How to Get from Da Nang to Hoi An

Planning a trip to Hoi An? Unless you’re arriving as part of a tour, there’s a good chance you’ll first find yourself in Da Nang.

Hoi An doesn’t have an airport or a train station on Vietnam’s main north-south railway line, so Da Nang is the main gateway for most independent travellers.

The good news is that Hoi An isn’t far away. It’s around 30 kilometres from Da Nang, and the journey usually takes about 40–50 minutes by car, depending on where you’re starting and the traffic.

On my first visit, we flew into Da Nang and headed straight to Hoi An by taxi. Today, you can also use Grab, book a private transfer or take a bus.

Below I’ll run through the different ways to get from Da Nang Airport, Da Nang Train Station and central Da Nang to Hoi An, including the cheapest and easiest options.

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Da Nang to Hoi An: Quick Comparison

There’s no single best way to get from Da Nang to Hoi An. If you want convenience, Grab or a private transfer will usually be the easiest. If keeping costs down is more important, consider the bus.

Option	Approximate Travel Time	Best For
Grab	40–50 minutes	Easy, flexible transport
Taxi	40–50 minutes	Arriving without anything pre-booked
Private transfer	40–50 minutes	Airport arrivals, families and groups
Airport bus	Around 1 hour	Solo travellers and budget travellers
Public bus	Around 1–1½ hours	Budget travellers from Da Nang city

For two or more people, compare the total cost of a Grab or private transfer with individual bus fares. The difference may not be huge, particularly if you need extra transport at either end.

Also remember that Hoi An is quite spread out. Staying near An Bang Beach or Cua Dai is different from staying close to the Ancient Town, so your final destination can affect both the journey time and price.

How Far Is Da Nang from Hoi An?

Da Nang and Hoi An are around 30 kilometres apart, although the exact distance depends on where you start and finish.

By car, allow around 40–50 minutes. It can take longer during busy periods or if you’re travelling by bus and making stops along the way.

It’s close enough that you don’t need to stay overnight in Da Nang simply because your flight or train arrives there. On my first visit, we landed at Da Nang Airport and went straight to Hoi An.

Getting from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An

Da Nang International Airport is the closest airport to Hoi An, with both domestic and international flights arriving here.

You can travel directly from the airport to Hoi An by Grab, taxi, private transfer or bus. If you’re arriving late at night, I’d stick with a Grab, taxi or pre-booked private transfer.

Grab from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An

Grab is one of the easiest options and would probably be my first choice if I were making the trip today.

If you’ve used Uber or another rideshare service, Grab works in much the same way. Download the app and set it up before you travel, then request a car once you’ve collected your luggage. Airport Wi-Fi may be enough, although having an eSIM or local data makes things easier.

One thing I like about Grab in Southeast Asia is being able to see the fare before accepting the ride. There’s no need to negotiate a price, and you can enter your Hoi An accommodation directly into the app.

Fares are dynamic, so check the price when you arrive rather than relying on a figure you’ve seen online.

If several of you are travelling together, look at the larger vehicle options. A standard four-seater may not have enough luggage space for four people and their suitcases.

Allow around 40–50 minutes for the trip in normal traffic.

Taxi from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An

Taking a taxi is another easy option if you don’t want to organise anything in advance.

This is what we did on my first trip to Hoi An. We went to the taxi rank at Da Nang Airport and were given a fixed price before getting into the car.

You’ll find taxis outside the terminal. Make sure you understand how the fare will be calculated before setting off and confirm any fixed price with the driver.

Mai Linh and Vinasun are two established taxi companies you may see in Da Nang.

I’d also check the current Grab fare before getting into a taxi. It gives you a useful comparison when deciding whether the taxi price is reasonable.

Shuttle Bus from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An

If you’re travelling solo and want to keep costs down, a shared shuttle can be a good alternative to paying for a Grab or private transfer.

There are bookable shared shuttles running between Da Nang Airport and Hoi An throughout the day. The service I found on Klook currently has departures from the airport from early morning until late evening, making it particularly useful if your flight arrives after the public airport bus has finished for the day.

The shuttle makes several stops in Hoi An, including locations around Cua Dai, An Bang and the Ancient Town area. Depending on the service and your accommodation, hotel pickup or drop-off may also be available.

