Booking a Car for an Early Flight at Da Nang Airport

Flights leaving Da Nang International Airport in the early morning, between 5:30 and 7:30 am, need careful timing. During the day you can easily call a ride-hailing car or a taxi on the way. Travelling at 3:30 or 4:30 am is different: fewer cars may be available, or a driver may arrive late, and that can put the flight at risk. Working back from the time you must be at the airport, and booking the car in advance, gives you a calmer start to the day.

The formula for the pickup time

Work the pickup time back from the time you must be at the check-in counter. Never count from the take-off time:

1. The time you must be at the airport

• Domestic flights (Terminal T1): the airline sets the time you need to be at the airport. Check the notice on your ticket, then add time for check-in, checking in luggage and the security check.
• International flights (Terminal T2): immigration and customs procedures usually take longer than domestic flights. Check the notice on your ticket for the time you need to be at the airport.

2. Driving time in the early morning

Between 3:30 and 5:30 am the roads are quieter than at rush hour, but the actual time still depends on the traffic:

• From central Da Nang (Hai Chau and Thanh Khe districts): 4 to 6 km, about 10 to 15 minutes by car.
• From the My Khe beachfront hotels or the Marble Mountains area: 7 to 11 km, about 15 to 20 minutes by car.
• From the Hoi An old town or An Bang beach: 28 to 32 km, about 40 to 45 minutes by car.

3. A worked example for a 6:00 am flight

• If you are staying in Hoi An: the domestic flight leaves at 6:00 am, so you must be at the airport by 4:30 am. The Sun Travel car picks you up at your Hoi An hotel at 3:45 am.
• If you are staying in central Da Nang: the same 6:00 am flight, the same 4:30 am arrival at the airport. The car collects you from your hotel at 4:10 am.

Three things to settle with your hotel the evening before

Early departures are easier if you prepare the night before, so the check-out does not hold up the car:

1. Pay the extras and ask about early check-out: settle the room bill, minibar drinks and laundry the evening before. Tell reception you will check out at 3:30 or 4:00 am, so the night team can prepare any deposit refund (if there is one) in advance.
2. Ask for a breakfast box: if your package includes a buffet but the restaurant is closed that early, ask whether the hotel can prepare a takeaway breakfast box. Make the request before 9:00 pm the evening before.
3. Check your ID in the room safe: many guests leave their ID card or passport in the room safe and only notice once they are in the car. Check your documents and put them in your hand luggage the evening before.

The drop-off on the second floor of the departures level

The Sun Travel driver always takes guests straight up to the drop-off lane on the second floor of the matching terminal:

• Domestic flights: the car stops on the outer lane of the second-floor drop-off at Terminal T1, right in front of the check-in doors of your airline.
• International flights: the car stops at the second-floor drop-off lane at Terminal T2, opposite the international check-in hall.
• At the kerb there are luggage trolleys. The driver helps lift your bags out and onto a trolley, so you can wheel them straight into the terminal.

The driver sends a message when the car is parked at the kerb, so you can stay in your room until then. For more on the booking steps, read our checklist for booking an airport car in Da Nang and see the private car rates.