Saigon to Da Lat by bus: prices and times
Everything you need to plan the 7-hour ride into the Central Highlands: departure times, bus types, where buses stop and picking a seat.
The Ho Chi Minh City → Da Lat corridor is one of the most booked leisure routes in southern Vietnam, and for good reason: Da Lat sits 1,500 m above sea level, and the climb out of the lowlands is half the experience. Here is how to book it well.
The basics
| Distance | ~310 km |
| Journey time | Around 7 hours |
| Ticket price | From about 189,000 ₫ |
| Departures | Frequent through the day, from early morning to late evening |
Buses leave from several districts in Ho Chi Minh City; the bigger operators run pickups around District 1, District 3 and Binh Thanh before joining the highway toward Dau Giay.
Limousine or sleeper bus?
You will meet three vehicle types on this route:
- Limousine (9-18 seats). Reclining leather seats, USB chargers, water and snacks. Fastest boarding, most comfortable for daytime rides. The 9-seater option is priced per seat like a business-class ticket.
- Sleeper bus (28-44 berths). Flat beds in two rows, lower and upper. Best for evening departures if you want to sleep through the mountain stretch.
- VIP double cabin. Two-berth private cabins, popular with couples. One fare covers the whole cabin for one guest; book two guests and the fare doubles, so check how the operator counts.
Which seat to pick
On sleeper buses, lower berths are easier to get in and out of and feel more stable on the winding Prenn Pass approach. Upper berths give you a window view and a bit more privacy. If you are prone to motion sickness, ride as far forward as you can and pick a lower berth. Not sure what those vehicle names mean? Our guide to sleeper, limousine and VIP cabin buses explains each layout.
Where you arrive
Most services terminate at bus stations on the northern edge of Da Lat city, roughly 10-15 minutes by taxi from the famous Xuan Huong Lake and the night market. Agree on a ride price or use a ride-hailing app before you walk away from the bus.
Booking tips from our desk
- Weekends sell out. Da Lat is Vietnam’s weekend escape, so Friday evening and Saturday morning departures fill first. Book two or three days ahead for weekends, a week ahead around holidays.
- Compare the pickup point, not just the price. A 40,000 ₫ saving is not worth a pickup 30 minutes across the city.
- Check the arrival time, not just the departure. A 21:00 departure puts you in Da Lat around 04:00, so make sure your hotel can take an early check-in.
Ready to compare live departures? Find your bus and see the current schedules for this route. Taking the overnight departure instead? The night bus survival guide covers how to arrive rested.
