There is no direct train from Hanoi to Hoi An. Take a southbound train from Hanoi to Da Nang, then continue to Hoi An by bus, shuttle or private transfer. For most travelers, the best choice is an overnight sleeper: you leave Hanoi in the evening, sleep for much of the journey and arrive in central Vietnam the following morning.
The Hanoi to Da Nang train takes about 15 hours 8 minutes to 16 hours 48 minutes. On the timetable checked for 30 September 2026, six trains served the route. Hoi An is roughly 30 km south of Da Nang and has no railway station, so the final road transfer is unavoidable.
Our recommendation: book SE3 if its 10:28 arrival works for you. It was the fastest train on the checked timetable, and the overnight timing avoids both a very early departure and a middle-of-the-night arrival. SE19 is another practical overnight option and uses upgraded rolling stock on the Hanoi–Da Nang route.
Hanoi to Hoi An and Da Nang: quick answer
| Journey | Best option | Typical time | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi to Da Nang | Overnight train | 15h08–16h48 | From 606,000 VND for a soft seat; sleepers from 886,000 VND |
| Da Nang to Hoi An | Pre-booked shuttle | About 45 minutes to 1h45 | From about US$5 |
| Da Nang to Hoi An | Public bus 02 | Varies by stop and traffic | 8,000–30,000 VND |
👉 Compare Hanoi to Da Nang trains, buses and flights on Bookaway
Hanoi to Da Nang train timetable 2026
These were the direct services shown by the official Vietnam Railways journey tool for Wednesday, 30 September 2026. All trains leave from Hanoi Railway Station and arrive at Da Nang Railway Station.
| Train | Hanoi departure | Da Nang arrival | Journey time | Useful for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE7 | 06:00 | 22:15 | 16h15 | Traveling entirely during the day |
| SE5 | 08:00 | 00:21 next day | 16h21 | Daytime scenery, but inconvenient arrival |
| SE9 | 13:00 | 05:48 next day | 16h48 | Early arrival in Da Nang |
| SE3 | 19:20 | 10:28 next day | 15h08 | Best overall overnight timing |
| SE19 | 19:45 | 11:35 next day | 15h50 | Upgraded overnight train |
| SE1 | 21:45 | 13:14 next day | 15h29 | Latest departure from Hanoi |
Train times checked on the official Vietnam Railways journey tool on 28 September 2026 for travel on 30 September 2026. Timetables can change around public holidays, engineering work and seasonal timetable updates. Confirm your date on dsvn.vn before travel.
How much is the train from Hanoi to Da Nang?
Vietnam Railways prices depend on the train, seat or berth type, booking date and position inside the carriage. The official fare tool showed the following adult prices for SE3 on 30 September 2026.
| Class | Official fare checked | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Soft seat | 606,000–688,000 VND | Reclining air-conditioned seat |
| Six-berth sleeper | 886,000–1,139,000 VND | Shared cabin with three bunks on each side |
| Four-berth sleeper | 1,212,000–1,331,000 VND | Shared cabin with two bunks on each side |
On SE19, four-berth sleepers were listed from 1,218,000 VND for an upper berth to 1,356,000 VND for certain lower-berth positions. A two-bed VIP compartment was listed at 2,641,000 VND. The official system states that fares include passenger insurance and may change with booking conditions.
A soft seat is the cheapest normal option, but this is a very long journey to spend sitting upright. For an overnight trip, a six-berth sleeper is the sensible budget choice. A four-berth cabin costs more but gives you extra space, fewer passengers and a quieter night.
Which Hanoi to Da Nang train is best?
Best overall: SE3
SE3 left Hanoi at 19:20 and arrived in Da Nang at 10:28 on the checked timetable. It was the fastest service that day and has the most useful timing for travelers continuing to Hoi An: you can have dinner before boarding, sleep overnight and reach Hoi An around lunchtime after the road transfer.
Best upgraded train: SE19
SE19 is the dedicated upgraded Hanoi–Da Nang service. It left at 19:45 and arrived at 11:35. Its four-berth and two-berth compartments cost more than the cheapest regular-train options, but it is worth comparing if comfort matters more than reaching Da Nang as early as possible.
Best for daylight scenery: SE7
SE7 covers the journey during the day, leaving at 06:00 and arriving at 22:15. You see more of the country, but you also lose a full sightseeing day and still arrive too late for a convenient public-bus connection to Hoi An.
Soft seat or sleeper: what should you book?
- Soft seat: cheapest practical ticket, but difficult to recommend for 15–17 hours unless your budget is extremely tight.
- Six-berth sleeper: best-value overnight option. Lower bunks are easier to access and usually cost more; upper bunks offer less headroom.
- Four-berth sleeper: best balance of comfort, privacy and cost for most international travelers.
- Two-berth VIP compartment: most private option where offered, but the price can approach or exceed the cost of flying.
Bedding is provided in sleeper cabins. Bring a light extra layer because air conditioning can feel cold overnight, plus earplugs and an eye mask if you are a light sleeper. Keep your passport, phone and money with you rather than in luggage stored away from the berth.
How to get from Hanoi to Hoi An by train
Hoi An has no railway station. The correct rail ticket is Hanoi to Da Nang, not Hanoi to Hoi An. Da Nang is the main station for travelers heading to Hoi An, and the final section is completed by road.
- Book a direct train from Hanoi Railway Station to Da Nang.
- Choose an arrival that matches your onward transfer. SE3 and SE19 arrive at convenient late-morning times.
- From Da Nang station, take a shuttle, private car or local transport to a stop served by public bus 02.
- Allow extra time between the scheduled train arrival and any separately booked transfer. Long-distance trains can run late.
