Dalat Railway Station 2026: Trai Mat Train & Tickets

Dalat Railway Station (Ga Đà Lạt) is a 1930s Art Deco station about 1.5 km east of Xuan Huong Lake, designed by French architects Moncet and Reveron and finished in 1938. A national monument since 2001, it is famous for its three-gabled roof and the vintage tourist train to Trai Mat, 7 km away. Entry without a train ride costs 50,000 VND.

Status (checked October 2026): open daily. Tourist trains to Trai Mat run every day (DL3/DL4 and DL9/DL10, plus DL11/DL12 on Friday–Sunday and extra trains on demand), with fares of about 60,000–150,000 VND per person each way and 25% off return tickets; a train ticket includes station entry, otherwise entry is 50,000 VND.

Why Dalat Railway Station is worth seeing:

Art Deco landmark: three pointed gables, coloured glass windows and a clock tower, often called one of the most beautiful stations in Vietnam.
Vintage train ride: restored period carriages run 7 km through flower farms to Trai Mat.
Railway history: the terminus of the legendary Thap Cham–Da Lat rack railway.
Linh Phuoc Pagoda: the dazzling mosaic pagoda is a short walk from Trai Mat station.
Photo spot: old locomotives, carriages and platforms make great pictures.

Dalat Railway Station at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Ga Đà Lạt (Ga xe lửa Đà Lạt)
Location	1 Quang Trung Street, Xuan Huong – Da Lat Ward, Lam Dong province
Distance	About 1.5 km east of Xuan Huong Lake (5 minutes by car)
Built	Designed 1932, built 1935–1938; architects Moncet and Reveron
Recognition	National historical monument (2001)
Known for	Art Deco architecture, vintage Da Lat–Trai Mat train
Opening hours	Daily, daytime; trains run to a fixed timetable
Entrance fee	50,000 VND (included if you buy a train ticket); train about 60,000–150,000 VND per person each way
Time needed	30 minutes for the station; about 2 hours with the Trai Mat train
Best time	Morning train; dry season December–April
Nearby	Xuan Huong Lake, Linh Phuoc Pagoda (Trai Mat), Bao Dai Palace, Domaine de Marie Church
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor · Wikipedia

Is Dalat Railway Station Worth Visiting?

Yes. The station is one of Da Lat’s most photogenic buildings and costs little to see. It is worth more if you ride the vintage train to Trai Mat and visit Linh Phuoc Pagoda, which turns a 30-minute photo stop into a relaxed two-hour outing. Do not expect a real transport connection: the line no longer links Da Lat with the national railway.

Best for: architecture and railway fans, families, photographers, couples.
Skip if: you have little time and no interest in trains or buildings.
Short on time: see the station and old carriages in 30 minutes on the way to or from Xuan Huong Lake.

History of Dalat Railway Station

The Thap Cham–Da Lat railway

The French began building the railway from Thap Cham (near Phan Rang on the coast) up to Da Lat in 1908, about a decade after Governor-General Paul Doumer proposed it. Tracks reached Da Lat in 1932. The 84 km line climbed almost 1,400 m using three rack-rail sections and five tunnels, an engineering feat for its time.

Building the station

Architects Moncet and Reveron designed the station in 1932; construction began in 1935 and finished in 1938. Its three steep gables are often said to echo the peaks of the Lang Biang Plateau, while the Art Deco detailing reflects the fashions of 1930s France.

Closure and revival

Regular services ended in 1968 after repeated attacks during the war, and after 1975 much of the line was dismantled. In the 1990s a 7 km section to Trai Mat reopened for tourists, and restored period-style carriages entered service in 2009. The station was recognised as a national historical monument in 2001. Plans to rebuild the whole Thap Cham–Da Lat line have been discussed for many years, but the line is not yet back in service.

What to See at Dalat Railway Station

1. The facade and three gables

The cream-and-yellow facade with three pointed roofs, a central clock and tall coloured-glass windows is the classic shot. Stand across the forecourt for the full view.

2. The waiting hall

Inside, the high-ceilinged hall keeps its old ticket windows and Art Deco details, along with displays on the railway’s history.

3. Vintage locomotives and carriages

Old steam and diesel locomotives and wooden carriages are parked on the tracks for visitors to explore. Some carriages host cafés and photo sets.

