Nha Trang is about 120 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 120 km via National Highway 27C — the shortest route and the one almost all bus operators use.
- 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 has landslides or is closed.
How long to reach each point?
The time milestones below are calculated from when the bus leaves central Nha Trang, used to estimate arrival times:
| Leg | Cumulative km | Time from departure |
|---|---|---|
| Leaving Nha Trang, passing Diên Khánh | about 15 km | 20–25 minutes |
| Khánh Vĩnh town — a familiar rest stop | about 40 km | 50–60 minutes |
| Foot of Khánh Lê pass, starting the climb | about 55 km | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Pass summit, Khánh Lê waterfall below | about 75 km | 2 hours 15 minutes |
| End of the pass, entering Lạc Dương district | about 95 km | 3 hours |
| Central Đà Lạt | about 120 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 other ways to travel besides by bus?
The straightforward answer: no. There is no railway line between Nha Trang and Đà Lạt, nor are there any direct flights, so all passengers travel by road. Three practical options:
| Travel method | 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, those 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 a 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 and with the whole afternoon ahead. More importantly, you cross the pass in broad daylight, allowing you to see the most beautiful stretches of the route. The after 3 PM trip crosses the pass in the late afternoon, often encountering fog and offering no views, so it should only be chosen 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 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 carry-on 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) | 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 (charter) | 1.412.000 ₫/vehicle | Customer's choice of time |
| Private 16-seat vehicle (charter) | 2.671.000 ₫/vehicle | Customer's choice of time |
| Private 9-11 seat Limousine (charter) | 2.824.000 ₫/vehicle | Customer's choice of time |
| Private 29-seat vehicle (charter) | 4.706.000 ₫/vehicle | Customer's choice of time |
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 the time of booking is the final amount.
Pickup and drop-off points
Pickup in Nha Trang: Venti Coffee · North Nha Trang Bus Station · South Bank ATM - Seafood Joint Stock Company · Hon Chong Beach Park · Quang Trung Information Area.
Drop-off in Đà Lạt: An Tiến Coffee.
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 prices for this route on the Nha Trang to Đà Lạt bus page on Go365: book online, pay in VND, and enjoy 24/7 support. Read more about the Khánh Lê pass route and tips for taking the overnight bus on this route.
