The cultural pearl of the centre and Vietnam, Hue City is full of majestic remains nestled in a poetic natural setting. The Hue citadel has superbly preserved palaces, the surroundings are as magnificent as they are pleasant, combining sea and mountains, everything that makes Hue an unmissable part of a trip to Vietnam. Do you have a plan to visit this UNESCO-listed heritage site and are looking for practical information to make good choices in terms of itinerary, transportation and price? This article shares with you everything you need to know how to get to Hue from Hanoi and Saigon, two emblematic destinations in the North and South.

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Location of Hue

As the capital of Thua Thien Hue province in the centre, Hue is a coastal city located 654km from Hanoi, 1,051km from Ho Chi Minh City and 85km from Danang. Easily accessible from different regions, Hue City is served by road, rail and air.

Means of transportation

You can choose a plane, train or bus depending on your budget and personal plan.

Going to Hue by plane

With its Phu Bai International Airport, Hue is linked to Hanoi and Saigon by around ten direct flights per day. This journey lasting more than an hour is operated by three companies Vietnam Airlines, VietjetAir and Jetstar.

Flight Hanoi – Hue

Flights Saigon – Hue

>> Find out more to book a bus/train/flight for the route Hanoi - Hue or Saigon - Hue.

Hue Airport or Phu Bai International Airport is 15 kilometres from the city centre

Tips on Hanoi-Hue flights and Saigon-Hue flights

Since the demand for flights to Hue fluctuates depending on the period, the ticket price is not the same between high and low seasons. Note two following seasons:

+ Low season: from May to November
+ High season: from July to September

Transfer between Hue airport and Hue city centre (15km)

Taxi

+ Duration: between 15 - 20 mins
+ Indicative price: 250,000 VND/car

Public bus

Two options: Bus 2 and Bus 11
Price: 7000 VND/one-way
Departure: from 4:45 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. every day.

Shuttle between Hue City - Phu Bai Airport

Frequency: between 30 and 60 minutes
Price: 70,000 VND/person

>> Read more: How to transfer from Hue Airport to downtown and back

Go to Hue by train

Hue is one of many stops on the SE train which runs North-South connections from/to Hanoi or from/to Saigon.

Train Hanoi - Hue

Train Saigon - Hue

>> Find out more about booking a Hanoi - Hue or Ho Chi Minh city - Hue train

Hue train station

Address:

Noi Bai Airport: 30 km from Hanoi city centre
Tan Son Nhat Airport: 8 km from downtown Ho Chi Minh City
Phu Bai Airport: 15 km from the city centre (Section 8, Phu Bai, Huong Thuy, Thua Thien Hue)

Note: To reach Hue from Danang by train, here is the information on the Danang – Hue train:

Duration: between 2h25 and 3h40
Number of trains: 7 trips/day.
Price: between 50,000 – 355,000 VND/person, depending on the class

Go to Hue by bus

Bus Hanoi – Hue

Around fifteen buses connect the cities of Hanoi and Hue every day. It's easy to find a comfortable sleeper bus from Hanoi bus stations and city centre to Hue city centre or Hue bus stations.

Reference bus: Hoang Long, Hung Thanh, Duc Thinh, Camel Travel, The Sinh Tourist…

+ Departure from Hanoi from Nuoc Ngam, Yen Nghia, Giap Bat and My Dinh bus stations: Hoang Long, Duc Thinh, Nhat Tuan
+ Departure from Hanoi city centre and other points:

From 64 Tran Nhat Duat, Hoan Kiem to 12 Hung Vuong Street in Hue: The Sinh Tourist…
From Tran Quang Khai Street, Hoan Kiem to 11 Doi Cung Street in Hue: Queen Cafe, Trekking Travel…
From Tran Khat Chan Street, Hai Ba Trung to Chu Van An/Nguyen Thai Hoc Streets in Hue: Camel Travel, Hung Thanh…
From Nuoc Ngam station to the bus station North of Hue: Hoang Long

Address:

Bus station North of Hue: Ly Thai To Street, Huong So, Hue City
Bus station South of Hue: 97 An Duong Vuong Street, Hue City

Bus Saigon - Hue

Reference company: Hoang Long, Phuong Trang, Dung Huong, Anh Tan…

+ Departure from Saigon Mien Dong bus station to the bus station South of Hue: Phuong Trang, Hoang Long, Anh Tan and Dung Huong.
+ Departure from downtown Saigon:

Bus Trinh Gia
Departure: Cong Nhan Theatre at 30 Tran Hung Dao District 1, Saigon
Arrival: Hue South Bus Station
Price: 500,000 to 900,000 VND/one-way, depending on class, 19-hour drive.

Hoang Long sleeper bus 
Departure: Mien Dong station and 44 QL 13, Hiep Binh Chanh, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh – city
Arrival: Hue city
Price: 460,000 VND/one-way, 23-hour drive

Notes: To reach Hue from Danang by bus, here are some Da Nang – Hue buses:

Bus: The Sinh Tourist, HAV Limousine, Huetourist…
Duration: around 3h – 3h25 drive
Price: between 110,000 – 130,000 VND/person

Means of getting around Hue City

To visit the poetic city of Hue, there are multiple means available: bicycle, motorcycle, cycle rickshaw, car and boat on the Perfume River. Some indicative prices to know:

+ Cycle rickshaw price: 200,000 VND/vehicle/person for 2 hours
+ Motorcycle rental: between 100,000 – 150,000 VND/day
+ Bike rental: between 20,000 - 30,000 VND/day
+ Public bus price: between 7,000 and 10,000 VND/person depending on the route
+ Price for a tour of the tombs of kings Tu Duc, Minh Mang and Khai Dinh: between 250,000 - 300,000 VND/person.
+ Price for visiting the Thien Mu (Heavenly Lady) pagoda by traditional boat: 250,000 VND/person/hour.
+ Price of a private boat with a show of traditional Hue songs on the Perfume River: 1,500,000 VND/boat/hour.

When to go to Hue?

The best months to visit Hue are between January and May. Another period between July and September is conceivable but marked by risks of rain.

What to visit in Hue?

Take a look so you don't miss any of Hue's must-sees in the following comprehensive Hue guide: Hue Imperial city - A to Z Travel guide

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