Hanoi to Phong Nha

Contents

Overview | Bus | Train | Flight | Secret Escapes

Trip overview from Hanoi to Phong Nha

To make trip planning super easy and fast, we created a step-by-step guide to find the best way to travel from Hanoi to Phong Nha.

To start with, use the slider to compare the different options:

How to get from Hanoi to Phong Nha

We recommend taking the night bus from Hanoi to Phong Nha. The advantage of the bus is that they drop you directly at the main street of Phong Nha.

Since Phong Nha doesn’t have a railway station, you have to take the train from Hanoi to Dong Hoi. From Dong Hoi railway station you can take a bus or taxi which takes you in 1-1,5 hour to Phong Nha.

Same goes for flying. The closest airport to Phong Nha is Dong Hoi. From Dong Hoi Airport it is best to take a taxi to Phong Nha.

Bus from Hanoi to Phong Nha

Duration: 10 hours
Costs: 314.000 VND (€12)

There are three companies operating sleeper buses on the route from Hanoi to Phong Nha.

Duration might slightly vary because of extra stops. But in general, it takes about 10 hours by bus to Phong Nha. The bus stops at the center/main street of Phong Nha, which is in front of or close to the Easy Tiger hostel.

See the table below for the schedule:

Check Available Bus Tickets

Queen Cafe offers a pick-up service which makes up for the slightly higher price. If you prefer to book with Queen Cafe and Hung Thanh, you can book your tickets online via Baolau or at ‘Hung Tanh office’ at ‘162B Tran Quang Khai St’ or at ‘Hanoi Backpackers Hostel’ in the Old Quarter of Hanoi.

Train + Taxi + Bus from Hanoi to Phong Nha

Duration: 11,5 hours
Costs: 830.000 VND (€32)

When you travel by train to Phong Nha you have to book a train to Dong Hoi station (not Dong Ha!). Dong Hoi railway station is 40km south of Phong Nha. The bus drive takes about 1,5 hour by bus or taxi to Phong Nha.

We recommend traveling by night so you don’t waste a day on travel. Taking the night train leaves you with one of the three options below.

Step 1: Train from Hanoi to Dong Hoi

Duration: 10,5 hours
Costs: 770.000 VND (€29,50)

Check Available Train Tickets

We prefer the SE17 which leaves at 20:45 in Hanoi and arrives at 06:43 in Dong Hoi. The SE17 has the most convenient departure and arrival times. If this is not available, you can also take the train S19.

Sleeper berths in 6-person cabins start from 724.000 VND (€28). Choosing a seat doesn’t make much sense. In case you want to save money, you are better off taking a bus.

Step 2: Taxi & Bus from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha

Duration: 1-1,5 hours
Costs: 60.000 VND (€2,50)

You can take a taxi from the railway station in Dong Hoi to the bus station for 25.000 VND (€1). After this 5min drive, catch the local bus to Phong Nha. This bus ticket costs 35.000 VND (€1,50) and the bus ride takes about 1,5 hour.

Another, but more expansive option, is to take a taxi straight to Phong Nha.

Visit the page From Dong Hoi to Phong Nha for more information.

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Bus + Flight + Taxi from Hanoi to Phong Nha

Route: Hanoi Dong Hoi Phong Nha

Duration: 3,5 hours
Costs: 1.620.000 VND (€62)

Want to fly from Hanoi to Phong Nha? Book a flight from Hanoi airport to Dong Hoi airport and take a taxi from there to Phong Nha.

The flight takes less than one hour. But keep in mind that you have to travel 1 hour from Hanoi center to the airport and another hour from Dong Hoi airport to Phong Nha. Including 2 hours extra time at the airport, 30 minutes to collect your luggage and some time to find a taxi, it will cost you about 5-6 hours to traveling by plane. For this reason, we recommend traveling on the night train or sleeper bus instead.

Step 1: Shuttle Bus/Taxi from Hanoi City Center to Hanoi Airport

Duration: 1h 15min
Costs: 40.000 VND (€1,50)

From Hanoi center to the airport takes about 1h and 15 min by shuttle bus or 1 hour by taxi. A shuttle bus costs around 40.000 VND (€1,50), but you can also order a taxi (Grab) for 200.000-300.000 VND (€7-€11).

Want to know from where the shuttle bus departs or explore other options? See the page about Hanoi Airport. Here you also find information about the public bus and taxi.

Step 2: Flight from Hanoi Airport to Dong Hoi Airport

Duration: 1h 10min
Costs: 1.080.000 VND (€41,50)

The cheapest direct flight starts at 1.080.000 VND (€41,50). This is with Vietnam Airlines and the flight leaves Hanoi at 7:50.

Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airlines and JetStar also operate flights through this route. Flights offered by these airlines are more expensive but if the cheapest flight is not anymore available, then you’ll have these airlines as your alternative.

Click the button to check available flights for this route.

Check Flights on Skyscanner

Step 3: Taxi from Dong Hoi Airport to Phong Nha

Duration: 1 hour
Costs: 500.000 VND (€19)

The best way to go from Dong Hoi Airport to Phong Nha is by taxi. Expect to pay around 500.000 VND (€19).

The public bus is not an option if you take the Vietjet Air flight since the latest bus to Phong Nha leaves at 17:00.

See the page from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha for more info.

Example itinerary

Please note that taxis may try to charge you more.

My favourite places to stay in Phong Nha

Thao Nguyen Homestay

Thanks to the great hospitality of the family, this homestay will feel like your home. After a day of trekking you can take a dive in the pool or sit back and relax with a Netflix movie. The homestay is located right in front of the bus stop in the center of Phong Nha. Rooms with mountain views already start from €19,- including an outstanding breakfast!

Bonus: Free cancellation policy till the last day!

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Phong Nha Rustic Home

Want a more unique experience? The interior of Phong Nha Rustic Home creates a real rustic feel which makes you feel one with nature. It's located outside the city center, but you can use their free-bicycle rental to explore the National Parks or get to the center. Rooms start from €22.

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