Nha Trang to Da Lat is a short climb, about 135 to 152 km over the Khanh Le Pass (Daytrip lists 135 km, Vexere 152 km). A daytime limousine van is the best value for most travelers: 3 to 4.5 hours, cheap, and dropped at an office or cafe in Da Lat. Groups should hire a car. Whatever you choose, go by day, because the pass is closed to traffic at night while landslide repairs continue.
How we built this guide: we checked fares and timetables on Vexere, 12Go and Daytrip and The Sinh Tourist's published schedule on 2 October 2026, plus Vietnamese news reports on the Khanh Le Pass from November 2025 to late September 2026. We did not ride these services for this guide. Prices are in Vietnamese dong (VND) with US dollar estimates at Vietcombank's selling rate of 26,170 VND per dollar on 2 October 2026. Where a site showed dollars, the VND figure is our conversion.
How long does Nha Trang to Da Lat take?
Plan on 3 to 4.5 hours by van or bus and 2.5 to 3.5 hours by private car.
Limousine van and bus
On 2 October 2026, Vexere listed 17 companies and 142 daily trips with an average of 3.6 hours and fares from 180,000 to 600,000 VND (about $7 to $23). Its cheapest was GoroTrip Limousine VIP at 180,000 VND, Cuc Tung Limousine and Phuong Trang (FUTA Bus Lines) charged 210,000 VND, and Khanh Phong 230,000 VND.
On 12Go, FUTA's VIP cabin coach was timed at 3.5 hours for about $7.21 (about 189,000 VND), a tourist van at 3 hours for about $10, and Cuc Tung's 9 and 11-seat vans at about 4.5 hours for $8.85 to $10.39. The Sinh Tourist runs 07:30 and 13:00 departures, each scheduled at 4 hours for 140 km, per its schedule.
Private car
12Go listed cars from about $35 to $63 per vehicle (about 916,000 to 1.65 million VND), timed at about 2 hours 25 minutes to 3 hours 20 minutes. Daytrip quotes 3 hours for 135 km from $24 per person, with optional stops such as Suoi Do Pagoda and the Valley of Love.
Motorbike
Riding takes about as long as a car plus whatever stops you make, but it is only for licensed, experienced riders. See the motorbike section below.
Is the Khanh Le Pass safe in 2026?
It is open by day and still under repair, so it is reasonable in dry daylight and a bad idea at night or in heavy rain. The pass runs for 33 km, per VnExpress, on National Route 27C between Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong.
Its recent record is serious. On the night of 16 November 2025, a landslide hit a coach at Km45 on the pass, killing six people and injuring 19, per VOH. The November 2025 floods left about 100 landslide points on the pass, more than 50 of them blocking the road, per Bao Xay Dung.
The road reopened on 24 December 2025 for cars of under 16 seats and trucks under 5 tons between 6:00 and 17:00, per VnExpress. From 13 February 2026, all vehicles were allowed from 5:00 to 18:00, per Tuoi Tre, with night traffic told to use National Route 27 through Phan Rang. VnExpress describes that detour as nearly double the distance.
On 26 September 2026, Dan Tri reported that the 18:00 to 5:00 ban still applies on the Km63 to Km65+543 section, with new signs added at both ends after drivers complained they only learned of it halfway up. A repair project of nearly 125 billion VND on Km26 to Km65+543 was scheduled to run from 8 June to 5 October 2026, per Thanh Nien, and Bao Xay Dung reported crews racing to finish by early October before the main rains.
Watch out: 12Go still showed a few departures between 01:30 and 05:00 on 2 October 2026. With the night ban, ask the operator which road a night bus takes, since the Phan Rang detour is much longer.
What happens in the rainy season?
Expect more closures. The UK government's travel advice lists October to December as central Vietnam's rainy season, with flooding most likely in October and November, and warns that landslides can block roads. Tuoi Tre's February 2026 report on two-way traffic also cites fog and poor visibility at night as a reason to avoid the pass after dark. Our best time to visit Vietnam page explains the regional seasons.
Which option should you pick?
For one or two people, a daytime limousine van. For three or more, a private car costs only a little more per head and lets you stop.
| Mode | Time | Price seen on 2 Oct 2026 | Comfort and safety | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limousine van | About 3 to 4.5 hours | 180,000 to 600,000 VND (about $7 to $23) on Vexere | Fewer seats, hotel or office pickup | Most travelers |
| Coach or cabin bus | About 3.5 to 4 hours | From about $7.21 (189,000 VND) for FUTA on 12Go | Big vehicle, fixed stations | Lowest price |
| Private car | About 2.5 to 3.5 hours | $35 to $63 per car on 12Go, from $24 per person on Daytrip | Door to door, your own stops | Groups, families |
| Motorbike | About 3 hours plus stops | Rental prices not checked | Exposed on a steep pass | Licensed, experienced riders |
| Flight | Not practical | About $98 to $101 on 12Go | Airport transfers both ends | Not recommended |
Where do vans and buses pick up and drop off?
Vans often collect you from a hotel or office in Nha Trang and stop at a cafe or office in Da Lat, while big coaches use the bus stations. On 12Go, one van left from 34 Bui Phung Street and another from Venti Coffee in Nha Trang, both arriving at An Tien Cafe in Da Lat, and Viet Lao's cabin coach left the Nha Trang New Southern Bus Station for 67 Mai Hac De in Da Lat. Vexere lists Phuong Trang departures from Ben xe Phia Nam, the southern bus station, and GoroTrip from the CT2 building in Phuoc Hai.
If you arrived by sleeper bus from the north, our Hoi An to Nha Trang guide covers that leg, and routes from Nha Trang lists the others.
Can you ride the pass on a motorbike?
Only if you are licensed, experienced on mountain roads and willing to ride in daylight only. The UK government says you need the 1968 international driving permit plus your home license, it is illegal to ride without third-party insurance, and helmets are compulsory. It also says motorbike accidents are common. On a pass with fresh repair works, gravel and the risk of falling rock, this is not the place to learn.
What should you expect when you reach Da Lat?
Expect cool air. Da Lat sits about 1,500 m above sea level on the Langbiang Plateau, per Wikipedia, so pack a warm layer in your day bag rather than in the hold. Daytrip includes one suitcase and one carry-on per passenger. On vans, ask about luggage space before you book if you carry more than one large bag. Our Da Lat guide covers what to do once you arrive. If you are continuing south, see our Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat guide, which covers buses, cars and flights between Da Lat and the south.
Key facts at a glance
- The Khanh Le Pass is 33 km long, per VnExpress.
- All vehicles may use the pass from 5:00 to 18:00 since 13 February 2026, per Tuoi Tre.
- The 18:00 to 5:00 night ban was still in force on 26 September 2026, per Dan Tri.
- A landslide on 16 November 2025 killed six people on a coach at Km45, per VOH.
- Buses averaged 3.6 hours across 17 companies on 2 October 2026, per Vexere.
Limitations
Road rules on the Khanh Le Pass have changed several times since November 2025 and may change again once the repairs due by early October 2026 are finished. Check Khanh Hoa's latest notice, or ask your operator, on the day you travel.
Fares were checked on 2 October 2026 and change with demand. Booking sites show partner prices, and our dollar and dong conversions are approximate. We did not check motorbike rental prices.
Tet falls on 6 February 2027, per Wikipedia's Tet date table. Book vans and cars early for the weeks around it, and compare prices, since we found no published 2027 surcharge.
In the October to December rains, closures can come at short notice. Keep a spare day in your plans, and see getting around Vietnam for backup options.
