The Fastest & Cheapest Ways travel from Hue to Da Nang 2024

Central Vietnam is blessed with having three must-see destinations within just 140km of each other: the vibrant beach city of Danang, sandwiched by the UNESCO-listed ancient port town of Hoi An to the south and the former imperial capital of Hue to the north.

Travelers heading to Da Nang from Hue have a variety of transportation options, each catering to different preferences. If you are uncertain about which mode of transport to choose, this article will guide you in selecting the most suitable one.

If you have already explored the beauty of Hue city, why not extend your adventure in Vietnam by traveling to Da Nang? Located only 100 kilometers away, Da Nang is a beautiful, vibrant coastal city with many famous attractions. Read on to explore the best ways to travel to Da Nang from Hue and discover some must-see destinations along the way.

=> How to travel from Da Nang to Hoi An?

Distance Hue to Da Nang and Vice Versa

Hue, a former royal capital of Vietnam, has been a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. This historic city is renowned for its numerous landmarks, including the ancient citadel, royal tombs and palaces. These sites offer a glimpse into the region’s rich past and are a must-visit for those interested in history and culture.

As one of Central Vietnam’s top tourist destinations, Da Nang is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches. It draws millions of visitors annually, many of whom use it as a starting point to explore other popular spots in the region, including the historic city of Hue.

The distance between Hue and Da Nang is around 100 kilometres, and the travel duration depends on which type of vehicles you choose to go with. Particularly, Traveling by car is considered to be the quickest option which takes only 2 hours. If you are not in a rush, you can go by train, bus, or even motorbike if you are into some adventures (3 hours) . Depending on your chosen mode of transportation, the average travel time between the two cities varies from 2 to 3 hours. It is even possible to make a day trip to Hue city tour from Da Nang.

Best ways travel from Hue to Da Nang and Vice Versa

There are several ways to travel from Hue to Da Nang, including by bus, train, taxi / Grab, car or Motorbike . Each mode of transportation has its advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to consider your options and choose the one that best fits your needs. To help you make the right choice, we have outlined the details of each option below:

Hue to Da Nang by train: A great experience

The train route from Hue to Da Nang is known as one of the most exciting railways on the North-South railway and was included in the list of the most beautiful railways in the world by Daily Mail magazine in 2020. On this railway, you can admire the majestic and stunning natural landscapes. Today’s train quality has also been invested in modern equipment, serving the needs of young people to take pictures to check-in destinations or those who want to explore. Every day there are about seven departures. The average travel time is about 3 hours to Da Nang Railway Station.

There are about 10 trains every day of Vietnam Railways. One-way train ticket costs about VND 150,000 – VND 180,000 (hard seat, soft seat, SE+NH trains, 1st+2nd class)

• Train station in Danang – Danang Railway Station (791 Hai Phong)
• Train station in Hue – Hue Railway Station (NguyenTri Phuong Street)

You can buy tickets in advance from the Vietnam Railways bookings site DSVN; Vietnamrailway; VR or you can also book online using the travel agency Baolau which has an efficient website, details seat and sleeper-berth availability, and accepts international cards. Most of the time you can book train tickets a day or two ahead without a problem, except during peak holiday times. For sleeping berths book a week or more before the date of departure. 

You should consider: Traveling by train still has disadvantages!

Traveling by train brings you a lot of great experiences and gives you the chance to explore the culture, life, humans of the country you come. But, compared to cars that provide the maximum flexibility, and planes that have much more time and travel alternatives, railways are not as flexible. They often have fixed schedule that cannot be tailored for a single individual. Moreover, It depends on the budget you have and the country you are traveling in. There are super expensive and brand trains, as well as super cheap alternatives.

If you chose to travel during the evening time, you will want to find the most comfortable option, especially if you are traveling for long hours on end. You must share your journey with strangers, which might not be so nice when the passenger next to you is a crying child or someone who speaks loudly on their telephone while you are trying to sleep or even you use the Toilets, bathrooms and other public areas on trains can often be dirty or non-functional. Although this is the low route, it would still affect you if you are a quiet and private person. The train is the least popular option if you are not the person who has time and health because Traveling by train can take longer.

The departure time is fixed, and the train station only stops for a short time (5-7 minutes), so you must ensure the estimated time of the arrival station and get on/off the train in time. In addition, for those people who want to fully enjoy the panoramic view of Hai Van Pass along the way, remember to put your seat on the left side, close to the entrance.

