How to get from Hanoi to Hoi An

Traditional and laidback, Hoi An is a picturesque, well-preserved place that’s home to hundreds of notable historic buildings. In fact, Hoi An Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which makes it well worth exploring during your visit to Vietnam. With that in mind, read on to find out how to get from Hanoi to Hoi An.

How to get from Hanoi to Hoi An 

Inspired to visit the UNESCO-designated beauty spot of Hoi An? Happily, there are a few ways to get there from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. You can make a decision based on your budget, trip length, and how you prefer to travel.

• By plane: to get from Hanoi to Hoi An by plane, you must fly to Da Nang, then take a road transfer to Hoi An.
• By train: as with the plane option, you take a train to Da Nang and complete the last stage of your journey by road.
• By bus: to forego having to stop in Da Nang, you can take a sleeper bus all the way from Hanoi to Hoi An.
• By car: to experience the open road, driving will take around 17 hours in toal. Best to schedule an overnight stay en route.

Going to Hanoi or Hoi An? Contact our Vietnam travel experts  to save yourself the trouble of mapping out an itinerary and planning.

How far is Hoi An from Hanoi? 

Hoi An is located some 798 kilometres south of Hanoi. As a general guide, if you take a bus, or choose to drive, you’re looking at spending at least 17 hours on the road.

So, if you decide to go by car, you’ll want to plan some cool stops into your itinerary. More on those later.

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What's the quickest way to get from Hanoi to Hoi An? 

With a flight time of 1 hour 20 minutes to Da Nang — plus a 45-90-minute road transfer to Hoi An — travelling by plane is the fastest way to get from Hanoi to Hoi An.

The second quickest way is to take a train, which involves a 17-hour rail journey to Da Nang, plus up to 1.5 hours on the road. 

Meanwhile, a direct bus from Hanoi to Hoi An takes around 18 hours. You could drive the route yourself in 17+ hours. That said, you'll definitely need to stop en route.

Short on time? Check our 5-days Vietnam itineraries.

By plane

Duration: 1hr 20 mins | Cost: from $50

If you’re short on time, or not keen on long journeys, you’ll want to take a plane to get from Hanoi to Hoi An. With dozens of daily flights, you’ll have lots of flexibility around when you travel. 

From Da Nang International Airport, you’ll need to transfer by road to Hoi An. Shared shuttle bus services are available from around $6. A private taxi will cost from $15.

Want to see a stack of top attractions in a single visit? Our Wonders of Vietnam trip delivers exactly that.

By train

Duration: 17 hours | Cost: from $20

As with the plane option, if you decide to get from Hanoi to Hoi An by rail, you’ll can only get as far as Da Nang. 

With around five services a day, the train journey takes around 17 hours. From Da Nang, the last leg of the journey must be done by road.

The most basic (“hard”) seats cost from $20. For a “soft” aeroplane-style seat, expect to pay around $22. Alternatively, you could book a hard or soft sleeper berth. The most comfortable option will set you back around $40.

Love epic train journeys? Check out our Vietnam and Cambodia by rail itinerary.

By bus

Duration: 18 hours | Cost: from $20

Being the only direct way to get from Hanoi to Hoi An — no need to stop in Da Nang with this option ­— booking a sleeper bus strikes a balance between cost and journey time.

Offering allocated reclining seats, or padded flatbeds, plus wi-fi, these are better than your average bus. Just bear in mind the journey time of up to 18 hours, and be aware that some bumpy roads make it tricky to sleep. 

For a happy medium, check out the “Open Tour” ticket option. This allows you to hop off the bus at major locations along the route. Before hopping back on, reserve a seat for the next leg of your trip.

First-timer to Vietnam? Read our rundown of Vietnamese cities to have on your travel radar.

By car

Duration: 17+ hours | Daily cost: from $50 

Not recommended as an option to try in a single day, using a car to get from Hanoi to Hoi An could suit travellers who like to get off the beaten track.

It’s certainly true that the route between Hanoi and Hoi An offers ample opportunities to see a stack of exciting stuff. So, why not plan to overnight somewhere as you drive?

For example, you could check out Ninh Binh’s Van Long Nature Reserve, or Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The latter of which is known for its ancient limestone karsts and colossal network of enchanting caves. 

You could also hang out in the Imperial City of Hue for a while — a place renowned for its palaces and temples.

Planning to travel around the country? Read our guide to getting around Vietnam.

Is Hoi An worth a visit?

In a word, yes! Atmospheric and packed with sights, Hoi An is richly rewarding destination.

Beyond its historic landmarks and charm — narrow streets of wooden-fronted buildings capped with mossy tiles — Hoi An’s location along Vietnam's central coast means it’s within reach of beautiful beaches. 

Add to that the Thu Bon River, a fabulous food scene, celebrated tailoring services, and excellent arts and crafts, and Hoi An amounts to an all-round winner.

It’s also possible to enjoy lots of unforgettable day trips from Hoi An — from visiting the Imperial City of Hue and the Marble Mountains, to My Son Sanctuary, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, no less.

Planning your trip to Hoi An from Hanoi

Fancy visiting Vietnam? Before planning your trip, find out everything you need to know before visiting Vietnam, and get The Rough Guide to Vietnam.

Or you could forget the faff of planning and browse our customisable Vietnam itineraries, with a local Vietnam travel expert on hand to take care of booking your unforgettable tailor-made trip.