Dalat Transportation 2026: Airport, Buses & Getting Around

Most travellers reach Dalat by flying into Lien Khuong Airport (DLI), about 30 km south of the centre (40–50 minutes by shuttle bus, Grab or taxi), or by sleeper bus or private car from Ho Chi Minh City (about 300 km, 6–8 hours) and Nha Trang (about 140 km, 3.5–4 hours). In town, use Grab, Xanh SM, taxis, or walk around Xuan Huong Lake.

Status (checked October 2026): The planned Dau Giay–Lien Khuong expressway is still under construction (the Bao Loc–Lien Khuong section broke ground on 29 June 2025), so road trips from Saigon still use National Highway 20 over the Bao Loc pass. October is rainy season: mountain passes, especially Khanh Le from Nha Trang, can be hit by landslides after heavy rain – check conditions before travelling.

Key takeaways:

Flying is fastest: direct flights from Hanoi (about 1 hour 45 minutes) and Ho Chi Minh City (about 50 minutes) to Lien Khuong (DLI).
Airport to centre: shuttle bus about 50,000–60,000 VND, Grab or taxi about 250,000–450,000 VND.
From Saigon by road: about 300 km and 6–8 hours by sleeper bus or limousine van (about 250,000–450,000 VND).
From Nha Trang: about 140 km over the scenic Khanh Le pass, 3.5–4 hours.
Getting around: Grab/Xanh SM cars, taxis and the Robin Hill–Truc Lam cable car; rent a motorbike only if you hold a valid licence or 1968-Convention IDP.

Dalat Transportation at a Glance

Airport	Lien Khuong International Airport (DLI), about 30 km south of the centre
Airport to centre	40–50 minutes; shuttle about 50,000–60,000 VND (US$2–2.40); Grab/taxi about 250,000–450,000 VND (US$10–18)
Direct flights	Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and other cities (Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet; schedules vary by season)
From Ho Chi Minh City	About 300 km, 6–8 hours by bus (about 250,000–450,000 VND) or about 50 minutes by air
From Nha Trang	About 140 km, 3.5–4 hours via Khanh Le pass
From Mui Ne / Phan Thiet	About 160 km, roughly 4–5 hours by road
In town	Grab, Xanh SM, Be, metered taxis, walking; motorbike rental about 100,000–150,000 VND/day
Cable car	Robin Hill to Truc Lam Zen Monastery: 120,000 VND one-way / 150,000 VND return (adult)
Heritage train	Dalat Station to Trai Mat village, about 7 km, several departures daily
Altitude	About 1,500 m; roads into Dalat climb steep mountain passes

How Do I Get from Lien Khuong Airport to Dalat?

The simplest options are the airport shuttle bus (cheapest) or a Grab/taxi or pre-booked private car (door to door). The drive is about 30 km on the airport road and Prenn pass and takes 40–50 minutes.

Option	Price (VND)	Time	Best for
Airport shuttle bus	About 50,000–60,000 per person	45–60 min	Budget travellers; drops near the city centre
Grab / Xanh SM car	About 250,000–450,000 per car	40–50 min	Couples and small groups
Metered taxi	About 300,000–450,000 per car	40–50 min	When apps are busy
Hotel or private transfer	About 400,000–700,000 per car	40–50 min	Families, late arrivals, lots of luggage

Shuttle buses wait outside arrivals and leave when full. If you arrive on the last flight, pre-book a transfer. Background on routes and the terminal is on Lien Khuong International Airport (Wikipedia).

How Do I Get to Dalat from Other Cities?

Fly if you are coming from Hanoi or Da Nang; from Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang or Mui Ne, the road is practical and often scenic.