The trade-off is that it won’t be as quick or direct as having your own car. You may need to wait for the scheduled departure and there will be other passengers getting on and off along the way.

For a solo traveller, I think this is well worth comparing with Grab. For two or more people, check the total shuttle cost against a Grab or private transfer – the extra convenience of travelling door-to-door may not cost much more.

Check current prices and book the Da Nang Airport to Hoi An shared shuttle here.

Hai Van Airport Bus

There is also a Hai Van public bus connecting Da Nang Airport with Hoi An.

At the time of writing, Da Nang International Airport lists the service as operating daily between 7:30 am and 4 pm, with a fare of 120,000 VND per person.

This gives you another inexpensive option if the timetable suits your arrival, but you don’t need to book it in advance through an online travel platform.

Bus services and timetables can change, so check the Da Nang International Airport website for the latest information before relying on this option.

Private Transfer from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An

If you’d rather have everything organised before you arrive, a private transfer is probably the easiest option.

Your driver will meet you at the airport and take you directly to your accommodation, so there’s no need to find a taxi, order a Grab or work out where to get off a bus.

It’s an option I particularly like after a long flight or when arriving somewhere for the first time. Sometimes it’s worth paying a little extra to walk out of the airport and see someone waiting with your name on a sign.

Private transfers can also make good sense for couples, families or small groups because you’re paying for the vehicle rather than per person.

If you have lots of luggage, check the vehicle capacity before booking. Some transfers can also include a stop along the way, such as the Marble Mountains.

Want everything organised before you arrive? Check current prices and book a private transfer from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An here.

Should You Rent a Car or Motorbike?

You might be wondering whether it would be easier to rent a car or motorbike in Da Nang and drive yourself to Hoi An.

For most visitors, I don’t think it’s necessary.

There’s also the important issue of licensing.

If you’re Australian, the Australian Government’s Smartraveller advice states that you cannot legally drive or ride in Vietnam using an Australian driver’s licence or an International Driving Permit issued in Australia.

You need a valid Vietnamese driver’s licence, including for motorcycles of 50cc or more.

If you’re visiting from another country, the rules may be different. Check the requirements that apply to your nationality and licence before assuming you can legally drive or ride in Vietnam.

Whatever your nationality, check your travel insurance conditions too. Driving or riding without the correct licence could leave you without insurance cover if something goes wrong.

Then there’s the traffic. Driving conditions in Vietnam can be very different from what you’re used to at home, particularly if you haven’t driven in Southeast Asia before.

Considering how easy it is to travel between Da Nang and Hoi An by Grab, taxi, bus or private transfer, I don’t think hiring a vehicle just for this journey is worth the hassle.

Getting from Da Nang Train Station to Hoi An

If you arrive in Da Nang by train, getting to Hoi An is also straightforward.

Grab or Taxi from Da Nang Train Station

For most travellers, Grab or a taxi will be the easiest option.

You can order a Grab once you arrive or find taxis around the station. I’d check the Grab app for the current fare even if you plan to take a taxi, as it gives you a useful comparison.

Allow around 45–60 minutes to reach Hoi An, depending on traffic and the location of your accommodation.

Bus from Da Nang to Hoi An

If you’re travelling on a tighter budget, there are both bookable shuttle services and a public bus between Da Nang and Hoi An.

Several bus and minivan operators run between the two cities, so it’s worth checking the current departures if you want to book your journey in advance.

Check current Da Nang to Hoi An bus and minivan times and prices here.

There is also the local Route 02 bus.

This is not the old Yellow Bus #1 you may see mentioned in older blog posts and travel forums. The bus network has changed considerably since my first visit.

As of August 2026, Route 02 runs from Da Nang Central Bus Station via central Da Nang to Hai Ba Trung Parking Area in Hoi An. Buses run approximately every 15–30 minutes.

You’ll need to get from Da Nang Train Station to a suitable stop along the route, and you may need another short journey at the Hoi An end.

For that reason, I’d consider the local bus mainly if you’re travelling light and keeping costs down is more important than convenience.

Bus routes and timetables can change, so I recommend checking locally for the latest Route 02 information before travelling.

