Ah, Hoi An. This picturesque city in Central Vietnam is 800km from Hanoi, the country’s capital. It’s the definition of charming: low-rise, crumbling buildings, flowers growing up colorful stone, and Chinese lanterns swaying in the breeze.
Once a peaceful little settlement ruled by the Chinese, this cultural hub of Vietnam has become increasingly busy and popular with visitors from around the world. But that’s no reason to forgo a visit: Hoi An is still a gorgeous place to spend time, characterized by its rich cuisine and gorgeous temples.
We hope these FAQs help guide your trip for the better!
By far the quickest way to get to Hoi An from Hanoi is by flight. This takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Even when factoring in time to get to the airport, the trip won’t take more than half a day. You can also find relatively cheap flights starting at around US$20.
Hoi An doesn’t have its own airport, so flights from Hanoi arrive into Da Nang. The drive to Hoi An takes around 40 minutes and costs as little as US$10 by taxi. Check out our Hoi An City Guide for more information. 
While flights between Hoi An and Hanoi are pretty affordable, you might prefer to take the bus which is cheaper still and more environmentally friendly.
Many backpackers to Vietnam choose to take sleeper buses from one end of the country to the other. You can buy a book of tickets from any Hanoi or Saigon travel agency and make as many stops as you like. These tickets can cost as little as US$30 for travel across the whole country! You simply need to validate each new ticket in an agency or by phone the day before using it.
The sleeper buses in Vietnam are surprisingly comfortable. Each passenger gets their own top or bottom bunk bed with a pillow, blanket, and drawer for their belongings. The only problem you may run into? The beds are fairly short which can be uncomfortable for taller travellers. Either way, you can’t knock the service for the price you pay.
The bus journey to Hoi An from Hanoi takes around 17 hours, not including stops for food and rest breaks.
By motorbike, of course!
Each year, plenty of local and foreign travelers hire a bike in Hanoi or Saigon and drive the length of the country, stopping as they go. If you depart Hanoi by bike, it will take you a couple of days to reach Hoi An. You can choose to stop at some awesome places en route like Ninh Binh, known as ‘Ha Long Bay on land’ and Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam.
Also read: How to get to Ha Long Bay from Hanoi
If you choose to travel from Hanoi to Hoi An by motorbike, you’ll have an especially beautiful coastline to admire, the Hai Van Pass.
This stunning region between Hue and Hoi An is known for its ocean views and beautiful abandoned beaches. By bike, you can pass through the best stops along the Hai Van Pass which include temple sites and oyster farms.
You’ll miss the Hai Van Pass if you travel from Hanoi to Hoi An by bus because the services travel through a tunnel underneath the region. If you travel by bike or car, you’ll catch the scenery.
Want to see the Hai Van Pass scenery but not keen on driving? Opt for a train from Hanoi to Da Nang, where you can switch to other transport to Hoi An. The trip takes some 17 hours, during which you can watch the scenery slip past the window while you stay in your air-conditioned carriage.
The train isn’t the cheapest or quickest way to get to Hoi An from Hanoi, but it’s for sure the most beautiful. Expect to pay up to US$40 for the one-way ticket including a bed in a 4-berth cabin. www.dsvn.vn
Thanks for reading our FAQs! Got any questions for us? Leave it in the comments below. We hope this helps you plan the ultimate Hanoi to Hoi An trip!
