Hue to Da Nang By Train: The Best Train Ride in Vietnam

The Hue Train Station

Location and Address

The Hue train station is at 2 Bui Thi Xuan street, Phuong Duc ward. It’s right in the centre of the city of same name, and is well connected. The distance to it from the ‘western streets’ is 2,5 km, and it’s 2 km from the Imperial city.

How to Get There

There is no difficulty to get the Hue railway station from anywhere around Hue city. The quickest way is taking a taxi, and its fare is metered, 15,000 VND per kilometer. From the ‘western streets’, the cost is around 50,000 VND. If have many or heavy luguages, this is a suitable choice. With a backpack only, solo travelers can get a motorcycle ride, with a lower price. If public bus is convenient, travelers can consider to have it, and probably, it’s the cheapest transport. Please ask people in the hotel to know their instruction.

Additionally, many travelers walk to the Hue railway station because their hotel is near it. For example, Azerai La Residence hotel and Silk Path Grand hotel are just within a short walk.

Hue to Da Nang Train Reschedule and Timetable

During the day, there are 5 trains picking up passengers at the Hue railway station and drop off them at Da Nang railway station. On the weekend, additional trains will be arranged due to increasing passengers.

The earliest train is SE5, departing at 5:30 am and arriving Da Nang at 8:30 am. If don’t have much time in Da Nang or Hoi An, this is a good choice. It’s possible to the sunrise en route too. Something for breakfast (like banh mi sandwich) will be sold by train attendant.

The second train of the day is SE3, leaving Hue at 8:30 am and stopping in Da Nang at 11:30 am. It has eleven coaches, including two in the front for sitting and each of them has 56 air-conditioned ‘soft seat’.

The best train is SE19 because it boards at 9:30 am and comes to Da Nang at 12:30 pm. If take this, travelers don’t have to wake up early and can go the train station after breakfast. After arriving Da Nang, they can have lunch somewhere before hotel check-in (or even have a transfer to Hoi An). In the afternoon, it’s easier for them to visit around the city they stay. SE19 has 9 coaches, and the fist coach is only for sitting, with 64 air-conditioned ‘soft seats’.

The next train is SE1. It departs at 10:50 am and arrives at 1:30 pm. Only two of its 12 coaches are for sitting, and each coach of this type has 56 air-conditioned ‘soft seats’. So, there are many choices for travelers to experience the ride from Hue to Da Nang. Right after arrival, they can go to the hotel for check in and relaxing, and then explore things to do in Da Nang at night.

The latest train of the day is SE7, running from 8:15 to 11 pm. Once again, 2 coaches of this train provides seats only, and each one has 64 air-conditioned ‘soft seats’. If traveling with kids, it may be not a suitable choice because they will be tired. For sure, travelers can not see the scenery – the highest value of the train ride.

Hue to Da Nang Train Tickets and Prices

The Price of Hue to Da Nang Train

These are prices of the trains from Hue to Da Nang:

– SE5: 80,000 to 100,000 VND for a soft seat (112 options) and 80,000 to 120,000 VND for a bunk bed. Please buy a ticket in advance because this train goes between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city, the seats will be fully booked soon.

– SE3: 90,000 to 100,000 VND for a soft seat, and 90,000 to 120,000 VND for a bunk bed (also from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh city and vice versa)

– SE19: 80,000 to 90,000 VND for a soft seat (64 options) and 130,000 to 170,000 VND for a bunk bed. Da Nang railway station is the last stop of this train.

– SE1: 80,000 to 100,000 VND for a soft seat (112 options) and 85,000 to 100,000 VND for a bunk bed. This is a north-south train, so many seats and beds are reserved in advance for long-distance passengers.

– SE7: 80,000 to 110,000 VND for a soft seat (128 seats) and 100,000 to 150,000 VND for a bunk bed.

Note: Adults and children above 10 years old will pay a full price. Children between 6 and 10 years old receive 25% discount, and it’s free for smaller kids, but they must go with parents (or other adult family members).

Where to Buy Hue Da Nang Train Ticket?

Travelers can go to the Hue train station to buy tickets directly. We advise purchasing them as early as possible to ensure that the preferring seats are booked (especially if want to see the Hai Van pass!). Additionally, local travel companies, agencies and booking offices can help too. Passport and personal information are required to finalize the identification (like email, phone number to contact, etc). Cash in Vietnamese dong is accepted only.

If the train station is far from the hotel or just want to save time, buying tickets online is possible. Travelers need to browse the official webpage of the Vietnam Railways (https://dsvn.vn) and switch to English to use. Just type destinations, the date and choose ‘one way’ to see what are available. Click on the train of the most suitable timing and then select a seat or a bunker bed. Unreserved ones are in white, while others are in red. Payment can be made by credit cards, and an online ticket will be sent quickly after (together with the receipt and QR code). 

The Train Ride from Hue to Da Nang – Our Review

How Long Is the Train Ride from Hue to Da Nang?