Vintage railway car at Dalat Railway Station — Vintage railway cars are displayed at the station. Photo: Dragfyre, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

4. The Trai Mat tourist train

The train runs 7 km through vegetable and flower farms to Trai Mat station, with artichoke tea and, on some departures, live violin or guitar music on board.

5. Linh Phuoc Pagoda at Trai Mat

A few minutes’ walk from Trai Mat station, Linh Phuoc Pagoda is covered in ceramic and glass mosaic and has a tall bell tower and a huge dragon made from bottle pieces. Entry is free.

Dalat Railway Station Tickets and Train Times (2026)

Item	Price / schedule	Notes
Station entry only	50,000 VND (about 1.90 USD)	Not needed if you buy a train ticket
Da Lat–Trai Mat train, one way	About 60,000–150,000 VND per person	Price depends on train and carriage
Return ticket	25% discount on individual return tickets	Group discounts 15–40%
Daily trains	DL3/DL4 and DL9/DL10	Run every day
Weekend trains	DL11/DL12 (Friday–Sunday)	Other trains run on demand
Journey	7 km, about 30 minutes each way	Stop at Trai Mat for the pagoda before returning

Fares and timetables are set by the Railway Transport Joint Stock Company (Vietnam Railways); buy at the station ticket office and check departure times on the day, as extra trains depend on demand.

How to Ride the Trai Mat Train, Step by Step

Arrive 20–30 minutes before departure and buy a return ticket at the station office.
Explore the hall, platforms and old carriages while you wait.
Board the vintage carriage and enjoy the 30-minute ride through the farms.
At Trai Mat, walk to Linh Phuoc Pagoda and check the return time with staff.
Ride back to Da Lat, or take a taxi if you want to continue elsewhere.

How to Get to Dalat Railway Station

From	How	Time
Xuan Huong Lake	Taxi, Grab or a 20-minute walk along Quang Trung Street	About 5 minutes by car
Da Lat Market	Taxi or Grab	About 5–10 minutes
Bao Dai Palace III	Taxi	About 10 minutes
Trai Mat (return by road)	Taxi or Grab	About 15–20 minutes
Lien Khuong Airport	Taxi or shuttle into town	About 40 minutes

See our Dalat transport guide for more options.

Best Time to Visit Dalat Railway Station

When	What to expect
Morning departures	Soft light, cool air, fewer crowds
Afternoon	Busier with groups; good light on the facade later in the day
December–April	Dry season; flower farms in bloom along the line
May–November	Afternoon showers; trains still run
Weekends	Extra trains (DL11/DL12) but more visitors

Local Expert Tips for Dalat Railway Station

These tips come from years of arranging Da Lat tours for international travellers.

Buy a train ticket rather than an entry-only ticket: the station visit is included.
Take a morning departure for cooler air and softer light over the farms.
Allow enough time at Linh Phuoc Pagoda before the return train; confirm the departure time with staff at Trai Mat.
Combine with Xuan Huong Lake and Bao Dai Palace for a heritage half day.
Read our Dalat travel tips before you go.

Dalat Railway Station vs Bao Dai Palace

	Dalat Railway Station	Bao Dai Palace III
Built	1935–1938	1933–1938
Highlight	Art Deco facade, vintage train	Royal interiors and gardens
Ticket	50,000 VND entry or train ticket	About 30,000 VND
Time needed	30 minutes to 2 hours	45–60 minutes
Best for	Families, train lovers	History lovers

Our view: both are 1930s icons and easy to combine in one afternoon; if you must choose one, take the train for the experience or Bao Dai Palace for royal history.

Nearby Attractions

Xuan Huong Lake: the central lake, about 1.5 km west.
Bao Dai Palace: the last emperor’s summer home.
Domaine de Marie Church: the pink church.
Valley of Love: gardens north of the city.
Truc Lam Zen Monastery: compare with Linh Phuoc Pagoda.

Sightseeing in Da Lat for First-Time Visitors: Where Dalat Railway Station Fits

The station suits a relaxed heritage afternoon: train to Trai Mat and Linh Phuoc, then Bao Dai Palace and dinner at the night market. See our Dalat food guide and where to stay in Dalat.

Plan your trip with our Da Lat travel guide and Da Lat tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.