Sleeper bus
Best price / comfort balance
Private car
Fast, flexible, door-to-door
Standard bus
Cheapest but less comfortable
Train
No direct railway connection
Quick answer: Traveling from Da Lat to Vung Tau is commonly done by tourist bus/minivan, bus + ferry (via Ho Chi Minh City), or private car. The bus is the most budget-friendly, the bus + ferry offers a scenic variation, and the private car gives you the most comfortable and fastest journey.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: ~280 km by private car | ~400 km via bus + ferry route
- ⏱️ Travel time: Bus/minivan 6–10 hours | Bus + ferry 9–12 hours | Private car approx 6 hours
- 💰 Price range: Bus/minivan US$18–40 | Bus + ferry US$17–35 | Private car US$115–230 per vehicle
- 🚌 Best for budget: Tourist sleeper bus or minivan from Da Lat to Vung Tau
- 🚢 Best for scenic route: Bus to Ho Chi Minh City + ferry to Vung Tau
- 🚕 Best for comfort & speed: Private car or taxi door-to-door service
Last updated in March 2026
From Da Lat to Vung Tau you can travel by bus, car, or flight + bus.
The distance from Da Lat to Vung Tau is about 280 km by road, or up to 400 km via Ho Chi Minh City. The most popular and cheapest option is a sleeper bus or minivan (6–10 hours, $18–40 per person).
There is no railway connection between Da Lat and Vung Tau. You can also travel by plane to Ho Chi Minh City and continue by bus or taxi to Vung Tau.
Another option is to travel by bus + ferry via Ho Chi Minh City. This route takes about 9–12 hours and costs $17–35 per person.
From Vung Tau, you can also travel to Ho Chi Minh City, Con Dao or Phu Quoc.
Bus, ferry, flight and private transfer tickets can be easily searched and booked online in advance.
| Transfer Mode – Da Lat to Vung Tau | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeper Bus / Minivan | 6-10 hours | $18-40 per person |
| Bus + Ferry (via Saigon) | 9-12 hours | $17-35 per person |
| Private Car (Da Lat to Vung Tau) | 6 hours | $115-230 per car |
| Plane + Bus (via Saigon) | 7-8 hours | $55-120 per person |
How do I get from Da Lat to Vung Tau?
1. BUS / VAN from Da Lat to Vung Tau
👉 Bus or minivan is the cheapest way from Da Lat to Vung Tau (via Ho Chi Minh City).
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers and solo trips
- ✔️ Duration: ~10–12 hours (usually with transfer in Ho Chi Minh City)
- ✔️ Price: $18–40 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (sleeper buses or modern minivans)
- ⚠️ Note: No direct routes in most cases—transfer in Ho Chi Minh City required
- ✅ Best option: Combine routes with companies like Futabus, Kumho Samco or limousine vans
- 💡 Tip: Book both legs in advance and check departure points carefully.
- ⭐ Extra tip: Allow enough transfer time in Ho Chi Minh City to avoid missing connections.
One of the cheaper options for traveling from Da Lat to Vung Tau in southern Vietnam is by bus / minivan. On the route, you can use the bus of the companies like Futa Bus, Vietnam Transfers, Thao Hong, GoEz Travel or VietNam Travel Bus. These bus companies offer you a sleeper modern buses and the travel time from Da Lat to Vung Tau is approximately 6-10 hours.
However, you have to take into account that buses in Vietnam are also delayed and the travel time may vary a little. But most of the buses go via Ho Chi Minh City, so you have to make this journey mostly in 2 steps, a bus to Ho Chi Minh City and then another bus to Vung Tau.
From Da Lat to Vung Tau you can use a number of companies such as Phuong Trang (Futabus), Lac Hong, Techbus VN, GoEz Travel, Viet Nam Travel Bus, iHome Transfer, Duc Duong Bus, An Anh Limousine, Vie Limousine, Hoa Mai, Kumho Samco , Ouros Travel, Techbus VN, Thao Hong, Huy Hoang, Anh Quoc Limousine and others. The travel time by bus from Da Lat to Vung Tau with a transfer in Ho Chi Minh City can be about 10-12, depending on the transfer in Ho Chi Minh City.
BOOK BUS TICKETS to Vung Tau ➜
However, there are a lot of intercity and tourist buses or private modern minivans, so you shouldn’t stay long in Ho Chi Minh City. A bus / minivan transfer from Da Lat to Vung Tau via Ho Chi Minh City will cost you between $18-40/per person, depending on the type of bus you choose on these 2 routes.
Buses depart from various locations in Da Lat and usually arrive at various locations in Vung Tau, you will see this information when searching and booking tickets, so read everything carefully. You can easily search and buy bus tickets to Vung Tau from Da Lat online.
