Hanoi to Da Nang

Hanoi to Da Nang is about 760 km down the coast. A flight is 80 minutes and often the cheapest option once you count the value of your time. The overnight train is the nicest way to do it if you'd rather wake up in Da Nang than kill a morning in airports.

By air

Three airlines fly HAN to DAD, with departures from before 6am to after 10pm:

• Vietnam Airlines — full-service, bag included, most departures. $35–100 one-way.
• Vietjet Air — the low-cost pick. Fares from $25, though add $10–15 if you need a checked bag. Our Vietjet guide covers the baggage trap.
• Bamboo Airways — sits between the two on price and polish. $30–85.

Flight time is 1 hour 15–25 minutes. Da Nang International Airport is unusually close to the city — a 10-minute taxi from the terminal puts you on the beach. See the Vietnam domestic flights overview for airline comparison.

By train

The southbound Reunification Express trains — SE1, SE3, SE5, SE7 — all stop in Da Nang. SE1 and SE3 are the usual recommendations, both running overnight so you arrive in Da Nang mid-morning to early afternoon.

Approximate schedule: southbound trains leave Hanoi in the evening; northbound SE2 and SE4 depart Da Nang around the same window. Confirm exact times at the station or on Vietnam Railways the week you travel.

Cabin prices one-way, approximately:

• Hard seat: $25–30
• Soft seat: $30–40
• Hard sleeper (6-berth): $40–55
• Soft sleeper (4-berth): $55–75

The soft sleeper is the one to book. The Vietnam trains guide has the full cabin-class breakdown.

By sleeper bus

Hoang Long, Camel Travel, and Queen Cafe run sleeper buses Hanoi to Da Nang most nights. Expect 16–20 hours door-to-door and fares $20–35. That's longer than the train for less comfort — the only reason to pick the bus is price or a specific pick-up point the train can't match. Our sleeper buses guide lists operators and what to look for.

By private car or motorbike

It's 760 km — two long driving days at least, with a likely overnight in Phong Nha or Dong Hoi. Private car with driver runs around $100–130/day. Motorbike riders occasionally do the Ho Chi Minh Highway over several days; it's a commitment, not a transfer.

Which should you pick?

Mode	Time	Price (one-way)	Best for
Flight	1h 20m	$25–100	Most travellers — fast and cheap
Train (soft sleeper)	16–18h	$55–75	Overnight arrival, scenic central stretch
Sleeper bus	16–20h	$20–35	Tight budget only
Private car	2+ days	$200+	Multi-stop road trip via Phong Nha

Short version: fly unless you specifically want the overnight train. Da Nang Airport's proximity to the city makes the flight option even stronger than the distance suggests — you can be on My Khe Beach within 30 minutes of landing.

Once you're in Da Nang, most travellers move on quickly: Hoi An is 30–45 minutes by taxi, and Hue is 2.5 hours north by train.