Getting Around Hoi An: Your Guide to Transport Options

💰 Click here to see Vietnam Budget Breakdown

💰 Prices updated: October, 2026. Budget figures are estimates — always verify before travel.

Exchange Rate: $1 USD = ₫25,964.41

Daily Budget (per person)

Shoestring: ₫650,000 – ₫1,550,000 ($25.03 – $59.70)

Mid-range: ₫1,800,000 – ₫3,900,000 ($69.33 – $150.21)

Comfortable: ₫5,200,000 – ₫9,100,000 ($200.27 – $350.48)

Accommodation (per night)

Hostel/guesthouse: ₫120,000 – ₫350,000 ($4.62 – $13.48)

Mid-range hotel: ₫780,000 – ₫1,850,000 ($30.04 – $71.25)

Food (per meal)

Budget meal: ₫60,000.00 ($2.31)

Mid-range meal: ₫250,000.00 ($9.63)

Upscale meal: ₫800,000.00 ($30.81)

Transport

Single metro/bus trip: ₫10,000.00 ($0.39)

Monthly transport pass: ₫300,000.00 ($11.55)

You land at Da Nang, check the map, and see Hoi An sitting 30 km south. Then the questions start. Is there a train? Can you drive in the Old Town? Is the bicycle you just rented even allowed on that street? Hoi An has no airport, no railway station, and a heritage core with shifting vehicle restrictions. In 2026, ride-hailing apps cover more of the area, bike lanes and pedestrian zones are better enforced, and new licence rules affect scooter renters. This guide covers the options one by one.

Why Hoi An Is Easy to Move Around, Once You Know the Rules

Hoi An is small. The Ancient Town is about a kilometre across, and most of the centre can be crossed on foot in 15 minutes. The beaches, rice fields, and coconut forests that make the area special are 4 to 8 km away, so you need some wheels or a ride.

Since 2024, Grab and similar apps have become more reliable here. Electric vehicles are more common, and local authorities have focused on keeping the Ancient Town calm. The sections below explain how to use all of this.

Best Neighborhoods: Your Base Decides Your Transport

Ancient Town

Staying inside or right next to the old quarter means you can walk almost everywhere. The trade-off is noise in the evenings and less space for bicycle parking. It suits first-time visitors and anyone who dislikes driving.

An Bang Beach

About 5 km from the Old Town, An Bang is a laid-back beach strip with bars, cafes, and homestays. A bicycle ride into town takes about 20 minutes along a flat, tree-lined road. It suits couples and travellers who want sea breezes and don’t mind a daily ride.

Cua Dai and the Riverside Resorts

Cua Dai sits about 4 km from the centre. Many resorts here run free shuttle buses or offer free bikes. The beach itself has eroded in recent years, but the area remains calm and good for families.

Rice Paddy Villages (Cam Chau, Cam Thanh, Tra Que)

These areas have green views and quiet lanes. You will need a bicycle or scooter, or you will depend on hotel shuttles. They suit slow travellers who want a rural feel.

Top Attractions and How to Reach Each One

Rather than listing sights, here is how to reach the main ones and how long it takes.

• Ancient Town and Japanese Covered Bridge: walk. Vehicle access is limited on many streets, and parking is outside the core.



• Tra Que Vegetable Village: about 3 km north-east. Bicycle takes 15 minutes. Good for a morning ride and a cooking class.
• Cam Thanh Coconut Forest: about 6 to 7 km. Take a Grab, scooter, or bicycle. Basket-boat rides here are popular, and prices vary by operator, so agree before boarding.
• An Bang and Cua Dai beaches: bicycle (20 to 25 minutes) or Grab bike (about 10 minutes).
• Thu Bon River: board a small wooden boat from the riverside dock near the market. Short trips cost a modest amount per boat, and the price is negotiable.

The Ancient Town ticket costs about 120,000 VND (about $4.60) and covers a choice of heritage sites. Check the current price at ticket booths, as it changes from time to time.

Food and Drink Scene: Where to Eat and How to Get There

Eating is one of the main reasons to move around Hoi An, and the best places are spread out.

