Hoi An Airport Guide

Hoi An Airport Guide

Everything you need to know about Da Nang International Airport — Grab to Hoi An, hotel shuttles, bus options, SIM cards, and essential arrival advice

Da Nang International Airport (DAD) is your gateway to Hoi An. Located 30 km north of the Ancient Town, the journey takes 30-45 minutes by car. Grab Car is the recommended transfer option at 250,000-350,000₫ — cheaper and more transparent than taxis. Many hotels also offer free or low-cost shuttle transfers if arranged in advance.

Da Nang Airport serves major carriers including Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways, and international connections from Singapore, Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, and other Asian hubs. The airport has both domestic and international terminals with modern facilities. This guide covers everything you need for a smooth transfer to Hoi An.

Airport Overview

Arrivals

Arriving at DAD

  • Terminals: International (T2) and Domestic (T1) are separate but connected buildings within the same complex
  • Visa on arrival: Process at the VOA counter before immigration — can take 30-60 minutes. E-visa holders proceed directly to immigration
  • Baggage claim: Usually 20-30 minutes after landing. The airport is efficient compared to larger Vietnamese airports
  • Arrivals hall: SIM cards, currency exchange, ATMs, and tourist information available after customs
  • Tip: Connect to free airport Wi-Fi immediately to book a Grab before heading outside
Key Airlines

Airlines Serving DAD

  • Vietnam Airlines: National flag carrier with flights from Hanoi, Saigon, and international routes
  • VietJet Air: Budget carrier with cheap domestic and regional flights
  • Bamboo Airways: Growing carrier with competitive prices and good service
  • International: Singapore Airlines, AirAsia, Korean Air, Jin Air, Thai AirAsia
  • Seasonal: Additional international routes from China, Japan, and Southeast Asia during peak season
  • Tip: VietJet and Bamboo offer the cheapest domestic flights — book luggage in advance for best rates

Airport to Hoi An Journey

The 30 km drive from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An follows the coast road south through Da Nang city, past the Marble Mountains, and along the coast to Hoi An. The journey is scenic with ocean views. Traffic is generally manageable — lighter than Saigon or Hanoi. Rush hour in Da Nang (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM) can add 10-15 minutes. For departures back to the airport, allow 60 minutes total including buffer time.

Airport to Hoi An Transport

Grab Car

Recommended
Price: 250,000-350,000 VND to Hoi An
Time: 30-45 minutes

Pros

  • + Best value for convenience — cheaper than taxis
  • + Air-conditioned comfort with fixed pricing
  • + GPS-tracked with driver details visible
  • + Card payment available — no cash needed
  • + Available 24/7 at the airport

Cons

  • - Needs data or airport Wi-Fi to book
  • - Wait times can be 5-15 minutes at peak arrivals
  • - Price varies with demand — can surge during busy periods
  • - Need to walk to designated Grab pickup area

Hotel Shuttle

Convenient
Price: Free-300,000 VND
Time: 30-45 minutes

Pros

  • + Often free for stays of 2+ nights
  • + No app or cash needed on arrival
  • + Driver meets you at arrivals with name sign
  • + Comfortable and stress-free after a flight
  • + Can arrange in advance when booking accommodation

Cons

  • - Must be arranged in advance — not available on arrival
  • - Fixed schedule — may need to wait for driver
  • - Some hotels charge more than Grab for the service
  • - Not available at all properties — check when booking

Yellow Bus #1

Budget
Price: 30,000 VND to Hoi An
Time: 60-90 minutes

Pros

  • + By far the cheapest option — 30,000 VND
  • + Air-conditioned with luggage space
  • + Drops in central Hoi An near the Ancient Town
  • + No app or data needed — pay conductor on board
  • + Regular departures throughout the day

Cons

  • - Slowest option — 60-90 minutes with stops through Da Nang
  • - Fixed route with many stops — not door-to-door
  • - Can be confusing for first-time visitors
  • - Crowded with luggage during peak hours
  • - Limited evening service

Private Transfer

Convenient
Price: 350,000-500,000 VND
Time: 30-45 minutes

Pros

  • + Pre-booked with fixed price — no surprises
  • + Driver meets you at arrivals with name sign
  • + Comfortable vehicles, often newer models
  • + Good for groups or families with luggage
  • + Can be booked through your hotel or online

Cons

  • - Most expensive option — 350,000-500,000 VND
  • - Must be arranged in advance
  • - Some operators charge for waiting time if flight is delayed
  • - Grab is usually cheaper for the same journey

Taxi (Mai Linh)

Budget
Price: 300,000-400,000 VND to Hoi An
Time: 30-45 minutes

Pros

  • + No app or advance booking needed
  • + Available at official rank outside arrivals
  • + Good for late-night arrivals when Grab wait times are long
  • + Handles heavy luggage easily
  • + Metered — Mai Linh is a trusted company

