How to get to Hoi An from Hanoi: Flight, Bus & Train Guide (2026)

How Far Is Hoi An from Hanoi?

The road distance between Hanoi and Hoi An is around 790–800 km (490–497 miles). Since Hoi An has no airport or railway station of its own, every flight or train route actually ends in Da Nang, about 30 km (roughly 45 minutes) short of Hoi An, with a shuttle, taxi, or Grab covering the last stretch. Only direct long-distance sleeper buses skip this transfer and drive straight through to Hoi An itself.

4 Ways to Travel from Hanoi to Hoi An

Flight to Da Nang + Transfer (Fastest)

This is the option most travelers on a schedule choose, since it turns a potential two-day trip into an afternoon.

• Price: ~$30–90 USD for the flight, plus ~$6–14 USD for the Da Nang–Hoi An transfer
• Time: ~1.5 hours flying, plus ~45–90 minutes for the ground transfer
• Best for: Travelers who want to spend their time in Hoi An, not in transit

Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways, and Vietravel Airlines all fly Hanoi–Da Nang several times daily. From Da Nang airport, a shared shuttle bus runs around $6 USD, while a private taxi or Grab costs roughly $13–14 USD for the 30-minute-plus ride into Hoi An's old town.

Direct Sleeper Bus (No Transfer Needed)

A handful of long-distance tourist sleeper buses run straight from Hanoi into Hoi An itself, skipping the Da Nang handoff entirely – a genuine convenience if you'd rather not juggle two separate bookings.

• Price: ~$16–30 USD one-way
• Time: ~17–20 hours overnight
• Best for: Budget travelers who want one ticket and one drop-off point

VIP sleeper or cabin-style buses cost only slightly more than standard seats and are worth the upgrade over nearly a full day on the road. Buses typically depart Hanoi in the evening and arrive in Hoi An the following afternoon.

Overnight Train to Da Nang + Transfer (Scenic)

The train doesn't reach Hoi An directly, but it's a popular choice for travelers who want the Hai Van Pass scenery on the way down.

• Price: ~$20–60 USD for the train, plus ~$6–14 USD for the transfer to Hoi An
• Time: ~15–18 hours by train, plus ~45–90 minutes for the transfer
• Best for: Travelers who want the classic overnight-train experience without flying

As on the direct Hanoi–Da Nang route, the SE19 departure is worth targeting specifically, since its schedule crosses the Hai Van Pass – the mountain-to-coast stretch that leads into central Vietnam – in daylight. From Da Nang railway station, a taxi or shuttle covers the final 30 km into Hoi An.

Private Car (Flexible, No Transfers)

A private car can drive the whole distance in one trip, stopping wherever you like along the way, including at the Hai Van Pass viewpoint for photos.

• Price: ~$90–150 USD per vehicle
• Time: ~13–15 hours direct, or split over two days with a stop in Hue
• Best for: Groups who want to break the journey up rather than push straight through

Given the price relative to a flight, this option makes the most sense for groups splitting the cost, or travelers already planning a stop in Hue along the way.

Flying vs. the Direct Bus: Which Should You Take?

If you only have a week or two in Vietnam, the flight-plus-transfer combination is worth the extra cost – it turns a two-day journey into an afternoon. If time isn't tight and saving money matters more, the direct sleeper bus is the simplest single-ticket option, since it's one of the only ways to skip the Da Nang transfer entirely.

Practical Tips

• Book your Da Nang–Hoi An transfer in advance if flying or training in, rather than negotiating with taxi drivers on arrival – pre-booked shuttles and Grab are both cheaper and more predictable.
• Confirm whether your bus is "direct to Hoi An" or "to Da Nang." Not every sleeper bus advertised for this route actually continues past Da Nang – check the drop-off point before booking.
• If taking the train, request the SE19 departure for the best chance of crossing the Hai Van Pass in daylight.
• Consider stopping in Da Nang for a day. Since nearly every route passes through it anyway, it costs little extra time to see the Golden Bridge before continuing to Hoi An.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is there a direct flight or train to Hoi An? No. Hoi An has no airport or railway station – every flight or train route ends in Da Nang, about 30 km away, with a shuttle or taxi covering the rest.
• Is there a direct bus from Hanoi to Hoi An? Yes, a limited number of long-distance tourist sleeper buses drive straight through without stopping in Da Nang, though most Hanoi–Da Nang buses still require a separate onward transfer.
• What's the fastest way from Hanoi to Hoi An? Flying to Da Nang and taking a taxi or shuttle the rest of the way, totaling around 2.5–3 hours.
• What's the cheapest way from Hanoi to Hoi An? A direct sleeper bus, typically $16–30 USD, though it takes 17–20 hours.
• How far is Da Nang airport from Hoi An? About 30 km, roughly a 45-minute drive by taxi, Grab, or shuttle bus.

Good to know: since nearly every route to Hoi An passes through or near Da Nang, it's easy to fold both destinations into one trip rather than treating them as separate stops. Many travelers also continue north to Hue afterward as part of a broader loop through central Vietnam.

Explore Vietnam from North to South:

✈️Plan the rest of your Vietnam trip:

• Hoi An: A complete travel guide
• Da Nang: A complete travel guide
• Golden Bridge: Da Nang's most photographed landmark
• Hue: Vietnam's imperial capital
• Central Vietnam: A complete regional guide
• Things to do in Hanoi before you head south