312 km · the honest version
Phong Nha to Da Nang
Often the next stop on a beach-and-bridge trip down the coast, or the last leg before flying out.
The short answer
Sleeper bus, or the train via Dong Hoi for the coastal scenery on the Hai Van Pass.
Every way to do it
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeper bus | 7 to 8 hours | around $11 to $22 | — |
| Train | 1 hour transfer + 5 hours train | around $20 to $40 | The Hai Van Pass section is some of the prettiest train track in Vietnam. |
| Private car | 5 to 6 hours | from around $140 per car | — |
| Flight from Dong Hoi | 45 min transfer + 1h flight | around $50 to $150 | Daily, useful if onward connections matter. |
Times and prices checked June 2026, refreshed quarterly.
On arrival in Da Nang
Stay 2 to 3 nights for the Marble Mountains, My Khe Beach and the Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills, or transit straight to Hoi An.
Common questions
How do you get from Phong Nha to Da Nang?
Sleeper bus is the cheap default, 7 to 8 hours from around $11. The train from Dong Hoi takes about 5 hours and is far prettier, especially the Hai Van Pass section.
What time does the Phong Nha to Da Nang sleeper bus leave?
Most departures are between 5pm and 7pm from Son Trach, getting you into Da Nang around 1am to 3am. Pick a hostel with 24-hour check-in or book a daytime bus if you'd rather not arrive in the dark.
Is the train from Dong Hoi to Da Nang better than the bus?
For scenery, yes. The 5-hour ride hugs the coast and crosses the Hai Van Pass with views you simply don't get from the highway. Book a soft seat by the window on the SE series, around $20 to $40 (prices checked June 2026).
Can you connect Phong Nha straight to a Da Nang flight?
Possible but tight. The morning bus from Son Trach gets in mid-afternoon. For an evening flight that's fine, for anything earlier fly out of Dong Hoi instead, far less stressful.
Before you leave
Caves to fit in first
Going somewhere else?
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