You can also search for different routes such as Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City and Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau. A bus transfer is a low-cost transportation option suitable mainly for solo low-cost travelers who have a more limited budget.
| Bus Company | Departs in Da Lat | Arrival in Vung Tau | Bus Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Futa Bus | 08:45 | 18:45 | From $22.00 |
| Futa Bus | 23:00 | 09:00 | From $22.00 |
| Vietnam Transfers | 12:00 | 20:00 | From $16.00 |
| Vietnam Transfers | 08:45 | 16:45 | From $16.00 |
| Vietnam Transfers | 13:00 | 21:00 | From $16.00 |
| Vietnam Transfers | 20:45 | 04:45 | From $16.00 |
| Vietnam Transfers | 23:00 | 07:00 | From $16.00 |
| Thao Hong | 07:00 | 14:30 | From $16.00 |
| Thao Hong | 09:00 | 16:30 | From $16.00 |
| Thao Hong | 12:00 | 19:30 | From $38.00 |
| Thao Hong | 15:00 | 22:30 | From $17.00 |
| Thao Hong | 20:00 | 03:30 | From $38.00 |
| GoEZ Travel | 08:45 | 16:45 | From $23.00 |
| GoEZ Travel | 12:00 | 20:00 | From $23.00 |
| GoEZ Travel | 13:00 | 21:00 | From $23.00 |
| GoEZ Travel | 20:45 | 04:45 | From $23.00 |
| GoEZ Travel | 23:00 | 07:00 | From $23.00 |
2. BUS + FERRY from Da Lat to Vung Tau (via Saigon)
👉 Bus + ferry via Ho Chi Minh City is a scenic and comfortable way from Da Lat to Vung Tau.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers who want a mix of land and river transport
- ✔️ Duration: ~8–10 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $25–42 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium to high (sleeper bus + modern high-speed ferry)
- ⚠️ Note: Requires transfer in Ho Chi Minh City and ferry schedule is limited (2–4 daily)
- ✅ Best option: Combine sleeper bus to Saigon with Greenlines high-speed ferry
- 💡 Tip: Book ferry tickets in advance and allow enough transfer time.
- ⭐ Extra tip: Choose earlier connections to avoid missing the last ferry of the day.
Another popular transport option from Da Lat to Vung Tau is by bus/minivan and ferry via Ho Chi Minh City. It is another transfer option via this big city in southern Vietnam, with the difference that you will continue your journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau thanks to the high-speed ferry of Greenlines. So this option has 2 steps, first a bus trip and then a ferry trip to Vung Tau.
The first step is to travel by bus or minivan from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City, which takes approximately 6-8 hours. This popular route has many buses and minivans from companies such as Futabus, VietNam Travel Bus, Kumho Samco, Lac Hong, Duc Duong, An Anh Limousine, Nguyen Kim Limousine, Bus with GO365, iHome Transfer, Trong Minh and others.
These companies will offer you mainly sleeper buses on this route, as well as modern minivans and minibuses for groups of people traveling at once. From Da Lat, you can take these buses from different places and you can also arrive at different places in Ho Chi Minh City. You will see all this information when searching for tickets on online platforms.
Bus transfer from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City costs between $12-25/pp, prices vary by bus type and company. Bus service between Da Lat and Ho Chi Minh City is popular mainly due to the fact that there is no railway. The nearest train station is in Nha Trang, so it is best to leave Da Lat by intercity bus or comfortable minivan. Bus tickets from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City are easy to find and buy online in advance.
The second step is a ferry transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau. A popular option for foreign tourists who want to see southern Vietnam from a slightly different perspective, by river route. Greenlines Ferry offers you this river route thanks to the high-speed ferry from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau.
The ferry ride from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau takes approximately 2 hours and fares range from $13-17/person. These ferries depart from the center of Ho Chi Minh City, from Bach Dang Speed Ferry Terminal 2 (10B Ton Duc Thang, Phương Bến Nghé) and arrive in the southwest of Vung Tau, at Greenlines DP Seaport Vung Tau (12/1 Trần Phú, Vũng Tàu), see the map where the ports are located.
The ferry transfer is hassle-free and you can easily search and buy ferry tickets to Vung Tau for these ferries online well in advance. However, you should know that the schedule of these ferries is relatively limited and there are approximately 2-4 Greenlines ferries every day, this number may change during the seasons.
BOOK FERRY TICKETS to Vung Tau ➜
3. PRIVATE TAXI / CAR from Da Lat to Vung Tau
👉 Private taxi/car is the most comfortable and fastest way from Da Lat to Vung Tau.
- ✔️ Good for: groups and travelers seeking door-to-door convenience
- ✔️ Duration: ~6 hours
- ✔️ Price: $115–260 per car
- ✔️ Comfort: high (modern cars, SUVs or minivans with driver)
- ✅ Best option: Private transfer with companies like Mui Ne Sky Travel, Saigon DMC or Ouros Travel
- 💡 Tip: Split the cost in a group and choose flexible pickup points.
- ⭐ Extra tip: Request a newer vehicle or SUV for a smoother and more comfortable ride.