Private Transfer from Da Nang Train Station

You can also arrange a private transfer to collect you from Da Nang Train Station and take you directly to your Hoi An accommodation.

It can be worth considering if you have a lot of luggage, are travelling as a group or simply want someone waiting when your train arrives.

Check current prices for private transfers from Da Nang to Hoi An here.

Getting from Da Nang City to Hoi An

If you’re spending some time in Da Nang before travelling to Hoi An, your options are much the same as those from Da Nang Train Station.

You can take a Grab or taxi, book a shared shuttle or private transfer, or use the local Route 02 bus.

Where you’re staying in Da Nang will make a difference, particularly if you’re considering the public bus. Check where the nearest convenient stop is rather than travelling across the city just to catch it.

For convenience, I’d choose Grab. If you’re travelling solo and keeping costs down, compare the shared shuttle and public bus options instead.

Getting Back from Hoi An to Da Nang

All of these options work in reverse, so getting from Hoi An back to Da Nang is just as straightforward.

You can book a Grab or private transfer, arrange a taxi through your accommodation or use one of the shuttle or bus services.

When we needed to get from Hoi An back to Da Nang Train Station, we arranged a private car locally. You’ll find hotels, travel agencies and transport providers around Hoi An offering transfers to Da Nang Airport, the train station and hotels in the city.

If you have a flight or train to catch, I’d organise your transport in advance and allow extra time for traffic.

For an airport transfer, double-check which terminal you need. Da Nang has separate domestic and international terminals.

Which Is the Best Way to Get from Da Nang to Hoi An?

For most travellers, I think the choice comes down to Grab, a private transfer or a shared shuttle.

If I were doing the trip again, I’d probably use Grab. It’s easy, door-to-door and you can see the price before booking.

After a long international flight, particularly late at night, I’d consider a private transfer instead. There’s something very appealing about knowing someone will be waiting when you walk out of the airport.

For a solo traveller on a budget, I’d look at the shared shuttles first. You can book in advance, and they can be considerably cheaper than having a car to yourself.

The local public bus can be cheaper again, but you’ll need to decide whether the extra time and getting yourself to and from the bus stops are worth the saving.

If you’re arriving at Da Nang Train Station, I’d probably use Grab unless I was travelling particularly cheaply. Getting yourself and your luggage to and from the public bus route may not be worth it.

Where to Stay in Hoi An

If you’re still looking for somewhere to stay in Hoi An, I can recommend Vinci Villa, where we stayed on one of our visits.

It’s in a quiet lane around 600 metres from Hoi An Ancient Town, so we could easily walk into the centre while staying away from the busiest streets.

Our room was modern and spotlessly clean, the breakfast was great and the staff couldn’t do enough for us. There’s also a small outdoor pool, although we didn’t get to use it because we visited in January and it was raining.

Free bikes were available during our stay too, although they were popular and already booked whenever we wanted them!

What really stood out was the value for money. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and I’d happily stay at Vinci Villa again.

Check current prices and availability at Vinci Villa in Hoi An here.

Things to Do in Hoi An

Once you’ve made it to Hoi An, give yourself plenty of time to explore.

It’s one of those places where I’m perfectly happy just wandering. I love the old yellow buildings, colourful lanterns, busy markets and little streets where there always seems to be something interesting around the next corner.

Beyond the Ancient Town, you can visit the nearby beaches, take a cooking class, explore My Son Sanctuary or simply spend a few days enjoying Hoi An at a slower pace.

I have a whole separate guide covering what to see and do, so take a look at my guide to the best things to do in Hoi An when you’re planning your stay.

Getting to Hoi An Is Easier Than It Looks

Getting to Hoi An can look a little complicated when you first realise there’s no airport or train station in town, but in reality it’s an easy journey from Da Nang.

For me, Grab offers the best balance of convenience and flexibility, while a private transfer is worth considering if you want everything organised before you arrive.

If you’re travelling solo and watching your budget, I’d compare the shared shuttle services before deciding.

Whichever option you choose, you should be wandering Hoi An’s lantern-filled streets not too long after leaving Da Nang.

And trust me, Hoi An is worth the journey.

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