Phu Quoc to Hoi An – Travel guide, ticket prices & practical tips

Phu Quoc and Hoi An are two of Vietnam’s most famous destinations, each offering its own unique charm. However, traveling between them isn’t always straightforward due to the long distance and limited direct flights. In this article, you’ll find all available travel options from Phu Quoc to Hoi An, including direct flights, connections via Ho Chi Minh City, trains, and ferries, along with updated ticket prices and practical tips based on real travel experience to help make your journey smooth and stress-free.

Overview of distance and travel time from Phu Quoc to Hoi An

The distance from Phu Quoc to Hoi An is quite far, as Phu Quoc is located in the far south while Hoi An is in central Vietnam. In a straight line (“as the crow flies”), the two locations are about 1,100-1,130 km apart. In reality, since Phu Quoc is an island, travelers must combine different modes of transport such as ferries, speedboats, and buses or cars to reach the mainland, then continue through the Mekong Delta and Central Vietnam to Da Nang before finally arriving in Hoi An, making the actual travel distance around 1,200-1,300 km.

There are several popular ways to travel from Phu Quoc to Hoi An:

• Option 1: Phu Quoc → Da Nang → Hoi An

This option is commonly chosen because it is fast and simple. The flight distance from Phu Quoc to Da Nang is about 1,127 km, and the direct flight takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. However, most flights from Phu Quoc to Da Nang require a stopover (usually in Ho Chi Minh City), so the total travel time from departure to arrival in Da Nang is usually around 3 hours 45 minutes – 4 hours 10 minutes. 

After arriving in Da Nang, the distance to Hoi An is about 25-30 km, taking an additional 40-50 minutes by taxi, shuttle, or motorbike. In total, this flight + road option allows travelers to reach Hoi An from Phu Quoc in approximately 5-6 hours.

Besides flying, travelers can also combine a ferry from Phu Quoc to Rach Gia or Ha Tien, then continue by bus or sleeper bus to Da Nang, and finally reach Hoi An. This option is cheaper but takes longer; the total travel time by ferry + bus can be around 20-25 hours, depending on ferry schedules and bus speed.

• Option 2: Phu Quoc → Ho Chi Minh City → Da Nang → Hoi An

This option is suitable for travelers who want flexible flight times or cheaper fares. You can fly from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City, rest if needed, then continue by flight or bus to Da Nang, and finally travel to Hoi An. The flight distance from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City is about 350 km, taking roughly 50 minutes – 1 hour, from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang is approximately 960 km, with a flight time of 1 hour 45 minutes – 2 hours. 

Including transfer waiting time, total travel can take around 5-6 hours if flying efficiently. If traveling by ferry + bus from Phu Quoc → mainland → Ho Chi Minh City → Da Nang → Hoi An, the total travel time can reach 28-32 hours.

Apart from these two main options, there are also routes entirely by ferry and road: take a ferry from Phu Quoc to the mainland, then continue by intercity bus or private car all the way to Hoi An. This option is suitable for travelers who enjoy road trips, exploring local towns along the way, or want to save on costs. However, it is time-consuming and requires careful planning of rest stops.

With these various options, travelers can choose based on their priorities: speed, cost, experience, or comfort. Understanding these routes helps plan a smoother and more enjoyable trip from Phu Quoc to Hoi An.

Read more: Hoi An or Phu Quoc – Which destination is right for you?

Direct flight from Phu Quoc to Da Nang and transfer to Hoi An

If you want to save travel time from Phu Quoc to Hoi An, taking a direct flight to Da Nang and then continuing by road to Hoi An is the most convenient option. The departure airport is Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC), located right on the island, making it easy to reach before your flight. The destination is Da Nang International Airport (DAD), situated in the center of Da Nang, about 25-30 km from Hoi An – a distance that can be easily covered by taxi, shuttle, or motorbike after landing.

Currently, the direct flight from PQC to DAD is operated by VietJet Air. A non-stop flight usually takes around 1 hour 35 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes, meaning you can leave Phu Quoc in the morning and arrive in Da Nang early, then continue on to Hoi An the same day.

Regarding costs, ticket prices vary depending on booking time and promotions. On average, one-way fares start from approximately 858,000 VND for budget tickets and typically range between 1,300,000 – 1,520,000 VND depending on the seat class and timing of booking.

This option saves a significant amount of time compared to taking ferries and buses or multiple connecting flights. After landing in Da Nang, the additional 40-50 minutes of travel to Hoi An makes it very convenient to reach your destination quickly while staying comfortable for your journey.

