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

Let me tell you exactly how to travel from Hanoi to Hue in Vietnam. Whether you’re keen to travel by plane, bus, or train, I’ll let you know how to book, prices, and more!

Okay no doubt you’ll find yourself in Hanoi at some point during your trip. Then, traveling south from here, good chance you’ll do the overnight journey between Hanoi and Hue.

Hue was my first stop after heading out of Hanoi, and it was actually a real nice stop. Many itineraries list it as a must-see, and I quickly found out why, thanks to the impressive Imperial City.

However, prepare yourself, as 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’ll be a 14 hour ride. However, booking an overnight ticket will also save you a night’s accommodation.

Luckily, if a train isn’t up your alley, theres 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 best for your wallet!

The Distance Between Hanoi & Hue

Now whether you decide to travel to Hue via road or rail, it doesn’t really matter, the distance will be around the same.

They both follow a similar route down lasting around 700 kilometers in distance. So yes. It’s a long one!

Though you’ll find that the road typically hugs the coastline, whereas the train heads a bit further inland.

The main things that’ll sway you towards taking the bus, train, or plane will be your budget, spare time, and how comfortable you actually want to be…

How Long Does It Take To Travel From Hanoi To Hue

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

Plane: It’ll take approx 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 the right sleeper bus!

1. Booking An Overnight Train *RECOMMENDED*

So I may be a bit biased here but taking the train is my absolute favorite way to see Vietnam! There always seem to be gorgeous countryside or coastal views out the window.

I’ve 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:

• The regular train
• The luxury train

The normal train is operated by Vietnam Railways. This is where you’ll find the affordable tickets. This is where you’ll find the affordable ticket options of hard or soft sleeper berths, and hard or soft seats.

Currently, they operate to Hue often throughout the day with the SE3, SE19, SE1, SE7, SE5, and SE9 trains. Though they all depart at different times, so make sure to research (think overnight vs daytime).

If you decide to book this train, I highly recommend 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’ve used these types of trains throughout the country and honestly have not had any issues whatsoever.

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.

• Livitrans
• Lotus Train
• Viollet Express

It’s 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 on the regular Vietnam Railways. However, what they’ve done is deck out a few of the carriages.

You’ll find that your cabin is a lot nicer, with proper pillows, snacks, and free Wifi. Theres also access to the lounge at the train station where you can wait until boarding.

Of course, it costs a little more than the regular train, though the exact price depends on the operator.

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, 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.

Types Of Tickets Available Onboard

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

There are a bunch of cabin choices available, so you can pick the perfect one for you.

Here’s a breakdown of the types of tickets sold on the following trains:

Buy Tickets Online

You can purchase tickets online super easy. It can be a bit confusing as some sites still say you need to print out a ticket and swap it 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 train attendant. This is what I did, and I didn’t have any issues.

Buy Tickets From Vietnam Railways

Another option is buying your tickets directly from 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 tourists.

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

What Berth To Book

Theres a bunch of different seating or berths you can book onboard. Be aware that even though you may book the same class twice, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will be the same.

This is because some trains have been refurbished, making them a lot more comfortable. However, this isn’t the case with all of the trains unfortunately.

Hard Or Soft Seat

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

This is good for shorter rides, though I would think twice before booking one for a long journey, such as 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’s the safest with fewer people around you.

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

So contrary to the name, the beds still have the exact same amount of padding, it’s just the number of cabin mates.

It may not sound like much of a difference, but that is within the same size space. Would you be comfortable on a triple bunk where you can’t sit upright?

Lower Or Upper Berth

The appeal of the lower berth is simply that it is a lot easier to get into. There’s 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

Honestly, it’s a long 14 hour ride leaving Hanoi at 8 pm, and arriving in Hue at 10 am.

Luckily, Baolau has a decent amount of options to choose from when booking, and I could even pick my exact seat!

We decided on a four-berth soft sleeper, lower bunks, on train SE19, seeing as it would be a long journey. It ends up costing 720000 VND / $30.00 each, but it’s worth it for that extra comfort.

Hanoi Railway Station was a 20 min walk away from where we were staying the Old Quarter. Though it’s not hot this time of year, so it’s quite refreshing in the evening.

We even manage to figure our way to our train and carriage with no help whatsoever! Super proud.

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

The 4 berth cabin was simple, with wooden fixings, a small table, power sockets, and two lights. When we arrived, our two cabinmates were already there.

The train departs at the exact minute, and we soon fell asleep to the rocking movements. At around 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 left, leaving just us for the remaining 8 hours.

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

The bathrooms were kept clean throughout the trip, and most visits were stocked with toilet paper. The only bathroom major was the smell, but you’ll want to get out as quickly as possible anyway.

