Transport in Hoi An

Hoi An Guide

While Hoi An is a small and very walkable town, at some stage in your trip you will probably need some form of Hoi An transport. Luckily, travel options in Hoi An are reliable and very affordable. Find our guide to traveling round Hoi An and for journeys further afield right here.

Da Nang Airport & City

Da Nang to Hoi An by car takes around 30 minutes. The easiest and most economical way for you to travel to Hoi An (if you have more than two people in your group) is to ‘rent a car & driver’. If you have a lot of suitcases or have more than four people in your group, rent a minibus & driver. Alternatively check out bus services – Da Nang to Hoi An / Da Nang airport & City.

Methods of Hoi An Transport

Hoi An Taxis

In Hoi An taxis are cheap and reliable and drivers are generally honest. The two main companies are Mai Linh (green): +84 (0) 235 3914 914 and Faifoo (yellow): +84 (0) 235 3919 191. Both companies use meters.

You can hail a taxi in the street, ring for one or go to places like the corner of Le Loi and Tran Hung Dao where they hang out.

The English Speaking Taxi number for Tourists is: +84 (0) 235 3 929 929

Bus Services: Hoi An to Da Nang / Da Nang Airport

If you are on a budget or a solo traveler, the cheapest mode of transport to Da Nang City or the airport is by bus. There are several bus services that operate between Hoi An and Da Nang.

See Bus Services to Hoi An to Da Nang Airport & City

 

Grab & FastGo Taxis

Grab taxis and motorbike taxis are a great way to get around Hoi An. The Vietnamese equivalent to Grab is FastGo.  It operates in exactly the same way and provides another cheaper alternative to standard taxis.

If you are thinking of going to Da Nang by Grab, be aware Grab is more expensive than hiring a private car and driver.

 

Motorbike Rental

Renting a motorbike is easy in Hoi An. However, the roads are not! Read Hoi An Now’s Rules of the Road. If you hire a motorbike over 50cc, make sure your insurance company will pay up in the event of an accident. Due to changes in the Vietnamese motorbike licensing laws, many foreigners are not eligible to be insured. Read more about motorbike insurance to find out if you are one of them and the alternatives available if you are. For information on costs, tips and where to hire motorbikes, see motorcycle rental.

Xe Om (Motorcycle Taxis)

Agree on the price before getting on or better still write it down and show the driver so there can be no mistake. A xe om, or motorcycle taxi is a cheap way of getting around Hoi An. For short jaunts up the road, you shouldn’t need to pay more than 30,000 VND. For trips from Hoi An Old Town to An Bang or Cua Dai beaches the cost is around 40,000 VND.

If you feel the driver is going too fast or putting your life in danger make sure you voice your opinion.

Warning: Using a xe om during the day is safe, however, be cautious late at night as a different breed arises.

Bicycle & Motorised Bike Rental

Hoi An is a bicycle town. As Hoi An is so small and flat it is easy to travel anywhere by bicycle. However be careful as traffic is unpredictable. Read our Rules of the Road. If riding a bike seems a touch too strenuous then an electric bike is a nifty option. Electric bikes are a fun way of zooming along the streets without moving a muscle and a good option for those unsure of their motor bike ability.

See our information on bicycle and electric bike hire.

Rent a Car & Driver

Taxis are the best form of transportation to get around Hoi An. However, if you find yourself wanting to go beyond the city’s limits, we recommend hiring a private car/driver. Be it a trip to or from Da Nang airport, Marble Mountain, My Son or even Hue, a private car/driver will always be cheaper than a tour or taxi. If your hotel arranges one expect to pay more. These drivers are reliable, cheap and very used to foreigners.

See our section on private car/driver hire for prices and contact details.

Boat Ride Hoi An

Consider avoiding the roads altogether and taking in the city from the water. The Thu Bon River at night, amidst the wish candles and glistening Old Town lanterns is really beautiful. A trip to the water coconut groves and back during the day is pretty special too.

Cost is by boat not person. Expect to pay 150 – 200,000 VND for one hour’s boat hire. The boat vendors are very keen for your business and most of them are not only very nice people they are quite poor so don’t haggle too much over a few thousand dong.

Electric Cars

The white and green electric buses that you’ll see on the streets around Hoi An operate in a similar fashion to Hoi An Shuttle Bus. To use it as a taxi, simply phone them, state how many passengers will be taking the trip and they will quote the price and pick you up. Operating between the hours of 7am – 2pm they will take you anywhere in Hoi An. Between the hours of 2pm – 10pm there is a continual service back and forth from 487 Hai Ba Trung (corner of Hai Ba Trung & Ly Thuong Kiet) to 1 Cao Hong Lanh in the Old Town. You can buy tickets at two locations (487 Hai Ba Trung & 127 Phan Chu Trinh). The price is 10,000 VND one way.

Take a Cyclo

What better way to see the Old Town than in a cyclo? Early evening is the best as the heat of the sun cools and the town transforms into a pixie land of brightly coloured lanterns.

A 15 – 20 minute trip around the Old Town costs 150,000 – 200,000 VND, depending on your negotiation skills (and how busy they are). Negotiate and when you agree on the price, write it down and agree again! All cyclos have number plates and are managed by the local police.

Hoi An to Hue

The journey from Hoi An to Hue is a well-worn route amongst travellers, as both cities are must-sees on any Vietnam itinerary. At a distance of around 130 km between the two, it’s a fabulous trip to make, and with the option to travel over the Hai Van Pass, full of gorgeous scenery.

Getting to Ho Chi Minh City

 There are lots of options for traveling to HCMC. Naturally, a bus is much cheaper than a flight, and many sleeper options are available. A train journey will cost a similar amount to a flight yet still take close to a day’s travel – however, a train provides the best views en route. And flights are short and ultra-convenient!

Traveling to Hanoi

Coming from the bustling capital of Hanoi to the more laid-back city of Hoi An, you’ll be in for a treat when you arrive – and the journey itself is beautifully picturesque, whatever method of transport you take!

Whether you decide to go from Hanoi to Hoi An by flight or by land, we go into the pros and cons of each method of transport. Find all the details below to make your journey both safe and enjoyable!

Road Rules

The road rules in Vietnam may be considered to be quite different to those found in the West. There are dangers to be aware of and using your Westerners’ driving head simply won’t work here. However, with a little knowledge you can see a logic to the way a lot of people drive in Vietnam, and by going slowly and focusing on what’s in front of you, you can soon learn to get by quite safely. Find our guide to the road rules in Hoi An here.

Driving Licenses

Having a valid driving license in Vietnam is mandatory for foreigners who want to operate cars and motorbikes. As cars are very expensive many foreigners opt to drive motorbikes. Many drive without licenses without much difficulty but, if you aim to drive a motorbike over 50cc and want your health insurance to be valid in one of the world’s most lethal traffic environments, get a valid motorbike driving license in Vietnam.

Leave a Comment