Da Nang Transportation 2026: Airport, Grab, Hoi An & Hue

Da Nang International Airport (DAD) is only about 3 km from the city centre: a Grab, Xanh SM or metered taxi takes 10–15 minutes and costs about 60,000–150,000 VND (US$2.40–6). Around town, ride-hailing cars and bikes are the easiest option. Hoi An is 45–60 minutes by car (about 250,000–400,000 VND), and Hue is 2–3 hours by road or by the scenic train over the Hai Van Pass.

Status (checked October 2026): Since 1 July 2025 Hoi An, My Son and the Cham Islands belong to Da Nang city, but road times are unchanged. The Cham Islands visitor fee is 70,000 VND from 10 June 2026, and boats stop running in rough seas. October to December is the rainy and typhoon season: flights, ferries and the Hai Van Pass road can be disrupted for a day or two, so keep a buffer before international flights.

Key takeaways:

Airport to centre or My Khe Beach: 10–20 minutes by Grab/Xanh SM, about 60,000–150,000 VND.
Getting around: Grab, Xanh SM and Be cars or bikes are cheap, metered and work everywhere in the city.
To Hoi An: about 30 km, 45–60 minutes by car; a public bus costs about 30,000 VND but is slow.
To Hue: 2–2.5 hours by car via the Hai Van Tunnel, about 3 hours over the Hai Van Pass, or about 2.5–3 hours by train.
Riding a motorbike yourself requires a valid licence plus a 1968-Convention IDP; fines for unlicensed riders are 2–4 million VND.

Da Nang Transportation at a Glance

Airport	Da Nang International Airport (DAD): Terminal 1 domestic, Terminal 2 international; about 3 km from the centre
Airport to centre	10–15 min; Grab/Xanh SM or taxi about 60,000–150,000 VND (US$2.40–6)
Flights	Hanoi about 1 h 20 min; Ho Chi Minh City about 1 h 25 min; direct flights from Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, Thailand and more
Train station	Da Nang Station, Hai Phong Street (Thanh Khe ward), about 2 km from the Han River
Train to Hue	About 2.5–3 h over the Hai Van Pass; Reunification Express and a dedicated heritage train
Getting around	Grab, Xanh SM, Be, Mai Linh and Vinasun taxis, city buses, rental motorbikes
To Hoi An	About 30 km; 45–60 min by car, about 250,000–400,000 VND
To Hue	About 95–100 km; 2–3 h by road
To Ba Na Hills	About 25–35 km; 45–60 min by car
To My Son	About 1.5 h by car; ticket 150,000 VND for foreigners
Weather risk	October–December rain, floods and typhoons can disrupt roads, boats and flights

How Do I Get from Da Nang Airport to the City Centre?

Take a Grab, Xanh SM or metered taxi: Da Nang International Airport is about 3 km from the Han River, and the ride takes 10–15 minutes to the centre or 15–20 minutes to My Khe Beach. Arrange a hotel pick-up if you land late at night with lots of luggage.

Option	Time to centre	Typical price	Best for
Grab / Be car (app)	10–15 min	About 60,000–120,000 VND	Fixed price shown in advance
Xanh SM electric taxi	10–15 min	About 60,000–120,000 VND	Quiet EVs, app or rank
Metered taxi (Mai Linh, Vinasun)	10–15 min	About 80,000–150,000 VND	No app needed
Hotel or private transfer	10–15 min	About 150,000–300,000 VND	Late arrivals, families
Private car to Hoi An	45–60 min	About 300,000–500,000 VND	Going straight to Hoi An
City bus	20–40 min	About 8,000–30,000 VND	Light luggage, tight budget

Book cars at the official ride-hailing pick-up points outside arrivals; an airport access fee may be added to the fare. Use only the official taxi ranks and ignore touts inside the terminal.

How Do I Get Around Da Nang?

Ride-hailing apps are the simplest way to get around Da Nang: you see the price before you book and pay cash or by card. The centre along the Han River is walkable, and the beach road is flat and good for cycling.

1. Grab, Xanh SM and Be

Install Grab before you arrive. A 5 km car ride costs roughly 60,000–90,000 VND, a motorbike ride roughly 20,000–35,000 VND. Xanh SM runs electric VinFast taxis and bikes at similar prices. Always check the plate number before getting in.

2. Metered taxis

Mai Linh (green) and Vinasun (white) are the reliable brands; insist on the meter. Fares start at about 11,000–15,000 VND and run about 14,000–17,000 VND per km.

3. City buses

Da Nang has about 20 public bus routes with fares of about 8,000–30,000 VND, including a route to Hoi An. Buses are clean but infrequent and stop running in the early evening, so they suit patient travellers rather than tight schedules.

4. Motorbike rental

Scooters rent for about 120,000–150,000 VND a day (automatics and maxi-scooters cost more). You need a valid motorbike licence from home plus an International Driving Permit under the 1968 Convention; under Decree 168/2024, riding without a licence costs 2–4 million VND for bikes up to 125 cc and 6–8 million VND above 125 cc, and travel insurance may not cover you. Always wear a helmet.

