How to get from Nha Trang to Hoi An

Why visit Hoi An?

Hoi An is a charming city on Vietnam’s central coast. Once a major port, the mixed influences of Japanese, Chinese, and European merchants are still visible here.

Its Old Town is a well-preserved fusion of foreign and indigenous architecture, laid out in a small-scale model of a 15th to 19th-century trading hub. No wonder it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Travelling to Hoi An feels like walking back in time.

There are 4 ways to travel the 510 kilometers (317 miles) from Nha Trang to Hoi An. You can choose between the bus, private transfer, train and flight. The journey takes 3 to 14 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 397,000 VND ($15.30).

There are two ways to travel from Nha Trang to Hoi An by bus:

• Direct bus from Nha Trang to Hoi An
• Indirect route via Da Nang

We give you a more detailed guide of both options below.

When taking the direct bus from Nha Trang to Hoi An, you can save on accommodation costs because the buses travel overnight.

Buses are not as safe as trains, though. And for this route, the main bus operators get mixed reviews — there’s a chance you’ll get an unpleasant ride.

Bus options from Nha Trang to Hoi An

If direct buses from Nha Trang to Hoi An are unavailable, you can take a bus from Nha Trang to Da Nang and then take a taxi to Hoi An.

You can choose from several bus companies operating the Nha Trang to Da Nang route.

Be aware that some operators don’t exactly get the best reviews. Considering it’s a 9-13h bus journey, you don’t want to get stuck in a possibly uncomfortable bus with rude staff. For a better experience, we recommend taking the train instead.

Do you still want to take the bus? Fares start from 405,000 VND ($15.60).

From Da Nang Bus Station, the most convenient way to get to Hoi An is by taxi. Fares start from 440,000 VND ($17) when you book through BookAway, which offers comfortable cars with trusted drivers.

If you’re travelling light, you can also take a motorbike taxi with rates from 150,000 VND ($5.80). There are plenty of moto taxis just outside the station, but you can also book one via Grab.

IMPORTANT: Public Bus #1, which used to operate direct trips from Da Nang to Hoi An, was not available anymore the last time we checked (November 2024). Some travellers who did not know this have been lured into taking overpriced taxis. This is why it’s best to pre-book your private transfer with a company you already trust.

There are no direct trains from Nha Trang to Hoi An, but you can take one to Da Nang, a coastal city 30 km north of Hoi An.

From Da Nang Railway Station, you can transfer to a minivan or taxi to Hoi An.

If you’re staying in the city centre, Nha Trang Railway Station should be just 10-20 minutes away on foot. You can also get there via a short taxi ride.

There are several trains operating daily from Nha Trang to Da Nang. Travel time is around 9h 45m - 11h 30m. We recommend taking a night train so you don’t spend an entire day on the journey.

You can get a second-class seat for around 612,000 VND ($23.50). But for this long journey, we recommend booking a 4-sleeper cabin for more comfort.

You can also get a cheaper bunk in a 6-berth sleeper, but it may not be as spacious or as comfortable.

From Da Nang Railway Station to Hoi An centre takes 1 hour by minivan or by taxi.

Minivans pick up passengers from the train station every day from 07:00 to 21:00. You’ll have to pre-book your ride online, though. Rates start from 155,000 VND ($6) when you buy your minivan tickets through BookAway.

Are you travelling in a group? You can also take a private transfer to Hoi An for around 440,000 VND ($17).

Visit our page on Da Nang Railway Station for more details.

IMPORTANT: Previously, there were cheap public buses operating from Da Nang to Hoi An. But the last time we checked (November 2024), these were no longer available.

Short on time? With a flight, you can get from Nha Trang to Hoi An in just around 3 hours, already including the airport transfers.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

The closest airport to Nha Trang is Cam Ranh Airport, 40 km south. That’s 1 hour by bus and 45 minutes by taxi.

On a budget? Take Dat Moi Bus #18 (coloured yellow and white). This departs from 10 Yersin Street every 30 minutes from 05:30-21:30. A ticket costs 74,000 VND ($2.90).

Note that the bus doesn’t have a lot of space for luggage. If you’re carrying bulky suitcases, you might be better off taking a taxi. Rates start from 226,000 VND ($8.70).

For more info, check out our guide for Nha Trang Airport.

Vietnam Airlines offers one daily flight Nha Trang to Da Nang. Vietjet Air also operates on this route, although not every day.

Airfares start from 880,000 VND ($34). Travel time is around 1 hour.

From Da Nang Airport, there are 2 ways you can get to Hoi An: by shuttle bus and by taxi.

We recommend taking a shuttle bus when travelling solo. This bus will take you straight to Hoi An city centre for around 155,000 VND ($6).

If you’re in a group, it will be more cost-efficient to take a taxi. Fares start from 320,000 VND ($12.30).

You can pre-book your shuttle bus ticket or taxi ride through BookAway. For more details, visit our page about Da Nang Airport.

Looking for a private transfer from Nha Trang to Hoi An? You can book one via BookAway, which offers spacious cars with trusted drivers.

Rates start from 9,706,000 VND ($375) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s about 3,236,000 VND ($125) per person.

These are good deals if you prefer a direct ride and you’re travelling in a group. But it will still be a long journey of about 9 hours 10 minutes. If you have the budget anyway, it might be more convenient to take a flight from Nha Trang to Hoi An.

Private Transfer options from Nha Trang to Hoi An