Nha Trang is about 135 km from Đà Lạt via National Highway 27C, taking 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours by bus. This is one of the shortest routes from the coast to the highlands in Vietnam: you can still swim in the sea in Nha Trang in the morning and be sitting down for coffee in Đà Lạt by early afternoon.
How many km from Nha Trang to Đà Lạt and how long does it take?
- Distance: about 135 km via National Highway 27C — the shortest route and the one used by almost all bus operators.
- Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours. Add 20–30 minutes during the rainy season when the pass is foggy.
- Route: Nha Trang → Diên Khánh → Khánh Vĩnh → Khánh Lê pass → Lạc Dương → Đà Lạt.
- Alternative route: detour via National Highway 1 down to Phan Rang, then up Ngoạn Mục pass via National Highway 27, covering about 220 km and taking 5–6 hours. Bus operators only switch to this route when Khánh Lê pass is affected by landslides or road closures.
How long to reach each milestone?
The timeline below is calculated from the moment the bus leaves central Nha Trang, used to estimate arrival times:
| Leg | Cumulative km | Time from departure |
|---|---|---|
| Leaving Nha Trang, passing through Diên Khánh | about 15 km | 20–25 minutes |
| Khánh Vĩnh town — familiar rest stop | about 40 km | 50–60 minutes |
| Base of Khánh Lê pass, starting the ascent | about 55 km | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Pass summit, Khánh Lê waterfall below | about 85 km | 2 hours 15 minutes |
| End of pass, entering Lạc Dương district | about 110 km | 3 hours |
| Central Đà Lạt | about 135 km | 3 hours 30 – 4 hours |
Khánh Lê pass is over 30 km long and is the slowest section of the entire route: buses can only travel at 30–40 km/h due to continuous curves. If you need to be in Đà Lạt at a specific time, add an extra half hour as a buffer.
Are there any alternatives to taking the bus?
The straightforward answer: no. There is no railway line and no direct flight between Nha Trang and Đà Lạt, so all passengers travel by road. Three practical options:
| Mode | Duration | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared 9–11 seat Limousine | 3 hours 30 – 4 hours | Solo travelers or couples | Most departure times throughout the day, reclining seats, pickup within the city |
| Shared 16-seat bus | 3 hours 30 – 4 hours | Passengers wanting the lowest price | Fewer departure times, standard seating |
| Private 4–29 seat vehicle | 3 hours 30 – 4 hours | Families, groups, with young children or elderly | Flexible departure time, can stop for sightseeing on the pass, door-to-door pickup and drop-off |
| Self-driving motorbike | 4–5 hours | Experienced mountain riders | Long pass, thick afternoon fog, and many trucks — not suitable for beginners |
Should you take the morning or afternoon trip?
The 7–8 AM departure is the most popular choice: arriving in Đà Lạt around 11 AM–12 PM, just in time to check in with the whole afternoon ahead, and more importantly, crossing the pass in broad daylight to enjoy the most scenic stretches of the route. The after 3 PM trip crosses the pass in the late afternoon, often encountering fog with no views, so only choose this if you are busy all morning.
The return route from Đà Lạt to Nha Trang also runs on the same schedule and at the same prices.
Tips for the mountain pass
Khánh Lê pass has many continuous curves, so those prone to motion sickness should take medication 30 minutes beforehand, choose a front seat, and avoid eating too much before departure. Đà Lạt is about 8–10 degrees colder than Nha Trang, and evening temperatures often drop to 15–18 degrees, so keep a jacket handy in your day bag instead of stowing it in the luggage compartment. The bus usually makes one rest stop in Khánh Vĩnh for about 15 minutes — this is also the last place with food stalls before heading up the pass.
Fares and Go365 departure schedules
| Vehicle type | Price | Departure times |
|---|---|---|
| Vip car (16-seat bus) | 232.000 ₫/passenger | 08:00 · 08:30 · 13:00 · 15:30 · 17:30 |
| 10-11 seat Limousine | 297.000 ₫/passenger | 06:00 · 06:45 · 07:15 · 08:30 · 10:30 · 11:45 · 12:00 · 13:00 · 14:00 · 16:00 · 16:45 · 17:00 |
| 9-seat Limousine | 297.000 ₫/passenger | 06:00 · 07:30 · 08:30 · 10:30 · 12:30 · 13:00 · 14:00 · 16:00 · 17:30 |
| Private 4-7 seat vehicle (whole vehicle charter) | 1.412.000 ₫/vehicle | Time chosen by passenger |
| Private 16-seat vehicle (whole vehicle charter) | 2.671.000 ₫/vehicle | Time chosen by passenger |
| Private 9-11 seat Limousine (whole vehicle charter) | 2.824.000 ₫/vehicle | Time chosen by passenger |
| Private 29-seat vehicle (whole vehicle charter) | 4.706.000 ₫/vehicle | Time chosen by passenger |
Prices and schedules are taken from the Go365 booking system, updated on 21/09/2026. Prices may change on public holidays and during peak season — the amount shown at booking is the final amount.
Pickup and drop-off points
Pickup in Nha Trang: Venti Coffee · Nha Trang Northern Bus Station · ATM Ngân Hàng Phương Nam - Công Ty Cổ Phần Hải Sản · Hòn Chồng beach park · Quang Trung Information area.
Drop-off in Đà Lạt: Cà Phê An Tiến.
The exact pickup point depends on the trip and vehicle type you choose; for private vehicles, pickup is at your door based on the address you provide when booking.
You can check the departure times, vehicle types, and actual fares for this route on the Nha Trang to Đà Lạt bus page on Go365: book online, pay in VND, and get 24/7 support. Read more about the Khánh Lê pass route and tips for taking the overnight bus on this route.
