How to get from Nha Trang to Phu Quoc: plane, bus and ferry

Traveling from the popular resort of Nha Trang to the tropical island of Phu Quoc is moving along the coast of Vietnam. The distance between the cities is about 400 kilometers, but due to the geographical location, you can only get there with a transfer. In this guide, we will look at all possible routes.

✈ Ho Chi Minh City flight is the best option

There are no direct flights from Nha Trang to Phu Quoc, but you can buy ready-made flights with a transfer in Ho Chi Minh City. This is the fastest and most comfortable way.

• ✈ Nha Trang – Ho Chi Minh City flight

  • Travel time: 1 hour (5 hours including the road to/from airports)
  • Cost: from 800 000 VND / from 30.38 USD
  • Airlines: Vietnam Airlines, VietjetAir, Bamboo Airways, Jetstar Pacific
  • Number of flights: at least 4 direct flights daily

• ✈ Ho Chi Minh City – Phu Quoc flight

  • Travel time: 1 hour
  • Cost: from 700 000 VND for early booking / from 26.59 USD
  • Number of flights: 10-15 daily

Total total travel time will be 3-4 hours + docking time and time to get from/ to the airport. The total cost of a one-way flight will be from 1 500 000 VND (56.97 USD), if you buy in advance and without luggage. You can buy tickets at Aviasales or Trip.com

But it is important! It is best to buy a ready-made flight with a single ticket from airlines right away, rather than picking up separate flights yourself. The fact is that if you buy a ready-made single ticket, then you are conditionally "insured" against possible problems in the event of a change in the first flight. That is, if the first flight changes or is late, then the airline will offer you alternative options for free. If you bought separate tickets yourself, then your second flight may just "burn out" if you don't have time for it. This is especially true in Vietnam, as local airlines often change schedules.

But ready-made flights on a single ticket:

How to get from Phu Quoc Airport to the hotel

There are several convenient ways to get to your hotel from Phu Quoc Airport.

• 🚖 Taxi (Grab): The most convenient way. Ordering through the Grab app fixes the cost. A trip to Long Beach will cost from 100 000 – 150 000 VND.
• 🚌 Free bus VinBus: A great option, but not suitable for everyone, as it will not take you to the door of the hotel and does not go to all resorts. Routes No. 17 and No. 19 follow from the airport along the main beach of Long Beach and the main resort areas. Timetables and route maps for official website.
• 🛵 Rent a motorcycle: If you are a confident driver, you can rent a bike right at the airport (from 120,000 VND / day) and leave on it.

You can read more about renting motorbikes, free buses, taxis in Phu Quoc and how to use them in our separate instructions here ...

🚌⛵ Bus + ferry – a budget alternative

This route takes a lot of time, but may be interesting for those who want to save money or see more of Vietnam. In general, the route will look like this: by bus from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City – from Ho Chi Minh City to the ferry pier to Phu Quoc – Ferry to Phu Quoc. But to do such a route without an overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City will not be easy and physically difficult. If you definitely want to stay overnight, then choose the option of a night sleeping bus Nha Trang-Ho Chi Minh City in order to transfer to the next bus to the ferry early in the morning.

• 🚌 Nha Trang – Ho Chi Minh City bus

  • Travel time: 8-10 hours
  • Cost: from 500 000 VND / from 18.99 USD
  • Types of buses: sleeping buses with recumbent seats
  • Carrier companies: FUTA Bus Lines (recommended)

  Important! The main bus station in Nha Trang is now far from the center. Buy tickets with a transfer from the hotel to the bus station.

• 🚌 Ho Chi Minh City – Rach Gia bus

  • Travel time: 6-7 hours
  • Cost: from 230 000 VND / from 8.74 USD

• ⛵ Ratja – Phu Quoc Ferry

  • Travel time: 2.5 hours
  • Cost: from 315 000 VND / from 11.96 USD
  • Schedule: several flights per day from 07:00 to 15:00

In total, the total travel time will be 16-20 hours, and the cost will be from 1,045,000 VND / from rate temporary unavailable USD. But this is only with proper planning, if you do not have to spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City or near the port in Ratja, if you do not have time for the last ferry. You can buy bus tickets on sites like 12go.asia or at bus stations

🚆 Train + bus + ferry – for railway enthusiasts

The railway route is suitable for those who want to see the coast of Vietnam from the train window. But just like with the bus, if you plan the route incorrectly, you will have to spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City or on the shore at the ferry pier. Therefore, give preference to night trains arriving very early in the morning in Ho Chi Minh City. And here it is also worth noting that, taking into account the additional costs of a taxi to travel between different stations and marinas, this method can be even more expensive than an airplane.

🚆 Nha Trang – Ho Chi Minh City train

• Travel time: 7-8 hours
• Cost: from 250,000 VND (seated) to 800,000 VND (sleeping) / from 9.49 USD
• Number of trains: minimum 6 daily

Then as in the previous route: bus to Ratja and ferry to Phu Quoc.

In total, the total travel time will be 15-19 hours, and the cost will be from 545,000 VND / from rate temporary unavailable USD. But, again, only with proper planning, if you do not have to spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City or near the port in Ratja, if you do not have time for the last ferry.

Comparative table of routes

Bottom line: Which way to choose?

• Choose a flightif you value your time and comfort. This is the most civilized and fastest way to start your vacation.
• Consider bus or train+ferry (via Ho Chi Minh City) only if you are an adventurous traveler with unlimited time and want to save every penny or see non-tourist corners of Vietnam. But keep in mind that if you plan incorrectly, such a trip may cost even more than a flight, since there will be additional costs for a taxi and an overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Whichever way you choose, the tropical paradise of Phu Quoc is worth making this journey. Have a nice trip!