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Phong Nha is cave country, 186 kilometres (116 miles) north of Hue. The national park hides some of the biggest caves on earth, including Son Doong. The private transfer gets you from Hue to Phong Nha in 4h. The bus is the budget pick at $7.90 (208,000 VND), and the train costs the same.
Distance from Hue to Phong Nha
Hue and Phong Nha are about 186 km (116 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 210 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 3h 30m and 5h.
3 ways to travel from Hue to Phong Nha
There are three ways to travel from Hue to Phong Nha. You can choose between the bus, train, and private transport. The journey takes 3h 30m–4h and the quickest way is by bus. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $7.90 (208,000 VND).
2 legs — see itinerary
- Hue to Dong Hoi by Train2h 55m
- Hue→Dong Hoi1h 30m
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1Hue to Phong Nha by Bus
Queen Cafe and Grouptour offer direct buses from Hue to Phong Nha. Ticket prices start from $7.90 (208,000 VND) for the 3h 30m - 5h journey.
There also used to be a DMZ Bus Tour that made a stop at the Vinh Moc Tunnels and Ben Hai River. The last time we checked (September 2024), this tour was temporarily suspended.
Bus schedule from Hue to Phong Nha
Hung Thanh is another direct bus operator for this route. However, we don’t recommend travelling with them because they get bad reviews. These include overloading, rude staff, and dirty buses. If you still want to travel with Hung Thanh, you can book a ticket through Phong Nha Locals.
Departure and arrival stations
Different buses have varying departure and arrival points.
Direct Buses
Queen Cafe and Grouptour depart along Doi Cung Street in Hue city centre. They both park at Central Backpackers Hostel along the main street in Phong Nha.
*DMZ Bus
*UPDATE: The last time we checked (September 2024), DMZ Bus has yet to resume tour operations to the Vinh Moc Tunnels.
Sy’s Homestay operates the DMZ Bus. With the tours to the Vinh Moc Tunnels and Ben Hai River still suspended, they only offer direct trips from Hue to Phong Nha. The bus departs from the DMZ Bar in Hue and drops you off at your hotel in Phong Nha.
For the latest updates, you can contact Sy’s Homestay through their Facebook page or you can send them an email at contact.syhomestay@gmail.com.
Hue to Phong Nha by Train
Step 1: Hue to Dong Hoi by Train
You can choose from a number of trains when travelling from Hue to Dong Hoi.
Ticket prices start from $5.90 (155,000 VND) for a soft seat, which should be comfortable enough for the journey that takes 2h 55m - 3h 15m. More expensive sleeper bunks are also available if you’re looking to catch up on some snooze.
Trains depart from Hue Train Station, just across Perfume River and 2 km away from the Imperial City. You are to get off at Dong Hoi Railway Station, 40 km southeast of Phong Nha.
Train tickets are available on Bookaway.
Step 2: Dong Hoi to Phong Nha by Bus or Taxi
From Dong Hoi Railway Station, you can take a 1.5-hour bus or a 1-hour taxi to Phong Nha. Rates start from $1.90 (50,000 VND) and $15 (400,000 VND), respectively.
Buses from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha are available only from 05:30 to 17:00. This means that you can only catch the bus if you take the early morning train (SE8). All other trains will arrive in Dong Hoi outside the operating hours of the bus.
You can find the nearest bus stop some 1.5 km away across Dong Hoi’s Central Bus Station. That’s about 15 minutes away on foot or 5 minutes away by taxi, which costs around $1.50 (40,000 VND).
If you’re taking any of the trains leaving in the afternoon, then you have no choice but to get a taxi from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha. You can find them just outside the train station. Prepare to haggle because some drivers will try to charge you at least $19 (500,000 VND) or more!
See our guide for Dong Hoi to Phong Nha for more details.
Hue to Phong Nha by Private Transfer
Looking for a private ride? You can also get a taxi from Hue to Phong Nha. Rates start from $100 (2,658,000 VND) for a 2-seater car.
Book your private transfer through BookAway so you can expect a spacious car with a professional driver.
Private Transfer tickets are available on Bookaway.
Our favourite places to stay in Phong Nha
Here are our favourite places to stay in Phong Nha for every budget.
Thao Nguyen Homestay
Thanks to the great hospitality of the family, Thao Nguyen Homestay will feel like your home. After a day of trekking, you can take a dive in the pool or sit back and relax with a Netflix movie.
The homestay is located right in front of the bus stop in the centre of Phong Nha. The rooms are bright and spacious, with some of them offering spectacular views of the mountains.
- Mountain views
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Bright and spacious rooms
- Delicious free breakfast
Private rooms start from $16 per night.
Phong Nha Dawn House
You'll probably find it slightly hard to believe that rooms also start at $16 at Phong Nha Dawn House. This place has an almost perfect rating for a reason.
Tu Tu and her family make you feel right at home in their beautiful homestay where you can enjoy a refreshing swimming pool, delicious restaurant and comfortable rooms.
- Great value for money
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Delicious restaurant
- Free breakfast
Private rooms start from $16 per night.
Karst Villas Phong Nha
Floating in an infinity pool overlooking endless rice fields, can you think of anything better? How about if on top of that, there are mountains in the background and you're staying with a beautiful Vietnamese family?
Karst Villas offer all of that plus modern room and unique bathrooms. A very memorable stay!
- Infinity pool
- Incredible views
- Amazing family
- Delicious free breakfast
Private rooms start from $38 per night.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Phong Nha?
Phong Nha is a haven for adventure seekers. Its location in central Vietnam requires more time and effort to reach, probably why fewer travellers make their way to this town. That means you can enjoy a mostly unspoiled bit of paradise when you visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its enormous cave system — which includes the world’s largest cave (Hang Son Doong) and the longest dry cave in Asia (Paradise Cave). Outdoor lovers will also enjoy the lush hiking trails, karst mountains, and amazing wildlife in Phong Nha.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Hue to Phong Nha, roughly 186 kilometres (116 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $7.90 (208,000 VND). The quickest trip takes 3h 30m.
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 Hue to Phong Nha?
The distance from Hue to Phong Nha is 186 kilometres (116 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Hue to Phong Nha?
Journey times from Hue to Phong Nha overlap: bus 3h 30m - 5h, train 3h 55m - 4h 45m, private transfer 4h. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
What is the cheapest way to get from Hue to Phong Nha?
The cheapest way to get from Hue to Phong Nha is by bus with ticket costs starting from 208,000 VND.
About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
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.
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
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.
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