Vietnam travel guide
Hanoi to Hoi An: Flight, Train or Sleeper Bus
Fly to Da Nang: 1 hour 20 minutes, advance fares from ~800,000 VND (~A$48), then 45 minutes by car to Hoi An — the right choice for most. The overnight train to Da Nang (15–17 hours, soft sleeper ~US$30–45) suits slow travellers and saves a hotel night. Hoi An itself has no airport or station.
The options at a glance
| Flight to Da Nang + car | ~1h 20m + 45 min · from ~800,000 VND (~A$48) + ~400,000 VND transfer |
|---|---|
| Overnight train | 15–17 h to Da Nang · soft sleeper ~US$30–45 (~A$45–68) |
| Sleeper bus | 17–18 h · ~US$18–25 (~A$27–38) · direct to Hoi An but gruelling |
Flying — the default
Vietnam Airlines, VietJet and Bamboo fly Hanoi–Da Nang more than a dozen times a day. Booked two to three weeks out, fares sit around 800,000–1,500,000 VND with cabin bag; checked luggage adds ~200,000–300,000 VND. From Da Nang airport, a Grab or pre-booked car to Hoi An old town takes 45 minutes and costs ~400,000–500,000 VND (~A$24–30) — see getting around Hoi An. Total door-to-door: about four hours.
The overnight train
The Reunification Express trains leave Hanoi station through the evening and reach Da Nang the next late morning or midday. Book a soft-sleeper berth in a 4-berth cabin (~US$30–45) — hard sleepers are a false economy for 16 hours. The morning stretch over the Hai Van pass, jungle dropping to the sea, is one of Asia’s great rail windows; choose a train that crosses it in daylight (the SE3/SE1 timings work). From Da Nang station it is 45 minutes by car to Hoi An.
The bus, briefly
Sleeper buses run Hanoi–Hoi An direct in 17–18 hours for US$18–25. They are the cheapest option and the least comfortable — narrow berths, blaring stops at 3 am. Take one only if the budget demands it.
Our take
Fly down, and if you love trains, ride the Hai Van section back up — Da Nang to Hue is the scenic two hours. Once in Hoi An, our 3-day itinerary and Hoi An vs Da Nang comparison take over.
Keep planning Vietnam
Hanoi to Hoi An — FAQs
How do I get from Hanoi to Hoi An?
Fly to Da Nang (1 h 20 m, from ~800,000 VND) then 45 minutes by car to Hoi An. Hoi An has no airport or railway station of its own — Da Nang is the gateway for both.
Is there a train from Hanoi to Hoi An?
Trains run Hanoi to Da Nang (15–17 hours overnight, soft sleeper ~US$30–45), then a 45-minute car ride to Hoi An. Pick a service crossing the Hai Van pass in daylight for the scenery.
How much is a flight from Hanoi to Hoi An?
There is no Hoi An airport — fly Hanoi to Da Nang from ~800,000 VND (~A$48) advance one way with cabin baggage, plus ~400,000 VND for the car to Hoi An.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.