Nha Trang to Da Lat: Distance, Best Ways to Travel
Nha Trang Travel Guide

Nha Trang to Da Lat: Distance, Best Ways to Travel

Anthony Ngo Updated 13 Nov 2026 11 min read

The distance from Nha Trang to Da Lat is about 135 km by road via National Highway 27C and the Khanh Le Pass, a drive of around 3.5–4 hours. There is no train or flight between the two cities. You can go by bus (from about 170,000 VND, ₹623), shared limousine van (230,000–300,000 VND, ₹842–1,099) or private car (about 1.4–2.2 million VND, ₹5,128–8,059 for a 7-seater).

Important update: since 11 November 2026, the Khanh Le Pass is closed to all traffic every night from 6:00 PM to 5:00 AM. In this guide, Vietnamtour.in explains the routes, current road status, prices for each option and the best way for Indian families and groups to travel between the beach and the hills.

Nha Trang to Da Lat at a glance (updated November 2026)

  • Distance: About 135 km via Khanh Le Pass (QL27C); about 180 km via the Song Pha (Ngoan Muc) Pass.
  • Travel time: 3.5–4 hours by car; 4–5 hours by bus.
  • Road status: Khanh Le Pass is open only from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
  • Cheapest option: FUTA (Phuong Trang) bus, from about 170,000 VND (₹623).
  • Best for families: Private 7-seat car, about 1.4–2.2 million VND (₹5,128–8,059) per vehicle.
  • Train or flight: None between the two cities.

Winding mountain road through pine forest on the way from Nha Trang to Da Lat

The road climbs from the coast into the pine forests of the Lang Biang plateau

Nha Trang to Da Lat Distance

The Nha Trang to Da Lat distance by road (often searched as “Nha Trang to Dalat distance”) depends on which route you take. The two cities are in Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong provinces, which both grew larger after the provincial mergers of 1 July 2025.

Route Distance Driving time Notes
QL27C via Khanh Le Pass About 135 km 3.5–4 hours Shortest and most scenic; climbs to about 1,700 m; closed at night
QL1 + QL27 via Song Pha (Ngoan Muc) Pass About 180 km 4.5–5 hours Longer but used when Khanh Le is closed; also hit by landslides in heavy rain
Cam Ranh Airport to Da Lat About 130–160 km 3–3.5 hours Useful if you fly into Cam Ranh and go straight to Da Lat

The Da Lat to Nha Trang distance is the same in the other direction. The Khanh Le Pass section is about 33 km long, with sharp bends, fog and steep drops, so drivers keep speeds low. That is why 135 km takes 3.5–4 hours.

Khanh Le Pass Road Status (November 2026)

Before you book, check the latest status of the Khanh Le Pass, the main road between Nha Trang and Da Lat:

  • 16 November 2025: A landslide at km 45 hit a passenger coach and killed six people. The pass then had nearly 100 landslide points and was blocked for more than a month.
  • 24 December 2025: The pass reopened with limits: daytime only, and only small vehicles and buses of up to 16 seats.
  • 13 February 2026: All vehicles were allowed again, but only from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
  • 11 November 2026 (current): All people and vehicles are banned from 6:00 PM to 5:00 AM every day, because of the rainy season and unfinished repairs at km 44. No end date has been announced.

What this means for you: Night buses must use the longer Song Pha route. If you take a day bus or car, leave Nha Trang by 1:00 PM at the latest. From October to December, avoid travelling on days of heavy rain, and check the road status the evening before. Our team checks this for every Vietnamtour.in guest.

How to Get from Nha Trang to Da Lat: 4 Ways Compared

The table below compares the main options for getting from Nha Trang to Da Lat in 2026:

Option Price (one way) Time Best for
Bus (FUTA and others) 170,000–250,000 VND per person (₹623–916) 4–5 hours Budget and solo travellers
Limousine van (9–11 seats) 230,000–300,000 VND per person (₹842–1,099) 3.5–4.5 hours Couples, small groups
Private car with driver 1.2–3.0 million VND per vehicle (₹4,396–10,989) 3.5–4 hours Families, elderly parents, sightseeing stops
Motorbike / Easy Rider From about US$120 with a rider-guide 5–7 hours with stops Adventure lovers

For most Indian travellers, we recommend a private car for families and a limousine van for couples. Both are more comfortable on the mountain bends than a large bus.

