Da Nang Transportation | Getting Around Da Nang And Hoi An

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Huan Phu
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Last Updated: March 4, 2024

Da Nang City, located along the Vietnamese Central coast, is also known as the beach capital of Vietnam due to its spectacular clear blue waters, fresh air, and paradise white sand beaches.

Nestled between the Hai Van Pass and the Han River, Da Nang is conveniently located just south of the imperial city of Hue and north of the ancient town of Hoi An.

This makes Da Nang a great place to stay whilst exploring the many world-famous tourist attractions on Da Nang’s doorstep.

But how to get around Da Nang?

Using transport in Da Nang is a hassle-free experience with a variety of options to choose from. Here is a breakdown of the different ways to get to and around Da Nang.

Hue – Danang – Hoi An In one day

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Hoi An Ancient Town / Photo by VIA Ambassador Etienne Bossot

Da Nang’s location near landmark destinations such as Hue and Hoi An means a trip to this region is packed full of things to do. See what Danang and the central coast have to offer in just 24 seconds and get inspired for your central Vietnam exploration!

Da Nang transportation in a nutshell

As one of the most beautiful, exciting, and popular cities in Vietnam, getting to Da Nang is easy with a number of private and public transport options available. This includes everything from flying to trains, buses, and cars.

Flying into Da Nang is the best way to arrive from outside Central Vietnam from cities such as Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi.

However, if you are travelling from nearby cities like Hue and Hoi An, taking the train or a bus is the most convenient and exciting way to get up close and personal with the stunning landscapes.

Etienne Bossot
Hoi An Ancient Town / Photo by VIA Ambassador Etienne Bossot

Once in Da Nang, transportation is easy. Local buses connect the city centre to nearby tourist attractions like Fantasy Park, Ngu Hanh Son District, and Marble Mountain.

While renting your own motorized transportation lets you cruise through rural villages, explore the My Son Sanctuary, and discover the Son Tra District mountains.

Types of transportation used in Da Nang

  • Planes – Vietnam has a good network of domestic flights, with several carriers providing regular and frequent services between other cities and provinces and Da Nang.
  • Trains – A train network connects Da Nang to other cities from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi
  • Buses – bus travel is a popular and affordable way to get to Da Nang, with bus services available from most major towns and cities.
  • Coaches – There are a number of long-distance coaches which provide a comfortable and affordable way to travel to Da Nang from Vietnam’s major cities.
  • Motorbikes – Hiring a motorbike is a great way to explore Da Nang on your own schedule. However, travelling to Da Nang by motorbike from far away is more suitable for adventure seekers.
  • Cars – Car rental with a private driver is available in most of Vietnam’s big cities including Da Nang.
  • Taxis – In most urban areas, you can get a metered taxi or a private hire taxi. In either type of taxi, you need to negotiate the fee.
  • Boats – Arriving in Da Nang by boat is possible from international ports such as Hong Kong, Singapore and even as far as Fort Lauderdale in Florida.

How to get to Da Nang

Getting to Da Nang by plane

Da Nang international airport allows fairly easy and cheap air travel to Da Nang from nearby countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea.

It is very convenient to book a domestic flight from just about anywhere in Vietnam to Da Nang with multiple daily flights from all the popular domestic destinations like Saigon and Hanoi.

Many expats and locals use air travel for weekend getaways to Da Nang.

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Danang international airport. Photo by Secret Moments

Best Vietnamese plane ticket booking sites

Vietnam Airlines – As the only Government-owned airline, Vietnam Airlines flights are likely to be the most reliable. International and domestic tickets are available to arrive at Da Nang airport.

VietJet Air – Viet jet is Vietnam’s first low-cost airline and offers some of the cheapest flights to Da Nang airport.

Jetstar Pacific – Jetstar is a subsidiary of Qantas, one of Australia’s largest airlines, and operate within Vietnam too.

Bamboo Airlines – A private airline that offers budget flights domestically and from abroad to Da Nang international airport.

Plane ticket prices to Da Nang

Travelling domestically by plane is very cost-effective with most routes priced up to only $25 for a one-way ticket.

Getting to Da Nang by train

Train travel can be used to arrive in Da Nang from major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as smaller tourist cities such as Phan Thiet and Ninh Binh.

