How To Reach Dalat

Situated in the South Central highlands of Vietnam, this place originally served as the winter playground of the French colonials, who flocked to these hilly lands to escape the humidity and heat of the coast. However, today Dalat is a paradise for locals and tourists alike, with immense natural beauty combined with French historic monuments and architecture. It has become a hub for literature and culture. Dalat is well-connected by roadways to majority of the significant cities in and around Vietnam. For international visitors, since there are no direct flights, it is only possible to reach by flying out to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or one of the other neighbouring cities. From here travel by road, train or a domestic flight are all equally viable options for visitors to get to Dalat. 

The Lieng Khuong International Airport is the focal point for all air travel to Dalat. However, there are no direct flights from India to this airport. Instead, visitors will be required to travel to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and catch a domestic flight in order to get to their destination. Although seemingly inconvenient, Hanoi is only an hour's flight away and Ho Chi Minh is about 45 minutes off from Dalat. This is an efficient and easy way for visitors to travel. 

A relatively cheaper but longer way to reach Dalat is by taking a local bus or private taxi from one of the neighbouring cities. The journey by road is approximately 7 hours from Ho Chi Minh and around 4 hours from Nha Trang. There are additional air-conditioned minivan options which might be a little more expensive but will ensure a more relaxed and private journey. However, during peak tourist season it is strongly recommended to book your busses and taxis at least a day in advance to avoid long delays. 

The Dalat Railway Station is a star tourist attraction in itself. Designed by the French colonials, the station is the highest in the country, situated 1500 meters above sea-level. Actually 84 km long, only 7 km of the track enjoys a highly limited train service. The Dalat Railwayt Station serves more as a historical relic now than a fully functioning train station. Hence, it is recommended to instead take a train from Thap Cham Railway Station, which is about 100 km away. Alternatively, visitors can take busses or taxis from Thap Cham Station to get to Dalat. 

The best and most convenient way to get in and around Dalat locally is via the taxi service available. There are both private and public services available for visitors to choose from. Alternatively, many visitors choose to explore the city on bicycle or by hiring scooters for the duration of their stay. However, this may prove to be tedious, due to the intense traffic and sheer number of people in Vietnam.