The basics
Dalat’s airport is officially called Lien Khuong International Airport, with the airport code DLI. It sits on Highway 20, about 30 km south of the city center. The drive into Dalat takes around 40 to 50 minutes depending on traffic and where your hotel is located. The road itself is a standard highland highway — well-maintained and not particularly scenic, but perfectly fine.
The airport is small but functional. You will find ATMs, currency exchange, free Wi-Fi, and a few cafés and snack options inside the terminal. It is easy to navigate, and arrivals are straightforward.
One important thing to know before reading further: the dedicated airport shuttle bus that used to run between Lien Khuong Airport and the city center is no longer in service. It was operated by Futa (Phuong Trang) and was a popular budget option, but it stopped running in 2023 and has not resumed. Many guides still mention it — ignore those references. The options that actually work are covered below.
Option 1: Private transfer
What it is
A private transfer means a car with a driver, booked in advance, that picks you up at the arrivals hall and drops you off directly at your hotel. The driver will be waiting with a sign showing your name when you exit. No haggling, no meter, no surprises.
Why choose it
This is the most reliable option for getting from the airport to Dalat, and the one that works best for most travelers. The price is fixed before you travel, toll fees are included, and it works at any hour — including late-night arrivals when taxis can be harder to find and the bus is not running at all. It is also the most practical choice if you are traveling with a family, a group, or anyone carrying more than a small backpack.
Practical details
Prices for a one-way transfer from Lien Khuong Airport to Dalat city:
- 4-seater car: around 330,000 VND
- 7-seater car: around 390,000 VND
- 15-seat van: around 900,000 VND
The journey takes 40 to 50 minutes. You can book through your hotel, through platforms, or directly with a local transport company. Booking at least a day in advance is recommended, though same-day options are usually available.
Option 2: Taxi
What it is
Metered taxis are available at Lien Khuong Airport and are a solid option if you have not pre-booked a private transfer. Several reputable companies operate at the airport, including Mai Linh, Lado (Lam Dong), Thang Loi, and Taxi Dalat.
Why choose it
A taxi is a good fallback if you arrive without a transfer arranged. You do not need to book in advance, and the wait is usually short. For a solo traveler or a couple, it is often the most practical on-the-spot option.
Practical details
The fare from the airport to Dalat city center runs roughly 250,000 to 350,000 VND. Note that toll fees — at the Prenn toll station and the airport entrance — are not included in the meter and will be added to your total. This is normal and not a scam, but it can catch people off guard if they are not expecting it. Journey time is the same as a private transfer: around 40 to 50 minutes.
Watch out for
Go straight to the official taxi counter near the arrivals exit rather than accepting offers from drivers approaching you inside the terminal. Unofficial touts do operate here. Among the companies at the airport, Red Star taxis have a reputation for overcharging — it is better to stick with Mai Linh or Lado, which are more consistently reliable and use their meters properly.
Option 3: Grab
What it is
Grab is the main ride-hailing app in Southeast Asia and does work in Dalat. However, it comes with an important limitation at the airport: Grab drivers cannot pick up passengers from inside the terminal. To use Grab on arrival, you would need to walk about 1.2 km from the terminal to Highway 20 to be picked up — not realistic if you have luggage.
Practical details
A Grab Car from the airport to the city center shows a fare of around 250,000 to 290,000 VND in the app, but toll fees of around 40,000 VND are added separately and paid to the driver. Journey time is the same as a taxi.
When it actually makes sense
Grab is more useful for the return trip — from your hotel to the airport. From the city, a driver can pick you up directly at your accommodation, which makes it convenient and often slightly cheaper than calling a taxi. If you plan to use Grab during your stay in Dalat, download the app before you arrive and make sure it is linked to a payment method. Foreign cards are supported.
Grab availability in Dalat is lower than in larger cities like Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, so wait times can be longer, particularly outside the center. It is a useful tool to have, but do not rely on it as your primary option for the airport arrival itself.
Option 4: Local bus
What it is
There are local buses running along Highway 20 between Duc Trong and Dalat city. The airport does not have a bus stop on its grounds, so to catch one you need to walk about 1.2 km from the terminal to the highway. The nearest stop is in front of a café called La 1988 on Highway 20. Two services pass here: a red Futa minivan and a green bus marked “Duc Trong Da Lat.”
Practical details
A ticket costs around 20,000 VND and the journey takes roughly one hour. The buses make multiple stops in Dalat, so you can ask to be dropped off at the stop closest to your hotel. Both services only run until around 18:00, which means this option is not available for evening or night arrivals.
Who this works for
The local bus is the cheapest way to get from the airport to Dalat, but the conditions attached to it are significant. It only makes sense for a solo traveler arriving in daylight with minimal luggage who does not mind the walk to the highway. For anyone with a large bag, traveling as a couple or group, arriving after 18:00, or simply wanting a straightforward start to their trip, the time and effort involved do not make this worth it. The price difference compared to a taxi is real, but so is the inconvenience.
Conclusion: what is the best option for airport to Dalat?
For most travelers, the choice comes down to two options: a pre-booked private transfer or a metered taxi at the airport. Both are reliable, both get you to your hotel in around 40 to 50 minutes, and the price difference between them is small.
A private transfer is the better option if you want certainty. The price is fixed, the driver is waiting for you, and it works regardless of what time you land. It is also the most practical choice for families, groups, and anyone with more than carry-on luggage.
A taxi works well if you arrive without anything booked. Stick to Mai Linh or Lado, use the official taxi counter at arrivals, and be aware that toll fees will be added on top of the meter.
Grab is worth having on your phone for getting around Dalat during your stay and for the return trip to the airport, but it is not a practical option on arrival due to the lack of pickup at the terminal.
The local bus is technically possible for a solo daytime traveler with minimal luggage, but the walk to the highway makes it more effort than it is worth for most people. Many guides still list the dedicated airport shuttle bus as an option — that service stopped running in 2023 and has not returned. Do not count on it.
