Dalat to Nha Trang means a 3 to 4.5 hour crossing of the 30 km Khanh Le Pass, whether you go by bus, a private car, or a guided motorbike tour over it.
Dalat to Nha Trang means crossing the Khanh Le Pass, more than 30 km of mountain curves that drop from the highlands to the coast, and the full 135 to 140 km trip takes 3 to 4.5 hours whether you go by bus, private car, or motorbike, with the clearest views if you start before the afternoon fog rolls in. This guide starts with what makes the pass itself worth planning around, then breaks down what each option costs.
The short version
The Khanh Le Pass runs over 30 km of National Road 27C, dropping from the highlands around Dalat down toward the coast through a long series of curves, and it takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to cross without stopping.
Mornings are usually clearer and cooler, while afternoon cloud or mist can reduce visibility on the higher sections, so an early departure is worth planning around regardless of which option you choose. Heavy rain can occasionally bring landslide risk after a typhoon or several days of continuous downpour, which is the main reason to check the forecast before a motorbike trip or a scenic stop along the way. None of this changes the basic numbers: 135 to 140 km and 3 to 4.5 hours total, no matter which option carries you over it.
4 main options cover Dalat to Nha Trang: a standard bus, a limousine van, a private car, and a motorbike, either self-driven or with an Easy Rider guide. Prices and travel times vary more by option than by season, since the road itself stays the same.
| Option | Price | Travel time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard bus | 170,000-250,000 VND (~7-10 USD) | 3.5-4.5 hrs | Dalat bus station, Nha Trang city center |
| Limousine van | 250,000-330,000 VND (~10-13 USD) | 3-4 hrs | Hotel pickup within a few km, shared with others |
| Private car | 60-130 USD per vehicle | 3-4 hrs | Hotel to hotel or Cam Ranh Airport, your own schedule |
| Easy Rider (guided motorbike) | Varies by operator | 7-8 hrs with stops | Hotel to hotel, includes a local guide |
Sources: localvietnam.com's Dalat to Nha Trang transport guide and its Khanh Le Pass guide, both checked October 2026.
A Dalat to Nha Trang bus costs 170,000 to 250,000 VND (~7 to 10 USD) and takes 3.5 to 4.5 hours, picking up at the Dalat bus station and dropping off in central Nha Trang. A limousine van costs a bit more, 250,000 to 330,000 VND (~10 to 13 USD).
The limousine van usually includes a hotel pickup within a few kilometers and a slightly faster 3 to 4 hour run. Both options are shared with other passengers, so expect 1 or 2 stops along the way for pickups or a short break. Book through a recognized ticket platform rather than a street agent, and confirm the exact drop-off point in Nha Trang, since some companies stop short of the city center. Beyond this one route, our general trip-prep checklist covers what else is worth sorting out before you go.
A Dalat to Nha Trang private car runs 60 to 80 USD for a sedan, 70 to 100 USD for an SUV, or 90 to 130 USD for a van, with fuel, tolls, and the driver included in the quoted price.
Pickup and drop-off are hotel to hotel, or you can ask for a drop-off at Cam Ranh Airport if you're flying out the same day, which pairs well with a separate Cam Ranh airport fast track on arrival or departure. Sondax's private car service currently lists set routes like Da Nang to Hoi An and Da Nang to Hue rather than this one by name, so reach out directly for a quote rather than expecting an online listing. The trade-off for the higher price is a fixed schedule, with stops along the pass on your own terms rather than a shared timetable.
Self-driving a motorbike over the Khanh Le Pass is realistic only for riders already comfortable on Vietnam's roads, and an International Driving Permit covering motorcycles is officially required, since the descents move faster than they look and shoulders are narrow in places.
We tell riders heading out on their own to fill up in Dalat before starting, since fuel stations thin out through the mountain section, and to treat any bus or van coming the other way as faster than it looks on the descents. An Easy Rider guide removes most of that planning, taking 7 to 8 hours with stops for photos and food along the way, which turns the pass into the point of the trip rather than something to get through quickly.
A bus or limousine van suits most travelers who just want to make this trip without extra cost. A private car makes sense for families, groups with luggage, or anyone flying out of Cam Ranh the same day, and an Easy Rider or self-drive motorbike fits travelers who want the Khanh Le Pass itself to be part of the trip.
If your route continues further along the coast afterward, our guide to Da Nang and central Vietnam covers what comes next. Once you land in Nha Trang, our guide to the city's daily budget and itinerary covers where to go from there. Nha Trang to Dalat works the same way in reverse, with similar pricing and times.
Is the Khanh Le Pass safe to drive?
The road is in generally good condition with long descents and many curves, so most visitors are better off with a bus, van, or driver rather than self-driving unless they're already experienced on Vietnam's roads. Morning departures usually bring clearer visibility than the afternoon.
How far is Dalat from Nha Trang?
The Dalat to Nha Trang distance is about 135 to 140 km, almost all of it on National Road 27C over the Khanh Le Pass. The drive takes 3 to 4.5 hours depending on the option and the weather.
Can I do this as a day trip from either city?
The one-way drive alone takes 3 to 4.5 hours, so a round-trip day visit leaves very little time at the destination. Most travelers treat it as a one-way leg between stops rather than a day trip.
Does the bus drop off near Cam Ranh Airport?
Standard buses and limousine vans usually stop in central Nha Trang, not at the airport. A private car or the Cam Ranh airport fast track mentioned above covers that last stretch if you're flying out the same day.
Want a fixed price and your own schedule over the pass?
Our private car service runs set routes elsewhere in central Vietnam, and our team can put together a direct quote for Dalat to Nha Trang on request.
Best visited during dry season (November to April) for ideal weather.
Book accommodations in advance during peak travel season.
Carry local currency (Vietnamese Dong) for markets and small vendors.
Respect local customs and dress modestly when visiting temples.
