dreaming of trains and buses, obviously caused by the rocking sensations.

It was a really good sleep, likely the same amount I would have had at a hostel. I slept without earplugs or headphones and was only awakened at the stations.

The bathrooms were kept clean throughout the trip, most visits were stocked with toilet paper. The only bathroom major was the smell once in there, but you will want to get out of there as quickly as possible anyway.

arriving in our cabin on the sleeper train from hanoi to hue

Hanoi Train Station

Hanoi has a few different train stations. However, don’t stress about getting to the correct one, as all trains to Hue depart from Hanoi Railway Station in Van Mieu.

The is just an easy 20-minute walk or 10-minute taxi ride from the Old Quarter. I walked to catch the train, and it was a pretty easy walk, even at night.

I recommend using Google Maps to avoid getting lost. If you do decide to taxi this will only set you back a couple of dollars.

Hanoi Railway Station is a huge building and can be a bit overwhelming. Just enter the main door and check the board for which platform your train departs. From there, it is a mad and stressful run to ensure you don’t get lost.

If you are traveling with Vietnam Railways on their SP1 or SP3 train, then you don’t need to check in on arrival. Just head straight to the train and show your e-ticket.

If you are traveling on one of the luxury trains, you will receive instructions when you receive your ticket.

Hue Train Station

The train station in Hue is luckily still within walking distance of the main town. It is located on Bui Thi Xuan Street, only about 1 km from the city center. For us, it took maybe another 20 minutes to walk to your accommodation past all the busy streets and the hospital.

The train station here is pretty small. Though I guess that just means you cannot get lost. There will also be plenty of taxis waiting around if you need a ride, and if you do not need one, you will get plenty of offers anyway.

2. Traveling To Hue By Overnight Bus * CHEAPEST *

If you are on a tighter budget or perhaps are not a fan of train travel, then taking the bus may be the best option for you.

This journey will take around 12 to 13 hours, depending on how many stops are made and traffic.

In all honesty, the journey isn’t too bad, especially if you book it overnight so you can sleep the majority of the way. Just prepare yourself to get awoken every few hours for bathroom breaks.

As someone who has taken the sleeper buses in Vietnam, let me just say you pick your bus company carefully. Reputable companies who run the Hanoi Hue route include The Sinh Tourist and Hey Travel.

Bus VS Tourist Bus

Now let’s get into the difference between the type of buses available, this is the regular bus or a tourist bus.

Your regular bus is more to Vietnamese standards, which is fine if you know that is what you are booking. If not, you may be in for a sleepless surprise.

Anyway, I found the typical Vietnamese buses to just be a bit painful. The lay-flat seats were not tall enough for us Westerners, it was far from clean, and if I were to spend more than a few hours in there, my sanity would be questioned.

The reason I ended up on such buses is that I let my accommodation book them. That means they just did whichever earned them the most commission.

From there onwards, we used The Sinh Tourist. Be aware there are plenty of fake websites and fake stores pretending to be this company.

Luckily we didn’t have a single issue with them. Their flat seats were even more comfortable, being slightly longer for us tall foreigners. You do pay a premium to book with them.

Another good company is Hey Travel. Just do your research in advance and book online through a platform like Baolau or 12.Go Asia where you can read reviews.

jumping on the sleeper bus from hanoi to hue — jumping on the sleeper bus in vietnam

Sleeper VS Seat Bus

Now the unique thing about taking a bus in Vietnam is the impressive sleeper-style buses. These are unlike any I have seen elsewhere, with three rows of chairs stacked two tall.

Honestly, they looked super comfortable, and I was excited. I thought this would be the easiest journey, but I was wrong.

See, I am tall. Sure, I am not super tall, just reaching 180cm. Though I am tall enough that I need to awkwardly contort my body to fit my feet into those little boxes.

Honestly, if you are less than 165cm you should be fine in the typical sleeper style bus, though any taller and it will be one uncomfortable journey. For the tourist style buses, if you are180cm you should be to comfortably fit.

At the back of the buses is a huge lay flat area. Basically, imagine your large row on the back of the bus is converted into a huge bed. This is where they chucked the tall people.

🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Vietnam: Baolau & 12.Go Asia

Bus Schedule From Hanoi To Hue

Below is the bus schedule departing Hanoi and arriving in Hue. Be aware there are so many companies you can choose from and this is just a small selection of the best few.

Bus	Departure Times	Arrival Time	Length	Price
Huang Thanh	18:30	07:30	13h	from $13.00
The Sinh Tourist	18:00	07:00	13h	from $14.00
Hoang Long	07:00 13:00 20:00 21:30	19:30 01:30 08:30 10:00	12h 30m	from $18.00
Queen Cafe	18:00	07:30	13h 30m	from $13.00
Hey Travel	18:30	06:50	12h 20m	from $16.00

As you can see the bus companies all cost a similar amount, and just because one is more pricey doesn’t necessarily mean the service will be better.

My number one point when booking is to make sure you read reviews so you know what to expect!