5. Walking and cycling

The Bach Dang riverside promenade, the Dragon Bridge area and the beach path behind My Khe Beach are pleasant on foot in the early morning and evening. Many hotels lend bicycles.

6. River cruise

Evening boats on the Han River pass under the Dragon Bridge, the Han River Swing Bridge and Tran Thi Ly Bridge; cruises last about an hour.

How Do I Get from Da Nang to Hoi An?

A Grab or private car is the easiest: about 30 km, 45–60 minutes, about 250,000–400,000 VND. The public bus costs about 30,000 VND but takes 1–1.5 hours and stops at Hoi An bus station, about 2 km from the Ancient Town.

Option	Time	Price (about)	Notes
Grab car (4 seats)	45–60 min	250,000–400,000 VND	Door to door; more in rush hour
Private car with driver	45–60 min	300,000–500,000 VND	Stops at Marble Mountains on request
Shared shuttle	About 1 h	About 100,000–150,000 VND	Fixed departures, hotel drop-off
Public bus	1–1.5 h	About 30,000 VND	Ends at Hoi An bus station
Grab bike	40–50 min	120,000–180,000 VND	Light bags only

Combine the trip with the Marble Mountains, which sit right on the coast road. Once in Hoi An, read our Hoi An transportation guide.

How Do I Get from Da Nang to Hue?

Take a car through the Hai Van Tunnel (2–2.5 hours), a car over the Hai Van Pass with photo stops (about 3 hours plus stops), or the train along the coast (about 2.5–3 hours). The train and the pass are the scenic choices.

Option	Time	Price (about)	Why choose it
Private car via Hai Van Pass	3 h + stops	1,000,000–1,500,000 VND per car	Views, Lang Co lagoon, flexible stops
Private car via tunnel	2–2.5 h	900,000–1,300,000 VND per car	Fastest door to door
Train (Reunification Express)	2.5–3 h	About 90,000–250,000 VND	Coastal views over the pass
Heritage train (Hue–Da Nang)	About 3 h	About 150,000 VND	Tourist carriages, slow scenic run
Limousine van / bus	2.5–3 h	About 80,000–200,000 VND	Cheap; uses the tunnel
Easy rider motorbike tour	Half to full day	From about 1,000,000 VND	Ride over the pass as a passenger

At the top of the Hai Van Pass, the Hai Van Quan relic (old gate and fort) charges 70,000 VND. Book train tickets on the official Vietnam Railways website. For onward travel see our Hue transportation guide.

How Do I Get to Ba Na Hills, My Son and the Cham Islands?

All three are easy day trips by car or tour. Ba Na Hills and My Son are best reached by private car or tour bus; the Cham Islands require a speedboat from Cua Dai in Hoi An.

Destination	Distance / time from Da Nang	How to go	Entry
Ba Na Hills	About 25–35 km, 45–60 min	Car, Grab, shuttle bus, tour	About 1,000,000 VND adult (cable car included)
Marble Mountains	About 8–10 km, 15–20 min	Grab, car, bicycle	40,000 VND (Thuy Son)
Son Tra Peninsula	About 10 km, 20–30 min	Car or Grab (some roads restricted)	Free
My Son Sanctuary	About 1.5 h	Private car or tour	150,000 VND foreigners
Cham Islands	About 1 h to Cua Dai + 20–30 min speedboat	Tour with speedboat	Visitor fee 70,000 VND
Hoi An Ancient Town	About 30 km, 45–60 min	Car, Grab, bus	120,000 VND (5 heritage sites)

How Do I Travel from Da Nang to Other Cities in Vietnam?

Fly for long distances and take the train or a car for Hue and Quang Ngai. Da Nang airport has frequent domestic flights on Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, Bamboo Airways and Vietravel Airlines.

Route	Flight	Train	Notes
Da Nang – Hanoi	About 1 h 20 min	About 15–17 h (sleeper)	Many daily flights
Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City	About 1 h 25 min	About 16–18 h	Many daily flights
Da Nang – Nha Trang	About 1 h 10 min	About 9–11 h	Night train is an option
Da Nang – Dalat	About 1 h 15 min	No direct line	Fly
Da Nang – Hue	No flight	About 2.5–3 h	Car or train

Is Transport in Da Nang Safe? Scams to Avoid

Da Nang is one of Vietnam’s most relaxed cities for getting around, but a few tricks are worth knowing.

Use ride-hailing apps or the official taxi ranks; avoid unmarked “taxis” offering a flat price at the airport.
Check the plate number in the app matches the car.
On metered taxis, make sure the meter starts at zero.
Photograph a rental motorbike before you ride, and never leave your passport as a deposit.
For Cham Islands trips, choose licensed operators and do not go when the authorities suspend boats.
Traffic flows on the right; cross the road slowly and steadily so riders can steer around you.

Local Expert Tips for Getting Around Da Nang

These tips come from years of arranging Da Nang tours for international travellers.

