Contents
Phong Nha has no railway station, so the trip to Hoi An is a choice between a direct bus or private car and a longer route via Dong Hoi and Da Nang by train.[1]
Phong Nha to Hoi An by Bus
Booking platforms list direct sleeper and cabin buses from Phong Nha to Hoi An, with a journey time of about 7 hours. Fares in October 2026 were about US$17 to US$22 (12Go shows fares in Thai baht; converted to US dollars at the ECB rate of 15 October 2026).[2] Confirm in advance where the bus stops in Hoi An.
Phong Nha to Hoi An by Train (via Dong Hoi and Da Nang)
The nearest station is Dong Hoi. Vietnam Tourism lists local buses from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha that take 45 to 90 minutes.[1] From Dong Hoi, five Reunification Express pairs run to Da Nang, according to the Vietnam Railways timetable:[3]
| Train | Departs Dong Hoi | Arrives Da Nang | Time on board |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE3 | 04:57 | 10:43 | 5 h 46 min[3] |
| SE1 | 07:33 | 13:29 | 5 h 56 min[3] |
| SE7 | 16:27 | 22:30 | 6 h 03 min[3] |
| SE5 | 18:11 | 00:36 (next day) | 6 h 25 min[3] |
| SE9 | 23:57 | 06:03 (next day) | 6 h 06 min[3] |
Hoi An has no railway station, so you finish with a taxi or ride-hailing car from Da Nang. Fares depend on the train and the class. Check the price for your date on the Vietnam Railways booking site, dsvn.vn.[4] Between Hue and Da Nang the line follows the coast and is described as one of the most scenic train segments in Vietnam.[4]
Phong Nha to Hoi An by Private Transfer
Booking platforms list private cars from Phong Nha to Hoi An at about US$149 to US$307 per vehicle in October 2026, from a small car to a 10 to 14 seat van. The listed journey time is about 5 hours 45 minutes to 6 hours 40 minutes.[2] Ask the driver in advance if you want to stop at sites such as the Vinh Moc Tunnels.
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Fare (October 2026) | Journey time |
|---|---|---|
| Bus from Phong Nha | About US$17 to US$22 per person[2] | About 7 hours[2] |
| Train from Dong Hoi to Da Nang, then taxi | Depends on class, see Vietnam Railways | 5 h 46 min to 6 h 25 min to Da Nang[3] |
| Private transfer | About US$149 to US$307 per vehicle[2] | About 5 h 45 min to 6 h 40 min[2] |
Timetable
| Bus Phong Nha - Hoi An $ 16.47–21.98 7h | |
|
|
| Taxi Phong Nha - Hoi An $ 146.61–305.79 5h 45m – 6h 40m | |
|
| Train Dong Hoi - Da Nang $ 11.36–249.53 5h 30m – 7h 13m | |
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Phong Nha to Hoi An, including current prices and schedules.
A direct bus is usually the cheapest option. Booking platforms listed fares from about US$17 per person in October 2026. The train also needs a transfer to Dong Hoi and a taxi from Da Nang to Hoi An.
A private car is the fastest door-to-door option, listed at about 5 hours 45 minutes to 6 hours 40 minutes.
Plan on about 7 hours by direct bus and about 5 hours 45 minutes to 6 hours 40 minutes by private car. The train from Dong Hoi to Da Nang alone takes 5 hours 46 minutes to 6 hours 25 minutes.
Between Hue and Da Nang the line follows the coast and is described as one of the most scenic train segments in Vietnam.
Yes. Phong Nha has no railway station. Local buses from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha take 45 to 90 minutes, so use a taxi or the bus to reach the station.
Trains arrive at Da Nang station. Hoi An has no railway station, so continue by taxi or ride-hailing car.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Vietnam Tourism (Vietnam National Authority of Tourism): A complete guide to Phong Nha. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [2] 12Go: 12Go timetable: Phong Nha to Hoi An. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [3] Vietnam Railways (Đường sắt Việt Nam): Vietnam Railways timetable: Reunification Express (SE) trains. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [4] Vietnam Airlines: Overnight Train in Vietnam: Ticket Classes, How to Book & Notes. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.