Nha Trang to Da Lat by Bus

Red FUTA Phuong Trang bus at the Da Lat bus station

FUTA (Phuong Trang) runs the most departures on the Nha Trang to Da Lat route

The Nha Trang to Da Lat bus is the cheapest way to make the trip. FUTA (Phuong Trang) is the biggest operator, with about 9–12 daytime departures from roughly 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

  • Price: From about 170,000 VND (₹623) for a seat or reclining sleeper.
  • From: Nha Trang’s southern bus station (or FUTA offices in town).
  • To: Da Lat bus station at 01 To Hien Thanh Street, about 2 km from the city centre.
  • Duration: About 4–5 hours, including a rest stop.
  • Booking: On the FUTA app or website, or on platforms such as Vexere and 12Go.

Inside a sleeper bus with reclining beds used on Vietnam intercity routes

Most buses have reclining sleeper berths; take off your shoes before boarding

Pros: Cheap, frequent and easy to book. Cons: Big buses sway on the bends, luggage space is limited, and you cannot stop for photos. Note that late-night buses now go via the longer Song Pha route because of the Khanh Le night ban.

Nha Trang to Da Lat by Limousine Van

White limousine van parked by the sea in Nha Trang

A 9–11 seat limousine van, a popular middle option between bus and private car

In Vietnam, a “limousine” is a modern 9–11 seat van with large reclining seats, not a luxury car. It is faster and smoother than a big bus and is the best value for couples and small groups.

  • Operators: Cuc Tung Limousine, Lac Hong Limousine, iHome and others.
  • Price: About 230,000–300,000 VND (₹842–1,099) per seat.
  • Departures: From about 5:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
  • Pickup: Many operators pick you up from hotels in central Nha Trang and drop you in central Da Lat.

Pros: Comfortable seats, hotel pickup and fewer passengers. Cons: Limited luggage space (one suitcase per person), and it is still a shared vehicle with fixed times.

Nha Trang to Da Lat by Private Car or Taxi

White 7-seat SUV parked on a hill road among pine trees in Da Lat

A private 7-seat car is the most comfortable choice for families

A private car with driver is the most comfortable way for Indian families, groups with elderly parents and anyone who wants to stop for photos along the way. You choose your departure time (within the pass opening hours), and the driver picks you up at your hotel.

Vehicle Price per vehicle (VND) In rupees
4-seat car (up to 3 guests) 1.2–1.8 million ₹4,396–6,593
7-seat SUV/MPV (up to 5 guests) 1.4–2.2 million ₹5,128–8,059
16-seat van (up to 12 guests) 1.9–3.0 million ₹6,960–10,989

Prices rise by 20–40% during Tet and peak holidays. Grab also offers fixed-price intercity cars on the Khanh Hoa – Da Lat route, but availability varies. A metered taxi for the full trip is usually more expensive than a pre-booked car, so always agree on the price in advance.

Nha Trang to Da Lat by Motorbike

Touring motorbike parked on a highland hillside

Riding through the highlands is an adventure, but only with the right licence or a rider-guide

Riding a motorbike over the Khanh Le Pass is a classic adventure, but there is an important legal point for Indian travellers. Vietnam only accepts International Driving Permits issued under the 1968 Convention, while India issues the 1949 type. This means an Indian licence or IDP is not valid to ride in Vietnam, you can be fined, and your travel insurance may refuse any claim after an accident.

The safer choice is an Easy Rider tour, where you ride as a passenger with a local rider-guide and stop at waterfalls and villages along the way. A one-day trip costs from about US$120, and two-day trips are around US$150. Avoid riding in rain or fog, and never ride the pass after 6:00 PM, when it is closed.

Is There a Nha Trang to Da Lat Train or Flight?

Historic Da Lat railway station with its yellow facade reflected in water

Da Lat railway station is a heritage site; trains run only 7 km to Trai Mat

No, there is no Nha Trang to Da Lat train. The old Thap Cham – Da Lat railway closed decades ago. Today, only a 7 km heritage section from Da Lat station to Trai Mat runs as a tourist train (about 98,000–191,000 VND). A plan to rebuild the full line is still at an early study stage and is unlikely before 2030.

