Do you know how to get from Hoi An to Hue? Tourists prefer the road due to its straight route and the scenic drive, which has some interesting sites. This is a distance guide, transport, and traveling tips.
Overview Of Hoi An To Hue
Traveling between Hoi An and Hue is one of the most famous routes in Central Vietnam, connecting two of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, which are the embodiment of the history, culture, and landscape of Vietnam. It is a walk between the lantern-lit lanes of Hoi An and the imperial heritage of Hue, which draws a very different picture of the Vietnamese legacy.
Many visitors like to see these two sites in combination as they are located very close to each other and fully experience: Hoi An, with its riverside ambiance, colorful lanterns, and old-merchant houses, reminds one of the ancient trading centers, and Hue, with its ancient architecture in the ancient citadel, royal tombs, and traditional royal cuisine. In time and taste, you may go the shortest way directly to Hue, or go slowly, and have a view of the scenery and picturesque places on the way.
How Far Is It From Hoi An To Hue?
Hoi An to Hue distance is about 130 kilometers using the most popular and straightforward highway (National Highway 1A). It is about a 2.5 to 3-hour drive, depending on the traffic.
The other North-South Expressway East (CT01) is a 143km highway that would require about 3 hours. Instead of following the Hai Van tunnel, it cuts through the woodland hills, valleys, and small villages.
It is a newer highway, much smoother and not so busy, with long tunnels through the mountains, which makes it a quieter ride and more picturesque in its own way. However, it is not a motorbike way, but a car way, and mostly applied in private or self-driven cars, rarely in buses and limousines.
How To Get From Hoi An To Hue?
The journey between Hoi An and Hue is either possible via the quickest direct roads or the slower sightseeing tours that will reveal the coastline and mountains of central Vietnam. Each of them is compared in the list below, thus you can choose the option that fits your journey best.
By Sleeper Bus/Limousine
A sleeper Hoi An to Hue bus, limousine, or shared sedan car is the cheapest and quickest way. The journey drives on National Highway 1A for 3-3.5 hours. It is a direct route with no sightseeing points, because the majority of the services take the Hai Van Tunnel instead of the scenic Hai Van Pass.
Sleeper buses and VIP cabins have only one berth per passenger. The disadvantage is that it makes fewer departures per day than limos and is overcrowding around major holidays. But they are a nice option when you are on a budget and arrive at Hue around the time when the hotel is ready to check in.
Departing nearly every hour, limousines or shared sedans are ideal since the customer prefers fewer people and more comfort. Nevertheless, individuals might also feel that shared cars are not private since they have no luggage space and are shared with other people.
The majority of services drop off and pick up at the city centers. Popular sleeper buses are Queen Cafe Bus, Hanh Cafe, and HK BusLines, and Hai Van Limousine is a reputable limousine and shared car service.
| Vehicle Type | Price (VND) | Departure time | Notes |
| Standard sleeper bus (36 – 41 beds, open layout) | 150,000 VND | Around 7:30, 13:30 | These buses include simple overnight facilities in an open layout and are a low-cost method of traveling directly. |
| Premium Sleeper Bus (32 – 34 beds with curtains) |
150,000 – 200,000 VND | Around 13:30 | These are modernized with curtains, charging points, a TV, and comfortable beds. |
| VIP Sleeper Bus (24 private cabins) | 300,000 VND | Around 15:00, 17:00, 19:30, 20:30 | There are fewer privately owned cabins, hence increased privacy and quietness. It has features such as bathrooms, Wi-Fi, charging, blackout curtains, a TV, and free water. |
| Limousine 9-seat car or shared Sedan car | 250,000 VND | From 3:30 – 20:00 | Fewer passengers, less luggage space, and frequent departures. |
By Motorbike
Between Hoi An and Hue, it is advisable to ride a motorbike when one is experienced. The most scenic and adventure-filled way to explore is to travel the dramatic Hai Van Pass, one of the most iconic mountain passes in Vietnam, to have panoramic views of the coastline. But it is a long and rugged path, and should be followed with some skill. This is the reason why families with children and lacking knowledge of riding should not do it.
You can simply rent a motorbike and then get it back at the office of trusted rental companies such as Motorvina and Style Motorbikes, both located in Hoi An and Hue. The outstanding benefit is flexible. You have the opportunity to take a break and capture pictures, dine, or get a unique perspective of the pass summit. On the negative side, it may be exhausting during summer, unsafe during bad weather, and inconvenient with heavy luggage.
Suggested Route (approx. 3–3.5 hours): Hoi An – Vo Chi Cong Street – Truong Chinh Street – National Highway 1A – Da Nang (Hoa Phat area) – Nguyen Tat Thanh Street – Hai Van Pass – Lang Co – National Highway 1A – Phu Loc – Thua Thien Hue (Huong Thuy) – Hue City
Safety tips:
- A good helmet and other protective clothes are always needed.
- Begin early to avoid the fog in the Hai Van Pass.
- Pre-take-off checking of the following: lights, tires, and brakes.
- Fuel-ups and breaks are predetermined.
- You should never go away without light luggage.