Central Market and the riverside lanes: Walk from anywhere in the Old Town. In the morning, the smell of charcoal and fresh herbs drifts from the stalls, and the food hall at the back serves cheap bowls of cao lau and mi quang. Expect 30,000 to 50,000 VND ($1.15 to $1.90) a dish.

Banh mi streets: The most famous stalls are on Phan Chu Trinh, a short walk from the centre. Lines form at lunch, so go slightly early.

An Bang Beach restaurants: Cycle or take a Grab bike. Sit on the sand with a grilled seafood plate. Prices are higher than in town, but the setting justifies it.

Tra Que and Cam Thanh: Both have farm-to-table restaurants and cooking schools. Many include a hotel pickup in the price, so check before booking a separate ride.

Night Market (Nguyen Hoang Street): Walk. The stalls open at dusk, and the street is closed to motor vehicles.

Getting Around: Every Option Compared

Walking

The simplest option inside the Old Town. Paths are flat, but the heat can hit 35°C in summer, so start early or go after 4 pm. Bring water and a hat.

Bicycle

Bicycles are the classic way to see Hoi An. Rental costs about 30,000 to 50,000 VND ($1.15 to $1.90) per day, and many hotels lend them free. Choose one with a basket and a working bell. Lock it at the designated parking points outside the pedestrian zone, and avoid leaving it on narrow lanes.

Scooter or Motorbike

Automatic scooters rent for roughly 120,000 to 200,000 VND ($4.60 to $7.70) per day. Fuel costs a few dollars for a full day of riding. A few rules matter more in 2026:

• Vietnam tightened its licence rules in 2025. You need a valid motorbike licence from your home country plus an International Driving Permit that is recognised in Vietnam, or a Vietnamese licence.
• Without a valid licence, travel insurance may refuse to cover an accident.
• Police checks happen on the main roads, particularly toward Da Nang.
• Wear a helmet at all times. Fines for riding without one are real.

Inspect the scooter, photograph any scratches, and check the brakes before you leave the shop. If you are not an experienced rider, skip the scooter. The roads between Hoi An and Da Nang are busy, with trucks and buses.

Grab and Other Apps

Grab works in Hoi An for both cars and motorbikes. A bike ride within town usually costs 20,000 to 40,000 VND ($0.80 to $1.50), and a car from the Old Town to An Bang about 60,000 to 100,000 VND ($2.30 to $3.80). Local ride apps and the electric taxi service Xanh SM have expanded across central Vietnam, so check which are active when you arrive. In the Old Town, set your pickup point at the edge of the pedestrian zone, not in the middle, because drivers cannot enter many streets. Pickups can take longer in the evening or in the rain.

Taxis

Mai Linh and Hoi An Taxi run metered cars. Make sure the meter is on, or agree a price first. Taxis are best for airport runs and trips with luggage.

Public Bus

A public bus connects Hoi An with Da Nang. Fares are low, typically under 50,000 VND ($1.90). It is slow and does not go to the airport directly, so it suits budget travellers with light luggage. Long-distance coaches and sleeper buses operate from the main station to places like Hue and Nha Trang, and tickets are easiest to buy through your hotel or an online booking site.

Boats

Small wooden boats leave from the riverside dock and take passengers for a short trip. Lantern-floating rides in the evening are popular. Agree the price before getting in. Boats to the Cham Islands leave from the Cua Dai area and are covered below.

Cyclos and Electric Carts

Cyclos are mainly for tourists and cost more than ordinary rides. Electric buggies inside the Ancient Town carry people who find walking difficult, and tour operators run them. Both are fine for a short ride, but neither is practical transport.

The Ancient Town Vehicle Rules

Hoi An limits motorbikes and cars in the Old Town at set times, usually in the late afternoon and evening, and on some streets in the morning. Hours can change, and some streets close entirely. Look for signs at the entrances and follow them. On full moon nights, when the Lantern Festival takes place, the whole core is closed to vehicles, and bicycles may also be limited.

