Which Way Should You Go from Central Da Nang to Hoi An?

From central Da Nang to Hoi An there are three usual ways: the bus, a taxi or ride-hailing car, and a private car with a driver. The bus suits someone travelling alone with light luggage and no rush; a private car suits a group, several suitcases, young children or older relatives, or a wish to be taken straight to your accommodation and to stop somewhere on the way. The rate table lists the private car at about 30 km and 40 minutes. This guide sets the three side by side by what you need to decide, and says where no source exists so you must ask first.

The bus: route 01 and what you must add

According to the Da Nang city portal (page posted 13 December 2016), route 01 runs from the Da Nang Central Bus Station to the Hoi An Bus Station, daily from 5:30 to 18:00, one bus every 20 minutes. On the way out it passes Ton Duc Thang, Dien Bien Phu and Le Duan streets, Nguyen Van Troi bridge, Ngu Hanh Son and Le Van Hien before reaching the Hoi An Bus Station. The page is several years old, so check the current times and route with the operator before you travel.

What matters to a visitor is that the bus runs between two bus stations, not between two places to stay. Your total time has four parts: getting to the Central Bus Station, waiting for a bus (up to 20 minutes at the frequency above), the time on board and the leg from the Hoi An Bus Station to where you sleep. This guide gives no riding time or fare because the official page we found states no riding time and fares are set by a third party.

Taxis and ride-hailing cars

We have no official source for the price, time or pickup rules of taxis and ride-hailing cars between Da Nang and Hoi An, so we give no figures. What to ask first: whether the price is by meter or fixed, whether tolls or an empty return are added, whether the car takes all your suitcases and whether the driver can reach the exact end point you want. Sun Travel is not a taxi company; the product is a private car with a driver at the rate-table price.

A private car: when it is worth it

The rate table lists Da Nang to Hoi An at about 30 km and 40 minutes one way, with fuel, tolls/BOT and parking fees included; rates and how to settle the pickup are on the page for a private car from Da Nang to Hoi An. A private car is worth considering when:

• three or more people travel or you have many suitcases, because the price is per 4-, 7- or 16-seat vehicle, not per person; send the number and size of your bags so the vehicle can be chosen;
• young children or older relatives travel and need pickup at the accommodation in Da Nang and a drop at the gate of the hotel or resort in Hoi An (cars can enter the gates of hotels and resorts to pick up and drop off);
• you want a stop on the way, such as Ngu Hanh Son, because a stop changes your arrival time and must be stated when you book.

The rate table gives a one-way rate only: stops, waiting time and the return are not included automatically and are stated in the quote. If your accommodation is inside the pedestrian area of the old town, the car may not be able to stop at the door; see where to meet your car in Hoi An at night.

Side by side by what you need to decide

What you need to decide	Bus route 01	Taxi, ride-hailing	Private car
Start and end	Da Nang Central Bus Station and Hoi An Bus Station	No source: ask first	The addresses you send at both ends
Hours	5:30 to 18:00, every 20 minutes per the 2016 page	No source: ask first	The time you choose, confirmed per trip
Time	Add the four parts above	No source: ask first	About 40 minutes one way per the rate table
Many suitcases, a group, young children	Bags go through two connecting legs	Ask about the vehicle size	Choose a 4-, 7- or 16-seat vehicle
Price	Not stated here	Not stated here	See the route page and the price list

What to send if you choose a private car

• The pickup address in Da Nang and the drop address in Hoi An; if it is in the pedestrian area, a meeting point outside the restricted zone.
• The time you want to leave and any stop you want.
• The number of passengers, the number of suitcases and the 4-, 7- or 16-seat vehicle.

If you start at the airport instead of the centre, see from Da Nang airport to Hoi An: bus, taxi or private car; if you want a few days for both places, see the Da Nang and Hoi An 3-day itinerary.

Common questions about choosing how to go from central Da Nang to Hoi An

Is there a bus from Da Nang to Hoi An and when does it run? +

Yes, route 01 from the Da Nang Central Bus Station to the Hoi An Bus Station. According to the Da Nang city portal (page posted 13 December 2016) it runs daily from 5:30 to 18:00, one bus every 20 minutes. The page is old, so check the current times with the operator.

Does the bus take me to my hotel in Hoi An? +

Not according to the official information we found: the route ends at the Hoi An Bus Station, so you need another leg to your accommodation. A private car picks you up at the address you send and can enter the gates of hotels and resorts to pick up and drop off.

How long does a private car take from central Da Nang to Hoi An? +

The rate table lists about 30 km and 40 minutes one way, excluding stops, rush hour and weather. If you want to stop at Ngu Hanh Son or elsewhere, say so when you book because a stop pushes back your arrival.

How much is a taxi or ride-hailing car between Da Nang and Hoi An? +

We have no official source for the price and time of taxis or ride-hailing cars, so we give no figure. Ask first whether the price is fixed or by meter, about tolls, and whether the car takes all your suitcases.

Should a group of four with many suitcases take the bus or a private car? +

Consider a private car. Its price is per 4-, 7- or 16-seat vehicle, not per person, and the bus makes you carry your bags through two connecting legs. Send the number and size of your bags so dispatch can confirm the vehicle.