Train (sleeper)
Best balance of comfort, price, and overnight travel
Flight
Most convenient for long distance travel
Private car/taxi
Flexible road trip with stops along the way
Sleeper bus
Long journey with lower comfort and sleep quality
Quick answer: From Hanoi to Hue you can travel by plane, train, sleeper bus or private car. The fastest option is a direct flight, while trains offer comfortable overnight travel and scenic views.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: About 700 km by train or bus, about 600 km by plane.
- ⏱️ Travel time: Flight ~1 hour | Train ~14 hours | Sleeper bus ~13-15 hours.
- 💰 Prices: Flights from $30 | Train from $20 | Sleeper bus from $14 per person.
- ✈️ Fastest option: Direct flight from Hanoi to Hue.
- 🚆 Best experience: Overnight sleeper train through central Vietnam.
Last updated in August 2026
Hanoi to Hue: Which Transport Is Best?
| Transport | ⏱️ Time | 💰 Price | Comfort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | ~1 h | $30–80 / person | ★★★★★ | Fastest travel |
| 🚆 Train | 13–14 h | $17–130 / person | ★★★★☆ | Scenic overnight trip |
| 🚌 Sleeper bus | 13–15 h | $15–33 / person | ★★★☆☆ | Budget travelers |
| 🚕 Private car / taxi | 12.5–13 h | $390–550 / car | ★★★★★ | Groups & comfort |
Rating: ★★★★★ excellent ★★★★☆ very good ★★★☆☆ good.
Travel from Hanoi to Hue is possible by plane, train, sleeper bus or private car. Flying is the fastest option, while overnight trains offer a more comfortable long-distance journey. Sleeper buses are usually the cheapest, while private cars provide the most comfort and flexibility.
How do I get from Hanoi to Hue?
1. TRAIN from Hanoi to Hue
👉 Scenic and popular and also cheap way to travel from Hanoi to Hue by train.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers & scenic journey
- ✔️ Duration: 13–14 hours
- ✔️ Price: $17–130 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium to high (better with sleeper cabins)
- ✅ Best option: Sleeper berth in a 4-bed cabin or tourist sleeper train
- 💡 Tip: Choose an overnight train to save time and accommodation costs.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Bring earplugs for a more comfortable night’s sleep.
Traveling by train in Vietnam is one of the most popular and comfortable ways to get from Hanoi to Hue. Trains depart from Hanoi Railway Station and arrive at Hue Railway Station, both close to the city centers. You can also check the Vietnam Railway Map before your trip.
Both regular Vietnam Railways trains and premium tourist sleeper trains operate on this route. Popular tourist services include Laman Express, Livitrans Express, Lotus Train and Violette Train, offering comfortable 2–4 berth cabins. Standard trains provide affordable seats and sleeper berths with basic onboard refreshments.
The journey takes about 13–14 hours, so a sleeper berth is the recommended choice for overnight travel. Regular train tickets cost about $17–40 per person, while tourist sleeper trains range from $65–130 per person. Book your tickets online in advance, especially during weekends and holidays.
| Train | Departs in Hanoi | Arrival in Hue | Train Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train SE7 (soft seat, sleeper) | 06:00 | 19:38 | From $19 |
| Train SE5 (soft seat, sleeper) | 08:00 | 21:35 | From $21 |
| Train SE9 (soft seat, sleeper) | 13:00 | 03:07 (next day) | From $18 |
| Train SE3 (soft seat, sleeper) | 19:20 | 07:50 (next day) | From $22 |
| Train SE19 (soft seat, sleeper) | 19:45 | 08:45 (next day) | From $48 |
| Train SE1 (soft seat, sleeper) | 21:45 | 10:25 (next day) | From $21 |
| Violette Trains SE1 (sleeper) | 21:45 | 10:25 (next day) | From $76 |
| Violette Trains SE3 (sleeper) | 19:20 | 07:50 (next day) | From $76 |
| Violette Trains SE19 (sleeper) | 19:45 | 18:45 (next day) | From $73 |
| New Livitrans Express SE3 (sleeper) | 19:20 | 07:50 (next day) | From $76 |
| New Livitrans Express SE1 (sleeper) | 21:45 | 10:25 (next day) | From $76 |
| New Livitrans Express SE19 (sleeper) | 19:45 | 08:45 (next day) | From $76 |
| Damitrans Train SE3 (sleeper) | 19:20 | 07:50 (next day) | From $80 |
| Damitrans Train SE1 (sleeper) | 21:45 | 10:25 (next day) | From $80 |
| Damitrans Train SE19 (sleeper) | 19:45 | 08:45 (next day) | From $80 |
| Charmy Express SE1 (sleeper) | 21:45 | 10:25 (next day) | From $80 |
| Charmy Express SE19 (sleeper) | 19:45 | 08:45 (next day) | From $80 |
| Laman Express SE19 (sleeper) | 19:45 | 08:45 (next day) | From $92 |
| Lotus Train SE19 (sleeper) | 19:45 | 08:45 (next day) | From $76 |
| Tonkin Heritage SE19 (sleeper) | 19:45 | 08:45 (next day) | From $162 |
2. SLEEPER BUS from Hanoi to Hue
👉 Budget way to travel from Hanoi to Hue by sleeper intercity bus.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers & overnight transfer
- ✔️ Duration: 13–15 hours
- ✔️ Price: $15–33 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: low to medium (varies by bus quality)
- ✅ Best option: Modern sleeper bus with better amenities
- 💡 Tip: Choose a night bus to save time and always check reviews before booking.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Bring a small pillow or blanket for better comfort on long rides.