From Da Nang Airport to Hoi An

The airport is about 30 km away, and the trip takes 45 to 60 minutes.

• Taxi or Grab car: about 350,000 to 450,000 VND ($13 to $17).
• Hotel transfer: similar price, with a driver waiting at arrivals with your name.
• Shared shuttle: cheaper per person, but slower because of multiple stops.

The coastal road along Vo Nguyen Giap is the scenic option, with sea views on one side. The drive is easy outside rush hour.

Day Trips: Transport, Timing, and Cost

My Son Sanctuary

About 40 km west, roughly one hour by car. These ruins of Cham Hindu temples sit in a jungle valley. Go early to avoid heat and crowds. Options include a Grab car (round trip with waiting time about 700,000 to 1,000,000 VND, or $27 to $38), a half-day group tour, or a scooter for confident riders. Entry costs about 150,000 VND or more, and prices rise from time to time.

Marble Mountains and Da Nang

About 25 km north. Allow a half day for the caves and pagodas, and a full day if you add the Da Nang beaches and Dragon Bridge. Take a Grab car or taxi.

Cham Islands

Speedboats leave from the Cua Dai pier and cross in around 20 to 30 minutes in good weather. Tours include snorkelling and a seafood lunch, usually for 600,000 to 900,000 VND ($23 to $35). The sea is calmest from roughly March to August, and boats may be cancelled in rough weather.

Ba Na Hills

About 45 km away, 1 to 1.5 hours by road. The cable car and Golden Bridge draw large crowds. Entry with cable car is around 900,000 VND ($35). Book a tour or Grab car, and arrive at opening time for fewer queues.

Hai Van Pass to Hue

This is the most scenic road in central Vietnam. The route from Hoi An to Hue is about 120 km and takes a full day. You can hire a driver, join a motorbike tour with a local guide, or take a train from Da Nang to Hue, which has sea views on the way. Plan 8 to 10 hours including stops.

Nightlife and Entertainment: Getting Home After Dark

Hoi An’s nightlife is relaxed, based on riverside bars, lantern-lit streets, and beach clubs. The Old Town has live music in small bars along Bach Dang and Nguyen Thai Hoc. An Bang Beach has beach bars that stay open late.

Getting back is the question. Within the Old Town, you can walk. For An Bang or hotels farther out, book a Grab before you leave, as late-night availability drops after about 11 pm. If you have rented a scooter, avoid drinking and riding. Police checks do happen, and the road is poorly lit. Many bars will call a taxi for you.

Shopping: Routes by Foot and Bike

Hoi An is famous for tailor-made clothes, leather goods, and lanterns. Most shops are inside the Ancient Town, so walking is the best way to browse.

• Tailor streets: Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc, and Le Loi have dozens of tailors. Most need two to three fittings over two days, so plan your itinerary around that.
• Central Market: Fabrics, spices, coffee, and souvenirs. Prices drop if you bargain politely.
• Lantern shops: The best are on Hai Ba Trung and around the Old Town. Lanterns fold flat, so they pack easily.
• Craft villages: Kim Bong carpentry village and Thanh Ha pottery village are within a short bicycle or Grab ride.

Carry cash, since some small shops do not take cards. Bicycles with baskets are useful on shopping days, but don’t leave bags unattended.

Accommodation Areas by Budget and Transport Need

• Budget (300,000 to 700,000 VND, or $11.50 to $27): Hostels and guesthouses on the edge of the Old Town and along the lanes toward Cam Chau. Most include free bicycles.
• Mid-range (800,000 to 2,000,000 VND, or $31 to $77): Boutique hotels in the Old Town or near An Bang. Many offer free shuttle buses to the beach and the town.
• Luxury (3,000,000 VND and up, or $115 and up): Beach resorts at Cua Dai and along the coast toward Da Nang, plus riverside villas. Airport transfers and private drivers are often available.

Ask any hotel about its bike policy, shuttle timetable, and distance from the Old Town entrance before booking.

Best Time to Visit and How Weather Changes Your Transport

February to May is the best window, with dry weather and temperatures of 24 to 32°C. Cycling is pleasant and the sea is calm for the Cham Islands.