Install Grab or Xanh SM before you land and add a card for cash-free rides.
If you fly in and are staying in Hoi An, go straight there; there is no need to spend a night in Da Nang first.
Travel Da Nang to Hue over the Hai Van Pass by car with stops; the tunnel saves time but misses the views.
Visit Ba Na Hills early on a weekday to beat the queues at the cable car.
From October to December, check the weather the night before any boat trip or pass crossing.
Save your hotel address with the new ward name (for example An Hai ward or Hoi An ward) to show drivers.
Keep at least one buffer day between a Cham Islands trip and an international flight.
Hire a car with driver for My Son and Hoi An on the same day; public transport to My Son is impractical.

Plan Your Da Nang Trip

Use these guides to plan your days: ride the cable car up Ba Na Hills, explore the caves of the Marble Mountains, drive around the Son Tra Peninsula to Linh Ung Pagoda, swim at My Khe Beach, see the Museum of Cham Sculpture and watch the weekend fire show at the Dragon Bridge. South of the city, visit Hoi An Ancient Town, the Japanese Covered Bridge, My Son Sanctuary and the Cham Islands. Then plan meals with our Da Nang food guide, pick a base with where to stay in Da Nang, and read our Da Nang travel tips.

Plan your trip with our Da Nang travel guide and Da Nang tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about Da Nang Transportation

1. How far is Da Nang airport from the city centre?

Da Nang International Airport is only about 3 km from the city centre, a 10–15 minute drive, and about 15–20 minutes from My Khe Beach.

2. How much is a Grab from Da Nang airport to the city?

A Grab car from Da Nang airport to the centre usually costs about 60,000–120,000 VND (US$2.40–4.80), depending on time and traffic; an airport access fee may be added.

3. Is there an airport bus in Da Nang?

Yes, city bus routes serve Da Nang airport for about 8,000–30,000 VND, but they are infrequent and stop early, so most travellers take Grab or a taxi.

4. Is Grab available in Da Nang?

Yes. Grab, Xanh SM and Be all operate across Da Nang, including Hoi An, with cars and motorbikes priced in advance in the app.

5. How do I get from Da Nang to Hoi An?

The easiest way from Da Nang to Hoi An is a Grab or private car: about 30 km, 45–60 minutes and about 250,000–400,000 VND; the public bus costs about 30,000 VND.

6. How long is the train from Da Nang to Hue?

The train from Da Nang to Hue takes about 2.5–3 hours and runs along the coast over the Hai Van Pass, one of the most scenic rail journeys in Vietnam.

7. Is the Hai Van Pass worth it between Da Nang and Hue?

Yes. The Hai Van Pass adds about an hour compared with the tunnel, but gives sweeping views of Da Nang Bay and Lang Co; the Hai Van Quan relic at the top costs 70,000 VND.

8. Can I rent a motorbike in Da Nang?

Yes, scooters in Da Nang rent for about 120,000–150,000 VND a day, but you legally need a motorbike licence plus a 1968-Convention International Driving Permit.

9. What is the fine for riding without a licence in Da Nang?

Under Decree 168/2024, riding a motorbike up to 125 cc without a valid licence in Da Nang costs 2–4 million VND, and 6–8 million VND for bikes above 125 cc.

10. How do I get from Da Nang to Ba Na Hills?

Ba Na Hills is about 45–60 minutes from central Da Nang by car or Grab; shuttle buses and tours also run there, and the adult ticket is about 1,000,000 VND including the cable car.

11. How do I get from Da Nang to My Son Sanctuary?

My Son is about 1.5 hours from Da Nang by private car or tour; there is no practical public transport, and the ticket is 150,000 VND for foreigners.

12. How do I get from Da Nang to the Cham Islands?

Drive about an hour to Cua Dai pier in Hoi An, then take a 20–30 minute speedboat; the Cham Islands visitor fee is 70,000 VND, and boats stop in rough weather.

13. How long is the flight from Hanoi to Da Nang?

A flight from Hanoi to Da Nang takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, with many daily departures on Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet and other carriers.

14. Is it better to fly or take the train from Hanoi to Da Nang?

Flying from Hanoi to Da Nang takes about 1 hour 20 minutes versus about 15–17 hours by sleeper train, so fly unless you want the overnight train experience.

15. Are taxis in Da Nang safe?

Yes. Mai Linh, Vinasun and Xanh SM taxis in Da Nang are reliable; use the meter or an app and avoid unmarked cars offering flat prices.

16. Can I walk around Da Nang?

Central Da Nang along the Han River and the beach promenade behind My Khe is walkable, but distances between the river, the beach and the Marble Mountains are best covered by Grab.

17. Does the typhoon season affect transport in Da Nang?

Yes. From October to December, storms in Da Nang can delay flights, close the Hai Van Pass road and stop Cham Islands boats for a day or two.

18. How much does a private car from Da Nang to Hue cost?

A private car from Da Nang to Hue costs about 900,000–1,500,000 VND per vehicle, depending on whether you go through the tunnel or over the Hai Van Pass with stops.