Da Nang railway station to Hoi An
The easiest option with luggage is a pre-booked shuttle or private transfer. Bookaway showed frequent Da Nang–Hoi An services, with shuttles from about US$5 and journey times ranging from roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes depending on the operator, pickup point and stops.
👉 Check Da Nang to Hoi An shuttles, buses and private transfers on Bookaway
Public bus 02
Da Nang public bus route 02 connects the central Da Nang area with Hoi An bus station and continues toward Cua Dai. Official Danabus information checked in September 2026 listed service from 05:30 to 18:00, every 20–30 minutes, with fares from 8,000 to 30,000 VND. The route does not begin at the railway station, so check the closest usable stop or take a short local ride to meet it.
This is the cheapest transfer, but it is not the best choice after a late arrival. SE7 reaches Da Nang after the public service has finished, while SE5 arrives shortly after midnight.
Where do the trains leave and arrive?
Hanoi Railway Station
The main station is at 120 Lê Duẩn, west of Hanoi’s French Quarter and south-west of Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Check the station shown on your ticket rather than assuming every Hanoi train uses the same platform area. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure so you have time to find the correct carriage.
Da Nang Railway Station
Da Nang station is centrally located at 791 Hải Phòng. It is convenient for city stays, but Hoi An is a separate destination to the south. Agree on a pickup point carefully when booking a transfer: some operators collect at the station, while others use a city office, hotel or airport pickup point.
How to book the Hanoi to Da Nang train
- Search Hà Nội to Đà Nẵng on the official Vietnam Railways website at dsvn.vn.
- Compare the arrival time, not only the departure. A cheap train arriving after midnight can create an expensive or inconvenient Hoi An transfer.
- Select your exact seat or berth type. For overnight travel, choose a six-berth or four-berth air-conditioned sleeper.
- Enter passenger details exactly as shown on the passport used for travel.
- Keep the electronic ticket available offline on your phone and carry the matching identification document.
- Recheck the train number, station and departure time shortly before travel.
Popular lower berths and four-berth cabins can sell out before the rest of the train, especially around Vietnamese holidays and busy travel periods. Book once your date is fixed rather than waiting only to save a small amount.
Train vs bus vs flight from Hanoi
| Option | Main advantage | Main disadvantage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight train | Proper beds, central stations and useful morning arrivals | 15–17 hours | Travelers who value comfort and the experience |
| Sleeper bus | Often cheaper and some services continue directly to Hoi An | Less space, variable pickup points and road traffic | Lowest-cost direct journey |
| Flight to Da Nang | Fastest transport time | Airport transfers, check-in and baggage rules | Short trips where time matters most |
The train is not the fastest answer, but it is usually more comfortable than a long sleeper bus and avoids airport procedures. It also replaces one hotel night when you choose SE3, SE19 or SE1. If you only have a few days in Vietnam, flying to Da Nang is usually the rational choice.
What the overnight train is really like
Do not expect a luxury hotel room. Compartments are compact, corridors can be noisy and sleep quality depends partly on the people sharing the cabin. The advantage is space to lie flat, the ability to walk around and a much smoother overnight experience than spending the same time in a reclining bus seat.
Trains normally have toilets at the end of the carriage, basic washing facilities and onboard food or drink sales, but availability and quality vary. Bring water, simple food and toilet paper. Power access also varies by carriage, so charge your phone and carry a power bank.
Luggage, tickets and connectivity
Keep luggage compact enough to fit beneath the lower berth or in the racks inside the compartment. Do not block the corridor, and keep valuables in a small bag that stays with you. Download both the train ticket and transfer confirmation before boarding.
Mobile coverage can drop on rural and mountain sections. If you need data for station pickups, maps and messages, compare the options in our best eSIM for Vietnam guide before departure.
How this route fits into a Vietnam itinerary
A common north-to-central route is Hanoi, Ninh Binh, then Da Nang and Hoi An. If you are still planning the first half of the trip, see how to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. For a northern detour, compare our guides to Hanoi to Ha Long Bay and Hanoi to Sapa.
Vietnam is generally straightforward to travel independently, but traffic and petty theft require more attention than the train itself. Our Vietnam safety guide covers transport, scams, solo travel and emergency information.
FAQ
Is there a direct train from Hanoi to Hoi An?
No. Hoi An has no railway station. Take a direct Hanoi to Da Nang train, then continue to Hoi An by bus, shuttle or private transfer.
How long is the train from Hanoi to Da Nang?
The six trains checked for 30 September 2026 took between 15 hours 8 minutes and 16 hours 48 minutes. SE3 was the fastest on that timetable.
How much is a sleeper train from Hanoi to Da Nang?
On SE3, six-berth sleepers were listed from 886,000 VND and four-berth sleepers from 1,212,000 VND. Prices vary by train, bunk position and booking conditions.
What is the best overnight train from Hanoi to Da Nang?
SE3 has the best overall timing on the checked timetable, leaving Hanoi at 19:20 and reaching Da Nang at 10:28. SE19 is the main upgraded alternative and arrived at 11:35.
How do I get from Da Nang station to Hoi An?
A shuttle or private transfer is easiest with luggage. Public bus 02 is cheaper, but you must reach a stop on its route and travel during its operating hours.
Should I book a lower or upper sleeper berth?
Choose a lower berth for easier access, more headroom while seated and simpler luggage handling. Upper berths usually cost less but have less space and require climbing.
Is the Hanoi to Da Nang train worth it?
Yes, if you want an overnight journey, a proper bed and a more memorable experience than flying. If your itinerary is short and every hour matters, a flight to Da Nang is the better choice.
