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How to get from Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat
The best way to travel the 320 km distance from Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat is by flight. A flight takes 2.5 hours, including transfers, and costs around 665,000 VND ($28). Alternative options include an 8-hour bus, a 6-hour minivan, and a 6-hour private transfer.
4 ways to get from Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat
Taking a flight is the fastest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat. There are many flights leaving every day. The travel time, including transfers to and from the airports, takes only around 2.5 hours. When you book your flight early, you can get combined fares from 665,000 VND ($28).
The bus is a convenient option if you want to save on costs. The advantage of the bus is that it departs and arrive close to the centre of both Ho Chi Minh and Da Lat. Also, if you travel overnight, you can save one night on accommodation.
Travelling by minivan is a bit faster than the bus, but its departure and arrival points are a bit far from the city centres. Fares start from 416,000 VND ($17.50) for the 6-hour minivan journey.
If you prefer your own private car, you can get one depending on the size of your group. Rates for a door-to-door transfer from Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat start from 2,820,000 VND ($115) for a 3-seater car.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Itinerary from Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat
Flight
- Ho Chi Minh
- 45 minutes
- Ho Chi Minh Airport
- 50 minutes
- Lien Khuong Airport
- 1 hour
- Da Lat
Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat by Flight
With a flight, you can get from Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat in just around 2.5 hours. We recommend this option if you are short on time and don’t mind spending a few more bucks.
Step 1: Ho Chi Minh Centre to Ho Chi Minh Airport by Bus
You can find Tan Son Nhat Airport some 9 km north of Ho Chi Minh city centre.
The cheapest way to get there is by bus for around 6,000 VND ($0.20). Take Public Bus #152, which you can find across Ben Thanh Market, just a 10-minute walk from Pham Ngu Lao.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi which will bring you for about 150,000 VND ($6) to the airport.
See our guide on Ho Chi Minh Airport for more transport options.
Step 2: Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat by Flight
Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and Jetstar offer several daily flights from Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat. Vietjet Air usually offers the cheapest fares for this 50-minute journey.
Airfares range from 580,000 VND ($24.50) to 740,000 VND ($31). It’s best to book your tickets early. Prices soar to over 1,000,000 VND ($42) when you book close to your travel date or during the busy season.
Step 3: Lien Khuong Airport to Da Lat City Centre by Bus
There are 2 ways you can get to Da Lat city centre from Da Lat Airport (Lien Khuong Airport): a 1-hour bus and a 45-minute taxi.
Buses operate from 06:00 to 18:00 daily and will take you from the airport to the city centre for 40,000 VND ($1.60).
If your arrival in Da Lat falls beyond the operating hours of the bus, you can also take a taxi. Rates start from 288,000 VND ($12).
For more details, check out our page on Da Lat Airport.
Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat by Bus
Travel time by bus from Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat takes around 8 hours — longer than a plane ride, but you can travel overnight so that you won’t lose an entire day on the journey.
Some of the main companies operating on this route are Futa Bus, Thanh Buoi, and An Anh Limousine. Their buses depart and arrive close to the city centre, but you might need a short taxi ride to get to/from their bus stations.
Bus fares from Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat start from 360,000 VND ($15).
Departure and arrival station
Futa Bus has several departure points in Ho Chi Minh. The nearest one to Pham Ngu Lao is 2 km away at the Phuong Trang Bus Stop. Its arrival point in Da Lat is at the Intercity Bus Terminal, some 3 km south of the tourist centre.
Thanh Buoi departs from its Ho Chi Minh office in District 5, 3 km west of Pham Ngu Lao. It parks at its headquarters in Da Lat, 4 km east of the tourist centre.
An Anh Limousine leaves from Tao Dan Park, 3 km north of Pham Ngu Lao. It arrives at its bus station in Da Lat, just a few minutes walk from Xuan Huong Lake in the city centre.
Bus schedules from Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat
Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat by Minivan
Minivans are faster and more comfortable than the bus. A minivan journey from Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat takes only 6 hours — 2 hours faster than a bus trip.
However, their departure and arrival points are a bit far from the centre of both cities. You’ll need to spend extra costs and time to get to/from their terminals.
If you still want to take a minivan, you can choose from two companies: Lac Hong and Dan Anh. Rates start from 416,000 VND ($17.50).
Departure and arrival stations
Dan Anh departs from its terminal in District 11, 6 km west of Ho Chi Minh’s tourist centre. You can get there by taxi for around 150,000 VND ($6). It arrives at its headquarters in Da Lat, 5 km north of Xuan Huong Lake. A taxi to your hotel should cost around 100,000 VND ($4.20).
Lac Hong leaves from its District 10 office, 5 km northwest of Pham Ngu Lao. That’s about 15 minutes by taxi with fares from 125,000 VND ($5). It parks at its terminal in Da Lat, some 2 km west of the city centre.
Van schedules from Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat
Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat by Private Transfer
Travelling in a group? You can choose from a variety of cars to take you door-to-door from Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat.
Rates start from 2,820,000 VND ($115) for a 3-seater sedan. Larger vehicles are also available for bigger groups. You can even get a 12-seater minivan for 4,740,000 VND ($200).
Book your private transfer through BookAway, which offers comfortable cars that come with trusted drivers.
Book a Private Transfer with BookAway
Our favourite places to stay in Da Lat
Redhouse Backpacker Hostel
At Redhouse Backpacker Hostel you will easily meet many fellow travellers. Make new friends during breakfast or the (free) BBQ and explore the city of DaLat together! Dorm-beds already start from $3 and even include free buffet breakfast!
Doc May Boutique Villa
Want to enjoy the romantic city of DaLat while staying in the city center? Doc May Boutique Villa is located in the center of DaLat and surrounded by many nice restaurants. From $29 you get a double room with excellent breakfast and very comfy beds!
The Orchid Villa Dalat
This Villa is great home from where you can easily explore the surroundings of DaLat. They have a map with points of interests and can arrange a scooter to explore all these places on your own. Rooms with mountain view start from $47. Enjoy the great views while having a delicious breakfast served to your room!
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About the author(s)
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
