How to get to Da Lat: from Lien Khuong airport, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang
There is no train to Da Lat. You fly to Lien Khuong airport (about 28-30 km from the centre, 30-45 minutes by taxi) or take a bus: 3.5-4 hours from Nha Trang, about 7 hours from Ho Chi Minh City. The airport has been open again since 19 August 2026.
There is no train to Da Lat, so you arrive by plane or bus. Lien Khuong airport (code DLI) was closed for runway repairs from 4 March 2026 and reopened on 19 August 2026. It is about 28-30 km from the centre of Da Lat: 30-45 minutes by taxi or Grab, longer by city bus. From Nha Trang the bus takes 3.5-4 hours over the Khanh Le pass; from Ho Chi Minh City it is about 7 hours by bus or around an hour by plane. Da Lat is a city in Lam Dong province, which since 1 July 2025 also includes the former Dak Nong and Binh Thuan provinces; the province kept the name Lam Dong (Resolution 202/2025/QH15 of 12 June 2025).
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How do I get to Da Lat and which way should I choose?
| From | Way | Time on the road | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City | Flight to Lien Khuong | about 50 minutes to 1 hour in the air | saving time |
| Ho Chi Minh City | Bus | about 7 hours, about 350 km | travelling light, no rush |
| Hanoi | Flight | about 2 hours | most visitors |
| Da Nang | Flight | 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes | few flights, check the schedule |
| Nha Trang | Bus on road 27C | 3.5-4 hours, 135 km | the main way |
| Nha Trang | Detour on roads 1A and 27B | 4-5 hours, 179 km | when Khanh Le pass is closed |
| Lien Khuong airport | Taxi, Grab, bus | 30-45 minutes by car, about an hour by bus | right after landing |
Is Lien Khuong airport open and what about flights?
It is open: commercial flights resumed on 19 August 2026, and the first to land was Vietnam Airlines VN1380 from Ho Chi Minh City at about 7 am (Tien Phong). Before that the airport was shut for more than five months, from 0:00 on 4 March 2026, for repairs to the runway and taxiways (VietnamPlus, 5 August 2026). Ahead of the reopening Vietnam Airlines announced flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang, and Vietjet was bringing its routes back (Tuoi Tre, 5 August 2026). Sources differ on how many flights a day run and on which routes exactly, so check the airline's timetable before you buy a ticket. Any guide that talks about the airport being closed is out of date.
Note that the airport is not in Da Lat itself but in Duc Trong, on highway 20. Its entry is in Da Lat transfers: "Lien Khuong airport (Da Lat)".
How do I get from Lien Khuong airport to the centre of Da Lat?
It is about 28 km to the centre according to Vietnam Airlines and about 30 km according to VinWonders and Vietnambooking; other pages say 23 km or more than 30, so plan for 30-45 minutes. Taxis and Grab wait outside the terminal: Vietnam Airlines names Mai Linh, Lado, Thang Loi, Xanh SM and Grab, with a ride of 30-40 minutes. For a late-night flight it is easier to book a car in advance.
The city bus is cheaper but slower and runs on a timetable. Vietnam Airlines describes routes 1, 2 and 3 to the market, the bus station and Xuan Huong lake every 15-30 minutes, about an hour on the road. Vietnambooking (29 August 2026) says buses run from about 5:30 to 19:00, VinWonders (5 July 2025) says 6:00 to 18:00. The timetables differ, so for a late flight count on a taxi and ask about the last bus on the spot.
How do I get from Nha Trang to Da Lat: the bus and Khanh Le pass?
Buses run from Nha Trang to Da Lat; there is no train. On road 27C it is 135 km: 3.5-4 hours by bus, 3-3.5 hours in your own car (Vietnam Airlines, Nha Trang to Da Lat guide). The road crosses the Khanh Le pass, about 33 km of bends and climbs, often foggy in the early morning and evening. Time your trip so you cross it in daylight. On weekends and holidays buy tickets a day or two ahead.