Hue to Da Nang by Bus – Cheapest for backpacker

In all countries, the coach along with public transports are the most popular and convenient ways to move from place to place. Another reason for it to become everyone’s favorite transportation is its cheap price. A bus can make your trip much more comfortable and simpler. Especially if you’re not a good map reader yet an eager traveler, a coach is really helpful. The common route of all coaches is National Highway 1A. the journey is just about 2-3 hours long. The price for one-way tickets can vary from VND 70,000-VND 200,000 depending on the coach’s quality and size. You can ask the accommodation reception to help you book transportation or you can search for some reference information as below.

Travel by bus from Hue to Da Nang is one of the most popular and cheap ways. There are 3 different types of bus: public bus, tourist bus & limousine bus.

• Public bus: is a popular option for the Hue to Da Nang route. Every day, many buses depart from Hue Southern Bus Station to Da Nang City Central Bus Station from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm, with 14 minutes per trip during rush hour and every 15 minutes during regular hours so you won’t have to wait too long if you miss a trip. The fare is relatively cheap, only 70,000 VND / trip. You can go directly to the Southern bus station to buy tickets without reservation.

• Tourist open bus: The journey by open buses will take about 2 to 3 hours and they will depart from their offices in Hue to theirs in Da nang city.

• Limousine bus: Traveling from HUe to Da Nang on a limousine bus is a great option as you can experience high-quality and luxurious services for a really affordable price. It is usually a compact, high-quality bus, with a seating capacity ranging from 9 to 16 people, which allows you to have a more comfortable ride than a coach or a local bus. Furthermore, it includes some advanced facilities such as Wi-Fi, charging ports, and water on the bus. Cost for a limousine bus from 200,000 VND.

The shuttle bus Limousine mainly serves foreign customers. Therefore, instead of departing from the local stations, the shuttle bus will mostly pick up the passengers from the center for foreigners in Hue. However, some shuttle buses can also be found in the local coach stations. Some other buses offer hotel picking up service. One thing to notice that the picking up time is usually a half to one hour before the departure time. Similar to the coach, you can also find the bus providers’ contacts on vexere.com or Travelertick and book through the website or call them to book. A more convenient way for customers having accommodation in the center of Hue is going straight to the tourist bus agencies.

Some Limousine shuttle buses information:

In spite of all the advantages mentioned above, the coach is not a completely ideal transport to travel from Hue to Da Nang. The coach mainly serves local people. Consequently, most of the time, neither the salesman or saleswoman nor drivers can speak English. The language barrier will create a lot of difficulties in communicating and understanding. This will lead to big troubles if there’s any delay or you miss your stop.

Furthermore, most local coaches/minivans go from Hue to Da Nang through through the tunnel in Southeast Asia – Hai Van Tunnel. You will miss an opportunity to see some incredible sceneries of Central Vietnam, like Hai Van Pass, view of Danang and Lang Co beach from the mountain.

Hue to Da Nang by Taxi or Grab – Fast but most expensive

Grab (Southeast Asia’s answer to Uber) is a popular transport app that can be used to book taxis, ride-share cars and motorbikes in Vietnam. Grab works in Hue, so it is possible to book a ride to Hue through the app. To use Grab, you’ll either need to pick up a Vietnamese sim card or preferably an eSIM and download the app before you leave home and register with your usual phone number. There is free WIFI at Phu Bai Airport, so you can get online to book a ride when you land. Expect to pay slightly less for a Grab taxi compared to a street taxi.

Finding a taxi in Hue is easy, as they are readily available. If you are arranging a transfer in advance the easiest way to get a taxi is by requesting it through your hotel reception. The hotel could also negotiate a set-rate fare on your behalf, especially for longer distances. If you are on the street, you can simply hail a cab directly by raising your hand in the direction of a taxi, or find one at a taxi stand. Local taxi ranks will be located outside main bus and train stations, as well as large shopping complexes. It is recommended to use reputable taxi companies exclusively, as scams can be quite common – with visitors often charged excessive prices or taken on longer journeys than necessary.

