
Hue was Vietnam's imperial capital, 540 kilometres (336 miles) south of Hanoi on the Perfume River. The walled Citadel and the Nguyen emperors' tombs are the draw, spread out along the water. Flying is the quickest way, taking 2h 45m. Overland, the bus is the cheapest way to get from Hanoi to Hue at $23 (587,000 VND). The train costs more and takes about as long.
Distance from Hanoi to Hue
Hanoi and Hue are about 540 km (336 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 667 km by road. The quickest way to get from Hanoi to Hue is by taking the flight, which takes around 2h 45m.
3 ways to travel from Hanoi to Hue
There are three ways to travel from Hanoi to Hue. You can choose between the bus, flight, and train. The journey takes 2h 45m–13h 30m and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $23 (587,000 VND).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- City Centre→Hanoi Airport1h
- Hanoi→Hue1h
- Hue Airport (Phu Bai)→City Centre30m
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Hanoi to Hue by Bus
The bus is the most affordable way to get from Hanoi to Hue, with ticket prices from $23 (587,000 VND).
Green Trips, GoEz Travel, The Long Travel, Queen Cafe Bus, TBus and Cua Ong Limousine all offer overnight bus trips for this route.
Travel time by bus from Hanoi to Hue takes around 12-15h, but you’ll hopefully spend most of the journey sleeping. Note that most buses arrive really early in Hue, so you may want to contact your hotel beforehand for early check-in.
Departure and arrival station
Camel Travel and The Long Travel depart from the Camel Travel Office in Hanoi, about 2 km south of the Old Quarter. They park at 62 Chu Van An Street in Hue city centre.
Queen Cafe departs from the Queen Cafe Office in Hanoi, just a few minutes walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. It arrives at Queen Cafe in Hue centre.
Bus schedule from Hanoi to Hue
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
Hanoi to Hue by Flight
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: City Centre to Hanoi Airport by Bus
Hanoi Airport (Noi Bai) is located 30 km north of Hanoi city centre.
If you’re staying in or around the Old Quarter, the best way to get to the airport is via Express Bus 86. These buses have several pick-up points within the city centre, and you just have to find the nearest bus stop to your hotel. A bus ticket costs $1.70 (45,000 VND).
Alternatively, you can take a taxi or hail a car via Grab with rates from $8.70 (230,000 VND).
For more details and transport options, check out our page on Hanoi Airport.
Step 2: Hanoi to Hue by Flight
Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, and Vietnam Airlines are the three carriers operating flights from Hanoi to Hue. Flight time takes 1 hour 15 minutes.
Ticket prices start from $24 (620,000 VND) when you book your tickets in advance.
Note that airfares are more expensive in the high season or close to the travel date. When booking only a few days before your trip, expect to pay around $38 (1,000,000 VND).
Step 3: Hue Airport (Phu Bai) to City Centre by Bus
From Hue Airport (Phu Bai), you will then have to travel 15 km northwest to get to Hue city centre. That’s around 30 minutes by shuttle bus or taxi.
When travelling solo, the more cost-efficient way would be to take a shuttle bus. The bus will take you up to the Vietnam Airlines/Vietjet Air office in the city centre, from where you can walk or take a short taxi ride to your hotel. A bus ticket costs $2.70 (70,000 VND).
If you want to be brought straight to your hotel, you can also take a taxi for around $10 (270,000 VND).
Visit our guide on Hue Airport for more info.
Flight tickets are available on Skyscanner.
Hanoi to Hue by Train
Travelling by train from Hanoi to Hue takes around 13h 30m. It’s not exactly something you would consider when you can just take a 3-hour flight. But the train is actually a good alternative when you want to save a night on accommodation.
If you take an overnight train, you can just sleep for the most part of the journey and wake up fully recharged in Hue.
Train ticket prices start from $72 (1,882,000 VND) for a soft seat. But for the most comfort for this long journey, we recommend getting a bunk in a 4-berth cabin.
Departure and arrival station
Trains depart from Hanoi Railway Station, which you can find 2 km southwest of the Old Quarter. Depending on your hotel’s location, you can get to the train station via a few minutes walk or a short taxi ride.
You are to get off at Hue Railway Station, about 2 km south of the Imperial City.
Train schedule from Hanoi to Hue
Train tickets are available on Bookaway.
Our favourite places to stay in Hue
Here are our favourite places to stay in Hue for every budget.
Hong Thien Ruby Hotel
Hotel La Pere
Cherish Hue Hotel
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
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!
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Hanoi to Hue, roughly 540 kilometres (336 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $23 (587,000 VND). The quickest trip takes 2h 45m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Hanoi to Hue?
The distance from Hanoi to Hue is 540 kilometres (336 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Hanoi to Hue?
The fastest way to get from Hanoi to Hue is by flight and takes 2h 45m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Hanoi to Hue?
The cheapest way to get from Hanoi to Hue is by bus with ticket costs starting from 587,000 VND.
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