Cons

  • - More expensive than Grab — 300,000-400,000 VND
  • - Only use Mai Linh (green) — other companies may overcharge
  • - Some drivers may suggest inflated fixed prices
  • - Avoid taxi touts inside the terminal

Airport Facilities

SIM Cards & Connectivity

  • Free Wi-Fi: Available throughout the airport — connect and book your Grab ride before heading outside
  • SIM cards: Viettel, Mobifone, and Vinaphone counters in arrivals. Tourist SIMs: 150,000-300,000₫ for 15-30 days
  • City SIM cards: 50-60% cheaper at shops in Hoi An (70,000-100,000₫). Buy at airport only if you need data immediately for Grab
  • Tip: You need data for Grab and Google Maps. Either buy at airport or use Wi-Fi to book your first ride

Currency & Money

  • Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND). Large denominations — 500,000₫ is the largest note (about $20 USD)
  • Airport exchange: Available but rates are poor — exchange minimal amounts or skip entirely
  • ATMs: Multiple ATMs in arrivals. Vietcombank and BIDV have the lowest fees. Withdraw 2,000,000-5,000,000₫ to start
  • Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted at most Hoi An hotels and restaurants. Cash needed for street food, markets, and small shops
  • Tip: Carry cash for your first day — many small Hoi An restaurants and street stalls are cash-only

Pro Tips for Arrival

Arrange Your Transfer in Advance

The easiest arrival experience is to arrange a hotel shuttle transfer when you book your accommodation. Many properties offer free airport pickup for stays of 2 or more nights. Your driver will meet you at arrivals with a name sign — no apps, no cash, no stress. If your hotel does not offer this, download Grab before your flight and book from the airport Wi-Fi.

Late Night Arrivals

Da Nang Airport handles international flights that arrive late at night. Grab is available 24/7 though wait times may be longer after midnight. Hotel shuttles can be arranged for any arrival time if booked in advance. The yellow bus does not run late at night. Taxi is a reliable late-night option — use Mai Linh (green) only. The 30-minute drive to Hoi An at night is quiet and fast with no traffic.

Avoid Taxi Touts

Unofficial taxi touts inside and outside the arrivals hall may approach you offering rides to Hoi An at inflated prices (500,000-700,000₫). Politely decline and either use Grab, the official Mai Linh taxi rank, or your pre-arranged hotel shuttle. The official taxi rank is clearly signposted outside arrivals. Never agree to an unmarked vehicle.

Departure Tips

For departures from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport, allow 60-75 minutes total including the 30-45 minute drive and airport check-in. Rush hour in Da Nang can add time. Use Grab Car (250,000-350,000₫) for the most reliable and affordable transfer. Arrive 2.5-3 hours before international flights and 1.5-2 hours before domestic flights. The duty-free shops have Vietnamese coffee and crafts — good last-minute souvenirs.

Hoi An Airport FAQs

The most popular option is Grab Car (250,000-350,000 VND, 30-45 minutes). Many hotels offer free or low-cost shuttle transfers — arrange in advance when booking. Private transfers cost 350,000-500,000 VND. Taxis (Mai Linh) cost 300,000-400,000 VND. The cheapest option is the yellow #1 bus (30,000 VND, but slow at 60-90 minutes with stops). Grab is recommended as the best balance of cost and convenience.
Da Nang International Airport (DAD) is approximately 30 km south of Hoi An. The journey takes 30-45 minutes by car depending on traffic. The route follows the coast road through Da Nang city and past the Marble Mountains. Traffic is generally lighter than in major cities. Rush hour in Da Nang (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM) can add 10-15 minutes.
Grab Car is recommended — it costs 250,000-350,000 VND versus 300,000-400,000 VND for taxis, with transparent pricing and GPS tracking. Download Grab before your flight and connect to the airport Wi-Fi to book. The Grab pickup zone is outside the arrivals terminal. If Grab is unavailable, use only Mai Linh (green) taxis and insist on the meter.
Yes — many hotels and homestays in Hoi An offer airport pickup from Da Nang. Some include it free for stays of 2+ nights, others charge 100,000-300,000 VND. Luxury resorts typically provide complimentary transfers in comfortable vehicles. Arrange your transfer when booking your accommodation. It is often the most convenient option, especially after a long flight, though Grab is usually cheaper.
Yes. SIM card counters from Viettel, Mobifone, and Vinaphone are in the arrivals hall. Tourist SIM cards cost 150,000-300,000 VND for 15-30 days with data. Airport SIMs cost more than city shops (70,000-100,000 VND in town). If you need data immediately for Grab, buy at the airport. Otherwise, wait and buy in Hoi An — Viettel and Mobifone shops are on the main roads near the Ancient Town.

Get Your Free Travel Guide

PDF download + weekly travel tips

Join our community and get a comprehensive travel guide with maps, budgets, and insider tips delivered to your inbox.

Unsubscribe anytime. No spam, we promise.