How to Get from Da Nang to Hoi An: 6 Easy Options + Prices

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Hoi An and Da Nang are two of our favourite places in Vietnam. We spent 3 months in Vietnam, and if we had to return as digital nomads, these towns would be at the top of our list.

After spending 1 week in Da Nang and a month in Hoi An. We travelled from Da Nang to Hoi An a few times with different types of transport.

When we were in Da Nang, we even hired a scooter to drive back to our favourite restaurant in Hoi An!

So we got a good idea of what would be the best way for different types of travellers.

So read this article to find out all the best ways to travel from Da Nang to Hoi An and which town you should stay in.

Da Nang To Hoi An At A Glance

Transport OptionPrice (USD)Travel TimeBest For
Grab (Ride-Share)$8-$1440–50 minsConvenience & Couples
Shared Shuttle$545–60 minsSolo Budget Travelers
Private Transfer$1440–50 minsFamilies & Pre-scheduling
Scooter Rental$545 minsAdventurous Day-Trippers
Local Bus (no.1)$160 min +Super budget travellers

1. Grab – Fast And Affordable

  • Price: $8–$14 USD per car
  • Best for: Convenience and flexibility
  • Travel time: 40–50 minutes

If you prefer to use a ride share apps the best option in Vietnam is Grab. There is no Uber here; Grab actually bought Uber’s Southeast Asia operations.

To be honest did not use Grab much in Vietnam because we often had our own scooter. But we have used it many times all over South-East Asia, and it is a super cheap way to get around.

The only thing I would mention is that if you are used to Uber, the user interface of Grab is a little trickier to use. We often find that locations we want to go will not be on the Grab map. But you can just search for whatever is nearby and use that location.

So, make sure to download Grab and then book a ride. A ride from Da Nang to Hoi An only costs about 8 – 14 USD. It is super affordable and probably the most convenient on this list.

2. Shared Airport Shuttle – Best For Solo Budget Travellers

  • Price: From $5 USD per person
  • Best for: Solo travellers on a budget
  • Travel time: 45–60 minutes

If you are flying into Da Nang airport and heading straight to Hoi An, a great budget option is to take a shared shuttle.

You can book a shared shuttle online for just 5 USD. You will be sharing the van with other travellers. However, it is extremely affordable, and the vans are reasonably comfortable.

This option is best for solo travellers on a budget. If you are travelling with others, then there are better options further down the list.

Many companies are offering a shuttle, but one good option is with Klook. They have 1,500 reviews and a 4.5 out of 5

3. Private Transfer – Pre-book For Convenience

  • Price: Around $10 – 14 USD per car (up to 3 passengers)
  • Best for: Travellers wanting a scheduled pickup
  • Travel time: 40–50 minutes

If you do not like using ride-share apps, then the next best option for you is a private transfer.

You can book a private transfer via Get Your Guide for 14 USD for a group of up to 3.

The price is similar to Grab, but you can schedule your pick-up and drop-off points ahead of time.

I haven’t personally used the service linked above. But according to the reviews, the drivers speak English and even waited when trains and flights were delayed.

Another option is to book a private transfer with your accommodation. Our Airbnb organised a driver for us who picked us up at the airport for just $10.

So ask your accommodation if they can sort out a ride for you, and it may be even cheaper.

4. Scooter – For Adventurous Travellers

  • Price: Around 120,000 VND ($5 USD) per day
  • Best for: Confident drivers and day trips
  • Travel time: 45 minutes

Our favorite way to travel in Southeast Asia is by scooter. It is so much fun driving around as long as you can handle the crazy traffic.

Travelling by scooter may not be possible if you have large bags. But if you are just doing a day trip, it is an awesome option.

Man sitting on a scooter next to make shift gas station on the messy backstreets of a vietnamese town with piles of plastic crates full of beer bottles next to him

On our first day in Da Nang we hired a scooter and drove back to Hoi An to visit our favorite restaurant in Hoi An because we missed it so much!

Scooter rental should cost about 120,000 VND or 5 USD per day. In Vietnam, it is very common for your accommodation to rent scooters. So they are usually a good place to ask.

If they do not offer scooter rental, then there are scooter rentals all over the place. Just try to find one with good reviews.

I would only recommend driving a scooter in Vietnam if you are a confident driver. The roads are crazy in Vietnam, so it is not a good place to learn to drive.

TIP: In Vietnam, scooters are almost always given to you with no gas at all. Most people siphon the gas out of the tank when they take it back. So make sure to head straight to a gas station once you get it.

4. Local Bus – Cheapest But Slowest

  • Price: 30,000 VND (~$1 USD)
  • Best for: Budget travelers and those wanting a local experience
  • Travel time: 60+ minutes

If you are on a serious budget, then the absolute cheapest way to get from Da Nang to Hoi An is by local bus.

This is, of course, the least comfortable option. But it can always be fun travelling like the locals for a change.

This is another option that I have to admit that I never used. The taxis and Ubers are so cheap in Vietnam that we stayed away from short bus trips.

But if you really want to save money, the LK02 bus only costs 30,000 VND. So just over 1 USD.

The only problem is that the bus stops in Hoi An and Da Nang are quite far from the city center. If you want more information, this article here has everything you need to know about catching the bus.

5. Local Taxi – Negotiate Like A Pro

  • Price: Varies — check Grab for a benchmark
  • Best for: Travelers who prefer cash and in-person arrangements
  • Travel time: 40–50 minutes

If you want to go old school and catch a regular taxi, that is also an option. We found while travelling in Vietnam that many taxi drivers double as Grab drivers.

So if you feel like it, you could walk up to a taxi driver at the airport in Da Nang and negotiate a price.

When we were at a train station in Hue, we had no data. So we walked up to a taxi driver, and he showed us the price on Grab, and we agreed to pay him that price in cash.

It is probably easier to just use an app. But if you have no data or hate ride-share apps, you always have the option to negotiate in person like the old days!

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Is It Worth Staying in Da Nang or Hoi An?

Da Nang and Hoi An are both definitely worth staying in. Hoi An is full of beautiful historical buildings and has an old-world charm that is hard to find in other parts of Vietnam.

There are plenty of awesome things to do in Hoi An as a tourist. Plus, there is a lot of really good food and cafes in Hoi An.

While Da Nang has become much more of a digital nomad hotspot because of the easy access to the beach and the low cost of living.

We spent 1 week in Da Nang and a month in Hoi An. We really enjoyed staying in both, but if you want to know more, you should read our Da Nang or Hoi An article.

Now You Know How To Get From Da Nang To Hoi An, So What Now?

Now that you know how to get from Da Nang to Hoi An, you will need to find out what to do, see, and eat while you are there.

We spent one month in Hoi An and loved our time there. It is such a beautiful city full of beautiful architecture, friendly locals, great food, and beautiful beaches and countryside.

During our time there, we wrote quite a few articles about the best cafes, best banh mi, best things to do and more! Check out our Vietnam page so you can make the most of your time in Hoi An!

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