The city of Hoi An is just 30 kilometers from Da Nang, the largest city in central Vietnam, making it easily accessible.
Depending on the chosen mode of transportation, traveling from Da Nang to Hoi An can take anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes. There are numerous transportation options available, including bus, private car, and shuttle services. I’ve had the opportunity to test these options and can provide reliable advice.
Below, you’ll find detailed information on various transportation methods to help you make the best choice for getting from Da Nang to Hoi An.
Getting to Hoi An from Da Nang Airport
Upon arrival in Hoi An by air, you will land at Da Nang International Airport, which meets international standards. Like most airports in Vietnam, it features both domestic and international terminals, and offers easy access to free Wi-Fi throughout the facility.
When it comes to transportation from the airport, several options are available to accommodate your needs and budget.
Private Car from Da Nang to Hoi An
Compared to international destinations like Paris or New York, private cars are quite affordable in Vietnam. For most travelers, the cost difference compared to taxis or shuttles is negligible, making private cars a popular choice for convenience and comfort.
If you’re traveling as a couple, the cost remains quite reasonable. For families or groups, a private car is likely the most convenient and cost-effective option, especially when compared to a taxi or shuttle. After a long flight, the convenience of a driver waiting with a personalized sign and a ready-to-go car can significantly alleviate stress.
Booking a car is straightforward, as most hotels or homestays offer this service. However, they often charge higher rates since they go through a transport company like Hoi An Transport Service and add their commission.
Prices can vary based on the establishment or booking agent, as well as the size of the vehicle. On average, you can expect to pay:
- About 270,000 to 500,000 VND for a 4-seater sedan.
- Around 320,000 to 600,000 VND for a 7-seater SUV.
- Approximately 400,000 to 1 million VND for a 16-seater minibus.
Hoi An Express Airport Shuttle
An economical and convenient alternative is the Hoi An Express, which offers a minibus service directly from the airport to Hoi An. Upon arrival, a representative will greet you at the airport, holding a sign with your name for easy identification.
This service alleviates any confusion about finding the bus and ensures a smooth transition. The fare per person is 140,000 VND (roughly €6), with shuttles operating every hour from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM. You can book in advance online, but for two or more people, it becomes pricier, less convenient, and takes longer than a private car.
On-site booking is also an option, but securing a seat is not guaranteed. This service is available for the reverse journey as well, from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport, regardless of whether you are staying near the beach or in the old town. In this case, shuttles run every hour from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Taxi from Da Nang to Hoi An
Taxis are readily available outside the airport, and it’s common for a driver to approach you. When taking a taxi, make sure they use the meter and that it starts as soon as you board, or agree on a price beforehand. Fares typically range from 450,000 to 600,000 VND, and may be higher for larger vehicles.
The green taxis from Mai Linh (+84 0236 3565 656) and Vinasun taxis (+84 (0) 236 3686 868) are known for their reliability and consistently use meters in both Hoi An and Da Nang.
From Da Nang Airport to Hoi An by Bus
The bus route No. 1 (Da Nang – Hoi An) was discontinued in 2020 and, as of 2024, there has been no resumption of this service.
For those on a tight budget, local buses are the cheapest mode of transportation, though they can be more challenging to navigate.
Da Nang’s local bus service to Hoi An makes several stops and takes longer to reach your destination. These buses do not have air conditioning, which may be uncomfortable after a long flight.
The Da Nang bus station is located about 4 kilometers from the airport. To get from the airport to the bus station, you can take a taxi for around 20,000 VND.
Bus Stop Address
The nearestbus stop to the airport is at 411 Dien Bien Phu. If you take the bus from this stop, ensure you board bus No. 1 headed to Hoi An, as multiple buses stop here for different destinations. The bus will drop you off at a station in Hoi An at 67 Nguyen Tat Thanh, about 1.5 kilometers from the town center. Hoi An is small enough that you can walk to the center in about 15 minutes, or take a taxi depending on where you’re staying and the amount of luggage you have.
Bus Route Map for Bus No. 1
The official fare as listed on the Da Nang Bus website and indicated above the driver’s seat is 18,000 VND per person. However, tourists are often asked to pay 50,000 VND. You have a choice: pay the tourist price, which is marginally more, or insist on paying the local rate of 18,000 VND by pointing to the sign and providing the exact change.
Bus No. 1 operates every 20 minutes from 5:30 AM to 5:50 PM daily.
Tourist bus
For a more direct route to Hoi An, consider one of the tourist buses. The Sinh Tourist and Hanh Cafe are two reputable companies, each offering two buses per day.
- The Sinh Tourist bus departs at 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM from Da Nang to Hoi An. Tickets cost between 80,000 to 100,000 VND, depending on where you purchase them.
- Hanh Cafe’s buses leave at 11:30 AM and 4:30 PM and tickets are priced at about 100,000 to 120,000 VND.
These buses are typically more comfortable than local buses and include air conditioning. When booking a tourist bus, either online or through a travel agent, you will be informed about their pick-up and drop-off points.
- The Sinh Tourist – Hoi An Address: 587 Hai Ba Trung – Phone: +84 235 3863 948
Da Nang Address: 16 3 Thang 2, Thuan Phuoc – Phone: +84 236 3843 259
- Hanh Café – Phone: +84 (0)583 527 466 – Email: info@hanhcafe.vn
Getting to Hoi An from Da Nang Railway Station
Da Nang Railway Station
All the transportation methods mentioned above are once again viable options from Da Nang Railway Station to Hoi An. The station is located at 791 Hai Phong and is slightly east of the airport (about three kilometers/five minutes drive). Here, I will cover a few slight differences when arriving at the station.
Hoi An Express Shuttle from Da Nang Railway Station
The Hoi An Express shuttle service may offer transfers from the railway station, but this needs to be arranged in advance.
Private Car from Da Nang Railway Station to Hoi An
As with the airport, traveling by private car from Da Nang Railway Station to Hoi An is possible, with prices equivalent to those from the airport.
Taxi from Da Nang Railway Station to Hoi An
Taking a taxi from the railway station follows the same guidelines as from the airport: look for Mai Linh or Vinasun taxis, and ensure the meter is running or agree on a fare beforehand. Expect to pay between 300,000 to 400,000 VND from the railway station to Hoi An.
Local Bus from Da Nang Railway Station to Hoi An
Catching the local bus is more straightforward from the railway station than the airport. A nearby bus stop for route No.1 to Hoi An is just a 10-minute walk away. Exit the station, follow Hai Phong Road until you reach Ong Ich Khiem Road, turn left, and you’ll find the bus stop at 162 Ong Ich Khiem.
For those comfortable with technology, using Google Maps can be helpful for finding your.