After landing in Da Nang, you can reach Hoi An by taxi, shuttle bus, or motorbike. The trip covers about 25-30 km and usually takes 40-60 minutes by taxi or private car, with fares around 350,000-500,000 VND, while shuttle buses cost approximately 120,000-200,000 VND per person and take about 60-90 minutes. For a more convenient and stress-free option, Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness offers a free shuttle bus service from Da Nang Airport straight to your accommodation, making your journey to Hoi An effortless and comfortable.

Transit flight from Phu Quoc via Ho Chi Minh City (PQC → SGN → DAD → Hoi An)

If a direct flight from Phu Quoc to Da Nang does not fit your schedule, you can choose a transit flight via Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) before continuing to Hoi An. This option offers more flexibility in flight times or allows a stopover in Ho Chi Minh City if desired, but the total travel time will be longer and it is not necessarily cheaper than a direct flight.

The departure airport is still Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC), the transit airport is Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City, and the destination is Da Nang International Airport (DAD).

Total flight time (excluding layover at SGN) is about 2 hours 40 minutes – 3 hours, plus layover time depending on the connecting flight schedule. After landing in Da Nang, you can continue to Hoi An by taxi, shuttle bus, or motorbike.

Traveling by train (Combined route: Phu Quoc → Ho Chi Minh City → Tra Kieu → Hoi An)

If you cannot find a direct flight from Phu Quoc to Da Nang, or if you simply plan to stop in Ho Chi Minh City, combining flight/ferry to HCMC and then continuing by train to Tra Kieu Station is a practical and flexible option. Although it is not as fast as flying directly, this route allows you to secure tickets more easily and experience Vietnam’s North-South railway along the way.

From Phu Quoc, you have two main ways to reach Ho Chi Minh City. The fastest and most convenient is flying from Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) to Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN), which takes only about 1 hour. Airfare currently ranges from ~655,000 to 780,000 VND per one-way ticket depending on the airline and booking time.
If you prefer a more economical option, you can take a ferry/high-speed boat to the mainland (Rach Gia or Ha Tien) with fares from ~411,000 to 456,000 VND, then catch a bus onward to Ho Chi Minh City.

From Ho Chi Minh City, you can board the North-South Reunification Express and ride toward Da Nang/Quang Nam, getting off at Tra Kieu Station, the closest train station to Hoi An (about 35-40 km away). Currently, trains operating from Saigon to Tra Kieu include SE10 and SE22, with travel times around 17-18 hours over a distance of more than 930 km. Updated soft-seat A/C ticket prices start from ~994,000 VND per person.

Read more: Tra Kieu station – The perfect stop on your North-South train journey to discover Hoi An

Train schedule: Saigon → Tra Kieu:

Once you arrive at Tra Kieu Station, you can take a taxi, private car, or motorbike to reach Hoi An in 45-55 minutes. The transfer typically costs 350,000-420,000 VND per car.

Travel tips from Phu Quoc to Hoi An 

The most important tip when traveling from Phu Quoc to Hoi An is not to rely on always finding a direct flight, because the PQC → DAD route is quite limited and tickets often sell out early during peak season. If you want to secure a seat and get a good price, book as early as possible, ideally 2-4 weeks in advance.

If you cannot find a direct flight, be flexible and take the route PQC → Ho Chi Minh City → Da Nang/Hoi An. Although this is longer, flights between Phu Quoc and Ho Chi Minh City have many options, prices are stable, and tickets rarely sell out. The key is to plan your connection times carefully, avoiding booking two flights too close together because weather in Phu Quoc can sometimes affect departure times.

If you plan to travel by train, remember that this route only starts from Ho Chi Minh City and takes quite a long time (17-18 hours). This option is suitable if you enjoy the experience, want to rest on the train, or plan to visit Ho Chi Minh City for 1-2 days before continuing. It’s recommended to choose SE trains, as they are more reliable and run on time.

Once you arrive in Da Nang, traveling to Hoi An is very simple: taxis, ride-hailing services, and shuttle buses are all available. However, during airport peak hours, prices may rise slightly; therefore, if you want to save money, choose a shuttle bus or shared car, which costs only about one-third of a taxi fare.

Finally, always double-check your luggage, the weather in Phu Quoc, and the time needed to reach the airport before your first flight. Phu Quoc sometimes experiences heavy rain making roads slippery, so it’s recommended to add an extra 20-30 minutes to avoid missing your flight, especially when connecting through Ho Chi Minh City.

There are multiple ways to travel from Phu Quoc to Hoi An, each with its own advantages and trade-offs in terms of time, cost, and experience. Choosing the right route based on your schedule and budget will help you save time, reduce expenses, and enjoy your journey to the fullest. Consider the information in this guide carefully and make arrangements for transportation from Da Nang to Hoi An to ensure a convenient and hassle-free trip.