Transparent pricing
One-way, with driver
4.100.000 ₫
Round-trip, with driver
7.400.000 ₫
Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat is the south's flagship mountain escape — a climate change from 30°C tropical humidity to 18°C pine-forested cool. The route covers 310 km via QL20, climbing from sea-level Saigon to 1,500m Da Lat over roughly 7 hours of driving. The last 2 hours are genuinely mountainous — hairpin switchbacks through Prenn Pass and Bao Loc, not for nervous drivers.
Most travelers split the choice: fly (45 min, USD 35+, suited for 2-3 night trips) or drive (7h with stops, USD 110+ for a car, suited for groups of 4+, luggage-heavy travelers, or those continuing the loop to Nha Trang or Mui Ne). Some choose to fly one way and drive the other — a common compromise. Our driver + 7-seater package at USD 170 one-way beats airline pricing for a family of 4-5 with luggage.
Driving notes the short version: leave HCMC by 7 AM to arrive in Da Lat by 2 PM. Rush-hour departure adds 60-90 min to the start. Night driving QL20 is not advised for first-timers due to mountain fog and motorbike traffic near villages.
Recommended itinerary
Typical HCMC → Da Lat drive (7 hours with stops):
- 0:00 — Depart District 1. Target 7 AM weekday or 6 AM Saturday.
- 1:30 — Onto QL20 near Long Khanh. Road narrows.
- 3:00 — Stop at Bao Loc / Di Linh for lunch and restroom. Fresh-catch fish restaurants.
- 5:00 — Bao Loc Pass begins. First major mountain section.
- 6:00 — Prenn Pass. Steepest switchbacks. Cool air starts.
- 6:45 — Approach to Da Lat. Stop at Prenn Waterfall (optional, 20 min).
- 7:00 — Arrival city center.
Return is same route reversed; avoid Sunday afternoon departure (heavy traffic return into HCMC).