How to Get From Hanoi to Phong Nha

Hung Thanh is another direct bus operator for this route. However, we don’t recommend travelling with them because they get bad reviews. These include overloading, rude staff, and dirty buses. If you still want to travel with Hung Thanh, you can book a ticket through Phong Nha Locals.

TIP: Let your accommodation know when you expect to arrive and which bus company you booked with. Buses arrive very early in Phong Nha. But when luck is on your side, you can check in early and enjoy your room straight away!

The train journey from Hanoi to Phong Nha via Dong Hoi takes around 10h - 12h.

Although there are several trains operating this route daily, we recommend taking one of the overnight trains so that you won’t lose a lot of daytime travelling. You can see our recommended train schedules in the table below.

Train ticket prices start from $18 (455,000 VND) for a soft seat. But for the most comfort for this long journey, we recommend getting a bunk in a 4-berth cabin.

Trains depart from Hanoi Railway Station, which you can find some 2 km southwest of the Old Quarter. You are to get off the train at Dong Hoi Railway Station, located 40 km south southeast of Phong Nha.

From Dong Hoi Railway Station, you can then take either a 1.5-hour bus or a 1-hour taxi to Phong Nha.

A bus ride only costs $2 (50,000 VND). However, the nearest bus stop to the train station is located about 1 km away.

You can find this bus stop across the Central Bus Station. Just look for the blue signboard that says Bus 4. You can get here via a 15-minute walk or a short taxi ride from the train station.

The more convenient option, albeit a bit expensive, would be to take a taxi. Fares start from $16 (400,000 VND) when taking a taxi from Dong Hoi Railway Station to Phong Nha.

Visit our page on how to get from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha for more information.

From Hanoi city centre, you’ll have to travel some 30 km north to get to Hanoi Airport. You have several transport options, but we recommend taking Express Bus 86 if you’re on a budget.

Bus 86 departs from Hanoi Railway Station and picks up passengers from several bus stops near the Old Quarter. You can get a ticket for $1.80 (45,000 VND). Travel time is less than 1 hour.

For more convenience, you can also take a taxi. It’s best to book a ride via Grab for cheaper rates and better cars. Grab/taxi fares from Hanoi city centre to Hanoi Airport start from $9 (230,000 VND).

For more info on shuttle bus routes and other transport options, check out our page on Hanoi Airport.

Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways operate 3 to 4 direct flights daily from Hanoi to Phong Nha via Dong Hoi. The flight time is around 1 hour.

Airfares start from $27 (680,000 VND).

Note that it is always best to book flights early to get lower rates. Flight prices can go over $39 (1,000,000 VND) when you book close to the travel date or during the busy season.

From Dong Hoi Airport, Phong Nha is still 40 km away. You can get to your hotel by taking either a bus or a taxi.

Bus 4 operates daily from 06:00 to 17:00. You can hail a bus from the main road just outside Dong Hoi Airport. A bus ticket costs $2 (50,000 VND). Do note that buses have an hourly interval and don’t have a definite schedule.

Taxis are also available at the airport for around $16 (400,000 VND). However, drivers often try to charge more, sometimes even higher than your airfare from Hanoi!

If you’re planning to take a private transfer from Dong Hoi Airport to Phong Nha, we recommend booking your ride online via BookAway. Their prices are fixed at $23 (580,000 VND) for a 3-seater car.

See our page for Dong Hoi to Phong Nha for more info.