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Region: Central Vietnam> Province: Da Nang> Location: Da Nang

Getting There and Away

Air

Da Nang is served by both Vietnam Airlines and Pacific Airways, with regular flights to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Qui Nhon, Nha Trang and Buon Ma Thuot. International flights to Bangkok (PB Air) and Singapore (Silk Air) are also available.

Train

Probably the best way to get to and from Da Nang is via the centrally-located train station on Hai Phong St. The ticket office is open from 03:00 to 19:30 daily, T: (0511) 823 810.

To Hue, Hanoi and Saigon
Odd-numbered trains head north, even-numbered trains head south. The TN trains are slower but still good value. Finally, the SH (shuttle trains) go between Hue and Saigon -- they're slow as you can go, making all local stops, and not that much cheaper than a hard seat. Recommended only if you must get off the train at a stop not on the main line. Refer to our Vietnam Railway timetable in the Member Centre for timetable and pricing information.

Bus

Da Nang Central Bus Station (Ben Xe Tam Da Nang) T: (0511) 767 678-9
Da Nang's new bus station is located on Dien Bien Phu after it turns into Highway 1A. The simplest way to get there from the river is to take Quang Trang west, which turns into Tran Cao Van, veers left and meets up with Dien Bien Phu. Take a right and the station is 2.5 kilometres down on the left. This is where the local spur of the railway line intersects with Highway 1A just where it takes a sharp elbow turn, and traffic here is madness, so if you go out to the station by motorbike, use caution.

The bus station is one of the busiest in Vietnam outside Hanoi and Saigon. Both the north and the south of the country are serviced from the same terminal, and there are numerous departures for all domestic routes from very early morning until late at night. The exception would be international departures to Laos, but otherwise you don't really need to book ahead -- just show up and buy a ticket for the next bus. First and second class fares are available for many routes, and will buy you a more comfortable, less crowded ride.

Services within Vietnam
Gia Lai: 60,000 VND (ordinary), 80,000 VND (2nd class), 120,000 VND (first class). Takes 10 hours.
Kon Tum: 55,000 VND (ordinary), 85,000 VND (2nd class), 5 hours.
Buon Ma Thuot: 85,000 VND (ordinary), 120,000 VND (2nd class), 155,000 VND (first class). Takes 14 hours.
Quang Ngai: 25,000 VND (ordinary), 30,000 VND (2nd class). Takes 3 hours.
Qui Nhon: 50,000 VND (ordinary), 65,000 VND (2nd class). Takes 6 hours.
Ho Chi Minh City: 162,000 VND (ordinary), 216,000 VND (2nd class). Takes 16 hours.
Da Lat: 120,000 VND (ordinary). Takes 12 hours.
Nha Trang: 100,000 VND (ordinary). Takes 10 hours.
Vinh: 74,000 VND (ordinary), 95,000 VND (2nd class).
Hue: 22,000 VND (ordinary), 28,000 VND (2nd class).
Dong Hoi: 40,000 VND (ordinary), 56,000 VND (2nd class).
Hanoi: 110,000 VND (ordinary), 150,000 VND (2nd class), 200,000 VND (first class). Takes 14 hours

Services to Laos
Pakse: 170,000 VND. Departs at: 06:30 daily. Takes 15 hours.
Savannakhet: 118,000 VND. Departs at: 20:00, Monday, Wednesday, Sunday. Takes 12 hours.
Tha Khaek: 196,000 VND. Departs at: 06:00, Tuesday, Thursday. Takes 16 hours.
Vientiane: 230,000 VND. Departs at: 14:00 and 15:30, except Sundays. Takes 20 + hours.

Mailinh Express T: (0511) 767 399, (08) 929 2929.
This private company has a fleet of clean, green 16-passanger vans, that accommodate one person per seat and no more! They'll shave some time off your trip, but they do this by driving like mad, so it can make for a hairy ride.

Ho Chi Minh City: 254,000 VND. Departs at: 11:30, 14:30, 17:00.
Buon Ma Thuot: 165,000 VND. Departs at: 08:00, 16:00, 17:00.
Dong Hoi: 65,000 VND. Departs at: 08:00, 08:30, 14:30, 15:00.
Gia Lai: 130,000 VND. Departs at: 09:00, 13:30.

Other

To/From Hoi An
Most travellers skip Da Nang in favour of Hoi An, but a plucky few make the effort to do both. Renting a motorbike from one city or the other and returning it makes sense -- it's easy enough to find onward transport from either place. Otherwise, many travellers settle on a taxi for about 270,000 VND, or a moto-taxi for 150,000.

Getting Around

There are plenty of xe-om in Da Nang, especially outside the better hotels. Rides around town and down to My Khe Beach should be a dollar or less. While it's fun to wander around Da Nang, it's a big city, so if you're headed somewhere specific, you'll have to rely heavily on xe-om and regular taxis.

There are many taxi services in town which should charge 7,500 VND per kilometre plus a small fee when you step in the cab. They seem to be pretty good about using the metres too.

Mailinh: (0511) 525 252
Huong Lua: (0511) 828 282
Song Han: (0511) 656 565
Airport Taxi: (0511) 272 727.

Local buses leave from the bus station and cruise the city to pick up passengers on their way to Hoi An, 15,000 VND. Look for the bus stop signs in the city.

To/From the aiport
Many hotels offer airport transport for an additional fee, or sometimes free, when you book a room, so be sure to ask. A taxi from the airport into Da Nang should run about 60,000 VND, but taxis stranded at the airport after dropping off passengers are looking at driving back empty and may cut you a deal. A xe-om should be US$2.

To/From the Train Station, Downtown Danang
Da Nang's train station is centrally located, and it makes sense to head here if you can't get the rates below elsewhere in town:
To airport: 60,000 VND (taxi), 15,000 VND (xe-om).
To bus station: 50,000 VND (taxi), 20,000 VND (xe-om).
To China Beach: 140,000 VND (taxi), 35,000 VND (xe-om).

Motorbike Rentals
Rentals are available throughout town, though the signs aren't always in English: look for the words 'cho thue xe may'. The easiest option to go to Minh Travel and sort something out there: one day, 80,000 VND, Overnight, 100,000.