English
Lantern-lit Hoi An Ancient Town and the popular beach-side city of Da Nang (Danang) are two of South Vietnam’s must-sees.
With no airport or railway station in Hoi An, most visitors arrive via the city of Da Nang, which is 29 kilometres or 45-90 minutes north. The two cities aren’t far very apart – but there are many different ways to travel between them depending on your comfort preference and budget.
This detailed transport guide outlines the different options for travelling from Da Nang to Hoi An, from VIP to budget, the transport guide compares 5 ways to go from Danang to Hoi An (and Hoi An to Danang), ranging from a public bus that will cost you little more than pocket change, to a private transfer that will make your experience with NICE TRIP and completely seamless.
Da Nang to Hoi An distance
The distance between Da Nang and Hoi An is 35 kilometres or 20 miles. Hoi An is situated 35km south of Da Nang city center core where major transportation facilities are around. There are the international airport, train station and central bus station. Tien Sa port is little further to the northeast, about 38 km away from Hoi An. Thanks to rapid development of new residential areas, the Da Nang’s suburbs are expansive. The southernmost district Ngu Hanh Son is just 15km to the north of the Hoi An Old Town, the most famous tourist attraction.
Da Nang to Hoi An travel time
There are two ways to travel from Danang to Hoi An: Via the coastal route, or inland on the DT607 highway. Travel time depends on the route your driver takes and the type of vehicle (cars and taxis are faster than minivans and coaches).
It takes a minimum of 45 minutes to get from Da Nang to Hoi An when travelling on the coastal road by car.
On the inland road, it takes a little longer, approximately 50 to 60 minutes by car.
Da Nang to Hoi An transport guide !
This comprehensive guide for getting from Da Nang to Hoi An is researched and up to date for 2024. In this section, I’ll provide a broad overview of the options before going into the detail on all 5 transport methods.
One of the most important things to consider when choosing your transportation is how you’ll be arriving in Danang.
As you’ll see, Hoi An transfers depart from both Da Nang Airport and Da Nang City. If you’re flying in, you’ll want a service straight from Da Nang International Airport so that you don’t have to fight through traffic to get into the city first.
If you’re arriving in Danang by train or bus, note that the railway station and bus depot are both located in Danang city. The railway station is conveniently located close to the centre of town, but the main bus station is behind the airport, roughly 5km from the centre.
Similarly, if you’re planning to spend a night or two in Danang before you continue on to Hoi An, you’ll want a transport service that departs from the city or offers hotel pick up.
If you need to travel within Da Nang – for example, to get from the train station to the bus depot – I highly recommend using Grab App (Southeast Asia’s answer to Uber) to book a taxi or motorbike taxi.
How to get from Da Nang to Hoi An?
GrabBike or GrabCar
Grab (Southeast Asia’s answer to Uber) is a popular transport app that can be used to book taxis, ride-share cars and motorbikes in Vietnam. Grab works in Danang, so it is possible to book a ride to Hoi An Ancient Town through the app.
To use Grab, you’ll either need to pick up a Vietnamese sim card or preferably an eSIM and download the app before you leave home and register with your usual phone number.
There is free WIFI at Danang Airport, so you can get online to book a ride when you land. Expect to pay slightly less for a Grab taxi compared to a street taxi.
► Booking: All you need to do is to download the app Grab (or Be) on your phone and book a motorbike or a car.
► Duration: Just like the private car, a GrabCar will take you to Hoi An in about 1 hour. A motorbike might take you longer, around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
► Cost:
- 100.000VND (USD $5) for a GrabBike
- 400.000VND (USD $17) for a GrabCar
► Pros and cons: For solo travelers with a single backpack, the motorbike option (GrabBike) is extremely cheap and convenient. Also, if you download the app Grab or Be for the first time, there would be many discounts code for you. However, these drivers – especially motorbike drivers -can go pretty fast sometimes, so you might want to bring your own helmet because they often only have low-quality helmets for the guests.
Taxi
Finding a taxi in Da Nang is easy, as they are readily available. If you are arranging a transfer in advance the easiest way to get a taxi is by requesting it through your hotel reception. The hotel could also negotiate a set-rate fare on your behalf, especially for longer distances. If you are on the street, you can simply hail a cab directly by raising your hand in the direction of a taxi, or find one at a taxi stand. Local taxi ranks will be located outside main bus and train stations, as well as large shopping complexes. It is recommended to use reputable taxi companies exclusively, as scams can be quite common – with visitors often charged excessive prices or taken on longer journeys than necessary.
There are lots of different factors that determine the price of a taxi from Danang to Hoi An, including time of day, how much luggage you have, and what kind of a mood the driver is in!
