How to Get from Hanoi to Nha Trang: All Ways

The distance between Hanoi and Nha Trang is about 1300 kilometers. That's a lot, so traveling between these cities is a journey in itself. We have traveled this and many other routes across Vietnam by various means of transport, and now we will tell you in detail about all the advantages, disadvantages, and pitfalls of each option.

Brief Comparison of All Ways

By Plane ✈️

This is undoubtedly the fastest and most comfortable way. Direct flights from Hanoi (Noi Bai Airport, HAN) to Nha Trang (Cam Ranh Airport, CXR) are operated by Vietnamese airlines Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and Bamboo Airways. Flight time is about 1 hour 40 minutes.

What to consider:

• Airports are far from city centers. From central Hanoi to Noi Bai Airport — about 45 km and 40-60 minutes by taxi (from 250,000 VND / 9.5 USD) or 1.5 hours by bus #86 (45,000 VND / 1.71 USD). More about Hanoi Airport.
• From Cam Ranh Airport to central Nha Trang — about 30-40 km, 40-60 minutes by taxi (from 400,000 VND / 15.2 USD) or by shuttle bus (65,000 VND / 2.47 USD).
• The cost of taxis and time for transfers should be added to the total travel time and budget.

Air Ticket Prices and How to Buy

Prices fluctuate greatly depending on the season, day of the week, and departure time. The most expensive tickets are for morning and evening flights during the high season (December-January, Vietnamese New Year Tet). Vietjet is the cheapest, but they often have delays and include less baggage in the fare.

It's most convenient to check prices and buy tickets through aggregators:

ЦЕНА	ПЕРЕСАДКИ	АВИАКОМПАНИЯ	ДАТА ВЫЛЕТА	ДАТА ВОЗВРАЩЕНИЯ
Купить от 11191 ₽	Без пересадок		01.07.2026	11.07.2026
Купить от 11191 ₽	Без пересадок		01.07.2026	11.07.2026
Купить от 11307 ₽	Без пересадок		02.08.2026	13.08.2026

How to Get from Cam Ranh Airport to Nha Trang

We covered this in detail in the Nha Trang guide, but let's repeat the main points:

• Taxi/Grab: The most convenient way. Grab/Taxi by meter will cost 350,000 – 450,000 VND (15.2 USD).
• Shuttle Bus: Runs every 30 minutes from 5:30 to 23:00. Cost 65,000 VND (2.47 USD), goes to Dat Moi bus station, but you can ask to stop closer to your hotel on the main street.
• Transfer: If you don't want to hassle, you can book a private transfer in advance.

By Train 🚆

A train journey from Hanoi to Nha Trang is a classic. Trains run on the single line connecting the north and south of the country, and the journey takes from 24 to 30 hours depending on the train.

The station in Nha Trang (view on map) is located almost in the city center, which is very convenient.

Wagon Classes and Buying Tickets

It's best to buy tickets in advance, especially during the high season. You can do this:

• At Ga Ha Noi Railway Station (on the map). The most reliable way. Ticket counters with English-speaking staff.
• Through the aggregator website 12go.asia (requires a foreign card).
• On the official Vietnam Railways website (dsvn.vn) — cheaper, but the interface is complicated, Russian cards don't work, and not even all foreign ones work. However, it has the most complete schedule.
• At travel agencies in Hanoi. Be careful: they may charge a large commission or sell a ticket for a lower class wagon than you are paying for.

Main wagon classes:

• Hard Seat: Cheap, but traveling like that for over a day is torture. Not recommended.
• Soft Seat: Better, but sleeping sitting up all night is uncomfortable.
• Hard Sleeper: Three bunk beds in a compartment without a door. The most popular budget option for night trains.
• Soft Sleeper: Two bunk beds, has a door. Much more comfortable, has power outlets.
• VIP Soft Sleeper: Maximum comfort, but the price is corresponding.

Our advice: choose Soft Sleeper for a night train. You will save on one hotel night and arrive in Nha Trang in the morning already rested.

By Bus 🚌

This is the most budget-friendly way to get from Hanoi to Nha Trang. But let's say right away: traveling on a regular seated bus for 1300 km is tough. Moreover, on some routes, even with one ticket from one company, there may be a bus change in Da Nang or Hue. If you still decide on a bus, then buy tickets only for a night sleeper (Sleeper Bus).

Bus Types and What to Choose

• Regular Seated Bus: The cheapest, but the most uncomfortable option. Seats are narrow, don't recline much. Suitable only for very hardy and budget travelers.
• Limousine Van: A minivan with increased comfort and massage seats. But they are rarely used for such a long distance; usually, this is an option for trips to Da Nang/Hue.
• Sleeper VIP Bus: Semi-reclining or lying positions (as in the photo above). There are several rows of "beds". They provide a bottle of water and a wet wipe. This is a good way to save both time (travel at night) and money (don't spend on a hotel).
• Sleeper VIP Bus with Cabins: The best option!!! Costs slightly more than a regular sleeper, but the comfort level is much higher. Here there are two rows of cabins (three in regular ones), and each is closed with a curtain like in a capsule hotel. There is often a toilet on board.

The main lifehack: Some companies (for example, the popular FUTA Bus Lines) upon arrival in Nha Trang offer a free transfer to your hotel in the city center. When buying a ticket, be sure to clarify this option, otherwise you will have to take a taxi from the bus station!

Where Buses Depart From in Hanoi

Unlike trains, there is no single departure point. Buses from different companies depart:

• From Bus Stations: Most often from Giap Bat (south) or My Dinh bus stations. Getting there from the old quarter requires a taxi (from 80,000 VND).
• From Company Offices: Many carriers have offices in Hanoi's tourist area (around Hoan Kiem Lake). From there, they may pick you up by minivan and take you to the bus station to transfer to a large bus — this is included in the price.
• Directly from the Tourist Area: Some tourist buses (more often these are combined routes, e.g., Hanoi-Hue-Da Nang-Nha Trang) pick up passengers right from the street in the old quarter or from hotels.

Tickets are easiest to buy at any travel agency in Hanoi's old quarter or through the website 12go.asia.

What to Choose: Our Experience and Recommendations

Based on our experience of numerous trips across Vietnam, here's how we rank the ways:

• For most travelers (balance of price/comfort/time): Night Train Soft Sleeper. You save a hotel night, travel with relative comfort, don't depend on the weather (unlike a plane), and arrive right in the center of Nha Trang. Buy the ticket a couple of days in advance.
• If time is the main factor: Plane. More expensive, but in 4-5 hours (including transfers) you'll already be on the beach in Nha Trang. Look for promotions from the low-cost carrier Vietjet: you can buy a ticket without baggage cheaper than train and bus!!!
• If the budget is limited: Night Sleeper Bus. Cheaper than a train, sometimes even more comfortable (if you're lucky with a new bus). The main thing is to clarify about the transfer to the hotel in Nha Trang.
• For adventure lovers and the strong-willed: Seated Bus. Honestly, we don't recommend it unless you want to feel the "real Vietnam" on your own back.

We have been to Hanoi and Nha Trang many times and tested almost all options. Our opinion: the train is the most authentic and balanced way to travel between the north and center of Vietnam.

📅 Transport Schedule from Hanoi to Nha Trang

The current schedule for 2026 is shown below. Please note that bus schedules often change, and train tickets need to be purchased in advance.

Have a good trip from Hanoi to Nha Trang! If you have any questions, ask them in the comments below — we or other experienced travelers will definitely help.