An in-depth guide to travelling from Da Nang to Hoi An, covering all budgets and options. Since 2020, public transport between the two cities has stopped, however getting from A to B is more straightforward than you might think.
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Ancient Hoi An and modern Da Nang
Hoi An is an enchanting town in central Vietnam, and it’s no surprise that it’s one of the most popular places to visit in the entire country. In the ancient town, beautiful narrow streets are lined with coffee shops, temples, and lantern-makers. As the sun sets, boats begin to fill with passengers, clambering on board to watch the sky paint a watercolour on the river’s surface, bobbing up and down with paper lanterns. It might be a bit tourist-saturated at times, but there’s still no denying Hoi An’s magic.
Considering it’s such a popular spot, you might be surprised to learn that there is no train station in Hoi An; and that’s why lots of visitors to the UNESCO town actually head first to the nearby (and far more modern) city of Da Nang. This sleek shiny city with its incredible yellow dragon bridge is much more well-connected to the outside world; so its super easy to head into Da Nang, and then on to the much smaller town of Hoi An. (Although don’t bypass this metropolis completely; Da Nang is hugely underrated and full of things to do.)
In fact, the closest airport to Hoi An is Da Nang International Airport, and the closest train station is the Da Nang Train Station. Da Nang is perhaps the best city from which to travel on to Hoi An, and this is also where I began my ten day trip through Vietnam.
It’s also worth noting that Da Nang’s central location on the Reunification Line means that it’s well-placed to catch a sleeper train from here to Hanoi in the north, or to Ho Chi Minh City in the south.
Read my full guide to exploring Da Nang.
Distance from Da Nang to Hoi An
It should take between 45 minutes to an hour to travel to Hoi An, depending on which route you take. The coastal road takes around 45 minutes (this is the route I took when driving from Da Nang airport), and the inland route is the slightly longer one.
Is there a train station in Hoi An?
Hoi An has no train station! The closest train station is in Da Nang.
Private transfer from Da Nang to Hoi An
The easiest way to travel from Da Nang to Hoi An is by booking a private transfer, which will either pick you up from your hotel/hostel or Da Nang airport, and take you directly to Hoi An.
I arrived at Da Nang airport and headed to Hoi An in a private car which I’d pre-booked. And let me tell you, after the longest journey halfway across the world, I was so glad that I’d already arranged this. The private transfer from Da Nang airport to Hoi An cost me less than €12, and knowing that my onward travel was already sorted made the whole experience a lot less frazzled-feeling than it could have been.
Book the same private transfer from Da Nang airport to Hoi An.
Take a shared transfer service
If you’re arriving at Da Nang airport and would rather a slightly cheaper option than a taxi or pre-booked transfer, you could always book yourself a place on a shared transfer service. This minibus service costs around $7USD per person and leaves the airport for Hoi An at regular times throughout the day and night.
Get a taxi (or motorbike taxi)
By far the easiest way to get a taxi in Vietnam (whether a car is your vehicle of choice, or if you’d rather travel as a passenger on a motorbike), is by using the Grab app.
Download Grab before you arrive in Vietnam and set it up with your card details, and then you don’t need to fear being stuck with no cash to pay with. We got a taxi back from Hoi An to Da Nang and although it was slightly more expensive than my private transfer had been, split between three of us it worked out very reasonably. (Especially compared to US and UK taxi fares.) It’s also worth noting that getting a Grab car is more expensive than taking a Grab bike.
If you’re using Grab in Vietnam, you’ll also be needing data. I travel frequently, and I find it way more convenient (and cost effective) to use eSims as opposed to finding local Sim cards. I used an eSim from Airalo the whole time I was in Vietnam, and it was an absolute life saver.
Is there a bus from Da Nang to Hoi An?
Pre-Covid, the Number 1 bus (it was yellow, and known as The Yellow Bus), travelled regularly between the two cities, but this still hasn’t been re-instated.
If you’re sticking to a tight budget, there is the option of a shared shuttle bus from Da Nang to Hoi An, which leaves at certain times only, from a designated stop in the city. You can book tickets for the shuttle here.
There’s more than one shuttle bus company operating between the two cities, so if you’d rather compare companies yourself, check out 12Go. Here you can compare prices and times, and read reviews; all shared shuttle buses currently cost the equivalent of €3-7 per person to travel from Da Nang to Hoi An and vice versa.
How to Spend One Day in Hoi An
Travel to Hoi An as part of a tour
If you’d rather have a guided tour than go it alone, then don’t worry pals. I’ve got you! And I get it- it might be a pricier option, but having a guide to really teach you a thing or two about a new place can really make a difference to your understanding and appreciation of it. Travelling to Hoi An as part of a tour is also a good idea if you’re short on time but want to see a lot.
This private tour takes you first to the Marble Mountains and the Linh Ung Pagoda, and then carries on to Ancient Hoi An.
This tour is slightly more costly, but packs in so much and is consistently highly-rated. Not only does your guide take you to see the main sights of the city of Da Nang as well as Hoi An, but the price also includes your pick up and drop off, and lunch and dinner.
And finally if you’re extra short on time but still want to sample the treats that Hoi An has to offer, here’s a half day tour from Da Nang, which finishes at around 1.30pm. The tour takes you to the ancient town, as well as for a ride in the absolutely crazy (but exilarating, surely) circular basket boats on the river, and for lunch in a Vietnamese home.