Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary: Shuttle Bus & UNESCO Temples
50 Kilometers to a Thousand-Year-Old Hindu Kingdom
You board a shuttle at 8am or 1pm from central Hoi An and travel 50 kilometers to My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO-listed complex of 70+ Hindu temples built by the ancient Champa civilization. You have roughly three hours to explore the ruins independently before the driver returns you to Hoi An by early afternoon or early evening. Round-trip transport is included; entry fees to the sanctuary are separate.
5h
Step-by-step itinerary
Shuttle bus to My Son Sanctuary
- Meet driver at Hoi An office
- Depart to My Son Sanctuary
- Arrive at My Son Sanctuary
- Explore My Son Sanctuary freely
- Meet driver at My Son ticket booth
- Return to Hoi An
- Arrive back at Hoi An office
The Experience
"How do I get out there without renting a car?" That's the question most travelers ask in Hoi An when they realize My Son Sanctuary sits 50 kilometers away in the jungle, and the answer is the shuttle bus. You meet the driver at the office on Tran Quang Khai at either 8am or 1pm, depending on which slot works for your schedule, and then it's a straight shot inland through rice paddies and villages until the landscape opens up and you're standing in front of what's left of the Champa Kingdom's holiest site.
My Son isn't a single temple — it's the ruins of more than 70 structures, some of them just foundations now, others still tall enough to cast shadows across the stone. The Champa civilization built this place over centuries as a sanctuary dedicated to Hindu gods, especially Shiva, who they believed protected their kings. Walking through it, you can see how the architecture changed hands and styles — some towers are carved with intricate detail, others are simpler, damaged by time and by the war that tore through this region decades ago. The UNESCO designation came because the site is one of the few places left where you can actually read the history of a kingdom that most people have never heard of. Your driver drops you at the ticket booth and leaves you to explore on your own for about three hours, which is enough time to walk the main paths, climb a few of the structures, and sit with the scale of what was built here.
The shuttle picks you up again at noon or 4:30pm depending on your morning or afternoon departure, and the ride back to Hoi An takes the same route in reverse. It's not a guided tour — you're on your own to wander and figure out what you're looking at — but that's also why it works for solo travelers or anyone who doesn't want to be herded through on a schedule. The bus fills up with a mix of people, some with guidebooks, some just walking and looking. By the time you're back in Hoi An, you've seen one of Southeast Asia's most significant archaeological sites without the logistics of arranging a car, a driver, or negotiating prices at the curb.
What’s included
- Round-trip shuttle bus transport from Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary, with pickup and drop-off at the office on Tran Quang Khai.
- Approximately three hours of free time to explore the temple complex independently.
- Entry fees to My Son Sanctuary are not included and must be purchased separately at the ticket booth.
Operated by Hoi An Food Tour - Private Day Tours
Is this one for you?Choose this shuttle if you want to reach My Son without arranging a rental car or negotiating a private driver — the fixed schedule and pickup location remove the logistics, and the low cost makes it practical for solo travelers or anyone traveling on a budget.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
How far is My Son Sanctuary from Hoi An?
About 50 kilometers inland. The shuttle takes roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes each way.
What time does the shuttle depart?
Two daily departures: 8:00–8:10am (returns 1:00pm) and 1:00–1:10pm (returns 4:30pm). Pickups are at 119 Tran Quang Khai, Cam Chau, Hoi An.
Is a guide included on the shuttle?
No. The shuttle is transport only. You explore My Son independently for about three hours before the driver returns you to Hoi An.
Do I need to buy a ticket to enter My Son Sanctuary?
Yes. Entry fees are not included in the shuttle fare and are paid separately at the ticket booth.
How long can I spend at My Son?
Approximately three hours between arrival and pickup, depending on which shuttle time you choose.
Is this suitable for solo travelers?
Yes. The shuttle is designed for independent travelers who want transport without a guided group tour.
Can infants travel on the shuttle?
Yes. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the journey.
What is My Son Sanctuary?
A UNESCO World Heritage Site containing the ruins of 70+ temples built by the Champa civilization between the 7th and 13th centuries, dedicated mainly to the Hindu god Shiva.
Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary: Shuttle Bus & UNESCO Temples
5h
from US$ 7.91 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.7462 reviews