Train travel is a cheap and viable option for covering large distances in Vietnam.

Riding Vietnam’s 3,000km of railway track is a great way to relax and travel to Da Nang. Plus, Vietnam’s Reunification Express train service offers soft sleeper cabins for long-distance travel.

These trains operate daily between Saigon train station and Hanoi train station and converge in Da Nang.

Vietnamese trains are generally reliable and comfortable.

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Hai Van Bac Station, Da Nang. Photo by Toàn Vinh

Best Da Nang train ticket booking sites

Bao Lau – an efficient website that details seat and sleeper-berth availability. Bao Lau also accepts international cards with a 40,000d ($2) commission per ticket. E-tickets are emailed to you.

DSVN – The official booking site for train tickets on domestic routes. Tickets can be bought via payment gateway, e-wallet, banking app, or reserved online and paid for with cash in a train station.

12go.Asia – As an international provider of all travel services, 12go offer price comparison and online ticketing for a number of train journey services in Vietnam.

Da Nang train ticket prices

Train travel from the Capital Hanoi, or from Ho Chi minh City is more expensive than air travel, though the experience of a few days on a train is unforgettable.

A ticket for the Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang train costs $45 depending on the train type and provider. While tickets from Hanoi cost up to $54

An overnight train ticket for shorter journeys such as Hue to Da Nang train station has an average price of around $15-$30 for a one-way trip.

Da Nang train rules, etiquette, & tips

– Food and drinks are allowed on board and it’s customary to bring your own meals as these are not always readily available onboard.

– Smoking is not allowed on the train.

– It is best to reserve your train tickets in advance, as popular routes and times can often sell out.

– Keep an eye on your personal belongings especially when changing trains to avoid theft.

Getting to Da Nang by bus and coach

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Coaches are one of the most popular means of long distance transportation in Vietnam with affordable price.

Another popular way of getting to Da Nang is by bus. Travelling by air-conditioned bus is a rather comfortable method to reach Da Nang from nearby destinations like Hoi An and Hue.

Although, it’s not recommended to take the bus from Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi as it takes well over 20 hours.

Best Da Nang bus companies

Hoang Long Bus – This company operates a number of bus routes between Hanoi, Hue, and Danang.

Sinh Cafe Bus – Sinh Cafe operates a service from Ho Chi Minh City that terminates in the nearby ancient town of Hoi An – just 45 minutes away from Da Nang.

Mai Linh Bus – This company is the most popular and reliable bus company in Vietnam.

Da Nang bus ticket prices

Vietnamese bus travel is inexpensive but not recommended for super long distances.

Long-distance routes such as the soft sleeper bus from Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang (960 km) cost around $40.

The bus from Dalat to Hoi an (630 km) is $10.

While the public bus from Hoi An to Da Nang (30 km) is $1.

Da Nang bus etiquette & tips

When travelling by bus in Vietnam, it is important to be aware of the etiquette and customs.

– Be sure to take your shoes off when boarding overnight buses and keep your voice to a minimum.

– When onboard, keep your personal belongings with you at all times as thefts do occur on buses.

– It is also a good idea to have some small bills and coins on hand in case you need to pay bus drivers or buy something on the bus.

– If you need to get off the bus, let the driver know in advance and be sure to take all of your belongings with you.

– It is also important to note that drinking alcohol on buses, especially with bus drivers, is illegal in Vietnam.

Getting around Da Nang

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Cruises on Han River. Photo by danangprivatecar

Once you’re in the city, Da Nang transportation is mainly by motorcycle taxi, private car with a local driver, or by having your own motorbike from a rental shop.

Buses

Open tour buses are available in Da Nang during peak tourist times. An open bus tour is an eye-opening experience for most travellers who want to explore the different areas of Da Nang whilst having a unique experience.

Da Nang motorbike rental

Motorbikes, known as ‘xe máy’ in Vietnamese, are found throughout the country. However, they are not safe to ride on highways and fast roads, and it is best to use them only for short distances around Da Nang City.

Riding a motorbike to nearby tourist attractions like the Marble Mountains, the Hai Van Pass, and Ba Na Hills is a great way to get up close and personal with the beautiful landscape of central Vietnam.