The pass has been closed by landslides. On 15 December 2024 more than 100,000 cubic metres of earth and rock came down, and crews needed several days to clear the road (Tuoi Tre, 19 December 2024). On 16 November 2025, in heavy rain, a landslide buried a bus travelling from Da Lat: 6 people died and 19 were injured (VietNamNet, 17 November 2025). The pass reopened on 24 December 2025 with conditions: 6:00 to 17:00 for vehicles under 5 tonnes and cars up to 16 seats, others were told to use road 27, and drivers were advised to avoid heavy rain (Ministry of Construction, 25 December 2025). We do not know whether those conditions still apply: before you travel, call the bus company or check Lam Dong and Khanh Hoa news.
If the pass is closed, there is a detour on roads 1A and 27B: 179 km and 4-5 hours.
How do I get from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat by bus or plane?
By bus it is about 7 hours and about 350 km (Mia.vn, 29 June 2026), more in traffic and rain. There are many departures: Phuong Trang (FUTA) runs dozens a day, but check exact times on futabus.vn. The Phuong Trang office in Da Lat is in Da Lat transfers: "Phuong Trang (FUTA) buses, Da Lat", 1 To Hien Thanh.
By air from Tan Son Nhat to Lien Khuong it is about 50 minutes to an hour, plus 30-45 minutes to the centre. Before the airport reopened Vietnam Airlines planned four round trips a day (Tuoi Tre, 5 August 2026). The plane is the shortest option in time; the bus suits those who want to travel light and avoid airports.
How do I get to Da Lat from Hanoi and Da Nang?
Only by air. Hanoi to Da Lat is about 2 hours in the air, with direct flights by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet (Vietnambooking, 24 July 2026); Vietnam Airlines planned two round trips a day (Tuoi Tre, 5 August 2026). Da Nang to Da Lat is 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes. There are few flights on this line: Vietnam Airlines' page says both one a day and three a week, so check the timetable before buying and do not plan a tight connection.
How do I avoid a closed road?
Three simple rules. First, in the rainy season, especially May to October, check the news about the Khanh Le and Prenn passes before you set off. Second, for a flight you cannot miss, leave a margin of a few hours. Third, driving at night and in fog on the pass is riskier than by day. For getting around Da Lat without your own transport see Da Lat vehicle rental; for buying a SIM after you arrive see Da Lat SIM and mobile.
Also on the topic: Motorbike rental and taxis in Da Lat: licence rules, mountain passes, and whether Grab and Xanh SM work, SIM card in Da Lat: operator shops, documents, eSIM, Money in Da Lat: ATMs, currency exchange, cards and QR.
FAQ
Is there a train to Da Lat? No: there are no trains between Nha Trang and Da Lat, only buses and planes.
Is Lien Khuong airport open? Yes, since 19 August 2026, after being closed from 4 March 2026. Check flight timetables with the airlines.
How long from the airport to the centre? About 28-30 km, 30-45 minutes by taxi or Grab; about an hour by bus.
How long from Nha Trang to Da Lat? 3.5-4 hours by bus on road 27C, 135 km; 4-5 hours by the detour.
Is the Khanh Le pass safe? It was closed after landslides in December 2024 and November 2025; restrictions can change, so check them before you leave.
How long from Ho Chi Minh City? About 7 hours by bus, or 50 minutes to an hour by plane plus the ride from the airport.
Is Da Lat a province of its own? No. Da Lat is a city in Lam Dong province, which since 1 July 2025 also includes Dak Nong and Binh Thuan.
Sources and checks
Lien Khuong airport: Tien Phong (19 August 2026), VietnamPlus and Tuoi Tre (5 August 2026), Vietnam Airlines (travel guide, undated). Distance and buses from the airport: Vietnam Airlines, VinWonders (5 July 2025), Vietnambooking (29 August 2026); the figures differ, so confirm before you go. Khanh Le pass: Tuoi Tre (19 December 2024), VnEconomy (16 December 2024), VietNamNet (17 November 2025), Ministry of Construction (25 December 2025). Nha Trang to Da Lat: Vietnam Airlines. Ho Chi Minh City: Mia.vn (29 June 2026). Hanoi and Da Nang: Vietnambooking (24 July 2026), Vietnam Airlines. Administrative division: Resolution 202/2025/QH15 (Hoatieu). We do not publish prices: fares change. Text updated 23 October 2026.