The train ride from Hue to Da Nang is 3 hours. From the Hue railway station to Hai Van pass, it takes travelers 1,5 hours, and to climb the pass, an hour is needed. From the end of the pass to Da Nang railway station is 30 minutes.

Departure at Hue Train Station

Passengers are advised to be in Hue train station 30 minutes before the departure. To the left of the ticket office under the sign ‘Ga Hue’, there is a lounge for passengers whose train is going to arrive. It’s air-conditioned, equipped with many chairs to sit, massage chairs and a small shop to buy something. If don’t think about having foods and drinks on board, this is the chance to have what you or family members need.

Once the train comes, the staff announce to let everyone know, and have a double check with foreign tourists. Passengers will wait by the tracks for around 15 minutes. Toilets are very near, and there are two small stores where Hue’s specialties and souvenirs are sold. It’s not expensive there. The final announcement is broadcasted when the right train arrives the Hue railway station.

Keep in mind to walk to the correct coach (the number is shown on the ticket!). Usually, ‘sitter’ coaches will be in the front of the train, and ‘sleeper’ coaches are in the back. At the door, the train attendant will check it again and it’s okay for online tickets.

Luggage

Because the door of the coach is quite high and no lifts, so train attendants and other passengers will help to take up the suitcases or backpacks. Inside the coach, racks are available on both sides, above the seats (like airplane). It’s possible to put luggage there. Under the seat, small bags are okay to stay during the 3-hours train ride from Hue to Da Nang. There is no additional charge for traveler’s luggage.

Foods and Drinks

In local breakfast time (6 to 8 am) and lunch time (11 am to 12 pm), foods and drinks are available for sale on board. Train attendants with a cart will go along the coaches, and the selling price has a local rate. For example, for a plate full of rice and savoury dishes, it costs 30,000 to 50,000 VND. In the morning, banh mi sandwiches and instant noodles are other options. Drinks are served with ice, including coffee, soft drink or energy drink, and passengers just have to pay 15,000 to 20,000 VND.

If the train time isn’t in local eating hours, please tell train attendants directly. They know basic English to communicate and are always willing to help.

Hai Van Pass: The Best Scenery

Hai Van pass is the highlight of the train ride from Hue to Da Nang. Due to its rugged terrain, it takes an hour to climb this mountain pass. Here, passengers will see spectacular tropical sceneries that stretch from the peaks of the Annamite range down to the sea. Hidden and small white sandy beaches, vertical cliffs and rock exposures, green forests and more, appear and disappear suddenly. By that, the views just go from a surprise to another in short time, especially anytime after dark tunnels. Many global magazines recommended travelers including this experience in their Vietnam itinerary. When the pass ride is going to end, Da Nang city skyline is seen.

Note: To see the scenery, keep in mind to buy a seat to the left hand side. Like traveling by airplane, book it as soon as possible.

Before and after the Hai Van pass, travelers will catch different slices of local people’s life that are unseen if don’t get a train. There are peaceful villages by rice fields with water buffalos, duck farms, hidden fishing village with boats and nets, contemporary markets, coffee shops and houses. While the train slowly goes through the cities, it’s fun to see lots of motorbikes stopping behind the barriers on the streets. Within 3 hours, passengers have a glimpse of both rural life and urban life.

Note: Again, travelers must book the train ride in daytime, to see the scenery. The best timing depends on your travel itinerary (see reschedule above).   

Arrival at Da Nang Train Station

Passengers should pay attention after the ride in Hai Van pass if don’t want to miss the Da Nang train station. When it’s close, an announcement will be broadcasted (like airport). Train attendants also remind to make sure that everyone knows the information. Da Nang railway station is the last station for some trains, so if traveling with one of them, all passengers are requested to exit.

To lift the luggage down the coach, again train attendants and other passengers will help. There is one gate only to go outside, and near it, many taxi drivers ask for their car service. Remember to have a double check with your driver to know how much he (his company) charges for the drive. Text us in whatsapp number +84968009827 if you need a friendly English-speaking driver to go and see around the city.  

In the surroundings of the Da Nang train station, travelers can find many local eateries to eat and coffee shops for a drink.

Da Nang Railway Station to Hoi An

The Da Nang railway station is in the heart of Da Nang city, so the distance to Hoi An is around 30 kilometers. If take a car, the drive is 40 minutes long but will be shorter if the traffic is low. This is still the quickest way at the moment (don’t forget the luggage!). Text us in whatsapp number +84968009827 to book a car when needed. Public busses are no longer run from Da Nang to Hoi An, so travelers have to find a car again at the last drop-off spot. A motorbike ride is just proper for those who travel alone or just have a pack.

We recommend going to the Marble mountains or My Son sanctuary if time is enough. Both are must see in the region, and definitely travelers will have a great time there. To visit the marble mountains, it takes from 1 to 1,5 hours, and 1 to 2 hours for My Son temples.