Mui Ne to Hoi An tickets

About the ride from Mui Ne to Hoi An

 

Traveling by bus through Vietnam is a classic Southeast Asia backpacker experience. You’ll pass by loads of places you wouldn’t otherwise see if you were staying in one spot, and you’ll also get the chance to meet lots of fellow travelers along the way. Let’s get going!

The 725 kilometers (450 miles) distance from Mui Ne to Hoi An, for example, is a well-known bus route. In fact, the type of bus we recommend is actually a sleeper bus. This means the seats recline horizontally, and you get a cozy blanket to keep you warm as you curl up.

Air-conditioning on sleeper buses is on all the time. It can be a blessing and a curse. Just make sure to pack a warm sweater rather than sticking to beachwear for the journey. Also, eye masks, earplugs, and sleep cushions are all worth adding to your hand luggage.

The sleeper bus service organized by Hanh Café also includes snacks and drinks. It takes 13-hours to get from Mui Ne to Hoi An, which includes a two-hour rest stop in Nha Trang—don’t forget your swimmers. Comfort breaks will also be made on either side of Nha Trang.

Tickets for this particular sleeper bus start from as little as US$19. This one-way service leaves from the company office in Mui Ne and arrives at Hanh Café bus station in Hoi An. Buses are clean, comfortable and well maintained. You’re in safe hands. 

Bus transport from Mui Ne to Hoi An tends to depart just after midday and arrive very early the next morning. Anticipate a bleary-eyed where am I vibe. Booking accommodation in Hoi An in advance is the best way to avoid getting taken for a ride by hotel touts at 2 am.

If you’d prefer to take the train on this route, it’s possible to do so. However, it’s a slightly more convoluted experience. Basically, it involves taking a taxi to Muong Mai from Mui Ne before jumping on the train to Da Nang and then getting a taxi to Hoi An.

It's a much more expensive option. Train tickets start from around US$65, and then you’ve got the taxi fares on top. Also, it takes longer by train. So, we can confidently say that train travel is not the best way to get from Mui Ne to Hoi An. 

 

What to see when traveling from Mui Ne to Hoi An

You’ll actually get to see a fair bit on this route. It’s a long journey and also includes a two-and-a-half-hour stopover in Nha Trang. That’s good news for anyone that fancies a bit of beach time four hours into the trip. 

It's mainly a coastal road, so keep a lookout for several seaside towns and smaller fishing villages along the way. You’ll also be following the main highway north, which generally features the usual merry-go-round of trucks, buses, cars and motor scooters. 

There may be a chance to see the sun go down across the South China Sea, always a highlight, but don’t bank on it because you could be further inland depending on how fast your bus is going. 

As night falls, brightly-colored markets and street food stalls begin to border the road. Neon shop signs and well-lit service stations will then guide your way through to Hoi An. The 2 am arrival in the dark can be bewildering, but it’s all in the adventure, right?

 

How to get from Mui Ne to Hoi An

Taking a sleeper bus from Mui Ne to Hoi An 

The best way to travel from Mui Ne to Hoi An is by sleeper bus. Buses are organized by the well-established local company, Hanh Café. Tickets are very affordable and include comfortable reclining seats as well as a well-stocked snack and drinks basket.

There’s one departure each day that rides through the afternoon and into the night. Comfort breaks will be made at service stations along the way, including a two-hour break in Nha Trang for some well-deserved rest and recreation on the white sand beaches. 

 

Taking a train from Mui Ne to Hoi An 

If you’re wondering, how do I get from Mui Ne to Hoi An by train? Please don’t. It is possible, but it takes forever and includes a couple of taxi rides rather than a direct rail route. So, it ends up being time-consuming and expensive.

Sleeper buses are far more fun but just make sure to have your accommodation in Hoi An booked in advance. There’s nothing fun about turning up at two in the morning and being bombarded with touts trying to take you to their hotel.