Travel Guide
How to Get from Phong Nha to Hoi An: Best Ways of Transfer
How to Get from Phong Nha to Hoi An: All Options at a Glance
Phong Nha sits in the North of Quang Tri Province. Hoi An sits far to the south. The Phong Nha to Hoi An distance by road is about 341 km, taking around 6-7 hours to travel. That is a long day, whichever way you go.
Two facts shape every plan. First, Phong Nha has no railway station, so Phong Nha connects via Dong Hoi. Dong Hoi has the nearest train station and airport. Second, Hoi An has no railway station either. Travelers go through Da Nang instead.
However, there are other ways to get to Hoi An from Phong Nha such as by bus, by motorbike, or by private car.
Here is a quick route comparison to help you choose.
| Mode | Total Time | Cost Range | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train Journey | ~9.5 Hours | $40 – $60 USD | Scenic Hai Van Pass views; relaxed pace; safe. | Requires 3 separate transit legs; delay risks. |
| Private Car | 6.5 – 7 Hours | Premium / Per Vehicle | Door-to-door comfort; flexible stops; full privacy. | Higher price for solo travelers. |
| Tourist Bus | 8 – 9 Hours | Budget-Friendly | Affordable; English staff; easy baggage handling. | Fixed schedules; bus changes required in Hue. |
| Local Bus | 9+ Hours | Lowest Cost | Very cheap; authentic local experience. | Risk of Highway AH1 drop-offs; language barrier. |
| Motorbike | 3 days 2 nights | $225 USD / person – ($75 USD/day) | Unbeatable scenic backroads (West HCM Trail, DMZ, Hai Van Pass); deep cultural & local immersion | Multi-day time commitment (3 days); physically demanding riding; subject to mountain weather/rain. |
Phong Nha to Hoi An by Bus
The coach is the simplest Phong Nha to Hoi An by bus option. You board once and get off in Hoi An. No station hopping. No heavy bags on three different vehicles.
Here is the departure time and fare list for popular operators.
| Operator | Departs Phong Nha | Arrives Hoi An | Duration | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBus | 4:00 AM | 12:00 PM | 8 hours | From VND 515,000 |
| Green Trips | 4:00 AM | 12:00 PM | 8 hours | From VND 515,000 |
| Queen Cafe | 4:30 AM | 1:00 PM | 8 hours 30 minutes | From VND 515,000 |
What I like: The price is low, and the ride is direct. You can sleep for most of it.
What I don’t like: The start is very early. A 4:00 AM pick-up is tough after a day of cave tours.
Neutral note: Ask the operator for the exact drop-off point in Hoi An. Check it when you book your ticket price.
Phong Nha to Hoi An by Train
The train is a classic choice. The whole trip takes about 9.5 hours and costs $40 to $60. It has three legs. Each leg is easy once you know the steps.
Step 1: Phong Nha to Dong Hoi Railway Station
Train travel from Phong Nha requires a bus transfer to Dong Hoi. Camel Travel operates the Phong Nha to Dong Hoi bus. The ride takes about 30 minutes and costs VND 200,000. Buses leave Thien Phu Hostel at 1:45, 2:45, and 3:45 AM.
The drop-off is Cau Dai in Dong Hoi. That is about 4.5 km from the station. A taxi costs around VND 50,000.
You can also use public bus B4. The route is 54 km long. Buses run every 45 minutes, from 5:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
For easier, choose a private car from Phong Nha taxi to transfer door-to-door from your hotel in Phong Nha to the railway station.
Step 2: Dong Hoi to Da Nang by Train
Dong Hoi Railway Station serves train SE3, along with four other trains. Here are the main options.
| Train | Duration | Soft seat ticket |
|---|---|---|
| SE3 | 5 hours 33 minutes | From VND 197,000 |
| SE1 | 5 hours 15 minutes | From VND 216,000 |
| SE5 | 6 hours | From VND 215,000 |
| SE7 | 6 hours 7 minutes | From VND 247,000 |
| SE19 | 5 hours 45 minutes | From VND 340,000 |
I like SE3 best. It leaves at 6:00 AM and arrives at 11:33 AM. The morning light on Hai Van Pass is lovely. Check live times on the Vietnam Railways booking site.