If you’re hailing a taxi off the street or at Danang Airport/station (which I don’t recommend!), it’s very easy to get talked into paying more than you should. Generally speaking, a taxi from Danang to Hoi An should cost somewhere in the neighbourhood of 350,000-450,000 VND ($14-$18). Some companies charge up to 600,000 VND.
Tips : Taxis in Da Nang: Prices, Useful Tips, Local Guides to Avoid Scams
The current Da Nang taxi rates are as follows:
| Cab types | Opening (to less than 30km) | Next 30km | After 30km |
| 4-seat car | 11.000 VND | 14.000 VND/ km | 12.000 VND/ km |
| 7-seat car | 12.000 VND | 15.000 VND/ km | 13.000 VND/ km |
| Waiting time | 90.000 VND/ hour | ||
With Danang Transfer, we provide available options. Taxi prices will be calculated according to the travel route or hourly/day => Price list private cars in Da Nang by travel itinerary or by hourly/day
If you wish to phone up a local provider for pickup service, some of the most established and well-known Da Nang taxi companies you can call for on-demand assistance are:
Mai Linh: +84 (236) 356 5656
VinaSun Green Taxi: +84 (236) 368 6868
Danang Tien Sa Taxi: +84 (236) 379 7979
► Booking: If you don’t know how to use the app, you can call a traditional taxi instead. Taxis are available everywhere in Danang, and the most 2 popular companies that you should call are: Mai Linh Taxi or Vinasun Taxi
► Duration: around 1 hour
► Cost: around 400.000VND – 550.000VND (USD $17.00 to $20.00).
► Pros and cons: A taxi is almost like renting a private car, so you can place many stuff on the car, and the duration is short. However, Taxi prices will be higher than a private car you might not be able to stop for taking photos, and some taxi drivers may go around to get more money from you.
Public Bus & Shuttle buses
Public Bus
A bus is a good choice for those who depart from the city’s center. The No. 01 route transfers between Da Nang and Hoi An.
Buses from Danang to Hoi An depart from each station every 20 minutes from 5:30 am to 6 pm daily. It takes around 70 – 80 minutes to get from Da Nang to Hoi An or vice versa.
You may buy the ticket after boarding the bus. In Vietnam, there is no online ticketing system for buses.
You need to read the price written on the ticket and pay the appropriate amount. It costs only around 25,000 VND for each passenger at every turn, which is comparatively inexpensive compared to other means of transportation.
► Booking: You can take bus number 1 which will take you directly from Danang and Hoi An, or the other way around. The bus departs every 20 minutes, starting from 5:30AM to 6PM everyday.
► Duration: about 1:30 hour
► Cost: 25000VND (USD $1)/one way. You can get on the bus first then purchase the ticket there. There’s no online ticket available for buses in Vietnam. Tips: the price is often printed on the window of the bus, so make sure to pay the right price.
► Pros and cons: This is the cheapest way to get from Danang to Hoi An, and the duration is not too long. However, you won’t have much space to store your stuff since there might be many people on the bus (but on lucky days, there might be very few people). Another downside of taking public bus is that the bus stop is about two miles from the airport, so you will need to take a taxi there anyway
Shuttle buses
These shuttle buses serve as an efficient way for travelers to navigate around the inner areas of Da Nang and Hoi An. They often run on regular schedules and make stops at various popular locations. You can refer to several comfortable shuttle buses:
- Hanh Cafe bus: This is a well-known shuttle bus company, offering 45-seat and 40-seat sleeper buses. The beds are clean and comfortable. The buses depart from Da Nang at 6:30 PM and arrive in Hoi An at 7:30 PM. The ticket price is around 150,000 VND.
- Sinh Cafe bus: This company offers the Da Nang to Hoi An bus route as part of the Hanoi to Hoi An route. Priced at 120,000 VND, Sinh Cafe provides one daily ride. You can book tickets via their hotline or online booking application.
- Queen Cafe bus: This is one of the most popular buses from Da Nang to Hoi An, providing 4 daily trips. They depart from Hanoi at 6:00 PM, arrive in Da Nang at 9:30 AM, and Hoi An at 10:30 AM. The ticket price is 150,000 VND.
- Truong Thinh bus: This company offers premium sleeper buses with modern amenities. Bus tickets for the Da Nang to Hoi An route cost 100,000 VND.
Hanh Cafe is a famous shuttle bus from Da Nang to Hoi An (Source: Collected)
Here are two suggested bus companies operating direct routes from Da Nang International Airport to Hoi An:
- Hoi An Express: This is the most famous Da Nang Airport to Hoi An bus, featuring 16-seat vans. From 7:00 AM to 9:15 PM, the company provides 20 daily trips. The ticket price is around 130,000 VND.
