The route from Nha Trang to Dalat — what to know before you go
Distance and road
The most common route between Nha Trang and Dalat follows National Highway 27C, a 140 km road that climbs from sea level up to around 1,500 meters. The journey typically takes between 3.5 and 4.5 hours, depending on the transport option and how many stops are made.
There is also an older, longer route via National Highway 27B, which runs through Phan Rang and crosses the Ngoan Muc Pass. At around 180 km, it takes considerably longer and is less commonly used. Most buses, vans, and private cars default to Highway 27C unless conditions force a detour.
Unlike many routes in Vietnam, there is no train connection or direct flight between Nha Trang and Dalat. The road is the only realistic option, which already makes this trip different from most intercity journeys in the country.
The scenery
The main scenic highlight is Khanh Le Pass, a 33 km stretch of mountain road that winds through dense forest, wide valleys, and changing highland landscapes. Small waterfalls are visible from the road as you climb, and fog is common near the top of the pass, especially in the morning.
There are no major tourist attractions directly along the route. The scenery itself is the draw, and the experience varies significantly depending on how you travel. From the window of a bus it is pleasant but fleeting. On the back of a motorbike with time to stop, it is something else entirely.
Road conditions and rainy season
Highway 27C is prone to landslides during the rainy season, which runs roughly from October through December in this region. In late 2025, the pass was closed for over a month after serious landslides caused fatalities and cut the road entirely. It reopened in late December 2025.
When the pass is closed, buses and vans reroute via Highway 27B, adding significant time to the journey. If you are traveling between October and December, it is worth checking conditions before you go. During heavy or prolonged rain, delays and diversions are a real possibility.
About Dalat
Dalat sits at around 1,500 meters elevation, which means it is noticeably cooler than Nha Trang year-round — often by 10 degrees or more. The city is known for its French colonial architecture, pine forests, flower markets, and a quieter atmosphere that sets it apart from most of coastal Vietnam. There are waterfalls, lakes, and gardens within easy reach of the center, and the surrounding highlands offer some of the best motorbike riding in the south.
For a full overview of what to do and where to stay, see our Dalat travel guide.
Option 1: Bus or limousine van from Nha Trang to Dalat
Is there a direct bus?
Yes, there are multiple daily departures between Nha Trang and Dalat, making this one of the better-served intercity routes in the region. Buses run from early morning through to the evening, with enough frequency that advance booking is usually only necessary during peak season or public holidays.
Types of buses
There are a few different options on this route, and the experience varies quite a bit between them.
Standard large buses are the cheapest option but the least comfortable, and they are becoming less common on this route as limousine vans have taken over much of the market.
Limousine vans with 9 to 15 seats are now the dominant option and what most travelers end up on. They are faster, more comfortable, and often include hotel pickup within the city center. Air conditioning, reclining seats, and charging ports are standard on most.
Travel time and price
Travel time is typically 3.5 to 4.5 hours on Highway 27C under normal conditions. Prices range from around 180,000 to 350,000 VND per person ($7–14), depending on the operator and vehicle type. Limousine vans sit at the higher end of that range.
Reliable operators on this route include Phuong Trang, GoroTrip, Khanh Phong, Lac Hong, and Dat Moi Limousine. Tickets can be booked through 12Go Asia or Vexere, both of which show live availability and allow easy comparison between operators.
Pickup and drop-off
Most limousine vans offer hotel pickup within the Nha Trang city center, though the exact pickup radius varies by operator — confirm this at the time of booking. Departures also run from Nha Trang’s southern bus station for those who prefer to make their own way there.
In Dalat, drop-off is typically within the city center or at a fixed office, with some operators bringing you closer to your hotel. Pickup times can be earlier than the listed departure, as vans often collect passengers from multiple locations before heading out.
What to expect
Taking the bus or limousine van from Nha Trang to Dalat is straightforward and affordable, but it is a transfer, not an experience. The van follows the same scenic mountain road as every other option, but there are no stops for views or sightseeing — the schedule is fixed and the driver’s job is to get there.
One thing worth knowing: the curves on Khanh Le Pass can cause motion sickness, particularly in the back seats of a van. Sitting near the front helps. If you are sensitive to winding roads, avoid eating a heavy meal before departure and consider taking medication in advance.
Option 2: Private car from Nha Trang to Dalat
How it works
A private car means a vehicle with a driver, booked for the full journey from your hotel in Nha Trang to your hotel in Dalat. The driver handles the road and you have the flexibility to stop along the way — at viewpoints on Khanh Le Pass, roadside waterfalls, or anywhere else that catches your attention.
This is not a guided tour. The driver’s job is to get you there safely and comfortably, not to explain what you are seeing. Some drivers know the route well and can point out a good stop or two, but this should not be expected as standard. If you want specific stops, discuss them with the driver before setting off.
Cost
Prices are per vehicle, not per person, and typically include fuel, tolls, and the driver.
- Sedan (2–3 passengers): around $60–80
- SUV (3–5 passengers): around $70–100
- Van (5–10 passengers): around $90–130
For solo travelers or couples, a private car is noticeably more expensive than a limousine van. For groups of three or more, the cost per person starts to become competitive, and the added comfort and flexibility make it worth considering.
Who should choose this
A private car works best for families, small groups, or anyone traveling with more luggage than fits comfortably in a van. It is also a good choice if you want the option to stop without committing to a full-day motorbike experience.
The flexibility is the main advantage. If someone in the group feels unwell on the mountain curves, you can pull over. If the views are good and you want to linger, you can. That kind of control is worth paying for, depending on who you are traveling with.
Stops along the way
The most worthwhile stop on this route is Khanh Le Pass itself, where there are a handful of points with open views over the valleys below. A few small waterfalls are visible from the road on the climb up. None of these are major attractions, but they are worth a short pause if you have the time.
