What to expect when visiting 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.
3 ways to get from Phong Nha to Hoi An
There are 3 ways to travel the distance of 340 kilometers (211 miles) from Phong Nha to Hoi An by bus (6 hours 55 minutes to 11 hours 30 minutes), private Transfer (6 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours 40 minutes) and train (7 hours 55 minutes to 9 hours). The journey duration ranges between 6 hours 30 minutes to 11 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by private transfer. The lowest priced tickets start from 305,000 VND ($12.30) for the bus.Where to stay in Hoi An?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Hoi An at the bottom of this page.
Phong Nha to Hoi An by Bus
The bus is a direct way to travel from Phong Nha to Hoi An but isn’t as scenic as taking the train. Most buses take the Hai Van Tunnel, which means you’ll miss the amazing views from Hai Van Pass.
If you still want to take a bus from Phong Nha to Hoi An, you can choose from seven companies: Queen Cafe Bus, Green Trips, Grouptour, Duc Duong Bus, To Vietnam Travel, Techbus VN JSC and TBus.
Bus ticket prices start from 305,000 VND ($12.30) and the journey takes around 6 hours 55 minutes to 11 hours 30 minutes.
Departure and arrival station
Both Queen Cafe Bus, Green Trips, Grouptour, Duc Duong Bus, To Vietnam Travel, Techbus VN JSC and TBus depart from the Central Backpackers Hostel along the main street in Phong Nha.
Grouptour parks at Hoi An Luxury SSB, while Queen Cafe arrives at its own headquarters in Hoi An. You can find both along Ton Duc Thang Street, some 1.5km north of the Old Town.
Bus schedules from Phong Nha to Hoi An
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.
Phong Nha to Hoi An by Train
Travelling by train from Phong Nha to Hoi An includes several transfers: a bus or taxi from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi, a train from Dong Hoi to Da Nang, and then a minivan or taxi from Da Nang to Hoi An.
Taking the train might involve some more steps, but at least you will still get a view of the famous Hai Van Pass. This is a 21km mountain pass overlooking the sea from Hue to Da Nang. The bus, on the other hand, goes through a tunnel so you won’t see any of it during your journey.
Although travelling the Hai Van Pass by motorbike will be the most exciting, the train ride between Dong Hoi and Da Nang (step 2) will still reward you with magnificent scenery.
Below we will explain which steps to take when travelling by train.
Step 1: Phong Nha to Dong Hoi Railway Station by Bus
From Phong Nha, you can get to Dong Hoi in two ways: via a bus ride that takes 1.5 hours for 50,000 VND ($2) or via a taxi ride that takes 1 hour with rates from 400,000 VND ($16.10).
If you’re on a budget, you can catch the bus from the main street in Phong Nha. Just allow some extra time so that you don’t miss your desired train. The bus drop-off point in Dong Hoi is a 15-minute walk or a short taxi ride for 40,000 VND ($1.60) to the railway station.
If you’re taking the 06:00 train from Dong Hoi, you’ll have to take a taxi to the train station because buses aren’t available yet at that time.
For bus schedules and more details, see our guide for Dong Hoi to Phong Nha.
Step 2: Dong Hoi to Da Nang by Train
From Dong Hoi station, there are 4 direct trains operating daily between Dong Hoi to Da Nang. We recommend taking one of the trains leaving in the morning so you can fully appreciate the beauty of Hai Van Pass.
Ticket prices start from 231,000 VND ($9.30) for a soft seat. Travel time is around 5h 25m - 6h 30m.
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: Da Nang Railway Station to Hoi An by Minivan
From Da Nang Railway Station, you can take a 1 hour minivan or taxi to Hoi An.
A minivan ticket costs around 155,000 VND ($6.20), and you can take a minivan as long as you arrive at the train station between 07:00 and 21:00. As for the taxi, fares start from 440,000 VND ($17.70).
Visit our page for Danang Railway Station to Hoi An for more info.
IMPORTANT: Cheap local buses used to operate from Da Nang to Hoi An. But the last time we checked (September 2024), these were no longer available. Some drivers try to take advantage of this situation by luring tourists to take overpriced taxis. This is why we recommend that you pre-book your minivan or taxi online through BookAway, which offers fixed rates and comfortable cars.
Phong Nha to Hoi An by Private Transfer
You can take a private transfer from Phong Nha to Hoi An. The advantage of this is that you can travel door-to-door. It is also the fastest option at 6 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours 40 minutes.
Of course, all these luxuries come with a price. Rates for a 2-seater private transfer from Phong Nha to Hoi An start from 3,798,000 VND ($155). You can also get an 8-seater minivan for 5,840,000 VND ($235).
We recommend booking your private ride through BookAway, which offers spacious cars that come with professional drivers.
Private Transfer options from Phong Nha to Hoi An
Best places to stay in Hoi An
HaLo HomeStay - Budget Friendly
HaLo Homestay is an incredible budget option. You won’t quite believe the standard of the rooms for the price you’re paying. They’re large, modern and very clean. The owners serve a delicious breakfast and will do everything they can to guarantee you a perfect stay. They even have free bikes for you to use. From the homestay you can reach the Old Quarter or beach within 5 minutes.
Double rooms from: $11
Flame Flowers Homestay - Mid Range
Expect a warm welcome when you arrive at Flame Flowers Homestay. The owners feel like family from the moment you meet them. Guests have been known to extend their stays here as they just can’t face leaving. The spacious rooms provide you with everything you need – a good nights sleep and ultimate comfort!
Double rooms from: $25
Vina Beach Pool Villas - Mid Range
Dreaming of a luxurious retreat right next to the beach? Vina Beach Pool Villas tick all the boxes. There’s a relaxing pool, lush gardens and it’s only steps away from the beach. And after a hard day of relaxing, their super comfortable beds offer the best nights sleep. On top of that, the owners can’t do enough to ensure you have an unforgettable stay.
Double rooms from: $40
Frequently Asked Questions about Phong Nha to Hoi An
What is the distance from Phong Nha to Hoi An?
The distance from Phong Nha to Hoi An is 340 kilometers (211 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Phong Nha to Hoi An?
The fastest way to get from Phong Nha to Hoi An is by private transfer and takes 6 hours 30 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Phong Nha to Hoi An?
The cheapest way to get from Phong Nha to Hoi An is by bus with ticket costs starting from 305,000 VND ($12.30).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Phong Nha to Hoi An. 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!
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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.