- Ihome Travel: This is a new shuttle bus from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An, operating 20 daily trips from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Its 7-seater cars ensure the best travel experience for passengers. The ticket price is 179,000 VND.
If you want to save money for a fast journey, buy a ticket open bus to move from Da Nang to Hoi An. A ticket costs 130,000 VND ($5.54), cheaper than a taxi or grab.
Many bus companies have luxurious open buses that travel to Hoi An from Da Nang. The vehicle is completely furnished with modern equipment to accommodate passengers’ travel requirements.
Pros
- Fast
- Convenient
- Comfortable
Cons
- No seat selection
- No refund
Private Car – Nice Car & Professional Driver
If you’re looking for a one-way transfer from Danang to Hoi An and you don’t want to mess around with buses and taxis or share the ride with other passengers, booking a private car and driver is the most efficient and comfortable option.
A door to door, meet and greet airport transfer from Danang to Hoi An is ideal if you’re arriving in Da Nang by plane and and you don’t want to waste any time in getting to the Ancient Town. I also recommend this option for families and groups, as the price works out better. It’s a 24/7 service, so if your flight gets in late, you’ll have someone there to meet you. They’ll then drive you all the way to your hotel in Hoi An. You can stop anywhere you want along the way. Their hassle-free private transfer is excellent value for money at just $13 per car (Sedan up to 3 people) or $23 per car (Van up to 10 people). Vehicles are modern, air-conditioned and importantly, wheelchair accessible.
Kids car seats are available on request. Drivers are professional and speak English.
When you book, you supply the company with your flight details so that your driver can meet you in the airport arrivals hall with a name card.
A private car from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An Ancient Town takes 45-50 minutes depending on traffic and the location of your hotel.
► Booking: Here
Depend on your group size and your budget, you can choose to rent a 4-seat car, a 7-seat car or 16 seats car
► Duration: A private car will probably take you from Danang to Hoi An in only 1 hour or 1 hour 15 minutes at most. Just give the driver the address of your hotel, they will surely be able to find it right away,
► Cost: 300.000VND – 530.000VND (USD $15.00 to $23.00)
► Pros and cons: Private car is the number one option to get from Da Nang to Hoi An, since it’s the most convenient and the fastest, also you can stop anywhere you like on the way, maybe for taking photos, for a drink or for lunch. Although this is option for Private car rental is more expensive than bus or motorbike rental , sharing the cost with other people actually makes renting a private car worth it.
Motorbike
You may ride a motorcycle from Da Nang to Hoi An. Renting a motorbike will save you a lot of money.
You’ll encounter other tourist sites and take stunning photos on your journey. You can follow the following route:
- Da Nang → Tran Thi Ly → Vo Nguyen Giap → Truong Sa → Lac Long Quan → Hoi An.
The daily rental cost ranges between 100,000 and 180,000 VND. You must leave your ID card or passport while renting a motorcycle and receive it back after returning the motorcycle.
Remember to inspect the vehicle thoroughly while choosing! Additionally, it’s crucial to take repair tools along with you.
► Booking: You can easily rent a motorbike in Danang. 2 motorbike rental services that you can reliably book are:
- Truong Dat motorbike rental: +84 969 722 744 or +84 969 822 844
- Lê Trường motorbike rental: +84 981 331 331
► Duration: about 2 hour
► Cost: about 100.000VND/day, and you can get a discount if you rent it for a longer period.
► Pros and cons: Travelling by a motorbike is the best way to fully experience the beautiful coastline from Danang to Hoi An, and it’s also convenient because you are at your own pace. However, renting a motorbike will require you to put a deposit and your ID card to ensure, so you should prepare a notarized copy of your passport in advance. Also, the traffic in Vietnam may not be the same as in your country. It could be dangerous, so don’t try if you are not an experienced driver.
Attractions between Da Nang and Hoi An
Marble Mountains
The best attraction between Da Nang and Hoi An is the Marble Mountains. It’s a group of 5 striking hills soaring from the flat lands. Boasting of very old temples, captivating caves, beautiful viewpoints and trekking, this is one of the most visited places by tourists in the city. Around its foot, there are marble statues varying in shape, size, color and religion, giving lots of chances to buy souvenirs and gifts.
Note: If aiming to travel by bus, it’s not hard to see the marble mountains from a distance. Tell the attendant that you want to stop at the nearest drop-off point, called “Non Nuoc”. After getting off, following the Huyen Tran Cong Chua St.
