Hue Airport (HUI) Guide: Getting to the City, Transfers & Tips
Hue's Phu Bai Airport (HUI) is about 15 km from the centre. Compare shuttle, taxi and private transfers, and see when Da Nang is the smarter entry point.
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Last updated November 2026: Hue airport is Phu Bai International Airport (HUI), about 15 km south of the city centre. Your transfer options are a shuttle, a metered taxi or a pre-booked car. If flights into Hue are thin on your dates, Da Nang may work better, as our guide to reaching Hue explains.
Featured image: Genghiskhanviet, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Hue Airport at a Glance
Phu Bai International Airport has the IATA code HUI and the ICAO code VVPB. It sits about 15 km from central Hue, in Phu Bai ward in Thua Thien Hue province. Reported domestic links run to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat. Check current schedules on Vietnam Airlines and other carriers before you book. Live arrivals and departures boards are better served by your airline's flight-status page than by any guide.
- Name: Phu Bai International Airport
- Codes: HUI (IATA), VVPB (ICAO)
- Distance to central Hue: about 15 km
- Domestic links reported: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat
- Nearest alternative: Da Nang (DAD), about 67 km away
Where Is Phu Bai Airport?
Phu Bai Airport lies south of Hue, in Phu Bai ward, about 15 km from the centre. Hotels near the Perfume River are the usual destination for arriving visitors. A terminal expansion opened in 2023, according to airport-industry reporting. Terminal size is small, so you will rarely walk far between the gate and the exit.
How to Get From Hue Airport to the City
Three transfers cover most arrivals over the 15 km into town. A shuttle is the cheapest, at about ₫50,000 per person, but it waits until the bus fills. It also may not stop at your hotel. Prices checked November 2026 against published traveller guides, and fares can shift. Metered taxis wait outside the terminal. Agree the price or insist on the meter before you get in. A pre-booked private car gives a fixed price and a driver waiting on arrival. Choose it if you land late or carry heavy luggage.
Keep about ₫50,000 per person in cash for the shuttle, which may need payment on the spot.
| Option | Approx. cost | Wait | Drop-off | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shuttle bus | About ₫50,000 per person | Leaves when full | Central drop, not usually your hotel | Solo travellers on a tight budget |
| Metered taxi | Meter, or a price agreed first | Short, cars queue outside | Your hotel door | Couples and small groups |
| Pre-booked private car | Fixed price set in advance | None, driver meets you | Your hotel door | Late arrivals, families, heavy luggage |
| Ride-hailing app | Shown in app | Depends on driver supply | Your hotel door | Check app coverage at the airport first |
- Mistake: hopping in a taxi without agreeing the meter or a price.
- Mistake: taking the shuttle with a tight hotel check-in or a connecting tour.
- Mistake: discarding your baggage tag, which staff may check at the exit.
- Mistake: trusting old taxi-brand lists; ask your hotel which firm it uses.
Hue (HUI) or Da Nang (DAD): Which Airport Should You Use?
Da Nang International Airport is about 67 km from Hue. Its larger flight network is the main reason to consider it. The trade-off is a longer, costlier ground transfer than HUI's 15 km hop. HUI suits a short stay, an early flight or a direct Hanoi connection. DAD suits a flexible coastal trip that continues to Hoi An. Our complete Hue transport guide covers the wider routes. Compare fares into both airports on your dates, then add the ground transfer to the cheaper ticket.
Trips to Hoi An head toward Da Nang, about 67 km from Hue, so DAD suits that route.
| Factor | Hue (HUI) | Da Nang (DAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to Hue | About 15 km | About 67 km |
| Transfer | Short shuttle, taxi or car | Longer, usually costlier |
| Flights | Thinner schedule | More routes reported |
| Best for | Short stays and Hue-only trips | Multi-stop coastal trips |
Arriving at Phu Bai: What to Expect
Phu Bai is a small airport, so the arrivals process is quick. Work through the steps below in order. Keep your baggage tag until you are outside, because staff can match tags at the exit. Withdraw a small amount of cash if your driver or shuttle needs payment on the spot. Sort out a SIM or eSIM before you leave the terminal if you need data for ride-hailing apps.
- Collect your bag at the baggage claim and keep the tag.
- Show the tag to staff at the exit.
- Get cash from an ATM if you need it.
- Set up a SIM or eSIM.
- Find your pre-booked driver, the shuttle or the taxi queue.
Departing From Hue: Timing and Terminal Tips
Phu Bai is small, with fast security, but fast is not a reason to cut it fine. A sensible plan is to reach the terminal 90 minutes before a domestic departure. Book a car the night before for early flights, since taxis can be scarce at dawn. Terminal food and WiFi are modest, so eat in town before you leave. Facilities listed in other guides, such as VIP rooms or bank counters, vary by source, so do not rely on them.
Onward From the Airport: Hanoi, Phong Nha and the Coast
Many travellers land in Hue and move on within a few days. Compare flight, rail and road options in our Hanoi to Hue comparison. If you would rather skip the flight, read the Hanoi to Hue train guide. Book rail tickets on the Vietnam Railways booking site. Heading north to the caves? See getting from Hue to Phong Nha. Park details are on the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park site. Heading south to Hoi An means a ride toward Da Nang, about 67 km from Hue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Phu Bai, Vietnam?
Phu Bai is a ward south of Hue in Thua Thien Hue province. Hue's airport sits there, about 15 km from the city centre.
What is the airport code for Phu Bai International Airport?
Phu Bai International Airport uses the IATA code HUI. Its ICAO code is VVPB.
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