Dalat Train Station — a colonial relic turned tourist stop
Dalat Train Station sits about 3 kilometers from the city center, at the end of a quiet street in Ward 10. It is easy to reach by motorbike, taxi, or Grab, and the building announces itself immediately — a colorful, striking structure that looks nothing like a typical Vietnamese train station.
The station has not been part of Vietnam’s national rail network since the 1970s. Today it operates as a heritage site and tourist attraction, with a small entrance fee to access the grounds. What you find inside is a mix of preserved architecture, vintage trains on display, a few small vendors and cafes, and a short tourist train that runs to Trai Mat village, about 7 kilometers away.
The overall experience is modest in scale. This is not a large museum or a full day out. But the building itself is genuinely worth seeing, the history behind it is interesting, and for travelers passing through Dalat, it makes for a easy and atmospheric stop.
History of Dalat Train Station
The story of Dalat Train Station begins not with the building itself, but with an ambition to connect the cool highlands of Dalat with the lowland cities of colonial Vietnam. At the turn of the 20th century, Paul Doumer, the French Governor-General of Indochina, approved a railway line running from Thap Cham on the coast up to Dalat — a climb of nearly 1,400 meters through some of the most difficult terrain in the region.
Construction began in 1908 but proceeded slowly. The mountainous stretch west of Song Pha was the main obstacle, requiring rack railway sections and tunnels to negotiate the steep gradients. The 84-kilometer line took decades to complete in stages, with the tracks finally reaching Dalat in 1932 — 24 years after work had started.
A new station building was commissioned at that point, designed by French architects Moncet and Reveron. Construction began in 1935 and was completed in 1938, making it one of the first colonial-style buildings erected in the area. In its working years, the line carried passengers between Dalat, Nha Trang, and Saigon. Most were French citizens or Vietnamese officials making use of Dalat’s temperate climate and growing reputation as a highland resort.
The Vietnam War ended that era. The line was a repeated target of sabotage, and regular operations ceased in 1968. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, the tracks were dismantled to provide materials for repairing the main north-south railway. Several Swiss-built locomotives were sold back to their manufacturer. The station was abandoned.
The revival came in the 1990s, when a 7-kilometer section of track between the station and Trai Mat village was restored and reopened as a tourist attraction. The station building was also restored around this time. In 2001, it was officially recognized as a national architectural monument — a designation that reflects both its historical significance and its architectural quality.
What to see at Dalat Train Station
1. The station building
The station building is the main reason to visit, and it holds up well in person. It was designed in the Art Deco style, but with a distinctly local twist: the three tall, pointed roofs running along the facade are modeled on the communal houses of Central Highlands ethnic minorities, and are commonly said to represent the three peaks of Lang Biang mountain. Under each roof sits a large colorful glass window, with a restored clock positioned beneath the central one. At the front, a porte-cochère — a covered entrance gate — is supported by two rows of twelve columns.
The result is a building that feels both European and unmistakably connected to its surroundings. It is well maintained and photogenic from almost every angle.
2. The trains on display
On the tracks outside the station, several vintage trains are parked permanently. The most notable is an original Black Prairie steam locomotive, manufactured in Germany in 1930. The restored carriages alongside it are built in the Indochina style and give a clear sense of what train travel looked like during the colonial era.
These are display pieces rather than working trains. Most carriage doors are locked, so access to the interiors is limited. That said, the trains photograph well and are worth taking your time around.
3. Inside the station
The main hall contains a small souvenir market and a screen playing a short documentary about the station’s history. It is worth watching, though the subtitles are inconsistent. The overall exhibit is sparse — there are a few historical objects on display, but it does not add up to a proper museum. Manage expectations accordingly.
4. The Choco chocolate shop
One of the side halls has been converted into a chocolate and coffee shop called The Choco. It fits well within the old station setting and is a genuine highlight for those who take the time to find it. The chocolate is good, the coffee is solid, and it is a pleasant place to sit for a while before or after the train ride.
5. Live music
A musician performs at the station during visiting hours — typically on trumpet or another instrument, though this can vary. It adds to the nostalgic atmosphere without being intrusive. A separate performance takes place on the tourist train itself, covered in the next section.
The train ride to Trai Mat
The train
The tourist train runs in restored Indochina-style carriages that match the era of the station well. There is nothing wrong with the train itself — it looks the part and adds to the overall atmosphere of the visit. During the ride, a musician performs live inside the carriage. Free warm artichoke tea is also served, which is a nice touch. One practical note: the music is continuous and played at considerable volume in an enclosed space. If you are sensitive to noise, bring earplugs.
The ride
The journey to Trai Mat covers 7 kilometers and takes around 25 to 30 minutes one way. The scenery along the route is mostly residential, with stretches of greenhouse farming and dense construction. There are some views of hills toward the end, but this is not a scenic mountain or forest railway. Anyone expecting sweeping countryside views will be disappointed. The charm of the ride is in the train itself and the experience — not what you see out the window.
