How to get from Hue to Phong Nha?

Hue city and Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park are two famous tourist destinations not to be missed when you visit the Central region of Vietnam. You are about to stop in Hue, you wonder how to transfer from Hue to Phong Nha? How long does the bus from Hue to Phong take? Does Phong Nha have a train station? Huracars will help you in this matter

The distance from Hue to Phong Nha is about 210 km, so travel time is about 3,5 – 4 hours directly and it takes about 6 -7 hours to drive and visit some historical places in Quang Tri province

Hue to Phong Nha you have 2 choices. If you go directly, you will travel by bus, taxi, motorbike or private car. If you want to travel by train, you can take the train from Hue to Dong Hoi and from Dong Hoi you can travel by local bus,  taxi or private car to Phong Nha. All of these options are very reasonably priced, so the deciding factor between them is the amount of time it takes to get to your destination and which price is right for you.

What is the best way to transfer Hue to Phong Nha? 

Means of transportation from Hue to Phong Nha are quite diverse. You can choose between buses, trains, motorbikes, taxis, or private cars. Depending on your priorities, such as time, budget, or flexibility, you can select the most suitable option for your trip.

1. Hue to Phong Nha by bus

For travelers looking to save money and you don’t want to stop at the DMZ in Quang Tri province, the bus is the most cost effective option to get from Hue to Phong Nha.

Local bus: You can buy bus tickets at the bus ticket office or directly at the Northern bus station, about 8 km from Hue city center. The disadvantage of this service is local bus staff likely won’t speak English, which can be a challenge if you don’t speak Vietnamese. 

In addition, the bus only stops in Dong Hoi and you have to use other transfer such as local buses, motorbike, taxi or private car to get to Phong Nha. Plus, local buses may not run on a strict timetable, so waiting times can vary

Open bus/ tourist bus: A bus from Hue to Phong Nha costs about $10 and takes 4 or 4.5 hours. The driver picks you up at your hotel by shuttle car to the bus stop (if you stay at Hue city center) or you go to the office company.

Here are two travel options for you: depart by seat bus between 7am and 8 am, or travel by sleeping bus between 4pm and 5pm.

How to book the ticket: 

Some tourist buses that you can book are: Minh Map Bus, Hung Thanh Bus, Camel Bus, Queen Bus, An Phu bus

The buses used are quite modern and comfortable so you will not feel tired when using them, you can nap during the four to five hour trip

2. Train from Hue to Phong Nha

Another choice if you want to save money is the train. Trains travel from Hue to Dong Hoi station

The total travel time from Hue to Phong Nha takes about 3-5 hours

There are 5 trains including SE2, SE4, SE6, SE8 and SE20 on this route. They depart daily and take about 3.5 hours from Hue to Dong Hoi. 

Ticket prices vary from $16 – $28 depending on the type of seat and time.

How to book train tickets? 

You can buy ticket in Hue station or make reservation online:

• Direct book: Hue train station location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ngRrQUXUGDq58LZFA 
• Online booking: Train tickets can be purchased directly at Hue train station (02 Bui Thi Xuan Street, Hue City) or you can book online here: https://dsvn.vn

Price for ticket is same if you buy online or direct book, but price is high on the peak season Lunar New Year, National holiday (30 Apr, 1 May, 2 Sep) and sometime it is soldout, you shoud buy in advance 1 month for these period. 

As we mentioned, train not go direct from Hue to Phong Nha, you have to stop in Dong Hoi City then get transit from Dong Hoi Station to Phong Nha town. 

You can transfer to a local bus, motorbike, taxi or private car to reach Phong Nha from Dong Hoi, as it does not have its own train station. Price and time depend on the vehicle you choose.

• Local buses: Local buses are the cheapest option. The ride takes about 90 minutes, and the ticket price is very cheap at around 35,000 VND per person, one way. However, you might have to wait for a bus to arrive, which can extend your travel time.
• Motorbikes: motorbikes offer a more adventurous way to travel between Dong Hoi and Phong Nha. It takes approximately 1-2 hours, and renting a motorbike typically costs between 100,000 – 120,000 VND per day. This is an option for those looking for a more independent and flexible travel experience.
• Private car: If you want to get to Phong Nha quickly and conveniently, then a private car is the perfect choice. By choosing a private car, you can proactively arrange your time and choose places to visit according to your preferences. The driver speak english will pick you up from Dong Hoi and take you to Phong Nha. Private car is completely new, modern, fully equipped, free wifi

3. Hue to Phong Nha by motorbike

If you want to explore, admire the countryside or visit some historical places in Quang Tri province, traveling by motorbike will be the right choice for you.