- Essential repairs and contact numbers in case of an accident on the road.
| Factors | Details |
| Travel time | 3 – 3.5 hours (depending on traffic and stops) |
| Cost | Scooter: 500,000 VND/day
Semi-automatic: 500,000 VND/day Manual: 700,000 – 1,000,000 VND/day Fuel should cost from 150,000 to 250,000 VND |
| Best for | Advanced riders desire freedom and breathtaking scenes of the Hai Van Pass. |
| Notes | Requires a passport/ID, a valid license, and experience. Ask the rental company for vehicle registration papers and documents. |
By Private Car
Travelling from Hoi An to Hue by car is the best and most comfortable way. It would take about 3-3.5 hours to make a transfer via the Hai Van tunnel or via the Hai Van Pass with pick up at the hotel in Hoi An and drop off in Hue. It is the most preferable option when you need a quick and convenient drive with no extra stops, and even when your luggage is heavy.
Alternatively, it can be turned into a day trip and visited attractions such as Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha, Ba Na Hills, Hai Van Pass, Lang Co Bay, and Lap An Lagoon. This scenic route is a 6-6.5-hour trip, and the trade proves to be an amazing journey experience.
The best advantage of having a private driver is privacy and comfort. You choose when to leave, where to go, and you do not need to get involved in the tourist traffic since you can either be on the road early mornings or late afternoons. It is more costly than others, however, and other charges can also be paid as you change the itinerary or include extra stops.
| Factors | Details |
| Duration | 3 – 6.5 hours (depending on traffic and stops) |
| Cost | From 1,500,000 – 2,500,000 VND per direct trip pass through the Hai Van Pass or not (varies by vehicle type) |
| Vehicle types | 4-seat sedan, 7-seat SUV, 16-seat minivan |
| Service | Door-to-door pick-up in Hoi An and drop-off in Hue |
| Best For | Families, small groups, and those who prefer privacy and flexibility |
| Notes | Professional drivers, AC, flexible stops |
By Train
Hoi An has no direct train as it has no rail station. Rather, you have to get a transfer of 30-45 km to Da Nang Railway Station by taxi or bus and then get on a train to Hue. Buses from Hoi An to Da Nang are cheaper than taxis and can be operated in less than one hour, with buses departing the main bus station every 30 minutes except in the early evening.
There are many trains per day: SE2 (13:33), SE4 (12:38), SE6 (01:59), SE8 (23:20), SE10 (09:06), SE20 (18:00). The most appropriate trains to be taken to see the scenic coastline include morning trains and particularly SE10. SE6 and SE8 tend to come too early to Hue, and it is less convenient, whereas other afternoon trains can be more convenient, as they come in time to relax and begin exploring the following day.
The Central Heritage Tourist Train is also novel and serves tourists who need a culture-oriented experience. It includes a food and live music tasting experience, a 10-minute stop at Lang Co Bay. HĐ2 leaves Da Nang and Hue at 07:50 and 11:05 and arrives at 15:00 and 17:45, respectively. It is the best sightseeing and cultural feast tour, and you will enjoy the beautiful Hue as long as you stay in a hotel.
- Soft seat: The cheapest with simple padding. Good in the daytime, but not on long overnight journeys.
- Hard sleeper: 6-berth (3 up, 3 down) cabins. The beds are hard, and the space is limited, but it is the cheapest method to sleep on the move.
- Soft sleeper: 4-berth (2 up, 2 down) cabins with a mattress to ensure extra comfort. It is the most common long-distance overnight mode of travel.
| Factors | Details |
| Travel time | 2-5.4 hours, depending on the train schedule |
| Cost | Soft seat (A/C): 82,000 – 173,000 VND
Hard sleeper (6 berths): 100,000 – 221,000 VND Soft sleeper (4 berths): 110,000 – 262,000 VND Soft seat (HĐ Train): 180,000 VND |
| Best for | Cultural immersion, scenic journey |
| Notes | Scenic coastal and Hai Van Pass views, meet locals, taste Vietnamese cuisine, and require a transfer to reach the Da Nang Railway Station |
Tips For Traveling From Hoi An To Hue
- Beginning in the morning, the weather is colder, and the skies are clearer, making the Hai Van Pass safer to ride.
- Buses and trains can be easily sold during weekends and holidays. In the high season, a month before, it is advisable to book online or at the station, or with a good agency.
- Many shops and eateries along the route only accept Vietnamese Dong, and card facilities are rare.
- The Hoi An to Hue train is recommended to low-budget first-time travelers as it has the most beautiful scenery of the Hai Van Pass. The buses are cheaper, but most of the time, they pass through the tunnel, and most drivers do not speak English or speak very little.
- When you are on the Hai Van Pass and have a flat tire or motorbike breakdown, you will see phone numbers painted on the walls, which are linked to the local roadside repair services.
- The prices of local transport agencies tend to be better, with hotels commonly including commission.
Final Thoughts
The trip between Hoi An and Hue can be suitably customized for your interests: trains or motorcycles are the most scenic way to cross the Hai Van Pass, cars with drivers are comfortable and flexible with the possibility to make a day trip, and buses are the cheapest and fastest in the direct route, but tend to go through the tunnel. Whichever one you select, this is one of the jewels of any Vietnam itinerary, and at Seni World, you can make one that balances the budget, the scenery, and comfort.