At Trai Mat: take it one way
The strong recommendation here is to buy a one-way ticket and not return by train. The 30-minute stop at Trai Mat between train departures is not enough time to properly visit anything. But if you give yourself more time, there are two temples within easy walking distance that are genuinely worth seeing.
Linh Phuoc Pagoda is about 500 meters from Trai Mat station. It is one of the more visually striking temples in the Dalat area, covered in elaborate mosaic artwork. Worth at least 30 to 45 minutes.
Cao Dai Temple is located just next to Linh Phuoc. If you are already there, it takes little extra time and is worth a look.
After visiting the temples, take a Grab or taxi back into Dalat or on to your next stop. There is no strong reason to ride the train back unless your motorbike or vehicle is parked at the station.
Tickets and schedule
The train departs five times daily. Ticket prices as of late 2025 are around 124,000 VND for a round trip, with one-way tickets available at a lower price. One important thing to know: the train only departs when enough passengers have booked. Early morning departures in particular can be cancelled if numbers are low. It is worth checking at the station or booking in advance to avoid waiting around for a train that does not run.
Location and getting there
Where is Dalat Train Station
Dalat Train Station is located at 1 Quang Trung Street, Ward 10, about 3 kilometers from the center of Dalat. It sits at the end of a quiet residential street and is easy to find.
How to get there
The most convenient options are motorbike, Grab, or taxi. The ride from the city center takes around 10 minutes. There is parking available at the station for those arriving by motorbike or car.
Nearby — what to combine with a visit
Xuan Huong Lake is the large lake at the heart of Dalat, a short ride from the station. It is a natural stop on the way back into the city center and easy to combine with a visit to the station.
Linh Phuoc Pagoda and Cao Dai Temple are both located near Trai Mat station, the endpoint of the tourist train ride. They are better reached by taking the one-way train and walking from there than by making a separate trip from Dalat. See section 5.3 for more detail.
Lam Dong Museum is also within the general area. It covers the history and ethnic cultures of the Central Highlands region. It is not a Dalat highlight in the way that warrants a dedicated visit, but if you find yourself caught in heavy rain and looking for somewhere to spend an hour indoors, it is a reasonable option.
Practical tips and visiting information
Opening hours and entrance fee
The station is open daily from 7:00 to 17:00. Entry closes at 17:00, so plan accordingly. The entrance fee is 50,000 VND per person as of 2025. Note that this is a significant increase from previous years, when entry cost as little as 5,000 VND. Whether that represents good value depends on your expectations — read the honest take below.
How long to spend
Without the train ride, 30 minutes is enough for most visitors. If you enjoy taking your time with the architecture and the trains on display, allow up to an hour. With the one-way train ride to Trai Mat and a visit to Linh Phuoc Pagoda, set aside at least 2.5 to 3 hours in total.
Facilities
Toilets are available on site and are well maintained. There are souvenir stalls on the grounds selling the usual range of Dalat souvenirs, including wooden train horns which are among the more popular purchases. Small cafes are set up in converted static carriages. The Choco chocolate shop inside the station building is the best food and drink option on site.
Practical tips
- The tourist train only departs with enough passengers. Early departures are the most likely to be cancelled. Check at the station or book ahead to avoid waiting around.
- Entrance fee and souvenirs are cash only. Bring Vietnamese dong.
- If doing the train ride, buy a one-way ticket and arrange a Grab or taxi from Trai Mat rather than waiting for the return train.
- The live music on the train is loud and continuous. Bring earplugs if you are sensitive to noise.
Is Dalat Train Station worth visiting?
Dalat Train Station is worth a stop, but it helps to know what it is before you go. The building is the real highlight — the architecture is distinctive, well preserved, and genuinely interesting in the context of Vietnam’s colonial history. That alone justifies a visit for most travelers passing through Dalat.
The station grounds themselves are modest. The exhibit inside the main hall is thin, the carriage doors are mostly locked, and once you have walked the platform and taken your photos, there is not much left to do. At 50,000 VND entrance, it is not expensive, but some visitors will feel the price increase from earlier years is hard to justify for what is essentially a 30-minute photo stop.
The train ride adds something, but with realistic expectations. The journey to Trai Mat is charming in its own way — the train looks good, the atmosphere is pleasant — but the scenery along the route is unremarkable. The real value of the train ride is what it unlocks at the other end: Linh Phuoc Pagoda is one of the more visually impressive temples in the Dalat area, and combining a one-way train trip with a visit there makes for a genuinely worthwhile half-day out. Taking the train both ways, on the other hand, is hard to recommend.
In short: visit the station for the architecture and a look at the trains, have a coffee at The Choco, and if you have the time, take the train one way to Trai Mat and walk to Linh Phuoc from there. Approach it as a pleasant hour rather than a major attraction, and it will not disappoint.