There are no flights between the two cities either. Cam Ranh Airport serves Nha Trang (about 35 km south of the city), and Lien Khuong Airport serves Da Lat (about 30 km from the centre). Lien Khuong reopened on 19 August 2026 after runway works. Both have flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but none between them.

Stops Along the Way from Nha Trang to Da Lat

Misty mountains and pine forest of Bidoup - Nui Ba National Park near Da Lat

The Khanh Le Pass runs along the edge of Bidoup – Nui Ba National Park

With a private car, you can turn the transfer into a sightseeing day. Here are the best stops.

On the Khanh Le Pass route (QL27C):

  • Hon Giao stone stream: A cool stream with big boulders near the foot of the pass.
  • Khanh Le Pass viewpoints: Views of jungle-covered mountains and, from May to October, “seas of clouds”.
  • Bidoup – Nui Ba National Park: Pine and cloud forest as you reach the Lang Biang plateau.

On the Song Pha route:

  • Po Klong Garai Cham towers: 13th-century brick temples near Phan Rang.
  • Ngoan Muc (Song Pha) Pass: Hairpin bends with views of the Da Nhim hydropower pipes.

Travel from Da Lat to Nha Trang

If you are wondering how to get from Dalat to Nha Trang, travel from Da Lat to Nha Trang works the same way, with the same buses, limousines and car prices in reverse. Keep these points in mind:

  • Leave early: Start by about 1:00 PM so you clear the pass before it closes at 6:00 PM.
  • Motion sickness: Coming down the pass is harder on the stomach than going up. Take medicine before you leave and sit near the front.
  • Clothing: Da Lat mornings are around 15–18°C, while Nha Trang is often 30°C or more, so dress in layers.

Best Time to Travel and Tips for Indian Travellers

The best time to travel between Nha Trang and Da Lat is from January to April, when both the coast and the hills are dry. From September to December, Nha Trang has its rainy season, and the mountain pass faces the highest risk of landslides and fog. If you must travel then, keep a buffer day in your plan.

  • Food: Rest stops on the pass serve mostly Vietnamese food, so pack vegetarian snacks, fruit and water.
  • Comfort: Ask your driver for short breaks every hour if anyone in your group gets car sick.
  • Luggage: Limousine vans fit one suitcase per person, so book a bigger vehicle if you carry more.
  • Visa: Indians need a Vietnam e-visa (US$25, about ₹2,375); see our Vietnam visa for Indians guide.

Plan Your Nha Trang and Da Lat Trip

Most Indian travellers spend 2–3 nights in Nha Trang for the beaches and islands, then 2 nights in Da Lat for cool weather and flower gardens. To plan your days, see our guides to places to visit in Nha Trang and places to visit in Da Lat. If you are heading north next, read our guide from Nha Trang to Hoi An.

Vietnamtour.in can arrange the whole trip to Vietnam from India, with private transfers timed around the pass hours, Indian meals and hotels. For budgets, see our breakdown of the Vietnam 7 day trip cost. If you also want a beach island, compare our Vietnam Phu Quoc tour package options.

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FAQs about Nha Trang to Da Lat

What is the distance from Nha Trang to Da Lat?

The distance from Nha Trang to Da Lat is about 135 km by road via the Khanh Le Pass (QL27C), or about 180 km via the Song Pha Pass.

How long does it take to get from Nha Trang to Da Lat?

It takes about 3.5–4 hours by private car or limousine van and 4–5 hours by bus. Via the Song Pha route, allow 4.5–5 hours.

Is there a train from Nha Trang to Da Lat?

No. There is no railway between Nha Trang and Da Lat. The only train in Da Lat is the 7 km heritage line to Trai Mat.

What is the best way to travel from Nha Trang to Da Lat?

For families, a private 7-seat car is the best way. For couples and small groups, a limousine van offers good comfort at a lower price. Solo budget travellers can take a FUTA bus.

Is the Khanh Le Pass open now?

Yes, but only in the daytime. Since 11 November 2026, the pass is closed to all traffic from 6:00 PM to 5:00 AM every day. Check the latest status before you travel in the rainy season.

How much is the Nha Trang to Da Lat bus?

A bus ticket costs about 170,000–250,000 VND (₹623–916), and a limousine van seat costs about 230,000–300,000 VND (₹842–1,099).

Road status, schedules and prices were last checked in November 2026 and may change. Please confirm with your Vietnamtour.in travel consultant before you travel.

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