Hue to Hoi An: 1st Class Luxury Sleeper Train experience

Introduction

In April 2023, we spent three weeks exploring Vietnam. At first, we thought about covering the entire country, but quickly realized it would be too much in too little time. Instead, we decided to focus on the north and center, giving ourselves more space to enjoy each place truly. Our trip started and ended in Hanoi, with stops in Sapa, Halong Bay, Tam Coc, Hue, and finally Hoi An.

One special thing about this trip is that Tina was between 9 and 12 weeks pregnant, which made some parts a bit more challenging, but also gave the whole adventure a unique flavor.

The journey from Hue to Hoi An was one we really looked forward to. To get there, you’ll first take a train to Da Nang, the closest station to Hoi An, and then continue by taxi. We booked our train tickets two days ahead online on 12GO and chose a 1st class four-bed sleeper cabin. The two-bed cabins were already sold out, but we were happy to secure the last two lower berths—perfect for enjoying the views along the way.

If you’re planning your own trip, taking the train is not only convenient but also a great experience in itself. Here’s everything you need to know about traveling from Hue to Hoi An by 1st class sleeper train.

Read: Complete North and Central 3-week Vietnam Itinerary 

Going from Hue to Hoi An

There are a few different ways to travel from Hue to Hoi An, depending on your budget and the kind of experience you’re looking for:

• By train: This is the option we’ll be diving into in this article, as it’s the one we chose and really enjoyed. You’ll travel from Hue to Da Nang by train and then continue to Hoi An by taxi.
• By bus: Probably the cheapest way to get from Hue to Hoi An, with tickets around 250,000 VND per person. The ride takes about 3 to 4 hours.
• By motorbike or rental car: A more adventurous option is to rent a vehicle in Hue and drop it off in Hoi An. This gives you the freedom to explore along the way, including the famous Hai Van Pass — a 21 km mountain pass with some of the best coastal views in Vietnam. To reach it, just head towards An Duong Vuong – Nguyen Tat Thanh, then turn left onto the Phuoc Tuong Tunnel.
• By private taxi or car: Comfortable and direct, but also the most expensive overland option, costing up to 2.2 million VND for the trip.
• By seaplane: For something really unique, Hai Au Aviation offers seaplane flights between Hue and Hoi An. It’s by far the priciest option at around 3.5 million VND, but imagine those aerial views.

Booking the trip

Booking your Hue to Hoi An train is really simple, and the easiest way is to get your e-ticket through 12GO ASIA. The platform is straightforward, and you can easily pick your seat (or bed) in advance.

You’ll find a few different options at different price points:

• 2-person cabin – the most private choice, but it sells out fast.
• 1st class 4-bed cabin – this is the one we went for, and it was the perfect balance between comfort and price.
• 2nd class 6-bed cabin – a bit more crowded but still a decent choice if you’re traveling on a tighter budget.
• Regular seats – the cheapest option, though probably not ideal for a longer ride.

And here’s a little tip: if you want the privacy of a full cabin, you can actually book all 4 tickets in the 1st class cabin for yourself.

From Hue to Hoi An: Step by Step

Hue Train Station

We started the day with some yoga and breakfast before packing up and heading to the station. A quick Grab ride from our hotel cost 33,000 VND and took about 10 minutes to reach Hue Train Station.

It’s best to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Our train from Hue to Da Nang (the SE1) was scheduled for 10:50 am, but as often happens in Vietnam, things ran a little late. The platform only opened around 10:40, and the train from Hue to Da Nang didn’t roll in until about 11:05.

There isn’t much to do at the station itself, so be prepared to just wait it out. In our case, it was pouring with rain, which made boarding a bit tricky—but honestly, it added to the adventure and the atmosphere of the journey.

Check our Google Map of Vietnam

Train in Vietnam

Once on board the train from Hue to Da Nang, we found our cabin with four bunk beds and a little table in the middle. Each bed came with sheets and a blanket, plus there were two 220V outlets, a USB plug, and an individual light for each bed. Small brackets made it easier to climb up to the top bunks.

We shared the cabin with a young Vietnamese couple who spoke some English and were really friendly. They even offered us some local fruits to try—though we have to admit, they were incredibly bitter. It was a nice way to break the ice though and made the ride feel less awkward.

Compared to the sleeper trains Tina had experienced in China, this one already felt like an upgrade. If you want a cabin to yourself, you’ll either need to book one of the 2-person cabins well in advance or simply buy all four tickets to keep it private.

Once the train frm Hue to Da Nang started moving, it was time to settle in, make the bed, and—like most people probably do—wonder how clean the sheets and blankets really were.

Tip: We use the DJI Action 4 to film our vlogs — compact, durable, and perfect for capturing every adventure.

Lunch

Once we settled in, we relaxed and started enjoying the views rolling by through the window. After a little while, train staff came around with a food cart. The options were simple: rice with tofu, pork, or chicken. I went for the tofu plate (40,000 VND), while Tina preferred to stick with a peanut butter sandwich we had packed.

The food was actually better than expected for train service—tasty, filling, and just what you need for the journey. Not long after, the staff returned offering yogurts and fresh fruits. Around the same time, our cabin neighbors shared some small, very bitter local fruits with us. Not exactly a treat for the taste buds, but it added to the experience.

We usually travel with Airalo eSIMs, but when we need unlimited data for work, we go with Holafly.

Carriage

The highlight of the ride from Hue to Da Nang was, of course, the views. Watching the coastline and mountains pass by from the window was stunning and made the whole trip worthwhile. At some point, I got curious and decided to wander around our carriage to see what it was like.

The setup was pretty straightforward: semi-automatic doors that opened with a button, a water dispenser and a sink at one end, and beyond that the toilets. To be completely honest, the toilets were a letdown—dirty and unbearably smelly. Definitely not the most pleasant part of the journey, but that’s something you just have to expect on trains in Vietnam.

Here are all your accommodation options in Hoi An

Hai Van Pass

The most spectacular part of the ride came when the train wound its way through the Hải Vân Pass. The tracks hug the mountainside, with the jungle on one side and sweeping views of the ocean on the other. Even with the slow pace of the train, it felt like the perfect way to soak in the scenery—definitely one of the highlights of taking this route instead of flying.

One thing we couldn’t help but wonder during the trip was how clean the sheets and blankets actually were. That question got answered just before arriving in Da Nang, when staff came around to fold them up for the next passengers. Turns out they don’t get changed after every ride, so keep that in mind when you make your bed.

Transfer to Hotel

We arrived in Da Nang around 2 pm, and from there it was just the final stretch to Hoi An. We had arranged the transfer through our accommodation, which turned out to be both the cheapest and the easiest option. Our driver was already waiting for us right outside the station, so there was no stress at all.

The ride took about 45 minutes, and before we knew it we were checking into our hotel in Hoi An. That marked the end of our journey from Hue to Hoi An—a smooth and scenic trip that we’d definitely recommend if you want a mix of comfort and views.

Final though

After taking the 1st Class Sleeper Train from Hue to Hoi An, we can say we genuinely enjoyed the experience. The views were beautiful, the journey was smooth enough, and it gave us a taste of local travel in Vietnam. It’s not the most luxurious option, but it’s definitely worth trying at least once, and we’d recommend it if you want to mix a bit of comfort with a unique way of getting from Hue to Hoi An.

Read: Complete North and Central 3-week Vietnam Itinerary 

Where to Stay in Hoi An

• (€): Hoi An Merrily De Art Hotel
• (€€): Cozy Savvy Boutique Hotel
• (€€€): Allegro Hoi An Hotel & Spa

Here are all your accommodation options in Hoi An