Best Da Nang motorbike rental companies

RentABike – An established motorbike company that specialises in long-term rentals to expats living in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Tigit Motorbikes – With offices in HCM, Danang, Hanoi, and Dalat, Tigit offer a simple pick-up and drop-off service between cities.

Da Nang motorbike rental prices

Renting a motorbike in Vietnam typically costs around US$5 to US$20 per day, depending on the type of bike and length of rental.

More expensive motorbikes are available and prices are negotiable.

Da Nang motorbike tour packages

Tour companies can help you explore Vietnam at your own pace. Motorbike tour prices depend on the size of the group but can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 per person per day including food and accommodation.

Da Nang motorcycle rules, etiquette & tips

– A Vietnamese or international driving permit is required to drive a motorbike in Vietnam, though rules are not always enforced.

– Ride on the right and overtake on the left – another rule that is occasionally broken.

– When riding, always be aware of the other riders around you. Motorbike drivers often use one-way roads the wrong way so be alert for creative styles of driving.

– Helmets are mandatory for both drivers and passengers.

– Car and motorbike drivers often use their horn to make other road users aware of their presence. This can be quite a culture shock from western driving norms but it’s for safety and nothing personal.

Da Nang transportation tips for gas pumps

When gassing up in Vietnam, simply open your motorbike gas tank, tell the attendant how much gas you need (typically 50,000 VND – $2.50 for a full tank) and allow the attendant to get to work.

You are not expected to gas up yourself, or to give a tip for the service.

Da Nang car and motorbike taxi services

Taxis are also popular, and they can be found throughout Da Nang. The cost of a taxi ride is usually based on the distance travelled.

Taxis can also be used for airport transfers to the city center and beyond, however, check with your hotel if free airport transfers are included in your accommodation before booking anything.

Best Da Nang taxi booking sites

Taxis, both car and motorbike varieties, are easy to book from apps. Here are some of the most popular services.

Grab – Grab Bike and Grab Car is a motorcycle taxi and private car booking service that uses modern technology to offer much better rates than regular taxis, as well as food delivery services.

Taxi Mai Linh – A well-known and popular taxi company in Vietnam: +84 (0) 235 3914 914

Gojek – Gojek is an Indonesian based company that has recently expanded into Vietnam. It is a motorbike taxi service but also offers other services such as food delivery.

Da Nang Airport Taxis – Reliable taxi services operate at Da Nang domestic and international Airport. Simply go to any taxi desk upon arrival and pre-pay for your private airport transfer.

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Taxi Mai Linh in Da Nang // Photo on taxisanbayre.com

Da Nang motorbike and car taxi prices

Prices for car and motorbike taxis vary depending on the type of taxi, the distance travelled, and the time of day. Generally, expect to pay around $0.50 per kilometer for a car and $0.25 for a motorbike.

Da Nang taxi rules, etiquette & tips

– Drivers may not always use the meter, so it’s important to agree on a price before starting your trip.

– Alternatively, use an app like Grab to book your taxi, as this offers you more protection with fixed prices.

– If you need to inform your driver of a change in plans, try to do so in Vietnamese. English is not widely spoken by taxi drivers.

Other ways to get around in Da Nang

In addition to these types of Da Nang transportation, there are a few novel ways of getting around that you can try.

Cyclos

Motorbike taxis are popular in Vietnam, but there are novelty versions of them available too. These include bicycle taxis, pousse-pousse (bicycles pulled along by locals), and cyclo (a bike with a sidecar that is push pedaled).

Hail one down on the street and negotiate a price (around $2 for a short tour). This is especially fun and interesting the cultural town of Hoi An.

getting around da nang
Hoi An Cyclos / Photo by VIA Ambassador Etienne Bossot

Boats

Boat travel is also an option, and it can be used for travelling to the nearby island of Ly Son Island. You can also hire boats for the day from travel agencies and locals along the coast for private tours or fishing excursions.

If you are keen to start your Vietnamese adventure, be sure to consult our guide to the best places in Vietnam before you go!

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Huan Phu
Editor at Vietnam Is Awesome
Unearthing untold stories in the heart of Vietnam. Your eyes to the unseen, your voice to the unheard. Exploring the rich tapestry of this nation, one headline at a time. Join me on this journalistic journey!

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