Dalat is a beautiful city located in beautiful surroundings. Dalat is the capital of Lam Dong Province in Vietnam’s Central Highlands and is located on a golf course next to a lake surrounded by pine trees. Unlike other areas of Vietnam where the weather is very hot and sticky, Dalat enjoys a cooler temperature which makes the city so green. Take in the lakes and waterfalls of this French-designed resort in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Then head to the coast to enjoy Hoi An. It won’t be long before you notice the difference in the climate in Hoi An, where you can relax on the beach or explore the streets of the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its famous Japanese bridge. Here, too, you will be able to appreciate the contrasts between French and Chinese influences. Read on to find out how to get from Dalat to Hoi An.
Travel options from Dalat to Hoi An
The journey from Dalat to Hoi An is not exactly short. By air, the distance is approximately 440 kilometers as the route is in a straight line. But if you go by road, the journey takes a long time. Since the asphalt has to adapt to the terrain, the shortest route is 635 kilometers long. The good thing is that you won’t have to drive yourself as there are daily buses from Dalat to Hoi An. Flight can be a good option if you want to reach your destination in a short time. If you want to try different means of transport, you can also do one part by bus and the other by train.
Dalat to Hoi An flights
Dalat Lien Khuong Airport © Efired / Shutterstock.com
When you have to travel such a long distance, flying is always the fastest way to get there. The cost is a problem, especially since the route from Dalat to Hoi An is limited. Vietnam Airlines is currently the only airline operating this route. At the time of writing, they only offer one service per day, which departs at 5:10 PM and arrives in Hoi An at 6:15 PM. As you can see, the flight takes just over an hour.
The airport serving Dalat is Lien Khuong, which is located 30 kilometers south of the city. There are vans that connect the city to the airport, but you can also take a taxi if you prefer. Upon arrival, you will land at Da Nang International Airport. As with Dalat, Hoi An is 30 kilometers south of Da Nang International Airport. There are also buses, taxis and private cars that offer services to the city. Airport transfers can be done cheaply in both cases, but the plane is undoubtedly the most expensive way to travel from Dalat to Hoi An.
From Dalat to Hoi An by bus
If you want to save money, a bus from Dalat to Hoi An is a much more viable option than the plane. Buses are much cheaper, and since they run directly from central Dalat to Hoi An, you don’t have to worry about extra transfers.
But the bus also has its disadvantages. At the moment, there is only one bus company that offers a direct service from Dalat to Hoi An, so it may not be easy to adjust your plans as there is only one service per day.
It is important to book your bus tickets in advance, as if you wait until the last minute, the bus may already be full, especially on weekends and public holidays.
Hanh Café is the company operating this tour and tickets can be booked online 12Go.asia. When you’re looking to travel from Dalat to Hoi An, you’ll also see available flights to book your preferred option.
In addition to the lack of options when choosing a departure time, you will also not be able to choose the type of bus. Hanh Café only has a standard bus on this route, which has air conditioning, but no other services. The seats are more or less comfortable, but they do not recline. Considering that the trip takes 15 hours, it is not something suitable for every traveler. Sleeping can be difficult, even if you do part of your journey at night. The bus leaves Dalat at 1:00 PM and arrives in Hoi An at 4:00 AM.
From Dalat to Hoi An by bus and train
If you have an adventurous spirit, you can travel from Dalat to Hoi An indirectly using buses and trains. This way you won’t save time or money compared to the direct bus, but you will have a different experience.
First, take the bus from Dalat to Nha Trang. This journey takes approximately 4 hours. From Nha Trang, you need to take the train to Da Nang, which takes between 9 and 11 hours, depending on the service you choose. Once in Da Nang, you will need to take another bus to Hoi An, which takes about 90 minutes. As we said, this is not a time or money saving option. But if you’re going to be traveling around Vietnam for a while and are taking your time, this is a more exciting way to travel from Dalat to Hoi An. Tickets for all three stages are available from 12Go.
Since Da Nang is a bigger city, there are usually more ways to get to Da Nang. From here, the journey to Hoi An is relatively short. In addition, a variety of buses operate on these routes, including buses with reclining seats for sleeping. If money is not a problem for you and you want to get from Dalat to Hoi An as quickly as possible, you can always opt for a plane.