This is an option for those who are looking for a more adventurous travel experience, like freedom and want to be proactive about their time and itinerary.

It will take you about 5 to 6 hours to reach Phong Nha, depending on your speed and your route

How to book a motorbike to Phong Nha? 

• You rent a motorbike at a hotel or travel company and drive by yourself.
• The staff will guide you through the travel route and safety preparations
• In addition, you can book a motorbike tour with Hue Easy Rider and they will make plans for you. You go with the rider or rent them like the leader.
• Cost of renting a motorbike depends on the company you choose, from 600.000 vnd/ semi-gear – 1.200.000/ manual gear (free 1lit fuels)
• Organized group tours typically cost at least 140 USD per person for 2-day trips to Phong Nha. This cost includes lunch, a rider, and other expenses.
• Traveling by motorbike can be quite dangerous, especially for inexperienced riders. It is essential to wear a helmet and exercise caution while on the road.
• You should remember that safety comes first so you should be careful when traveling by motorbike and be aware of local traffic laws and regulations

4. Hue to Phong Nha by taxi

Taxis offer the advantage of flexibility, with no need for booking in advance. You can hail one on the street through taxi companies or ride hailing apps like grab

You are free to choose your own path and let you choose specific stops if desired. However, meter taxis are often more expensive than private cars because they will count by meters and you also have to pay for the time of waiting for the driver 

In addition, the distance from Hue to Phong Nha is quite long, this does not seem to be the strong point of taxi drivers. Plus more, most drivers cannot communicate with you in English. If you book a taxi, you should book via App and you know who will go with you. 

Some reputable taxi companies in Hue:

• Thanh Cong Taxi: 0234 3 57 57 57
• Familly Taxi: +84935566099
• Mai Linh Taxi: 0234 3 89 89 89
• Vinasun Taxi: 0234 3 78 87 88
• Xanh Taxi: 0234 3 67 89 99

Grab taxi cost from: 2.800.000 vnd (sedan) – 3.440.000 vnd (Suv 5+2)

Read more: Phong Nha Taxi Services

5. Private car from Hue to Phong Nha

Why did you choose a private car for the trip from Hue to Phong Nha?

• You don’t like choosing the bus because it’s too crowded and waiting takes too much time.
• You do not want to choose the train because it only stops at Dong Hoi and there must be another vehicle to take you to Phong Nha
• You don’t like motorbikes because it’s too dangerous or the taxi driver can’t communicate in English.
• To avoid the above problems, choosing a private car is the best choice for you

How to book?

Private transfer Hue to Phong Nha	Sedan	SUV (7 seats)	Van (12 seats)
Direct transfer	1.900.000 vnd	2.100.000 vnd	2.600.000 vnd
Hue – DMZ – Phong Nha	2.100.000 vnd	2.400.000 vnd	3.200.000 vnd
Book now and pay later !

Hue Chauffer Services to Phong Nha

Hura cars offer private car transfer from Hue to Phong Nha. You can freely arrange your time and choose places to visit according to your preferences.

An English-speaking driver will pick you up from your hotel in Hue and take you to your hotel in Phong Nha

An experienced driver will provide a direct transfer from Hue to Phong Nha. Or if you love learning about Vietnamese history, the driver will stop for you to visit historical places in the Vietnam DMZ along the way such as La Vang Holy Land, Hien Luong Bridge, Ben Hai River, and Vinh Moc Tunnels.

The private car is completely new, modern, and fully equipped, including free mineral water, wifi, and tissues.

There are children’s seats, lunch stops, coffee and more on the road.

Not only are we known for our highly rated service, but we are also committed to providing you with a great travel experience. We guarantee that your journey from Hue to Phong Nha will be filled with comfort, satisfaction and safety