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Are you traveling from Hanoi to Hoi An in Vietnam and need help finding the best way to reach your destination? It can be confusing to figure out how to get around in Vietnam, especially if it’s your first time in the country. Trains can be pricier compared to flights, buses require seat reservations, and train stations can be crowded and perplexing. Don’t worry! In this guide, I cover everything regarding transportation from Hanoi to Hoi An, including buses, flights, trains and ticket prices. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know!
Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi is the beautiful and bustling capital of Vietnam. It’s a great city both to travel as well as to live in with landmarks like the wonderful Hoan Kiem Lake and Train Steet.
Other landmarks include “36 streets”, each dedicated to a different trade, and the city is home to famous Southeast Asian Temples such as the Temple of Literature and the Ngoc Son Temple. If you are a plant-based foodie, there’s also a large array of great vegan restaurants in Hanoi like Veggie Castle and Quán Phở Chay anh Hải.
If you’re traveling to Hanoi, you should arrive at Noi Bai International Airport, located 45 km from the city center. After doing some sightseeing in Hanoi, there are various ways to travel around the country, such as taking buses, trains and flights.
→ Also read: How to Get From Hanoi Airport to The Old Quarter
Hoi An, located alongside the Thu Bon River, is a town within the Quang Nam Province. In Vietnamese, Hoi An translates to “peaceful gathering place.” It is roughly 30 kilometers south of Da Nang City.
The Ancient Town of Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city features historical architecture and well-maintained, narrow streets. Many structures, including homes and religious buildings like temples and pagodas, were constructed from the 15th to the 19th century and feature Chinese and Japanese architectural elements. Furthermore, both traditional Vietnamese houses as well as French-inspired architecture buildings dot the landscape.
The city is well-known for its Lantern Festival, which is a significant event featuring beautiful lights, vibrant colors, and cultural customs. There are also a lot of enjoyable day trips that you can take from Hoi An, like exploring the Marble Mountains and My Son Sanctuary, another UNESCO-recognized site.
The distance between Hanoi and Hoi An is 797 kilometers. If you opt for bus or car travel, the journey will last approximately 16 to 17 hours.
The fastest way to travel from Hanoi to Hoi An is by taking a flight. There are a limited number of daily flights connecting these two cities. The plane trip takes approximately one hour and thirty minutes. You have the option to choose from various airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, Vietjet Air, and Bamboo Airways.
There are numerous ways to reach the destination, depending on your preference. Below, you can find all the necessary details for every transportation choice!
Here are the various ways and transport options to choose from to travel from Hanoi to Hoi An.
Duration: 15-17 hours
Cost (estimated): 15-25 $
Opting for a bus ride from beautiful Hanoi to the charming town of Hoi An is the most cost-effective option. Sleeper buses with seats that lean back or turn into beds are a popular choice.
Buses offer a more affordable option than trains and numerous companies offer direct transportation from Hanoi to Hoi An. You can find bus tickets online on the website 12GoAsia.
The Sinh Tourist, Hoang Long, and Hung Thanh are a few reliable bus companies you can use when traveling from Hanoi to Hoi An.
If you take a sleeper bus in Hanoi at 5 P.M. you can expect to arrive in Hoi An around 10 A.M. the next day!
Duration: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Cost (estimated): 15-100 $
Since Hoi An does not have an airport, the only option to travel from Hanoi to Hoi An by air is to fly to the closest airport in Da Nang. Several airlines offer flights from Hanoi to Da Nang. Some of the airline companies in Vietnam are Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, Bamboo Airways, and Vietjet Air.
There are up to 20 daily flights between the two cities. Despite being more expensive than other options, the flight’s comfort and time efficiency can be worth the cost if you are short on time, however, as a conscious traveler, this is not a very eco-friendly option.
You can buy your plane tickets on 12Go or Skyscanner. It is necessary to arrange a Grab car, minivan, or taxi to transport you between your accommodation and the airport in Hanoi. Many hotels will provide complimentary airport transfer service, or they may apply a nominal fee.
Alternatively, you can also take the public bus to Noi Bai Airport.
When you arrive at Da Nang Airport, you need a transport option to ply the 30 kilometers (about 18.6 miles) to Hoi An. Minivans are the most comfortable and convenient option for this. You can buy tickets for a minivan from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An here.
Duration- 16- 18 hours
Cost (estimated)- 26-43 $
If you want to see Vietnam’s stunning countryside, another option is to take a train from Hanoi to Hoi An. Opting to travel by train is a great alternative to flying and is also the most eco-friendly option. The train journey from Hanoi to Hoi An is quite lengthy, spanning around 16 to 18 hours but since these trains are sleeper trains, you can save on a hotel night by traveling this way.
During this train ride, you will pass through the beautiful landscapes of Central Vietnam. The route from Hanoi to Da Nang by train passes through the Hai Van Pass, one of the most scenic spots in Vietnam. From that vantage point, you’ll have a beautiful sight of the coastline.
The price for a train ticket from Hanoi to Hoi An fluctuates and is determined by the type of seat or room you select. The most budget-friendly option are the train seats without air conditioning. The price is around $9 while a comfortable seat in a fancier train car can cost $18. Alternatively, the cost of a single bed ranges from $26 to up to $133.
Same as flying, the train does not stop in Hanoi but at the train station of Da Nang. Acquiring train tickets is a breeze and hassle-free via the website of 12GoAsia. You can purchase tickets up to two days before the trip, except for highly crowded holiday times.