From	By air	By road	Typical bus fare (VND)
Ho Chi Minh City	About 50 min	About 300 km, 6–8 hours	About 250,000–450,000
Hanoi	About 1 h 45 min	Not practical (over 1,400 km)	–
Da Nang	About 1 h 10 min	Over 600 km, 12+ hours	–
Nha Trang	No direct flight	About 140 km, 3.5–4 hours	About 160,000–250,000
Mui Ne / Phan Thiet	No direct flight	About 160 km, 4–5 hours	About 150,000–250,000
Buon Ma Thuot	No direct flight	About 200 km, 4–5 hours	About 150,000–250,000

1. Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat

Flights take about 50 minutes and are the best choice if you are short on time. By road, sleeper buses (operators such as Phuong Trang/FUTA) and “limousine” vans run day and night from Ho Chi Minh City; the route follows National Highway 20 via Dong Nai and the Bao Loc pass. A private car takes about 6–7 hours. The future Dau Giay–Lien Khuong expressway will shorten the trip once complete, but it is not open yet.

2. Nha Trang to Dalat

The road climbs the Khanh Le pass with dramatic views over pine forests and waterfalls. Seated coaches and limousine vans take about 3.5–4 hours; a private car is about 3 hours. In heavy rain (mainly September to December) the pass can be closed by landslides, so check before setting out and avoid driving it at night.

3. Mui Ne / Phan Thiet to Dalat

Buses and private cars take about 4–5 hours over the mountains. Many travellers combine the beach and highlands as Saigon – Mui Ne – Dalat – Nha Trang.

4. Is There a Train to Dalat?

No mainline train reaches Dalat. The North–South railway passes Thap Cham (Phan Rang) and Nha Trang, but the old Thap Cham–Dalat cog railway closed decades ago. Only a short heritage section from Dalat Station to Trai Mat runs today for sightseeing.

How Do I Get Around Dalat?

Dalat’s centre is compact and hilly. Walk around Xuan Huong Lake and the market, and use ride-hailing cars for longer distances and the outer sights.

1. Grab, Xanh SM and Be

Ride-hailing apps show a fixed price before you book and work well in Dalat. A ride within the centre typically costs about 30,000–80,000 VND; to Datanla Waterfall or the Robin Hill cable car about 60,000–120,000 VND. Xanh SM uses electric cars and bikes.

2. Taxis

Metered taxis from established companies are easy to find at hotels and the market. Ask the driver to use the meter, or book through an app.

3. Walking

The 5 km loop around Xuan Huong Lake, the market, the night market and the Hoa Binh area are all walkable. Expect steep slopes and bring a light jacket for the evenings.

4. Robin Hill–Truc Lam Cable Car

The roughly 2.3 km cable car from Robin Hill to Truc Lam Zen Monastery and Tuyen Lam Lake glides over pine forest and costs 120,000 VND one-way or 150,000 VND return for adults; it is run by Dalattourist, which also manages Datanla and Langbiang. It runs in the daytime and may pause in strong wind or storms, with a lunch break on some days.

5. Dalat–Trai Mat Heritage Train

Restored carriages leave the 1930s Dalat Railway Station several times a day for Trai Mat village (about 7 km), home of the “porcelain pagoda” Linh Phuoc. The return trip, including about 30 minutes in Trai Mat, takes about 2 hours. Fares differ for Vietnamese and foreign visitors; check at the station on the day.

6. Motorbike Rental

Motorbikes rent for about 100,000–150,000 VND per day. Vietnam only recognises International Driving Permits issued under the 1968 Convention, and under Decree 168/2024 riding without a valid licence is fined 2–4 million VND (up to 125cc) or 6–8 million VND (over 125cc). Travel insurance often does not cover unlicensed riding. Roads are steep and foggy, so most visitors are safer with a car and driver or an “easy rider” guide.

7. Jeeps, Bicycles and Electric Carts

At Langbiang Mountain, jeeps take visitors to the Radar summit area (120,000 VND per person; entry 50,000 VND). Bicycles suit the lake loop but hills elsewhere are tough; some hotels offer e-bikes.

How Much Does Transport Cost in Dalat?

Trip	Mode	Typical cost (VND)	Approx. USD
Airport – centre	Shuttle	50,000–60,000	$2–2.40
Airport – centre	Grab / taxi	250,000–450,000	$10–18
Centre – Datanla Waterfall	Grab car	60,000–120,000	$2.40–4.80
Robin Hill – Truc Lam cable car	Cable car	120,000 one-way / 150,000 return	$4.80 / $6
Langbiang jeep to Radar	Jeep	120,000 per person	$4.80
Full-day car with driver	Private car	About 900,000–1,500,000	$36–60
Motorbike rental	Self-drive	100,000–150,000/day	$4–6
Saigon – Dalat	Sleeper bus	250,000–450,000	$10–18

Is It Safe to Travel to Dalat by Road?

