Short answer: Hoi An Ancient Town is about 30 km south of central Da Nang, a 40–60 minute drive along the coast road. The easiest way to get there is a private car from your hotel: $18 per car (5-seat, up to 3 guests) or $23 (7-seat, up to 5 guests), one way. Grab costs roughly 250,000–350,000 VND, and public bus route 02 is the cheapest but slowest option. Below we compare every way to travel between Da Nang and Hoi An, with prices checked on 25 October 2026.
Da Nang to Hoi An at a glance
| Option | Time (approx.) | Estimated cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private car (pre-booked) | 40–60 min | $18 (5-seat) / $23 (7-seat) per car | Families, groups, luggage, evening returns |
| Grab / Xanh SM car | 40–60 min | about 250,000–350,000 VND (4 seats) | Couples with a working SIM or eSIM |
| Metered taxi | 40–60 min | about 300,000–450,000 VND | When you need to leave right now |
| Shared shuttle van | 60–75 min | about 130,000–150,000 VND per seat | Solo travellers on a budget |
| Public bus route 02 | 60–90 min | low cash fare per seat | Backpackers with light bags and time |
Grab, taxi and shuttle fares are estimates gathered in October 2026; they rise at peak times and in heavy rain. Our private car prices are fixed per car.
How far is Hoi An from Da Nang?
Hoi An Ancient Town is roughly 30 km from central Da Nang. Most drivers follow the coast road past My Khe and Non Nuoc beaches and the Marble Mountains, then turn inland to the old town. In normal traffic the drive takes 40–60 minutes. Allow about an hour around 5 pm, and longer in heavy rain during the wet season (roughly September to December).
Your exact time depends on where you stay. Hotels on the northern end of My Khe beach are a few minutes further away than resorts near Non Nuoc. In Hoi An, An Bang and Cua Dai beach hotels are about the same distance as the Ancient Town. Cars cannot enter the pedestrian streets of the old town, so drivers stop at the nearest point and walk you to your homestay if needed.
Option 1: Private car – fixed price, door to door
A private car is the simplest way to travel from Da Nang to Hoi An, especially with children, luggage or an evening return. The driver collects you at your hotel lobby, and you pay one price for the whole car.
- One way: $18 for a 5-seat car (up to 3 guests), $23 for a 7-seat car (up to 5 guests), $30 for a 16-seat van.
- Round trip with waiting: $36 / $45 / $60. The driver waits up to 8 hours, so you can explore the Ancient Town in the afternoon, stay for the lanterns and ride back after dinner.
- Same price both ways: Hoi An to Da Nang costs the same as Da Nang to Hoi An.
- A stop on the way: ask us to add the Marble Mountains, which sit right on the route.
- No deposit: pay the driver in cash (VND or USD) or by bank transfer.
For two people with small bags, Grab can be a little cheaper. For a family, or anyone who wants a guaranteed ride back at 9 pm, a private car is usually the better value. See all our routes and prices on the Da Nang private car and airport transfer page.
Option 2: Grab and other ride-hailing apps
Grab and Xanh SM (an electric taxi company) both cover the Da Nang–Hoi An route. The fare shows in the app before you confirm, usually about 250,000–350,000 VND for a standard car and more for a 7-seat car. You need mobile data, and the return trip is the weak point: on rainy evenings or during festivals, finding a car in Hoi An after dinner can take a while.
Option 3: Metered taxi
Licensed taxis from companies such as Mai Linh and Vinasun will take you to Hoi An for roughly 300,000–450,000 VND on the meter. Make sure the meter is on, or agree on a price before you leave. Have your hotel's map pin ready, as many Hoi An lanes look alike.
Option 4: Shared shuttle van
Several companies run shared vans between Da Nang and Hoi An for about 130,000–150,000 VND per seat. The van collects and drops off other passengers, so expect 60–75 minutes. Book a day ahead and confirm the pick-up time with your hotel.
Option 5: Public bus route 02
Since July 2025, bus route 02 has run between Da Nang Central Bus Station and Cua Dai in Hoi An, with buses about every 20 minutes at peak times (route change announced by Da Nang authorities). It is the cheapest way to go, but it is slow and the last buses leave early in the evening, so do not count on it for a late return after the lantern hours. Carry small notes, as the fare is paid in cash.
Hoi An to Da Nang: getting back
The return trip works the same way. If you visit Hoi An for the evening, book your ride back in advance: a round-trip private car with waiting time costs $36 for a 5-seat car, and your driver will be ready when you finish dinner. If you are leaving Hoi An for good, plan about one hour to reach a Da Nang hotel, or see our guide to Hoi An and Da Nang Airport transfers if you are flying out.
Which option should you choose?
- Family or group with luggage: a private car, one fixed price for everyone.
- Evening visit to see the lanterns: a round-trip private car, so you are not searching for a ride at 9 pm.
- Couple with a SIM card and light bags: Grab.
- Solo traveller with time to spare: bus route 02 or a shared shuttle.
Planning your time in Hoi An
For a same-day visit, our Hoi An day trip from Da Nang guide has an easy afternoon-to-evening plan. To combine Hoi An with other sights, see our private car day trips from Da Nang, or head to the theme park with a private car to VinWonders Nam Hoi An. Travelling on to the old capital? Read Hoi An to Hue by private car.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Hoi An from Da Nang?
About 30 km from central Da Nang to Hoi An Ancient Town, or 40–60 minutes by car in normal traffic.
How much is a taxi from Da Nang to Hoi An?
A metered taxi costs roughly 300,000–450,000 VND and Grab about 250,000–350,000 VND (October 2026 estimates). A pre-booked private car is a fixed $18 for a 5-seat car or $23 for a 7-seat car.
How do I get from Hoi An to Da Nang?
The same options run in reverse: private car ($18 / $23 per car), Grab, taxi, shared shuttle or bus route 02 from Cua Dai to Da Nang Central Bus Station.
Is there a bus from Da Nang to Hoi An?
Yes. Public bus route 02 links Da Nang Central Bus Station and Cua Dai in Hoi An, about every 20 minutes at peak times. It is cheap but slower than a car, and it stops running early in the evening.
Can I visit Hoi An as a day trip from Da Nang?
Yes. Leave Da Nang around 2–3 pm, explore the Ancient Town, stay for the lanterns and return around 8–9 pm. A round-trip private car with the driver waiting costs $36 for a 5-seat car.
Do I need to pay in advance?
No. There's no deposit. You pay the driver at the end of the ride, in cash (VND or USD) or by bank transfer.