Hue's small but recently renovated Phu Bai Airport services a very limited number of daily domestic flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on Vietnam Airlines. The terminal has only the most basic facilities, but there’s enough to get you started with local currency and transportation.

As an alternative, Danang’s airport is two hours away and handles a much wider range of domestic and international flights. Transport regularly runs right from Danang’s airport to Hue.

To get from the airport at Hue to the city, a 25-minute taxi ride is the most convenient choice. There is also an airport shuttle bus that makes pick-ups and drop-offs at many of Hue’s hotels. During the peak rainy season from October to December, poor weather frequently delays or cancels flights in and out of Hue.

The train is a pleasant way to travel to Hue. The state-run railway network runs the entire length of Vietnam, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Trains stop at Hue every day, with two nightly departures at 19.00 and 23.00. Express trains are the way to go, especially the soft-berth air-conditioned compartments, which are very reasonably priced. Buy your ticket directly at the station to avoid paying more.

Overnight coaches and minivans also regularly make the gruelling 17-hour odyssey from Hanoi (and every other major city) to Hue’s main bus station, Ben Xe Hue.

Renting a car in Hue is not an easy proposition.You can, however, hire a daily car and driver for a decent price. Once in Hue, it’s easy to walk the main tourist sites along the Perfume River on foot, but to see the outlying attractions you’ll need the help of a cyclo or taxi. It won’t be hard to find one, as they are ubiquitous and the drivers can be pushy.

Taxis are fairly priced, and can be hired for the day from your hotel’s concierge. Cyclos can be rented by the hour and are a fun way to cruise around central Hue. Bicycles and motorbikes can be rented from every hotel in town if you prefer to explore the countryside on your own. Just be sure to drive defensively!