There are lots of different factors that determine the price of a taxi from Hue to Da Nang, including time of day, how much luggage you have, type car you want, and what kind of a mood the driver is in!
If you’re hailing a taxi off the street or at Danang Airport/station (which I don’t recommend!), it’s very easy to get talked into paying more than you should. Generally speaking, a taxi from Hue to Da Nang should cost somewhere in the neighbourhood of 1,350,000-1,650,000 VND ($60-$70). Some companies charge up to 1.800,000 VND.

Tips : Taxis in Da Nang: Prices, Useful Tips, Local Guides to Avoid Scams

The current Hue taxi rates are as follows:

With Danang Transfer, we provide available options. Taxi prices will be calculated according to the travel route or hourly/day => Price list private cars in Hue by travel itinerary or by hourly/day

If you wish to phone up a local provider for pickup service, some of the most established and well-known Hue taxi companies you can call for on-demand assistance are:

► Booking: If you don’t know how to use the app, you can call a traditional taxi instead. Taxis are available everywhere in Danang, and the most 2 popular companies that you should call are: Mai Linh Taxi or VangTaxi

► Duration: around 2 hour

► Cost: around 1.300.000VND – 1.750.000VND (USD $60.00 to $75.00).

► Pros and cons: A taxi is almost like renting a private car, so you can place many stuff on the car, and the duration is short. However, Taxi prices will be higher than a private car you might not be able to stop for taking photos, and some taxi drivers may go around to get more money from you.

Hue to Da Nang by Private car: Nice Car & Professional Driver‎!

Instead of booking a taxi, renting a private car is the best way to move from Hue to Da Nang because of its advantages. Firstly, bring flexibility and save you time in planning your trip. With a Private car, you will be picked up at your place whenever you want to depart. Besides, the road of Hai Van Pass is gorgeous, so the private car will help you proactively identify the stops to breathe the cool air on the high pass or take pictures at will.

In particular, going by private vehicle is considered the safest choice because the drivers are all carefully selected and experienced on the route. They are not only drivers but, in some cases, guides to introduce you to beautiful stops or landmarks in Hue, such as Thien Vien Truc Lam Bach Ma, Cau Hai lagoon, and Canh Duong Beach along the way.

This service is especially suitable for couples and families travelling with children because private car rental costs are calculated by vehicle, not by individual. The personal car service offers comfort and privacy for families or friends that other modes of transport do not have.

The price for the private car to travel from Hue to Da Nang is in such a wide range. There are many factors affecting the price of this journey. A few to mention are the size, the brand and status of the car, if it’s one way or round trip, waiting surcharge, etc. The average price is about USD50 – USD75(VND1,150,000 – VND1,700,000 for one way including parking fee, tolls, petrol, driver. 

How to book: Visit the page, then fill in the information to inquire about or book a private car from Hue to Da Nang for your route!

Book Now: Hue to Da Nang by Private Car

Cost: The cost of a private car starts from Da Nang Transfer. Do not hesitate to contact us to plan a journey that best suits you.

Hue to Da Nang by Motorbike – Adventurous journey

There’s no denying that the road from Hue to Da Nang is incredibly scenic. On the Danang coast, there’s a long stretch of ocean with circular boats bobbing on the waves, while on the Hue side, there’s beautiful Lang Co Beach as well as endless fields of rice as you approach the imperial city.

Although motorbike is not convenient for the long journey, yet to the eager travelers who want an adventure and explore, it is such a great means of transport. With a motorcycle, you can be completely flexible and active with your schedule. The total time to travel from Hue to Da Nang by motorbike is about 2.5 – 3 hours. However, you can stop wherever you want, spend time studying local lives. You can challenge yourself with non-stop driving and feel the air blowing through your hair. The price of gasoline is fairly cheap that you don’t mind going the round way to see more and learn more. Especially when you get to Lang Co Bay, the feeling of achieving something will definitely satisfy you. The process of renting a motorbike is much simpler than a car.

It’s not hard to find a bike renting store. A lot of them are available in the Central of Hue City. Most of the owners can speak English fluently, so you can communicate with them easily. Once you go to the shop, you can ask to try the bike that you like. They will also give you some suggestions of which one is suitable with your driving experience and aim.

