How to travel from Hoi An to Hue?

The distance from Hue to Hoi An is approximately 121km and partly on flat ground, then into small cliff-side roads with views of Central Vietnam's coastline. This is not a short distance but it is not too long for you to travel both locations at the same time, it will take you about 3 - 3.5 hours to go all the way from Hoi An to Hue (or vice versa).

The route is connected by the iconic Hai Van Pass which is a breathtaking 24km stretch of mountain road along the coast, with views of the East Vietnam Sea. It is one of Vietnam's most spectacularly scenic roads. So get your camera ready for some amazing landscape pictures. 

There are many options to choose from in order to travel from Hue to Hoi An. You can either choose bus, train, car or even motorbike depending on your budget and time constraint. We have listed out all the available transportation options for you to choose from. 

1. By Train 

The train from Hue to Hoi An is the preferable mode of transportation for those who desire to see the stunning landscape that Central Vietnam has to offer, as it travels a different path than the bus. However, Hoi An does not have its own railway station so if you prefer to travel by train, you will have to take a train from Hue to Da Nang and then from there you can take the public bus, minivan or taxi to get to Hoi An. 

The train journey from Hue to Hoi An ( stop at Da Nang city) is ideal for some photographers, as well as those who want to mingle with local people and see some of the countrysides along the way. The train ticket varies according to the train you take and the seat type you choose. It could range from 80,000VND for a hard seat with AC to 190,000VND for soft sleeper berths with AC. You can review the schedule as follow, this information is checked at the moment and will be updated regularly if any changes. 

You can purchase the ticket directly at the train station or buy it online on the official website of Vietnam Railways or via third-party service websites. Taking a train could be an excellent, safe and picturesque way to travel from Hue to Hoi An if you don’t mind spending an additional 45 to 60 minutes on your trip. 

2. By Bus

There are several buses from Hue to Hoi An. This is the most affordable choice among the common methods of transportation. Hue has two bus stations that stand on either side of the Perfume River.  The Northern Bus station handles all departures from Hue to northern places such as Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh…, whereas the Southern bus station serves all trips to the South including Hoi An. 

The schedule could be different depending on bus operators but regularly, most of the buses depart two times a day, one is at 8:30 AM and the other is at 1:30 PM. The travel duration is approximately 3 to 4 hours.

Hue to Hoi An by bus

The ticket for an open bus is around 200,000VND ($10/ per person) and 300,000VND ($15/ per person). Some reputable and popular buses can be named as Hanh Cafe; Sinh Tourist Bus...You can book the ticket directly on their website or through your hotel. 

Apart from being an affordable travel option, travelling by bus does not give you the opportunity to view the beautiful coastline along the Hai Van Pass. In order to save 30 minutes of travelling time, they take the direct route and go through the tunnel. In addition, a bus provides a small private space, uncomfortable legs room and services could be disturbing for some people. 

3. By Limousine Bus

Travel from Hue to Hoi An on a shuttle bus, you have the chance to enjoy a quick and easy ride in a luxurious and comfortable limousine car. The limousine shuttle bus offers to pick you up at your hotel in Hue and drop you off at your accommodation in Hoi An as well as limited seats for a maximum of 10 passengers.

Hue to Hoi An by limousine bus

This mode of transportation is suitable for small groups of friends going together and people who want to get to Hoi An quickly without any frustration. The price for this transit option is 300,000 VND ($15/ per person) and normally takes around 4 hours. 

The downside of taking a limousine van is that they do sometimes pick up passengers on the way if the bus is not full so the travel duration may get longer. Also, they will take a similar route with the open bus so you cannot see the stunning view along the way. 

4. By Private Car

Taking a private car is the best way to transfer from Hue to Hoi An or vice versa. By hiring a personal driver, you are able to stop by and visit some attractions on the way such as Hai Van Pass, Lang Co Beach, My Khe Beach, Da Nang City, Marble Mountain.

Having your driver and car can be the most expensive transfer option to travel from Hue to Hoi An but it gives you the flexibility to change the schedule as well as a stop for photos as you prefer. It also provides the comfort and privacy that other methods of transport do not offer.

Traveling from Hue to Hoi An by private car is the perfect option for family

Another common reason for traveling by personal vehicles is that it is regarded as the safest choice (along with going by rail)  since the drivers are very skilled and take their time navigating the Hai Van Pass at slower speeds. It is particularly well suited to couples and families traveling with kids since the cost of renting a private car is based on per vehicle not per individual making it quite reasonable. The cost for this begins at $70US for the 4 seat vehicle! 

