One of the largest cities in Vietnam, Da Nang is located on the coast and has long been an important port city. Today, it attracts visitors from all over the world for its architecture, including several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as modern attractions such as cable cars and fantastic nature reserves near the city. After spending a few days in such a vibrant city, many tourists feel like a change of scenery and head to the beach. South of Da Nang is Nha Trang, one of the best beach destinations in Vietnam. Famous for its white-sand beaches and diving spots, Nha Trang attracts visitors of all ages, from backpackers to luxury-seekers. It is not only a destination for foreign tourists, but also has a large number of domestic visitors. Read on to find out how you can travel from Da Nang to Nha Trang.
Options to go from Da Nang to Nha Trang
Traveling on the Vietnamese National Highway 1A, which stretches from one end of the country to the other, it is a distance of 530 kilometers from Da Nang to Nha Trang. It’s a long way to go. But despite this, it is common to travel from Da Nang to Nha Trang by bus, as it is a very cheap solution. But the options are not limited to the grueling 11-hour bus journey, as traveling by train or plane is also possible. Below are the details of all the alternatives.
From Da Nang to Nha Trang by plane
Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air at Da Nang Airport © Nils Versemann / Shutterstock.com
If you want to see the best of Vietnam but can’t afford to spend a whole day getting from one place to another, the plane is usually the best option. In the case of Da Nang to Nha Trang, this principle is also met, since all transport alternatives take several hours, while the flight takes only one and a half hours. The downside to the speed of the flight is the cost of the ticket. A flight from Da Nang to Nha Trang can be the most expensive way to get from one city to another, so you might be surprised to learn that you can travel for less than the cost of a train ticket with a particular airline.
If you want a reasonable fare, look for tickets with VietJet Air and you’ll find that the fare is comparable to a second-class sleeper train ticket. If you travel with Vietnam Airlines you will pay almost twice as much, but the ticket includes 20 kilograms of checked baggage.
Cam Ranh International Airport, 25 kilometers (15 miles) south of Nha Trang © withGod / Shutterstock.com
There are several flights a day that go directly from Da Nang to Nha Trang. But when considering the different options, keep in mind that you will have to count the time it takes to get to Da Nang International Airport, which is quite central, and the time it takes to get from Cam Ranh International Airport, which is 25 kilometers away. from Nha Trang to the city. Still, by adding this extra time and waiting at airports, flying saves you a few hours compared to the rest of your transportation options.
Flights from Da Nang to Nha Trang can be booked via 12Go.asiawhere you can easily compare the prices and services of both airlines and book a ticket without having to search the airlines’ websites separately.
From Da Nang to Nha Trang by train
Since Da Nang and Nha Trang are on the North-South Railway, trains run this route always around six times a day. All trains are operated by Vietnamese Railways, although there is also the option of traveling in a carriage run by a private company if you want more comfort. It is even possible to travel in a VIP cabin to have more luxuries while traveling, although this is a more expensive option.
Since departures from Da Nang to Nha Trang are during the day, you can decide whether you want to travel during the day or at night. Remember that the fastest train takes about 8.5 hours from one place to another and the slowest takes about 11 hours. When deciding to travel at night, it is better to buy tickets for a bed instead of a seat. The cheapest tickets with a bed are second class with air conditioning, although you can also travel in a bed in first class for a few euros more. As we mentioned earlier, there are also carriages operated by the private company Violette Express, which are more expensive but offer more comfort. There are also VIP compartments in the general carriages in case you want to treat yourself. The best thing about buying a bed ticket is that you save a night at the hotel, and if you are traveling overnight you won’t waste a day of vacation.
If you prefer to travel during the day because you want to admire the scenery along the way, there are several trains to choose from. On these trains you can also travel in compartments with beds if you want more space and more comfortable travel. If you want to save money, you can opt for a second-class seat with air conditioning. All options are available through 12Go.
Travel by bus from Da Nang to Nha Trang
If saving money is important on a tight budget, the bus from Da Nang to Nha Trang will probably be your best bet. This is undoubtedly the cheapest option of transport, although at the same time the least comfortable. 12Go sells tickets from Hanh Café, which operates a standard air-conditioned bus. The journey takes approximately 11 hours. Keep in mind that you will be sitting in a fairly small space and won’t be able to move around as much as on a train, so think carefully if you don’t have enough space.
Since there are very cheap flights, a plane from Da Nang to Nha Trang is a good option as it saves a lot of time on the journey. But if you want to fully enjoy Vietnam’s landscapes and culture, you’d rather go by train or bus.