Step 3: Da Nang Railway Station to Hoi An
Da Nang Railway Station links to Hoi An Bus Station. The coach takes about 30 minutes. Fares run from VND 100,000 to VND 180,000.
- Hoi An Express: VND 100,000 to 150,000
- HaiVan Limousine: VND 120,000 to 180,000
- Barri Ann Travel: VND 110,000 to 170,000
- Viet Nam Travel Bus: VND 100,000 to 160,000
A taxi works too if you have a lot of bags.
Private Car Transfer From Phong Nha to Hoi An
A car gives you the most comfort. Phong Nha Taxi offers a private car transfer with hotel pick-up and drop-off. This is a true door-to-door transfer. The package includes an English-speaking driver, travel insurance, and a free Wi-Fi hotspot.
You can pick one of two routes:
- Direct: about 6.5 to 7 hours, with short photo stops.
- Via Hue: about 10 hours, with lunch and sightseeing.
- Via the DMZ: 10 to 12 hours, for war history lovers.
Here are the prices. Remember that private car prices are quoted per car, not per person.
| PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM PHONG NHA TO HOI AN | |||
| Route | Sedan (1-3 Pax) | SUV (4-5 Pax) | Van (Max 10 pax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct | VND 3,200,000 | VND 3,700,000 | VND 4,600,000 |
| With stops at Hue – DMZ | VND 3,500,000 | VND 4,100,000 | VND 5,400,000 |
| BOOK NOW AND PAY LATER | |||
The price includes private car and driver, road tolls, fuel, parking fee, a bottle of water, and travel insurance. Excludes entrance tickets at Khai Dinh Tomb 150,000 VND/pax. The Imperial Citadel 200,000/pax. Hien Luong Bridge and Vinh Moc Tunnels are VND 50,000 each.
Need a local ride on arrival? Contact Phong Nha Taxi for help.
3-day Phong Nha to Hoi An Motorbike Tour
This option is suitable for anyone who is excited to adventure and has plenty of time to travel. The tour is designed as the following:
- Day 1: Phong Nha to Khe Sanh (230km) – Ride the remote West Ho Chi Minh Trail through dramatic karst peaks and pristine jungle. Visit a Van Kieu ethnic village, enjoy a riverside picnic lunch, and end the day at Khe Sanh’s scenic coffee plantations.
- Day 2: Khe Sanh to Hue via DMZ – Journey east along Highway 9 past historical sites like Dakrong Bridge and the Rock Pile. Pay respects at Truong Son National Cemetery, cross Hien Luong Bridge at the 17th Parallel (Ben Hai River), explore the underground Vinh Moc Tunnels, and ride backroads through quiet coastal fishing villages and rice paddies to Hue.
- Day 3: Hue to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass – Start with local coffee and a visit to the historic Thanh Toan Covered Bridge. Ride through rural craft villages (mushroom farming), explore the famed City of Ghosts tombs in Vinh Hien, enjoy a beachside lunch, and conquer the scenic Hai Van Pass before arriving in Hoi An by 4:00 PM.
Tour Details:
- Price: 5,850,000 VND / $225 USD per person ($75/day/person; min. 2 people). Self-drive or pillion passenger options available.
- Duration: Departs 8:00 AM (Day 1) from Phong Nha — Finishes 4:30 PM (Day 3) in Hoi An.
- Includes: Motorbike, helmet, petrol, English-speaking guide, accommodation, entrance tickets, permits, and rain jackets. (Excludes meals, drinks, insurance, and tips).
Sights to See Between Phong Nha and Hoi An
The ride can be part of the trip. Some stops are worth the detour.
- Hai Van Pass: The pass lies between Da Nang and Hue. Wide curves and coastal views make it unforgettable.
- Lap An Lagoon and Lang Co Beach: Both sit just after the pass. Quiet fishing villages line the water.
- Hue: Visit Khai Dinh Tomb and the Imperial Citadel. If history excites you, explore Hue’s best historic sights before you go.
- DMZ: Hien Luong Bridge marks the former border of North and South Vietnam. The Vinh Moc Tunnels sit on the DMZ route. Whole families once lived underground there.