Flowing Firm’s Budget Guide for Getting from Da Nang to Hoi An

It might be frustrating for a digital nomad (or any traveler) to find an affordable vehicle for getting from Da Nang to Hoi An.

Ok, a taxi might be affordable to somebody when taking Vietnamese cost-level into account. If you grab a taxi from downtown Da Nang to Hoi An, you should expect to pay around 450 000 Vietnamese Dongs (around $20). That’s not a much if you’re traveling, let’s say, with a group of four travelers.

But why should you pay $20 when you can get a yellow bus from Da Nang to Hoi An paying as low as 20 000 dongs ($1) per person? If you want to know more about getting from Da Nang to Hoi An with a yellow bus, just read through this article.

1. Take a look at Google with keywords “from Da Nang to Hoi An with yellow bus”

First, you can find necessary information about getting from Da Nang to Hoi An with a yellow bus from Google first page. There is a Google Map showing the bus line between Da Nang and Hoi An when scrolling down the page. According to the map, there are only three bus stops in downtown Da Nang if you want to get into the bus. All of them are very near to each other close to the train station.

Nevertheless, there are countless of bus stops during the bus line. You can see blue stop signs with Hoi An text in it. The yellow bus will slow down at the bus stops and pulls over if there are people standing next to it.

These bus stops will come more than handy if you’re staying at an accommodation near the My Khe or Non Nuac beaches instead of Da Nang city center. You don’t have to grab a taxi costing 50 000 dongs or more, neither to walk 30 minutes from your beachfront hotel in downtown Da Nang in order to get one of these yellow buses. In addition, yellow buses depart every 20-30 minutes from Da Nang to Hoi An from 5.30 am to 5.30 pm.

Ok, the following guidance about paying the bus fare is very important after getting into the yellow bus from Da Nang to Hoi An.

2. Wave for a signal in order to stop yellow bus from Da Nang to Hoi An

When you notice the yellow bus getting closer to the bus stop, you can wave for a signal. This might be unnecessary because the conductor will shout and ask for you whether you want to hop in or not.

After getting into the bus, make sure you keep your backpacks with you or at least very close to you. In this point, the conductor will approach you and asks money for the ticket. Make sure you have 20 000 dongs easily to give him, most preferably in one bill. The local people pay for the trip from Da Nang to Hoi An around 8000 to 15 000 dongs depending on where they hop into the bus and hop off. With that being said, 20 000 dongs is more than reasonable amount to pay as a foreigner.

Note: They will also ask sometimes for you to pay 10 000 dongs extra from your backpacks. That’s nonsense as well.

In our case, the conductor tried to kick me out from the yellow bus when offering him 20 000 dongs. I think he asked 50 000 dongs or so, couldn’t hear that clearly. He grabbed (gently though) from my arm and pointed the door like I should jump out all the time moving vehicle. If you’ll get the same kind of treatment, do not get angry or give more money. They will ease off after noticing that you won’t give them more money and know how the procedure works. They might not actually ask you the money until the bus has reached the destination. The reason for this is to enable them to use the same tricks to other travelers. If someone sees you hand them 20 000 dongs, why would they pay more?

Of course, you should exchange information with fellow travelers if possible.

There are two really bumpy places when yellow buses are driving the road between Da Nang and Hoi An. These spots are near to Hoi An and very close together. You will notice this upcoming first pothole when the driver slows the bus down so make sure to hold of your backpacks!

3. Final stop at the Hoi An bus station

When the yellow bus from Da Nang to Hoi An reaches its destination, you will get off at Hoi An bus station. It locates outside of city center and ancient city. We booked our accommodation, Quynh Nhan Homestay, very close from the bus station in order to walk easily there with our big backpacks. Their guest house is very comfy with big rooms and great English speaking service. Services include free bike rental enabling you to get fast to the old city and cheap restaurant among others.

If you want to get your accommodation closer to the city center, you can grab a regular or a motorbike taxi from the bus station with low prices. Remember to bargain from everything when in Vietnam, though.

Now, when we have guided you safely from Da Nang to Hoi An by yellow bus, it’s time to share our time in this picturesque little town during the next blog post.