Hanoi Train Station

Hanoi has a few different train stations, but don’t stress, all trains to Hue leave from Hanoi Railway Station in Van Mieu.

This is an easy 20 minute walk or 10 minute taxi ride from the Old Quarter. Personally I just walked and it was a pretty easy, even at night.

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

Honestly, Hanoi Railway Station is a pretty damn huge building and can be overwhelming. Just enter the main door and check the board for your platform.

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

If you are traveling on one of the luxury trains, you’ll receive instructions in your booking email.

Hue Train Station

Luckily, the train station in Hue is still within walking distance of the main town.

It’s located on Bui Thi Xuan Street, about 1 km from the city center. For us, it took maybe another 20 minutes to walk to our accommodation past all the busy streets and hospital.

Now, the train station here is pretty small, so you shouldn’t really get lost.

There will also be plenty of taxis waiting around if you need a ride, and if you don’t, you’ll still get plenty of offers anyway.

2. Travel To Hue By Overnight Bus * CHEAPEST *

Now, if you’re on a tight budget or perhaps aren’t a fan of trains, then taking the bus may be the best option.

This will take around 12 to 13 hours, depending on how many stops the driver makes and traffic.

In all honesty, it isn’t too bad, especially if you book overnight so you can sleep. 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 on this route include HK Buslines and King Express Bus.

Bus VS Tourist Bus

Now let’s get into the difference between the type of buses available:

• Regular bus
• Tourist bus

Your regular bus is more to Vietnamese standards, which is fine if this is what you’re expecting. 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, it wasn’t clean, and if I was to spend more than a few hours in there, it wouldn’t be good.

The reason I ended up on one 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 and proper reputable companies. Luckily, then we didn’t have a single issue.

Their flat seats were even more comfortable, being slightly longer for us tall foreigners. You do pay a bit more to book with them, but it’s so worth it!.

I highly recommend checking out HK Buslines for their swanky pod like cabins for a comfortable and private ride.

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

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.

As you can see, the bus companies all cost a similar amount, though the price difference will come down to the seat style and comfort.

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’s super easy to book the bus to Hue and I’d 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 this and would hate for you to do the same!

Anyway, by booking with them, you can see what other travelers have said, and then just buy through their website, and they’ll email you a copy.

It’s super easy!

Where Does The Bus Drop You Off

Depending on which bus company you end up with 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 your accommodation you may need to take a taxi or walk the rest of the way.

King Express: 7 Doi Cung Hue

HK Busline: 35 Nguyen Cong Tru, Hue or 101 Bui Thi Xuan, Hue

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

If you aren’t worried about traveling overland, then taking a flight may be perfect.

Yes, flying is usually the more expensive, 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’ll be pretty spoilt for choice. They leave from Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi and arrive at Phu Bai International Airport (HUI) in Hue.

Just remember you generally need to book flights in advance for a good price.

Vietjet Air is the cheapest airline operating this route, however they’re known for cancellations and delays.

The major bonus of booking a flight is that it only takes 1 hour to fly to Hue. Perfect if you have limited time on your Vietnam route!

FAQ’s About Traveling To Hue From Hanoi

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

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 overnight journey you’ll likley want to take the first day simply to recover.

Where To Stay In Hue?

Okay so you’ve plenty options when looking for accommodation in Hue. This is a touristy spot, so theres a bit of everything here no matter your budget.

I stayed over at Shark Homestay which was a lil hostel run by the sweetest team. It’s in an amazing location with plenty of streetfood and restaurants around.

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 from $18.00 per night and with breakfast included. BOOK NOW

Things To Do In Hue

Now Hue doesn’t seem like too big of a place, especially if you’re coming from Hanoi! Though you’ll still find plenty things to do here.

Imperial City of Hue: The Imperial City is for sure one of the most popular things to do here. It was built in 1362 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Between these two periods of time, the walls of the city have witnessed a lot of history, even serving as the capital of Vietnam!

Wander the Perfume River: A stroll along the Perfume River is the perfect way to relax and people watch. At night, you’ll find locals selling all sorts of goodies.

Thien Mu Pagoda: Another popular option is checking out Thien Mu Pagoda. You can find it along the Perfume River, 4 kms from the main city. It’s an incredible 7 story pagoda and is quite the sight.

Hue Abandoned Waterpark: One of the more unusual activities is the Abandoned Waterpark. Being super close to opening it was left to nature to take over. There are even rumors of crocodiles in the pools!

Wrap Up: How To Travel To Hue

Hopefully, now you know exactly what’ll be best for you to travel 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.

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