How To Book Your Bus Tickets

It is super easy to book the bus to Hue. Personally, I recommend doing it online via Baolau or 12.Go Asia.

This is simply so you can read reviews rather than going through your accommodation or a travel agency. I had a bad experience doing the latter and would hate for you to do the same!

Anyway, by booking with them, you can see what other travelers have said about the journey with each option. Then you can just buy your ticket through their website, and they will email you a copy.

It’s super easy!

Where Does The Bus Drop You Off

Depending on which bus company you end up with booking will affect where you are dropped off in Hue. Though the majority do drop you off in the city center.

Just be aware that depending on where your accommodation is located you may need to take a taxi or walk the rest of the distance.

Hey Travel: Arrives at 15 Duong Van An in the city center

The Sinh Tourist: Van An St in Hue City

3. Fly Down To Hue On A Plane * FASTEST*

If you aren’t worried about traveling overland, then perhaps taking a flight may be the best option for you.

Flying is usually the more expensive way to travel between locations. Though thankfully Vietnam has plenty of budget airlines.

Seriously flights can be found for as little as $30.00!

There are also around 7 flights daily to Hue so you will be spoilt for choice. You will depart Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi for Phu Bai International Airport (HUI) in Hue.

Just remember you generally need to book flights further out to get a good price. This means less flexibility in your travels as you will through your entire itinerary off if you spend a few extra days somewhere.

Vietjet Air is the cheapest and most suitable airline operating this route. Also, the taxi to the airport is generally around $20.00, so make sure to budget for this.

The major bonus of booking a flight is that it only takes 1 hour to fly to Hue. This means if you have limited time in Vietnam and want to make the most out of it, then this may just be the best option for you.

Flights can be booked at 12.Go Asia.

FAQ’s About Traveling To Hue From Hanoi

No worries if you have a few more questions about this journey, we should cover it here.

How Far In Advance Should I Book Tickets

I recommend you book tickets in advance to ensure you can travel with a reputable, clean, and safe company.

You should try for at least a week in advance to be safe. Though if you are not worried about this then you can probably just book the day before.

Booking through Baolau or 12.Go Asia is perfect for those busy periods, as you can book when you haven’t even arrived in the country yet!

This means you can relax knowing all the planning is taken care of.

This advice isn’t valid during the high season between November to January, weekends, and especially on the Vietnamese New Year (Tet). During these times, you will want to book at least 4 weeks in advance and expect a very full bus, train, or flight.

How Many Days To Spend In Hue?

Depending on what you plan to do here will affect how long you want to spend.

Personally, I would stay 2 full days. The main thing to do here is visit the Imperial City. Though after a big overland journey you will want to stay a little longer to recover.

Where To Stay In Hue?

When choosing where to stay in Hue, you will be absolutely spoilt for choice.

No matter your budget or the type of traveler you are, there is something to fit all your needs. Whether you want an affordable hostel, welcoming guesthouse, or luxury hotel

Shark Homestay

A social hostel with a great vibe, and breakfast, it is well worth $5.00 per night.

BOOK NOW

Chi Homestay #4

A great and comfortable spot, from $7.00 per night in a dorm room.

BOOK NOW

Nice Hue Hotel

Beautiful private rooms from $15.00 per night and in the heart of the city.

BOOK NOW

Hue Nino Hotel

Affordable rooms starting from $18.00 per night with breakfast.

BOOK NOW

Things To Do In Hue

Hue is a history lovers’ paradise! There are so many things to do here that will keep you busy.

Imperial City of Hue: The Imperial City of Hue is one of the most popular things to do in Hue. It was built in 1362 and in 1993 was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Between these two periods of time, the walls of the city have witnessed a lot of history. It even served as the capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945 during the reign of the Nguyen dynasty.

Wander The Perfume River: A stroll along the Perfume River is the perfect way to relax after a busy day exploring. There are many sights to see along the river and it is the ideal place to people watch. At night you will find local vendors opening stalls up to sell their goods.

Thien Mu Pagoda: Another popular option is checking out Thien Mu Pagoda. You can find it along the Perfume River, approximately 4 kilometers from the main citadel in the city. This incredible 7 story pagoda is an icon of not only Hue but of Vietnam itself.

Hue Abonded Waterpark: One of the more popular and unusual tourist activities is visiting the Abandoned Waterpark. It was close to opening in 2004 after investors put around $3 million dollars into the project. Since then, it has been left for nature to take over, and it is an incredible sight to see.

Wrap Up: How To Travel To Hue

Hopefully, now you should know which of the above options will be best for you when it comes to traveling from Hanoi down the coast to Hue.

Whether you wish to splash out on a flight, brave it on an overnight bus, or check out the middle ground on the train.

Ultimately it should come down to budget and how much time you have to spare. Plus, no matter what you decide, it will be worth it when you are walking around the impressive Imperial City.

Any Questions? Let Me Know In The Comments!

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Traveling from Hanoi to Hue is a common route for most travelers in Vietnam. Hue is home to the impressive Imperial City which is a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site I highly recommend checking out while you are exploring this amazing country.

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