My Khe beach
With a coastline of 35km long from Hai Van Pass to Non Nuoc, Da nang is one of the most beautiful coastal cities in Vietnam. Closed to the city center (5km), the most popular beach My Khe is the common name of the coastline lasted 10km from the base of the Son Tra Peninsula to the Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son). It’s just 5km to get here from Da Nang city center and 25km from Hoi An.
Lady Buddha
Have you seen her? From the bustling streets or the serene beaches of Da Nang, there is no way you could have missed her! The tall Goddess at the foot of Monkey Mountain, looking over the treacherous ocean like a spiritual lighthouse beckoning the weary home.
She is Lady Buddha! Don’t mistake her for just another tourist trap, built inside the holy Linh Ung Bai Pagoda, she holds great significance for monks and locals alike. This is the ideal place to go if you are a tourist seeking an authentic experience. Go to Lady Buddha if you want to be captivated by stunning views, share a Buddhist prayer or take the selfie that all your followers will envy.
The brief summary of all vehicles
There are several ways to travel from Da Nang to Hoi An as I mentioned above, depending on your interests and demands, you can choose the suitable one. Finally, I will give you an overview of all vehicles to get Hoi An from Da Nang :
| Time | Cost | Highlight | |
| Taxi/ Grab | 45 minutes | from $15 | Fast and comfortable journey |
| Private Transfer | 45 minutes | from $13 | Fast – Prebooked and reliable transport, comfortable |
| Public Bus | 1 hour 30 minutes | from $1.30 | Cheap journey |
| Tourist Bus | 1 hour 30 minutes | from $6.40 | Airport transport |
| Motorbike | 1 hour 30 minutes | from $5.00 | Travelers favorite choice |
Frequently asked questions
It costs anywhere from $1 to $23 to get from Da Nang to Hoi An. The cheapest option is the public bus, which costs just 25,000 VND or US1 . A taxi to Hoi An costs $16, while a private transfer by sedan costs $13.
The easiest way to grab a Danang to Hoi An transfer from the train station, airport, hotel is either via private car transfer or via a taxi, grab.
It is pretty hard to get to the buses from the train station, airport, so if you prefer not to catch a taxi (they are crazy drivers!) it would be best to pre-organize your transfer with private car or grab.
The road between Da Nang and Hoi An is fairly uneventful. Because it hugs the coast, it’s flat and relatively straight the whole way. If you suffer from motion sickness, I still recommend carrying your regular remedy. But you shouldn’t have any major problems.
Road safety is still a concern in Vietnam, especially on busy highways like this one. I highly recommend choosing a reputable transport company with a good safety record and professional drivers (read on for my recommendations).
The scenery between Da Nang and Hoi An is quite pleasant, especially when you’re travelling the reverse route (south to north) and you can look out the right-hand window towards the East Vietnam Sea. Leaving Danang, the trip starts by crossing the magnificent Trần Thị Lý Bridge.
There aren’t many places you’d want to stop along the way, apart from the Marble Mountains, a limestone rock formation with caves and shrines just outside of Da Nang and Linh Ung pagoda Just 9 km away from the city center, Linh Ung – Bai But pagoda is now considered as the largest pagoda in Da Nang City in both scale and art of architecture.
If you’re travelling by Da Nang airport shuttle or on a bus, it won’t be possible to stop off for sightseeing or photos. There may be one rest stop at the halfway point, but only for 10 minutes or so.
If you’re in a taxi or private car, you can stop as often as you like for photos (and/or food, bathroom breaks, and whatever else you need!).
And if you decide to join an organised tour to get from Danang to Hoi An, you’ll be stopping off at various points of interest with your guide.
No, there is no train service between Hoi An and Danang.
The closest train station to Hoi An is in Danang, so if you’re coming from elsewhere in Vietnam on the Reunification Express, you’ll need to transfer to one of the road options outlined above to travel the rest of the way to Hoi Ane is per person.
Tipping is a big part of the culture in Vietnam. Although it’s not mandatory, it is increasingly expected – especially from foreign tourists.
If you’re travelling from Da Nang to Hoi An by private car, taxi, or as part of a guided tour, it would be customary to leave your driver and/or guide a small tip (50K–100K VND) – provided you are happy with the service.
It’s not necessary to tip on buses, the shuttle, or when using Grab (although Grab drivers do appreciate it if you round the fare up to the nearest 10K VND).
Above are the best 5 ways to travel from Danang to Hoi An. We hope to have informed you sufficiently, and hope that you will be able to find the most suitable means of travel for your trip. Finally, have a nice time in Vietnam!