Those who want to reach Hoi An quickly by a private car can take the direct route via the tunnel) in roughly 2.5 hours. The duration can take longer for around 5 to 6 hours if you follow the recommended tourist plan, which includes stops at Lang Co Beach, Lap An Lagoon, Marble Mountains, Hai Van Pass as well as stops for lunch and coffee breaks. 

5. By Motorbike 

It’s undeniable that Vietnam is best explored by motorbike, driving a motorbike is the most localize transportation and it has been a very popular vehicle among foreign tourists who are into an adventure to travel from places to places. 

Thanks to the development of infrastructure and tourism, there are several motorbike companies that have both offices in Hue and Hoi An, therefore they offer one-way motorbike rental. This is very convenient and cost-efficient for travellers who want to plan ahead to other southbound destinations. 

Getting to Hoi An from Hue by motorbike is ideal for adventure seekers

The trip from Hue to Hoi An by motorbike across the Hai Van Pass is among the most accessible but also enjoyable self-drive trips in all of Vietnam. A gorgeous view of the Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang city appears from the distance at the edge of the sea at every corner of the 25-kilometre scenic path. Due to the building of the tunnel in 2005, the pass no longer handles the huge volume of traffic as it used to, making it a paradise for thrill-seekers. The trip on a motorbike from Hue to Hoi An normally takes 4 hours 

The cost to rent a bike is around 400,000VND ($20) and this does not include the gasoline, which will cost you from 50,000VND ($2.2) to 150,000VND ($6.5) depending on which motorbike you rent as well as where you go. 

• The most common and highly recommended itinerary from Hue to Hoi An for the day begins with a pick-up from your hotel at the time you specify (we think the earlier, the better to get the most daylight). Driving to Lang Co Beach first, then a split in the road. One led to the Hai Van tunnel and the other to the Hai Van Pass. The cars, especially open bus and limousine shuttle bus,  all take the right exit to the tunnel but if you are traveling by private car or by motorbike, then go through the Hai Van Pass (also known as the "Ocean Cloud Pass"). Later it's on to My Khe Beach, the Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village, and the Marble Mountains. Finally, you will arrive at your accommodation in Hoi An.
• In case you don’t have much time in your itinerary or traveling on a budget then taking a bus is the best option as you don’t have to catch the train in Da Nang city. However, consider taking a limousine shuttle bus if your budget can stretch a little bit more for the pick-up and drop off convenience.
• If you decide to travel by motorbike, remember to check the engine carefully or request a trial drive in order to make sure every part is working well. Also, keep in mind to inquire about full-face helmets and other safety equipment. 
• Some motorbike rental companies offer luggage delivery service with a little extra charge so if you have big bags, you can consider taking the advantages of their services and ride with a smaller bag containing valuable belongings. 
• Traveling by motorbike, you have two different options for getting to Hoi An from Hue which are inland and coastal routes. Taking the inland route that leads to Hai Van Tunnel which is faster yet motorbike is not allowed to drive through so you will have to load your vehicles onto a truck and have it driven through. For that reason, it is ideal to take the coastal route. With this one,  you can explore additional little villages and coastal hills as well as a clearer view of the shoreline along Hai Van Pass. Not to mention, this route has less traffic, making it considerably more pleasurable to ride on a motorcycle. On the other hand, you still want to get to Hoi An on a motorbike but being a new driver and the curvy road makes you hesitate then taking a motorbike tour with a guide is probably the best option.

• Besides, it is recommended that you depart from Hue early in the morning so that you may take your time and enjoy the journey. Arriving in the Marble Mountains before sunset is the ideal way to end this incredible journey.  
• Travelling by train offers you a splendid view of the coastline along the Hai Van Pass, so choose the seat on the left side to get a good view of the shoreline 
• Follow the train schedule mentioned above, taking the night train (SE7), you will arrive at midnight and by that time, the public bus stops working so to get to Hoi An you can only take a taxi or book a private car in advance. 

In summary, traveling from Hue to Hoi An is pretty convenient therefore you can easily travel between these destinations.  Hopefully, this information above will help you choose the best method of transportation when traveling within Vietnam. Visit BestPrice and join our Hue tours or Hoi An tours with our delighted experienced guides. 

Minah Trịnh 

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