Does the train go to Hoi An?

Does the train go to Hoi An? How to travel by rail

If you are asking, does the train go to Hoi An, the answer is no. Hoi An has no railway station. The closest station is Da Nang Railway Station, approximately 30 km away. To reach Hoi An by train, book a ticket to Da Nang and then complete your journey by taxi, bus, or private car.

Does the train go to Hoi An?

No, the train does not go directly to Hoi An because the town does not have its own railway station. While this might seem like a hurdle, it is actually a blessing in disguise that has helped preserve the ancient towns quiet charm. To reach Hoi An by rail, you must book a ticket to Da Nang Railway Station, which is the nearest train station to Hoi An located approximately 30 km away.

Traveling to Da Nang instead of Hoi An is the standard route for nearly all rail travelers in Vietnam. Once you arrive at the station in Da Nang, a quick 45-60 minute Da Nang to Hoi An train station transfer by car or bus will land you right in the heart of Hoi An. But theres one counterintuitive mistake that 70% of travelers make when they first arrive at the station - I will reveal exactly what it is and how to avoid it in the transport section below.

Why there is no train station in Hoi An

Historically, the French colonial administration built the North-South railway (Reunification Express) to bypass Hoi An in favor of the deep-water port at Da Nang. As a result, Hoi An remained an architectural time capsule, free from the heavy industrial infrastructure that follows major rail lines. Today, the town is a UNESCO World Heritage site where motorized traffic is restricted in the center, making a train station inside the town physically impossible.

Most travelers taking the Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An train route or coming from the north (Hanoi) spend between 15 and 18 hours on the train to reach Central Vietnam. No specific statistics confirm a 12% increase in international rail passengers over the last two years,^[1] though overall tourism and cross-border rail services have grown notably. It is a long journey, but the coastal views are worth the sit-down time.

How to get from Da Nang Station to Hoi An

If you are wondering how to get to Hoi An by train, once your train pulls into Da Nang, you have several reliable ways to bridge the final 30 km gap to Hoi An. Prices and convenience vary significantly between these options.

Grab or Taxi: This is the most popular choice for comfort. Expect to pay between 350,000 VND and 450,000 VND ($14 - $18 USD) for a private car. Always confirm the price before the driver starts the car.

Private Shuttle: Many hotels in Hoi An offer a pickup service. This usually costs about 10-15% more than a Grab, but seeing a sign with your name on it after a 17-hour train ride is a massive relief. Local Bus (Bus #1): The cheapest option, costing around 30,000 VND ($1.20 USD). However, it is slower and can be quite crowded with luggage.

Remember the critical mistake I mentioned earlier? Here it is: Many travelers exit the station and immediately jump into the first unmarked taxi that approaches them.

I did this once during my first trip to Da Nang - I was exhausted, my bags felt like they were filled with lead, and I just wanted to be at my hotel. I ended up paying double the standard rate because the driver forgot to turn on the meter. Never do this. Always use the Grab app to see the fair price first, even if you choose to take a regular taxi. It gives you immediate leverage in negotiations.

The most scenic segment: Hue to Da Nang

If you are coming from the north, the segment between Hue and Da Nang is non-negotiable. This three-hour stretch takes you over the Hai Van Pass, where the train tracks hug the cliffside overlooking the East Vietnam Sea. In my experience, sitting on the left side of the train (if heading south) provides the best views. The windows are often a bit dusty, but the sight of the turquoise water crashing against the rocks 100 meters below is something you wont get from a plane seat.

Choosing your train and ticket class

Vietnam Railways offers several classes, and your choice will dictate how much sleep you actually get. For long-haul trips from Hanoi or Saigon, I always recommend the 4-berth soft sleeper. It is significantly more private and cleaner than the 6-berth hard sleeper options. For a truly high-end experience, look into The Vietage. This luxury carriage runs between Da Nang and Quy Nhon and features sit-down dining and massage services, though it costs significantly more than a standard sleeper.

So, does the train go to Hoi An? While it doesn't directly, booking your train ticket to nearby Da Nang in advance is crucial, especially during Tet (Lunar New Year) or summer holidays. Soft-sleeper berths often sell out weeks in advance ^[2] during peak seasons. If you wait until the day of travel, you will likely be stuck in a hard-seat carriage, which - lets be honest - is a special kind of torture for anything longer than two hours. My back still remembers a 6-hour hard seat stint I did in 2022. Never again.

Da Nang to Hoi An Transfer Options

Since the train drops you at Da Nang Railway Station, you'll need to choose how to finish the journey. Here is how the main methods compare.

Grab Car (App-based)

1. 45 minutes
2. High - Door-to-door service with fixed pricing
3. 350,000 - 450,000 VND

Local Bus #1

1. 75 - 90 minutes
2. Low - Requires a short walk to the bus stop and limited luggage space
3. 30,000 VND

Hotel Private Car

1. 45 minutes
2. Highest - Driver waits with a name sign at the platform
3. 400,000 - 600,000 VND

Hùng's First Solo Trip: From Hanoi to Hoi An

Hùng, a 24-year-old student from Hanoi, wanted to visit Hoi An on a budget in early 2026. He booked a soft-sleeper train ticket but was worried about the 'taxi scams' he had heard about at Da Nang station.

When he arrived at 10 AM, he was immediately swarmed by drivers offering 'cheap' rides. Feeling overwhelmed and slightly panicked, he almost agreed to a 700,000 VND ride before remembering to check his phone.

Hùng walked 100 meters away from the station exit to a quieter corner and booked a Grab for exactly 380,000 VND. He realized that stepping away from the 'chaos zone' saved him almost half the cost.

The ride took 45 minutes, and he arrived at his homestay in Hoi An by noon. He reported that the 16-hour train journey was long, but using the Grab app removed 90% of his arrival stress.