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How to get from Hoi An to Phong Nha
When travelling the 335 km distance from Hoi An to Phong Nha, you have 3 options: an 8-hour bus, an 8-hour train, and a 6.5-hour private transfer. Fares range between $17 (407,000 VND) and $190 (4,557,000 VND).
To start with, we do NOT recommend travelling straight from Hoi An to Phong Nha. Instead, we suggest to book a motorbike tour or rent one and drive over the Hai Van Pass from Hoi An to Hue.
If you don’t want to ride a bike, we recommend taking the train. The train goes along the Hai Van Pass and offers almost the same views. Keep in mind, though, that this is not a direct train. You will need extra transfers to get to and from the nearest train stations.
Looking for a direct public transport from Hoi An to Phong Nha? You can take a bus. Buses are convenient because they depart and arrive at the centre of both towns. However, unlike trains, buses pass through a tunnel instead of the Hai Van Pass, which means you won’t even get a glimpse of its iconic views.
Private transfers are also available if you prefer your own ride. You can get a 3-seater car from Hoi An to Phong Nha for $190 (4,557,000 VND).
Hai Van Pass by Motorbike
The Hai Van Pass is often compared to the ‘Great Ocean Road’ in Australia and is one of the highlights of central Vietnam. There are several companies offering motorbike rental with a pick-up in Hoi An and drop-off in Hue.
Don’t worry about your luggage, they also transport your bags with their own van to Hue. We recommend planning a full day for this and book one night in Hue. Then you can take the morning bus or train to Phong Nha.
Hoi An to Phong Nha by Train
We recommend taking a day train from Hoi An to Phong Nha. You will lose a day of travelling, but for a part of this, you will be breezing through the famous Hai Van Pass, a 21km mountain pass overlooking the sea from Hue to Da Nang. And that will make it all worth it.
Although travelling the Hai Van Pass by motorbike will be the most exciting, the train ride between Da Nang and Dong Hoi (step 2) will still reward you with magnificent scenery.
Below we will explain which steps to take when travelling by train.
Step 1: Hoi An to Da Nang by Minivan
From Hoi An to Da Nang Railway Station, you can take either a minivan or a taxi. Both options take about 1 hour.
A minivan ticket costs around $6.50 (155,000 VND) and you can catch a ride from 06:00 to 20:00 daily. There are a number of companies offering minivans for this route and they depart from their own offices in Hoi An city centre.
If you prefer to be picked up from your hotel, you can get a private transfer with fares from $18.50 (440,000 VND).
Book your minivan or private transfer beforehand through BookAway, which offers comfortable vehicles at a fixed rate. This way, you won’t have to deal with drivers offering overpriced taxi rides. See our page on DaNang Railway Station for more details.
IMPORTANT: Previously, there were cheap local buses operating from Hoi An to Da Nang. But the last time we checked (March 2023), these were no longer available.
Step 2: Da Nang to Dong Hoi by Train
From Da Nang, you can then take a 6-hour train to Dong Hoi.
We recommend taking either train SE6 or SE4. Both travel during the day and will allow you to enjoy the views all throughout the journey.
Train fares start from $8.50 (201,000 VND) for a soft seat. More expensive sleeper berths are also available if you’re hoping to get some sleep.
Train schedule From DaNang to Dong Hoi
Step 3: Dong Hoi to Phong Nha by Taxi/Bus
If you take a day train to Dong Hoi, you won’t make it in time for the buses. Your only way to get to Phong Nha are the taxis parked outside the train station.
Taxi prices from Dong Hoi Railway Station to Phong Nha start from $17 (400,000 VND).
If you choose to take the night train (and miss the scenic views), you will be able to catch the local bus. A ticket costs $2.10 (50,000 VND).
Visit our guide for Dong Hoi to Phong Nha for the bus schedules and more details.
Hoi An to Phong Nha by Bus
Grouptour and Queen Cafe offer direct bus trips from Hoi an to Phong Nha. With this option, you won’t have to worry about any transfers. But you’ll also miss the scenic views you can get with the train.
That’s because buses operating on this route pass through the Hai Van Tunnel instead of the Hai Van Pass.
Bus fares start from $17 (407,000 VND) for the 8-hour ride.
Departure and arrival station
Grouptour departs from Hoi An Luxury SSB, while Queen Cafe leaves from its own headquarters in Hoi An. You can find both along Ton Duc Thang Street, some 1.5km north of the Old Town.
Both companies arrive at Central Backpackers Hostel along the main street in Phong Nha.
Bus schedules from Hoi An to Phong Nha
Hoi An to Phong Nha by Private Transfer
Looking for a door-to-door ride from Hoi An to Phong Nha? You can get also get a private transfer. Rates start from $190 (4,557,000 VND) for a 3-seater car.
Larger vehicles are also available for bigger groups. You can get an 8-seater minivan for $255 (6,077,000 VND).
Our favourite places to stay in Phong Nha
Thao Nguyen Homestay - Budget Friendly
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 $21 — including an outstanding breakfast!
Bonus: Free cancellation policy till the last day!
Phong Nha Rustic Home - Budget Friendly
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 centre, but you can use their free-bicycle rental to explore the National Parks or get to the centre. Rooms start from $24.
Routes from Phong Nha
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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.
