Hue has recently emerged as a tourist destination not to be missed when traveling to Central Vietnam. Famous for its historical attractions, the city is also a good place for relaxation and entertainment. If you will be traveling to Hue by air, check how to get from Phu Bai Airport (HUI) to Hue City.
Phu Bai International Airport
Phu Bai International Airport (HUI), often called Hue Airport, has an important role as a transportation hub in Thua Thien - Hue province and the North Central region with its position as a center of Culture - Tourism of Vietnam.
Currently, Hue Airport offers 24 flights per day. The main airlines operating at the airport are Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and Jetstar Pacific. Hue Airport has been upgraded to Phu Bai International Airport to serve the growing tourism market demand. However, there are still no international airlines operating at the airport.
The popular domestic destinations connected to Phu Bai Airport:
- Hue (Phu Bai Airport) - Hanoi (Noi Bai Airport): 6 flights per day
- Hue (Phu Bai Airport) - Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat Airport): 18 flights per day
Distance from Hue Airport to city center
Unlike other urban airports that are located right in the heart of the city such as Da Nang or Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Hue Airport is situated about 15 km from the center of Hue City.
How to get from Hue Airport to Hue City
For getting from Hue Airport to Hue downtown, there are many options to choose from. Phu Bai Airport is served by taxis, buses, private transfer, and motorbikes.
By Taxi
Taking a taxi is the fastest and most convenient way to travel from Phu Bai Airport to Hue City center (and vice versa), if you haven’t pre-booked transportation. There are plenty of taxis parked outside the airport. The trip from Hue Airport to the center of Hue City takes only 15 to 20 minutes.
The taxi fare depends on the type of car and taxi company, but in most cases it should cost about 200,000-250,000 VND. In addition, you can use the service of Shared Taxi with the price from only 170,000 VND.
The reliable taxi companies operating in Hue:
- Mai Linh Taxi
- Chengdu Taxi
- Thanh Hung Taxi
- Taxi Phu Xuan
- Dong Ba Taxi
By Bus
Public Bus is the main public transportation that is used by locals to travel for the airport to Hue City center. Buses are mostly suitable for solo travelers with fewer belongings as they tend to get crowded. Traveling by bus is also the most cost-effective mean of transportation in Hue.
City’s bus network has been expanded and now covers most of Hue City so tourists can easily take a bus from Phu Bai Airport to Hue City center or vice versa, as well as to travel within the city center.
Currently, there are 2 public bus routes that can be used for getting from Hue Airport into the city.
Bus No. 2
Route: Vinh Hien - Phu Bai Station - Phu Bai Airport - NH1A - Phu Thu Industrial Park - Southern Bus Station - An Duong Vuong - Hung Vuong - Ba Trieu - Le Quy Don - Dong Da - Nguyen Hue - Le Loi - Tran Hung Dao - Le Duan - Northern Bus Station
Operating time: 4:45-21:45
Bus No. 11
Route: Vinh Hien - Phu Bai Station - Phu Bai Airport - NH1A - Phu Thu Industrial Park - Southern Bus Station - An Duong Vuong - Hung Vuong - Ba Trieu - Le Quy Don - Dong Da - Nguyen Hue - Le Loi - Tran Hung Dao - Le Duan - Northern Bus Station
Operating time: 6:00-19:00
You should choose the appropriate arrival time when booking air tickets, if you want to travel by bus, as the latest flights are landing later than the last bus departs.
Bus Stop
Usually buses are parked right in front of the airport building's exit. If there are no buses parked, you can catch a bus at the junction of Phu Bai Airport.
Bus Ticket Price
The bus ticket price for getting from Phu Bai airport to the center of Hue City is about 5,000-7,000 VND per person. You do not need to buy tickets in advance as they can be purchased on board.
Travel Time
Normally travel time from the airport into the city is about 30 - 60 minutes but you might need to wait for the bus quite long. If you are going to Hue Airport to catch the flight, make sure to leave plenty of time for the trip to be at the airport 60 - 120 minutes before departure.
However, if you are a first-time visitor to Hue, other transportation options such as a taxi or motorbike taxi might be more suitable for you.
By Private Transfer
Private transfer can be considered as the best option to travel from Phu Bai Airport to Hue City center and many tourists choose to use this service, especially when traveling in larger groups. When choosing a private transfer, as soon as you arrive at the airport, the driver meets you and takes you to your accommodation in Hue City center. You don’t need to worry about being overcharged, you can be sure that the driver already knows your destination and even cash is not needed for paying the fare. This is a real hassle-free traveling from Hue Airport.
Private transfer takes you from the airport to anywhere in Hue city for a fixed priced, regardless of how early in the morning or late at night you are traveling. The price of airport transfer depends on the number of seats you need. Current average prices for Hue Airport private transfer:
- group of 3 people - around 300,000 VND one-way
- group of 5 people - around 340,000 VND one-way
- group of 12 people - around 530,000 VND one-way
Private transfer from the airport to Hue can be easily booked in advance here: Private Phu Bai Airport Transfers (HUI) for Hue.
By Motorbike
In Hue, the number of motorbike taxi drivers is not as high as in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. But some of them can be found at Hue Airport and they are ready to take you to the city center.
The price of the trip from the airport to Hue by motorbike taxi should be about 100,000-150,000 VND. Don’t forget to agree the price before getting on the motorbike to avoid being scammed.
Most of motorbike taxi drivers are friendly and nice so sometimes you can even expect to hear interesting stories about Hue from them on the way.
By Grab
Grab is already operating in Hue to help you reach your destination comfortably as you just need to download the Grab App and book your transportation on it. However, currently only Grab Bike and not Grab Car can be used in Hue. Therefore, if you are travelling not alone or have big luggage, taking Grab from Phu Bai Airport to Hue City center is hardly an option.
Hotels near Phu Bai Airport in Hue
It is difficult to find a hotel near Phu Bai Airport so the best option is to stay in Hue as it is quite easy to transfer between these places.
Good hotels in Hue that are not that far from the airport:
Forever Young Hostel - 11.7 km from Phu Bai Airport
Room Price: Starting from 315,000 VND / night
Nice Hue Hotel - 13.8 km from Phu Bai Airport
Room Price: Starting from 350,000 VND / night
The G.Hotel Hue - 13.7 km from Phu Bai Airport
Room Price: Starting from 550,000 VND / night
The Scarlett Boutique Hotel - 13.6 km from Phu Bai Airport
Room Price: Starting from 870,000 VND / night
Rosaleen Boutique Hotel - 13.7 km from Phu Bai Airport
Room Price: Starting from 1,500,000 VND / night
Tips
Thinking of where to stay in Hue? Here are our recommendations on the best places to stay in Hue, from budget to luxury ones!
Get familiar with Hue attractions and discover the best places to visit in the Imperial City.
Wondering what to eat in Hue? We've made a complete Hue food guide to help you to decide what and where to eat in Hue.