Da Nang to Hoi An – The Quick Transport Guide

This quick guide will look at the main ways of getting from Da Nang to Hoi An.

The town of Hoi An is one of the must-visit destinations on any visit to Vietnam, with a beautiful old ancient town, the ruins of My Son, long stretches of beach, and some the most original food along the central Vietnam coast.

As Hoi An doesn’t have an airport or train station, most visitors will first make their way to the modern city of Da Nang, then organise transport to Hoi An, whether for a day trip or longer.

The main options for getting from Da Nang to Hoi An are taxi, private car, hotel shuttle bus, public bus, or motorbike.

Each option is discussed below.

Further reading on Hoi An:

• A guide to the unique and local food of Hoi An
• The original Hoi An Eco Cooking Class 
• A detailed look at the markets of Hoi An – Night Market, Central Market, Fish Market

 

Taxi

Taxis are the most convenient way to get from Da Nang to Hoi An. Taxis can be easily caught from the airport or train station, where there are dedicated queues at both.

Your accommodation can also arrange a taxi for you and it is easy to hail one of the many taxis on the streets of Da Nang.

Taxis will have you at your destination in Hoi An in around 30 to 45 minutes, with the cost of a taxi between Da Nang and Hoi An being approximately $15 to $20, depending on the size of the tax and the traffic.

While there are many different taxi companies being run out of Da Nang, I personally stuck with either Vinasun (+84 511 368 6868) or Mai Linh (+84 511 352 5252), as they are the biggest and more reputable taxi companies in Vietnam.

Pros: Taxis are easy to catch from wherever you are, and will take you direct to your destination and can take luggage. 

Cons: It is possible to experience driver communication issues, so confirming the destination before departure is key.

Private car

The most luxurious and stress-free option is to book a private car for the Da Nang and Hoi An transfer. It was the method I used when I first arrived at Da Nang, and it was a relief to see my name on a board at the airport arrivals gate, with a friendly driver ready to whisk me away to Hoi An.

The cost is close to that of a taxi, depending on the size of the car, and will run between $20 and $30.

Hotels in Hoi An can organize a private car for you or you can book from one of the many private car companies.

When booking, simply provide flight details (or hotel details if leaving from the city) and a driver will be waiting for you upon your arrival at the designated waiting position at the arrivals terminal.

There are many recommended private car services, and I used Same Same But Better Transport Services on many occasions, and was always very happy with their service and pricing.

Pros: Private cars are reliable, offer a fixed price, are comfortable, and can take luggage.

Cons: The most expensive option

Hotel shuttle bus

Many hotels offer a private shuttle bus between Da Nang and Hoi An with a set timetable of departure and return times. The shuttle bus will drop guests off at the edge of the ancient city.

Pros: Usually free

Cons: As time are set, it may be inconvenient to your particular timetable.

Da Nang to Hoi An Public Bus

The cheapest alternative is to catch the number one (#1) bus between Da Nang and Hoi An.

If you are arriving in Da Nang by train, it is an easy 10 minute walk away to the bus station located at 162 Ong Ich Khiem.

The bus doesn’t operate from the airport.

The buses are small and take between 45 and 60 minutes to Hoi An, and run every 20 minutes between 5.30am to 6.00pm.

Tickets can be purchased on the bus and are $1.30 (30,000 dong).

Pros: The bus is the cheapest option, and doesn’t take much longer than other options

Cons: Not near the airport, not a lot of room for luggage, and won’t drop you to a specific location, such as hotel or site.

Motorbike

I personally rode my motorbike a few times between Da Nang and Hoi An.

There are two routes, one along the beach and the other inland. Both routes are interesting and straight-forward, and will have you in Hoi An within the hour. The beach road is recommended as the surface has been better maintained.

The cost of renting a motorbike is between $4 and $6 per day depending on the length of the rental agreement and the quality of the bike. Helmets are included.

Motorbike rental can be organised through hotels, directly through a motorbike rental specialist, or through one of the many cafes / shops that have one or two motorbikes for rent.

What is required:

Some places require you to leave your passport or another form of identification, whilst some only require a copy of your passport. In my case, the rental company required a copy of my passport and a 2 million Dong deposit for a two-month rental.

Pros: The most flexible and enjoyable option (unless it is the rainy season) allowing stops and detours whenever you like.

Cons: Difficult to take luggage if you are moving between the cities; riding conditions can be dangerous, especially if it is the first time riding in Vietnam.

Conclusion on getting from Da Nang to Hoi An.

As you can see from above, there are many options for getting from Da Nang to Hoi An depending on budget, ease of travel requirements, and flexibility. Enjoy the trip!

Further reading on Hoi An:

• A guide to the unique and local food of Hoi An
• The original Hoi An Eco Cooking Class 
• A detailed look at the markets of Hoi An – Night Market, Central Market, Fish Market