June to August is hot, often above 35°C. Ride early or late in the day, and rest in the middle of the day.

September to December is the rainy season. Typhoons and heavy rain can flood the Old Town, especially in October and November. When this happens, locals move around by boat, and many streets become impassable for bikes and scooters. Check the forecast, and keep a rain poncho with you.

Practical Tips: Safety, Language, SIM Cards, and Heat

• Safety: Hoi An is generally safe. Keep phones and bags secure while riding, since snatch thefts from motorbikes occur. Use bike locks.
• Traffic: Be aware of motorbikes on narrow streets. Move predictably, and don’t make sudden stops.
• Tipping: Not expected, but rounding up a taxi fare or giving 20,000 to 50,000 VND to a good driver is appreciated.
• Language: Basic English works in tourist areas. Showing the address on your phone helps with drivers. Learning “cam on” (thank you) goes a long way.
• SIM cards: Buy a Viettel or Vinaphone SIM or eSIM at the airport or in town. A tourist data package costs roughly 100,000 to 250,000 VND ($4 to $10) and is essential for Grab.
• Water: Drink bottled or filtered water. Carry a refillable bottle in the heat.



• Midday break: Many local shops and small restaurants close between noon and 2 pm. Plan indoor activities or a rest during this time.

2026 Budget Breakdown: Daily Costs by Tier

These figures cover transport plus basic daily spending, based on typical 2026 prices. Exchange rates are about 26,000 VND to $1.

• Budget: 500,000 to 800,000 VND ($19 to $31) per day. Includes a dorm bed or simple guesthouse, a free or rented bicycle, street food, and occasional Grab bike rides.
• Mid-range: 1,200,000 to 2,500,000 VND ($46 to $96) per day. Includes a boutique hotel, a scooter or regular Grab rides, restaurant meals, and entry tickets.
• Comfortable: 3,500,000 to 6,000,000 VND ($135 to $230) per day. Includes a resort, private driver or car hire, fine dining, and guided tours.

Typical transport costs at a glance:

• Bicycle rental: 30,000 to 50,000 VND per day ($1.15 to $1.90)
• Scooter rental: 120,000 to 200,000 VND per day ($4.60 to $7.70)
• Grab bike in town: 20,000 to 40,000 VND ($0.80 to $1.50)
• Airport transfer: 350,000 to 450,000 VND ($13 to $17)
• Private driver for a day: 1,200,000 to 1,800,000 VND ($46 to $69)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hoi An walkable?

Yes, the Ancient Town is compact and mostly flat, and many streets close to motor traffic in the evening. The beaches and rice fields are 4 to 8 km away, so combine walking with a bicycle or a Grab ride. In summer heat, avoid long walks at midday.

How do I get from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An?

The easiest way is a Grab car or taxi, which takes 45 to 60 minutes and costs about 350,000 to 450,000 VND ($13 to $17). Many hotels also arrange transfers at similar prices. Public buses are cheaper but do not stop at the airport, so they take longer.

Can tourists rent a motorbike in Hoi An?

Yes, automatic scooters cost about 120,000 to 200,000 VND ($4.60 to $7.70) per day. You need a valid licence and an International Driving Permit recognised in Vietnam. Without them, you risk fines and invalid insurance. If you lack riding experience, use a bicycle or Grab instead.

Is Grab available in Hoi An?

Yes, Grab runs both cars and motorbikes in Hoi An and to nearby Da Nang. Short rides in town cost 20,000 to 40,000 VND by bike. Set pickup points outside the pedestrian streets of the Old Town, and expect waits of a few extra minutes in the evening or during rain.

Do I need a ticket to enter Hoi An Ancient Town?

Visitors are expected to buy an Ancient Town ticket, around 120,000 VND ($4.60), which covers a selection of heritage sites. Checks on the open streets are inconsistent, but they are strict at individual sites. Confirm the price and the list of included sites at a ticket booth when you arrive.

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📷 Featured image by Abe Bee on Unsplash.