Traveling by sleeper bus is another affordable way to get from Hanoi to Hue. The journey takes about 13–15 hours and bus tickets cost around $15–33 per person. Overnight buses are popular because they save a night of accommodation.
Several companies operate this route, including Techbus VN, Grouptour, Duc Duong, Viet Nam Travel Bus, Sapa Discovery Travel, Full Moon Party Tour, To Vietnam Travel, Hoang Long, Hung Thanh, Queen Café and Hey Travel. Reading recent passenger reviews before booking is recommended.
Most buses offer sleeper berths, while some premium vehicles also include onboard toilets, Wi-Fi or LCD screens. Departure and arrival points vary by operator, so check the transfer details carefully before booking your tickets online.
| Bus / Operator | Departure in Hanoi | Arrival in Hue |
|---|---|---|
| Duc Duong Bus (VIP 20) | 05:00 | 18:15 |
| Duc Duong Bus (VIP 20) | 05:30 | 18:00 |
| Duy Khanh Limousine (Double Cabin) | 05:46 | 20:01 |
| Duy Khanh Limousine (Double Cabin) | 06:15 | 20:30 |
| Sapa Discovery Travel (VIP 24) | 06:45 | 19:45 |
| An Phu Hoi An Travel (VIP 20) | 07:15 | 18:45 |
| Sapa Discovery Travel (VIP 24) | 08:00 | 21:00 |
| Hoang Long Do (Sleeper) | 08:30 | 22:15 |
| Sapa Discovery Travel (VIP 22) | 08:50 | 21:40 |
| Sapa Discovery Travel (VIP 22) | 10:20 | 23:20 |
| Sapa Discovery Travel (VIP 22) | 10:50 | 23:40 |
| Hoang Long My Hanh (Sleeper 40) | 12:00 | 00:00 (next day) |
| Sapa Discovery Travel (VIP 22) | 13:30 | 02:30 (next day) |
| Hoang Long My Hanh (Sleeper 40) | 14:00 | 02:00 (next day) |
| Sapa Discovery Travel (VIP 22) | 14:20 | 03:10 (next day) |
| Quang Dung Sai Gon (Limousine 22 WC) | 15:00 | 03:30 (next day) |
| Duy Khanh Limousine (Double Cabin) | 15:16 | 05:31 (next day) |
| Quang Dung Sai Gon (Limousine 22 WC) | 15:35 | 04:05 (next day) |
| Duy Khanh Transport (Single Cabin) | 16:00 | 06:00 (next day) |
| Tan Kim Chi (Express 36) | 16:25 | 05:25 (next day) |
Note: This timetable is a selection of listed services, not a complete schedule. Departure and arrival times may vary by travel date, operator and pickup or drop-off point. Please verify the latest schedule online before travelling.
3. DIRECT FLIGHTS from Hanoi to Hue
👉 Fastest and most convenient way to travel from Hanoi to Hue.
- ✔️ Good for: time-saving & comfortable travel
- ✔️ Duration: ~1 hour (flight) / ~4 hours total with airport transfer
- ✔️ Price: varies (often affordable with low-cost airlines)
- ✔️ Comfort: high (modern aircraft & services)
- ✅ Best option: Direct flight with Vietnam Airlines or low-cost carriers
- 💡 Tip: Book flights in advance to secure the best prices and schedules.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Compare baggage policies, as low-cost airlines may charge extra.
A direct flight is the fastest and most comfortable way to travel from Hanoi to Hue. Flights from Noi Bai International Airport to Phu Bai Airport take about 1 hour, with fares starting at around $30–80 per person. Airlines on this route include Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways and Hanh Air Systems.