Yes, Dalat’s main roads are well used, but they are mountain roads. Choose reputable bus companies, wear a seatbelt where fitted, avoid night travel on passes in the rainy season, and leave buffer time before a flight. Fog is common in the early morning and evening, so drive slowly. Agree prices for unmetered rides in advance, keep valuables close in crowded areas, and use app-based cars at night.

Local Expert Tips for Getting Around Dalat

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

Book morning flights into Dalat; afternoon fog and storms in the rainy season cause more delays.
From Saigon, fly one way and drive the other if you want to see the tea and coffee country around Bao Loc.
Do the Nha Trang–Dalat road in daylight for the Khanh Le pass views, and check weather alerts after heavy rain.
Hire a car and driver for one day to cover Datanla, the cable car, Truc Lam and Tuyen Lam Lake without stress.
Ride the cable car one way and continue by car to save backtracking.
Download Grab and Xanh SM before you arrive and link a card; carry cash for shuttles and small trips.
Pack a rain jacket from May to October; motorbike taxis are miserable in a downpour.
Do not rent a motorbike without a valid 1968-Convention IDP – fines are high and insurance may not pay.

Plan Your Dalat Trip

Use transport to link Dalat’s highlights: Datanla Waterfall with its alpine coaster, the cable car to Truc Lam Zen Monastery, Valley of Love, Langbiang Mountain, Bao Dai Palace and the pink Domaine de Marie Church. Read our Dalat food guide, where to stay in Dalat and Dalat travel tips, and if you are continuing by road, see the Nha Trang transportation guide, Mui Ne transportation guide and Saigon transportation guide.

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Dalat Transportation

1. How far is Lien Khuong Airport from Dalat?

Lien Khuong Airport (DLI) is about 30 km south of central Dalat, a 40–50 minute drive.

2. How much is a taxi from Dalat airport to the city?

A Grab or taxi from Lien Khuong Airport to central Dalat costs about 250,000–450,000 VND per car.

3. Is there a bus from Dalat airport to the city centre?

Yes, a shuttle bus runs from Lien Khuong Airport to central Dalat for about 50,000–60,000 VND per person and leaves when full.

4. How long is the flight from Hanoi to Dalat?

A direct flight from Hanoi to Dalat takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.

5. What is the best way to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat?

Flying is quickest at about 50 minutes; by road, Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat is about 300 km and 6–8 hours by sleeper bus or limousine van.

6. Is the Dau Giay–Lien Khuong expressway to Dalat open?

No, the Dau Giay–Lien Khuong expressway to Dalat is still under construction in 2026, so buses use National Highway 20 over the Bao Loc pass.

7. How long does it take from Nha Trang to Dalat?

Nha Trang to Dalat is about 140 km and takes 3.5–4 hours by bus or about 3 hours by private car via the Khanh Le pass.

8. Is the Khanh Le pass to Dalat dangerous?

The Khanh Le pass to Dalat is safe in good weather but can suffer landslides after heavy rain, mainly from September to December, so check conditions first.

9. Can I take a train to Dalat?

No mainline train reaches Dalat; only the short heritage train from Dalat Station to Trai Mat (about 7 km) runs for sightseeing.

10. How much is the Dalat cable car?

The Robin Hill–Truc Lam cable car in Dalat costs 120,000 VND one-way or 150,000 VND return for adults.

11. Does Grab work in Dalat?

Yes, Grab, Xanh SM and Be all operate in Dalat, and a ride in the centre typically costs about 30,000–80,000 VND.

12. Can tourists rent a motorbike in Dalat?

Tourists can rent a motorbike in Dalat for about 100,000–150,000 VND a day but need a valid licence or 1968-Convention IDP, or face fines of 2–8 million VND.