Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the second largest city in the country. It is in the top ten most-rated places in the world on TripAdvisor. With over seven million inhabitants, Hanoi attracts five million international tourists every year. As you can see, it is a very lively city. There is much to see and do. It’s easy to find tourists along the busy streets of the Old Quarter and the two French Quarters, known for their architecture and good atmosphere. After exploring the capital, you can visit a quieter place like Hoi An. It is a low-traffic city with a fantastic old town that takes you back to a time when the city was a trading port. In the near distance there are also wonderful beaches where you can relax. Find out the best way to get from Hanoi to Hoi An.
Travel options from Hanoi to Hoi An
Whichever means of transport you choose to get from Hanoi to Hoi An, the distance you will travel will be quite long. The flight covers 630 kilometers, but as you can guess, it is the most expensive option to move from one city to another. If you travel by road, the distance increases to 800 kilometers, which means the journey will be long if you want to save money and go from Hanoi to Hoi An by bus. Another option is the train. The distance is still quite long, but you can travel more comfortably than by bus. But traveling by plane or train also has its downsides. Read on for details.
Hanoi to Hoi An flights
Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air at Da Nang Airport © Nils Versemann / Shutterstock.com
Flying from Hanoi to Hoi An seems to be the quickest way to get from one city to another as the flight time is only one hour and twenty minutes. However, this option is not as simple as it seems. Hoi An does not have an airport, so the plane lands at Da Nang International Airport. This is not a big disadvantage, since Da Nang International Airport is only 29 kilometers from Hoi An. Still, it will add about an hour to an hour and a half to the total journey time.
Even adding the extra time to get to Hoi An and the time it takes to get to Hanoi Noibai International Airport and ensure safety, flying from Hanoi to Hoi An is faster than taking a train or bus. . Therefore, if you want to arrive in a short time, flight is the best option.
The biggest downside to flying from Hanoi to Hoi An is the cost. Also, when adding how much it costs to get to the airport and then to the city, you have to consider that the total cost of the trip will increase and become more expensive. That’s how much you have to pay to reach your destination in a short time.
There are three airlines that offer regular flights from Hanoi to Hoi An: Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific and VietJet Air. Of the three, Vietnam Airlines is usually the most expensive. However, if you are flexible with your flight time, you will be able to find tickets at prices comparable to those of the other two airlines. The advantage of Vietnam Airlines is that they have a wide selection of daily flights from Hanoi to Hoi An. In addition to this range of options, their tickets include 20 kilograms of checked baggage. You can book tickets for three airlines through the website 12Go.asiawhere you can see all results at once to compare prices and timetables.
From Hanoi to Hoi An by bus
We move from the fastest means of transport to the slowest. The bus journey from Hanoi to Hoi An is long and exhausting. Spending around 19.5 hours on a bus is not something all travelers are prepared to do. Yes, there are stops along the way, but during the journey you won’t be able to get up and walk around whenever you feel like stretching your legs a bit.
The route from Hanoi to Hoi An is not offered by many bus companies, so the offer is somewhat limited. Sapa Grouptour offers a direct service. This is probably the cheapest option to get from one city to another and is also quite practical as it will take you from downtown Hanoi to downtown Hoi An. This way you don’t have to worry about making changes or paying more for other tickets, but keep in mind that Grouptour buses are usually a bit older than other companies’ buses and don’t have many amenities on board. It is a semi-sleeper bus, but there is no option to lie down completely. Considering the bus leaves Hanoi at 6:30 PM and arrives in Hoi An at 2:00 PM the next day, you’ll probably want to rest and sleep on the way.
There is another option to travel by bus, but it is not a direct service and is more expensive. You can travel from Hanoi to Da Nang with Hoang Long and then go to another departure point to take the bus to Hoi An with The Sinh Tourist. However, along with the waiting time, the total journey time reaches 21 hours.
From Hanoi to Hoi An by train
The last option is to travel by train from Hanoi to Hoi An. But as with flights, the train does not go to Hoi An city, but takes you to Da Nang. From here you need to find a way to get to Hoi An or book a bus ticket. You can book train tickets or a combined train and bus ticket through 12Go. However, you will have to take care of your transfers in Da Nang on your own.
Trains can be cheap if you choose second class seats. However, for such a long journey (the fastest trains take almost 15.5 hours), we recommend choosing a sleeper ticket instead of a standard seat. The bed options also have different prices as you can travel in second class, first class or VIP class in a private carriage. Compare all options well to find out what each ticket includes before booking.
The biggest advantage of traveling by train is that although the journey is long, it is a comfortable and enjoyable way to travel. There is enough space on the train to get up and walk around a bit. In addition, the train has all the necessary services on board. And let’s not forget that this means of transport allows you to enjoy the landscape in comfort. If you opt for a bed instead of sitting, you’ll be able to sleep on the way to arrive at your destination feeling refreshed.
As such, there are three options for getting from Hanoi to Hoi An. You can choose the cheapest transport and go by bus, although it is not very convenient. You can also spend more and arrive in less time if you choose to fly. Finally, you can travel slowly but comfortably and cheaply if you choose to travel by train.