Including airport transfers and check-in, the total travel time is about 4 hours, making flying the best option if you want to save time. Phu Bai Airport is about 15 km from Hue city center and is connected by shuttle buses, public buses and taxis.
Noi Bai Airport is about 30 km from central Hanoi and is easily accessible by bus, shuttle or taxi. You can also check the Vietnam Airports Map. Up to 10 direct flights operate daily, and booking online in advance is recommended.
4. PRIVATE TAXI / CAR from Hanoi to Hue
👉 Most comfortable but expensive private transfer from Hanoi to Hue.
- ✔️ Good for: families, groups & door-to-door travel
- ✔️ Duration: 12.5–13 hours
- ✔️ Price: $390–550 per car
- ✔️ Comfort: very high (private cars, SUVs, minivans)
- ✅ Best option: Private car with driver and hotel pick-up/drop-off
- 💡 Tip: Choose a minivan if traveling in a group to reduce cost per person.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Plan a few rest stops to make the long journey more comfortable.
A private car with a driver is the most comfortable but also the most expensive way to travel from Hanoi to Hue. Transfers are offered by Hue Happy Travel with standard cars, SUVs and spacious minivans for groups.
The journey takes about 12.5–13 hours and includes a convenient hotel-to-hotel transfer. A private minivan is a good choice for families or groups sharing the travel cost.
Private transfers cost about $390–550 per car, depending on the vehicle type. You can choose your preferred pickup and drop-off location and book your transfer online in advance.
BOOK PRIVATE TAXI / CAR to Hue ➜
❓ FAQ + Travel Tips – Travel route from Hanoi to Hue
How long does it take to travel from Hanoi to Hue?
Direct flights take about 1 hour, trains 13–14 hours, sleeper buses 13–15 hours and private cars about 12.5–13 hours.
What is the distance from Hanoi to Hue?
The distance is about 700 km by train, bus or road and about 600 km by air.
How much does travel from Hanoi to Hue cost?
Flights cost about $30–80, trains $17–130, sleeper buses $15–33 and private cars about $390–550 per vehicle.
What is the best way to travel from Hanoi to Hue?
A direct flight is the fastest and most convenient option for this route.
What is the cheapest way to travel to Hue?
Sleeper buses are usually the cheapest, while trains offer better comfort for long journeys through Central Vietnam.
Are there luxury sleeper trains from Hanoi to Hue?
Yes. Popular tourist trains include Laman Express, Livitrans Express, Lotus Train and Violette Train.
Should you choose the train or bus?
For overnight travel, trains are generally more comfortable and spacious than sleeper buses.
Where can you travel from Hue?
Continue to Da Nang + Hoi An, Quy Nhon or Mui Ne.
Which beaches are worth visiting in Central Vietnam?
Popular beaches include Hue, Da Nang, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang and Cam Ranh. See The Best Beaches in Central Vietnam.
Is Vietnam good for solo travel?
Yes. Vietnam is one of the best destinations in Southeast Asia for independent travelers. Read Solo Travel in Vietnam.
From Hanoi to Hue you can travel by train, sleeper bus, plane or private car.
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- The travel distance from Hanoi to Hue is about 700 km by land. The fastest option is a direct flight from Noi Bai Airport to Phu Bai Airport, with a flight time of about 1 hour. Low-cost flights are often available and can be very affordable.
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- Another popular option is traveling by train. Sleeper trains from Hanoi to Hue take about 14 hours and are more comfortable than buses for overnight travel. Vietnam Railways operates regular trains and there are also tourist sleeper trains such as Laman Express, Livitrans Express, Lotus Train or Violette Train.
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- Hue is one of the most visited places in central Vietnam, famous for its imperial history, beaches and local cuisine. Before arriving in Hue, you can also visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Dong Hoi.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Hanoi to Hue
Traveling from Hanoi to Hue is a popular route in central Vietnam. You can travel by plane, train, sleeper bus or private car.
- Fastest Option: Direct flights from Hanoi to Hue take about 1 hour.
- Train Travel: Overnight sleeper trains are comfortable and offer scenic views of central Vietnam.
- What to Bring: Bring snacks, water, charger and a light jacket for air-conditioned transport.
- Avoid Cheap Offers: Very cheap tickets around Hanoi’s Old Quarter may include delays or extra stops.
- Book Early: Flights and sleeper trains can sell out quickly during holidays and weekends.
- Extra Stops: You can stop in Vinh, Da Nang or other cities along the route.
Tip: Flights, trains and bus tickets from Hanoi to Hue can be searched and booked online in advance.