Mention the stops you want at the start of the journey. Most drivers will not raise it themselves, and stopping mid-route after the fact can be more complicated than agreeing on it upfront.
Tip: Book a private car from Nha Trang to Dalat with Local Vietnam
A private car with driver from Nha Trang to Dalat includes hotel pickup, flexible stops along the way, and a direct drop-off at your accommodation in Dalat. Contact us to check availability and get a quote for your travel dates.
Option 3: Easy Rider from Nha Trang to Dalat
What is an Easy Rider
An Easy Rider is a local motorbike driver who takes you on the back of their bike while acting as an informal guide along the way. You are not driving yourself — you sit behind an experienced rider who knows the road, the traffic, and where to stop. It is a style of travel that has been part of the Central Highlands for decades, and the Nha Trang to Dalat route is one of the classic Easy Rider journeys in the south.
What the experience looks like
This is a full-day journey, typically 7 to 8 hours including stops, with pickup at your hotel in Nha Trang around 8am and arrival in Dalat in the late afternoon or early evening.
The route heads out of Nha Trang through the countryside, passing rice fields, sugar cane plantations, and small villages before the road begins to climb. A common stop early on is Long Son Pagoda on the edge of Nha Trang, followed by villages of the Rak-Lay ethnic minority — one of the smaller groups living in this part of Khanh Hoa province. Further along, the road passes coffee plantations before reaching Khanh Le Pass, where the views open up over forested valleys and the air noticeably cools.
The descent into Dalat brings pine trees, flower farms, and the first signs of the highland atmosphere that makes the city feel so different from the coast you left that morning.
Why choose it
The Easy Rider is the only option on this route where the journey genuinely becomes part of the trip. A bus gets you to Dalat. An Easy Rider shows you what lies between.
The pace is slower, the access is better, and the stops are chosen by someone who actually knows the area. Small roads that a car or bus would never take, villages that do not appear on any tourist map, a coffee stop at a plantation rather than a highway rest area — these are the differences that make it worth a full day rather than a few hours.
It is also a more comfortable way to experience a mountain pass than driving yourself. The rider handles the curves and the traffic while you take in the scenery.
Practical things to know
Luggage is typically tied to the back of the bike, though some operators can arrange separate transport for larger bags — worth confirming before you book. The ride is not physically demanding, but you should be comfortable sitting on a motorbike for extended periods with breaks in between.
The journey takes most of the day, so plan to arrive in Dalat in the evening rather than the afternoon. This is not an option if you need to be somewhere by a specific time.
Tip: Book an Easy Rider from Nha Trang to Dalat with Local Vietnam
Our Nha Trang to Dalat Easy Rider tour includes hotel pickup, stops at ethnic minority villages and highland plantations, and a drop-off at your accommodation in Dalat. See the tour for the full route and details.
Option 4: Self-drive motorbike from Nha Trang to Dalat
The appeal
Driving yourself from Nha Trang to Dalat is the most independent way to do this route. You set the pace, choose the stops, and experience Khanh Le Pass at your own speed rather than from the back seat of a van or behind someone else’s handlebars.
One thing worth keeping in mind: this direction means climbing, not descending. The ride from Nha Trang to Dalat gains around 1,500 meters of elevation over the course of the journey. It is not a technical challenge, but it is sustained, and it makes the route feel more demanding than the same road in reverse.
Is it suitable for everyone
This option is only recommended for riders with genuine experience on Vietnamese roads. Khanh Le Pass involves extended mountain curves, overtaking trucks, and road surfaces that vary depending on weather and recent conditions. Confidence on a motorbike is not enough — you need experience handling these specific conditions.
A valid driving licence and international driving permit are officially required. In practice, rental shops rarely check and police stops on this route are uncommon, but that does not reduce the risk. If something goes wrong without proper documentation, insurance is unlikely to cover it.
One-way rental logistics
Not every rental shop in Nha Trang offers one-way rentals to Dalat, so this needs to be arranged in advance. Look for companies with offices or drop-off partners in both cities. Tigit Motorbikes is one of the more reliable options for this kind of arrangement.
Luggage space on a motorbike is limited. Some rental companies offer a separate luggage transfer service, which makes the ride significantly more manageable. Ask about this when booking — it is worth paying for if available.
Before you set off
Fill the tank before leaving Nha Trang. Fuel stations exist along the route, but there are sections in the mountain stretch where stations are spaced further apart than you might expect. Starting with a full tank removes that variable.
Aim to cross Khanh Le Pass before 4pm. Fog builds in the late afternoon, visibility can drop quickly near the top, and some sections of the road become genuinely difficult in low light or wet conditions. An early start from Nha Trang makes this easy to manage.
Conclusion: what is the best option for Nha Trang to Dalat
The right choice depends on what kind of traveler you are and what you want from the journey itself.
Bus or limousine van — Best for budget travelers or anyone who simply needs to get from Nha Trang to Dalat without fuss. Frequent departures, easy booking, and affordable prices make this the default option for most people on this route.
Private car — Best for families, small groups, or travelers with more luggage. The cost per person becomes reasonable from three passengers upward, and the flexibility to stop along the way adds value without committing to a full day on a motorbike.
Easy Rider — Best for travelers who want the journey to mean something. It takes a full day, but it is the only option where you actually experience the landscape, the villages, and the road rather than just passing through them. If you have the time, it is the most worthwhile way to make this trip.
Self-drive motorbike — Best for experienced riders who want full freedom on the road. The climb from coast to highlands is rewarding, but this option is only suitable if you are genuinely comfortable on a motorbike in mountain conditions.
For most travelers, the limousine van is the practical answer. For those with a day to spare and an interest in more than just arriving, the Easy Rider is the one option on this route that is hard to forget.