There are many kinds of bike available which are Honda Win, Honda Wave, Airblade and even more powerful motorbike. After having chosen the one will accompany you, the last step of the process is giving the owner the photocopy of your passport, the deposit, and the renting fee. Some owners may ask you for the original passport. However, it’s recommended to try to make a deal with them. The renting fee is VND80,00-VND300,000/day respectively and no need to deposit if you rent in an accomodation you stay

Some motorbike rental shop: 

The only route for going by motorbike to Da Nang from Hue is through Hai van Pass or Hai Van Tunnel. The Hai Van Pass can be ridden as a day-trip from any of the three main cities on either side of it: Hoi An, Danang, and Hue. Alternatively, the Hai Van Pass is a great way to ride all the way between these 3 cities via an extended coastal route, which avoids busy Highway 1 for the vast majority of the way, and uses quiet, scenic coast roads instead. Although this route is slightly longer than taking Highway 1, it’s far more scenic, more rewarding, and quieter (not to mention safer)

What are the disadvantages of the motorbike?

There are actually many disadvantages todriving a motorbike. With the distance of 200 kilometers, it requires you to have good health and driving skill. Otherwise, you will easily get tired and have no energy left for other activities. A bigger obstacle for you is when your bike breaks down. If you’re in the middle of the highway, the chance that you can find a store to fix it is almost zero. Another disadvantage could be the weather, especially when it rains heavily. It’s challenging to drive under the rain, followed by the chance of an accident. Therefore, using a motorbike to travel from Danang to Hue could be really dangerous for people having no experience. Easily getting lost is also one of the disadvantages. The messy, chaotic traffic can confuse you and lead you in the wrong direction.

Brief summary of all vehicles

As an ancient capital of Vietnam, Hue boasts a wealth of cultural and historical sites for travel enthusiasts to explore. If you are planning to spend your holiday in Da Nang, you should definitely consider booking a trip to Da Nang from Hue. Hopefully, this article will help you make plans for a fantastic journey to Da Nang from Hue.

4 Beautiful Landscapes You Shouldn’t Miss when you travel from Hue to Da Nang

Central Vietnam is known for both delicious and authentic Vietnamese cuisine and awe-inspiring natural and man-made landscapes. There are three famous cities to visit within Central Vietnam : Da Nang – Hue – Hoi An and when traveling within these three historical and modern cities, there are landscape you just can’t afford to miss.

Lang Co is located in Phu Loc District about 65 kilometers away from the city center of Hue, beautiful bodies of water gives refreshment to the day. Lang Co has no specific tourist destination but it is known for Lap An Lagoon and Lang Co beach.

Lap An Lagoon is both scenic and useful for locals and tourists. The lagoon is for oyster farming, it is the main source of income of the residents. Make sure to look at this beautiful lagoon at the foot of Bach Ma mountain as it is picture perfect most especially during sunset. Another must see landscape on the way to Hoi An from Hue is the Lang Co Beach. A good beach to chill and swim as it is not crowded like the other beaches in Central Vietnam. This white sand beach looks amazing at the starting point of Hai Van Pass. It sets expectation to what other things to see upon reaching the Hai Van Pass viewpoint.

Hai Van Pass is located along the Annamite Range between Thua Thien-Hue and Da Nang. It is approximately 20km long and highest pass in Vietnam. The winding road gives excitement to adventure seekers, expect to see number of motorbike riders on the way to the viewpoint of the pass. Upon reaching the viewpoint of Hai Van Pass, take a good look of the beautiful landscapes of Danang and Hue.

Then Marblem Mouintain – Danang is the biggest city in the central of Vietnam. In the middle of this modern city, the wonderful landscape of the Marble Mountain still stuns visitors. This is why it is the top visited site within the city. The mountain overlooks the city buildings and the famous My Khe Beach. The five mountains are considered as holy and locals set up grottoes and shrines to honor their gods that dates back thousand of years ago.

Local tips to get from Hue to Da Nang

• If you are planning to travel by train, select a seat on the left side of the train in order to catch an excellent view of the coastline along the Hai Van Pass. 
• If you are renting motorbikes to travel from the local store, remember to check the bike carefully before hitting the road. Test the engine, the brake, the horn if it’s working well.
• When renting a motorbike, the owner will ask you to deposit your original passport however it’s highly recommended to make a deal with them to just keep a copy file. 
• Follow the local traffic rules and do not drive over the speed limit.
• Check the weather before starting the journey as it is very dangerous to drive in the rain, following the chance of an accident, particularly for people who have less driving experience.

Frequently asked questions

Above is the detailed transportation guide taking you from Hue to Da Nang. Visit Danang Transfer and let us help you plan the best Danang Tours with private car and ha