From Da Nang train station you can opt to take a taxi to Hoi An or board a minivan. Minivans from Da Nang Train Station to Hoi can be booked on 12GoAsia. Be sure to double-check that the actual departure point is Da Nang Train Station and not the airport or another location in the center of Da Nang!
→ Also read: How to Get From Hoi An to Hanoi
Here are some tips to take into account bofre traveling from Hanoi to Hoi An!
→ Also read: How to Get From Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An
Here are the websites I personally use whenever I travel to Vietnam:
Booking.com: For the best cheap guesthouses, homestays or small hotels
Hostelworld: To find the best hostels located in the cities
Homestay: For unique immersive homestays in the cities as well as in the Vietnamese countryside
12GO and Bookaway: The best transport websites for long-distance buses and train travel in Vietnam
GRAB: for taxi rides in cities and nearby attractions
Skyscanner: For affordable flights to Vietnam
Eatwith: Dine with locals inside their home for an immersive foodie experience
Withlocals: Experience cities in Vietnam with local people that show you around. This is a good idea if you want to stray off the beaten path!
Viator and Get Your Guide: For (vegan) food tours, street food tours, and tours in general
Get your Visa for Vietnam online through the Evisa website
If you’re looking for travel insurance, the one with the best benefits online is without a doubt Heymondo! It’s very easy to ask for a quote on the website and if you book with this link you’ll get 5% off!
Get access to mobile data straight away when entering the country with a Vietnam E-sim or an Asialink E-sim when traveling through multiple countries.
Once you’ve settled in at your accommodation in Hoi An, it’s time to explore this charming town! Here are the most popular things to do in Hoi An.
Include some seaside relaxation in your cultural adventure in Hoi An by taking a trip to Cua Dai Beach. The beach in the Northeastern part of Hoi An is peaceful and secluded, with options for beachfront dining and relaxation, such as bars, restaurants, fire pits, and lounge chairs.
The calm water is perfect for those with young children or anyone seeking a relaxing swim. Borrowing bikes is also an option for convenient exploration of Cua Dai Beach and to cover the distance from the center of town if that’s where your accommodation is located.
Who says you need to travel to Venice to experience a gondola ride? You can experience a similar tour through the canals of the old city of Hoi An and also indulge in excellent shopping and dining.
The city is a melting pot of diverse cultures and architectural styles, incorporating elements from France, Japan, China, and Vietnam. The old town also boasts a variety of museums to visit, such as the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, the Museum of Trade Ceramics, and the Museum of Sa Huynh Culture.
→ Also read: Trang An Boat Tour: Everything You Need to Know!
Prepare yourself to discover the authentic flavors of Vietnamese cuisine at the Central Market! Food stalls can be found along the narrow streets of Minh An, with a view of the Thu Bon River. Wether you are looking for pho, delicious spring rolls, or another typical Vietnamese vegan food, it’s all there!
If you want to shop for souvenirs, prices vary from store to store, so it’s worth trying to bargain for a better price.
The ancient Hindu Temples of My Son, constructed from the 4th to the 14th centuries, consisted of around 70 structures, including mausoleums. At its peak, the site was thriving.
This place has been used for religious ceremonies by kings and royalty for a significant amount of time, and it is now one of the area’s oldest sites. The US attacks during the Vietnam War destroyed the temple complex, leaving only a small number of Hindu Temples undamaged.
→ Also read: Bich Dong Pagoda in Tam Coc: The Ultimate Guide
The Chua Cau, located in Hoi An Ancient City, is a well-known historic bridge. It was constructed during the 17th century. It is believed to have been built by the Japanese community of Hoi An to connect them with the Chinese neighborhoods across the water.
The architecture of the bridge is a blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and even European styles and symbolizes the cultural melting pot that Hoi An is known for.
This cute guesthouse with lots of books is located out of the center of Hoi An but is only a short bicycle drive away from places like the Japanese bridge and the old town. You can use the bicycles of Little Library villa for free!
Nhung, the host is incredibly kind and makes you feel like a part of the family from the moment you arrive. There’s a lovely little pool that you can use after a day of sightseeing. Meals are available upon request and on top of that there’s a great coffee bar and banh mi place right down the street.
Would you like to stay close to the beach in Hoi An? Check out Life Beach Villa on An Bang Beach. This accommodation is lovely both for couples who can pick a beautiful deluxe room or friends who are traveling together can opt for the two-bedroom suite.
The pool with loungers is a nice addition even though the beach is only steps away and the whole accommodation offers an organic feel with tasteful decorations. The friendliness of the hosts is also top-notch!
Looking for an eco-friendly yet luxurious accommodation in Hoi An. Then Hoi An Eco Lodge & Spa is your best bet! As a conscious traveler, you will be able to pamper yourself here with massages and beauty treatments in the in-house spa, relax by the pool, or treat yourself to delicious meals at the onsite restaurant.
Hoi An Eco Lodge and Spa is only a few kilometers away from the center of Hoi An and they offer free bicycles or an electric shuttle to town!
→ Also read: Can You Drink Tap Water in Vietnam? Things to Know!
The distance between Hanoi and Hoi An is about 797 km.
The most economical way is to take a bus, with a travel time ranging from 15 to 17 hours.
The fastest option is to fly, taking approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Since Hoi An does not have an airport, the only option to travel from Hanoi to Hoi An by air is to fly to the closest airport in Da Nang.
There you go! I hope you enjoyed this guide on how to get from Hanoi to Hoi An. Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or drop me a message through my contact page.
Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip. Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack more consciously!
ENJOY!
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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