What to expect when visiting Hanoi
Hanoi is Vietnam’s bustling capital, where heritage and modernity collide. At its heart is the iconic Old Quarter bustling with cosy hotels, old residential buildings and neighbourhood cafes. Composed of 36 streets, just walking around this area will reward you with many amazing discoveries.
Must-visit sites include the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the 19th-century gothic St. Joseph’s Cathedral. We recommend munching on as much street food as you can, strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake, and our favourite: watching the world go by from one of the many coffee shops in Hanoi.
4 ways to get from Hoi An to Hanoi
There are 4 ways to travel the distance of 800 kilometers (497 miles) from Hoi An to Hanoi by bus (13 hours 30 minutes to 19 hours), private Transport (15 hours), train (17 hours to 20 hours 30 minutes) and flight (2 hours 35 minutes to 3 hours 35 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 2 hours 35 minutes to 20 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from €15.90 for the bus.Where to stay in Hanoi?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Hanoi at the bottom of this page.
Hoi An to Hanoi by Bus
We don’t recommend travelling this route by bus. It’s a journey that takes 13 hours 30 minutes to 19 hours, and the bus is neither the safest nor the most comfortable option.
It is the cheapest option, though. So if you’re on a budget, the bus is still a good alternative.
Bus fares from Hoi An to Hanoi start from €15.90. You can choose from eleven companies: Green Trips, Queen Cafe Bus, Grouptour, Full Moon Party, The Long Travel, Camel Travel, Tan Kim Chi, Cua Ong Limousine, Techbus VN JSC, TBus and Duy Khanh Limousine.
Departure and arrival station
Both companies depart from Camel Travel Office in Hanoi, about 3 km south of the Old Quarter. Their buses park at Camel Bus Ticket Office, 2 km east of Hanoi Old Town.
Bus Schedule from Hoi An to Hanoi
Hoi An to Hanoi by Flight
Hoi An doesn’t have its own airport. So when flying from Hoi An to Hanoi, you’ll have to take a flight from Da Nang.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Hoi An to Da Nang by Bus
Da Nang Airport is 30 km northwest of Hoi An. To get there, you can take either a 30m - 1h 30m shuttle bus or a taxi. Rates start from €2.80 and 320,000 VND (€11.80), respectively.
If you’re travelling solo, it’s already convenient to take the shuttle bus. It will pick you up from Hoi An centre and take you straight to Da Nang Airport. But if you’re travelling in a group, it will be more cost-efficient to just take a taxi.
You can book your shuttle bus ticket or private transfer beforehand through BookAway.
Visit our page on Da Nang Airport for more info.
Step 2: Da Nang to Hanoi by Flight
Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways all offer daily flights from Da Nang to Hanoi. These flights are available throughout the day so you can be very flexible with your schedule.
Flight time from Da Nang to Hanoi is about 1h 20m.
Airfares start from 620,000 VND (€23). It’s best to book your flight weeks or months ahead for the best rates. Do note that airfares soar when you book closer to the travel date or during the peak season.
Step 3: Hanoi Airport to Hanoi
From Hanoi Airport, there are several ways you can get to the city centre. The most cost-efficient option is to take Express Bus #86, which can take you from the airport to the Old Quarter in around 45 minutes. A ticket costs 45,000 VND (€1.70).
Other options include the shuttle bus, public bus, and taxi.
For more details on how to reach Hanoi city centre, check out our page on Hanoi Airport.
Hoi An to Hanoi by Train
The train is an interesting way to travel from Hoi An to Hanoi. It will be a very long train journey, but the ride itself will be an adventure. Also, you’ll enjoy the many beautiful sights along the way.
There is also no train station in Hoi An. This means you’ll need to get a bus or taxi to the closest train station, which is in Da Nang.
Step 1: Hoi An to Da Nang by Minivan
From Hoi An city centre, you can take either a minivan or a taxi to travel the 30 km going north to Da Nang Railway Station. Travel time is around 45m - 2h
Minivans are available every hour or two from 06:00 to 20:00 daily. Fares start from €4. There are several companies operating on this route and they depart from their respective offices in Hoi An town centre.
If you’d rather be picked up from your hotel, you can get a taxi for around 440,000 VND (€16.20).
Whether you’re taking a minivan or a taxi, we recommend pre-booking your ride via BookAway. This way, you can expect a ride on your preferred day and time. Also, BookAway offers fixed rates, unlike local taxi drivers who often try to overcharge tourists.
See our page on Da Nang Railway Station for more info.
IMPORTANT: Previously, there were cheap public buses operating direct trips from Hoi An to Da Nang. But the last time we checked (August 2024), these are no longer available.
Step 2: Da Nang to Hanoi by Train
Travelling by train from Da Nang to Hanoi is a good way to make a very long journey quite fun. The train ride alone is already an adventure, but you’ll also get the bonus of seeing many beautiful sights along the way.
The fastest train can complete this journey in around 16 hours, with ticket prices from €22 for a bunk at a 4-berth sleeper.
You can also get a 6-berth sleeper or a much cheaper soft seat. But for this very long ride, we think a bed at a 4-berth sleeper will be the most comfortable.
We recommend booking your tickets online through BookAway. Their site is intuitive, provides a clear picture of what you can expect, and offers great customer service. If you’re eyeing the best deals, you might occasionally find slightly cheaper tickets on Baolau.
Step 3: Hanoi Railway Station to City Centre
Hanoi Railway Station is situated about 2 km southwest of the Old Quarter. That’s about a 20-minute walk to your hotel.
If you’re carrying a lot of luggage, you can also take a taxi ride that takes 10 minutes for around €29.
Hoi An to Hanoi by Private Transport
A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Hoi An to Hanoi.
Rates start from €490 for a 2-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about €245 per person. Travel time is around 15 hours.
Private Transport options from Hoi An to Hanoi
Best places to stay in Hanoi
Siva Luxury Hotel - Budget Friendly
Just landed in Hanoi? In this hotel, you will get the best night of sleep you had since ages. The friendly staff will give you a warm welcome and serve a wonderful breakfast buffet the next morning! Located in the middle of the centre, but completely isolated from all the noise.
Double rooms with city view from: $42
Frequently Asked Questions about Hoi An to Hanoi
What is the distance from Hoi An to Hanoi?
The distance from Hoi An to Hanoi is 800 kilometers (497 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Hoi An to Hanoi?
The fastest way to get from Hoi An to Hanoi is by flight and takes 2 hours 35 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Hoi An to Hanoi?
The cheapest way to get from Hoi An to Hanoi is by bus with ticket costs starting from €15.90.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Hoi An to Hanoi. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