A very comfortable and faster transport option from Da Lat to Vung Tau in southern Vietnam is a private car/taxi with a driver. This option is faster than a bus transfer and the private taxi journey time from Da Lat to Vung Tau is around 6 hours. The advantage of this option is that you can choose your departure point in Da Lat and your arrival point in Vung Tau, thus saving additional time. You can also arrive by private car to Ho Tram
Private transfers from Da Lat to Vung Tau will be offered by Mui Ne Sky Travel, Mui Ne Private Car, Mui Ne Go Travel or VT-Travel. However, if you travel with a transfer in Ho Chi Minh City, there are significantly more of these companies on the route between Da Lat – Ho Chi Minh City – Vung Tau. E.g. from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City these transfers are operated by Saigon DMC, G5 Car Limousine, Mixi Travel and Ouros Travel and to Vung Tau by Dichung Taxi, Tiim Group, Minh Khoi Travel, Ngan Linh Transport.
BOOK PRIVATE CAR to Vung Tau ➜
These companies will offer you a variety of modern and new cars, SUVs and smaller minivans for groups of people on this route. A private taxi/car from Da Lat to Vung Tau costs between $115-260 (depends on the type of car). Smaller classic cars are usually cheaper than large minivans or SUVs.
You can easily search and book your private car/taxi from Da Lat to Vung Tau (or transfer in Ho Chi Minh City) online in advance. Transfer by private car/taxi with a driver is very convenient and fast option, but due to the higher price, it is not suitable for classic low-cost travelers.
| Taxi Service | Travel Time | Price (Car) |
|---|---|---|
| Mui Ne Go Travel | 06:00 | From $115.00 / Comfort 3pax |
| Mui Ne Go Travel | 06:00 | From $120.00 / SUV 3pax |
| Mui Ne Go Travel | 06:00 | From $130.00 / SUV 4pax |
| Mui Ne Go Travel | 06:00 | From $185.00 / Van 11pax |
| Mui Ne Sky Travel | 06:00 | From $125.00 / SUV 4pax |
| Mui Ne Sky Travel | 06:00 | From $200.00 / Limousine 11pax |
| Mui Ne Private Car | 05:30 | From $115.00 / Sedan 3pax |
| Mui Ne Private Car | 05:30 | From $120.00 / SUV 4pax |
| Mui Ne Private Car | 05:30 | From $185.00 / Deluxe Minivan 6pax |
| Mui Ne Private Car | 05:30 | From $235.00 / Limousine 9pax |
4. FLIGHT + BUS from Da Lat to Vung Tau (via Saigon)
👉 Flight + bus via Ho Chi Minh City is a relatively fast way from Da Lat to Vung Tau.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers who want to save time on long-distance travel
- ✔️ Duration: ~7–8 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $55–125 per person (flight + bus) or more with private car
- ✔️ Comfort: medium to high (short flight + minivan or taxi)
- ⚠️ Note: Requires transfer in Ho Chi Minh City and includes airport waiting time
- ✅ Best option: Flight with Vietnam Airlines + limousine minivan or private taxi to Vung Tau
- 💡 Tip: Book flight and transfer in advance and allow enough connection time.
- ⭐ Extra tip: Choose early flights to reduce delays and ensure smoother connections.
Another relatively faster transport option from Da Lat to Vung Tau is by air and bus via Ho Chi Minh City. There are no direct commercial flights from Da Lat to Vung Tau, but there are flights to Ho Chi Minh City, Tan Son Nhat Airport, and from there you can continue by e.g. bus or private transfer to Vung Tau. This transport option therefore has 2 steps and the total transfer time can be approx. 7-8 hours.
The first step is a direct flight from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City, which will take you only 1 hour. These flights are operated from Lien Khuong Airport to Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City (see Vietnam airport map) and are offered by Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Hanh Air Systems, Bamboo Airways. The most direct flights on this route will be offered by Vietnam Airlines, which is the largest Vietnamese airline with good references.
A direct flight from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City will cost you between $45-110/pp, depending on the company and type of aircraft. E.g. Hanh Air Systems will offer small private aircraft for a limited number of passengers, which are more expensive, on this route. You can search and buy tickets from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City online in advance.
BOOK DIRECT FLIGHT to Saigon ➜
The second step is a transfer by minivan or bus or by private car from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Vung Tau. Even from the airport, you can use minivans from companies such as Anh Quoc Limousine, Huy Hoang and private taxis from Saigon DMC, Mui Ne Sky Travel, Dichung Taxi or Tiim Group.
Transport by minivan / bus from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Vung Tau costs between $8-15/pp and private taxi approx $40-150/car. The travel time by bus or minivan from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Vung Tau is approx. 2-3.5 hours, this time may vary slightly, depending on where exactly in Vung Tau you want to arrive.
You can easily search and book tickets for minivans or a private transfer from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Vung Tau online. A plane and bus transfer can be a relatively quick transportation option, but if you include the trip to the airport, waiting at the airport, the flight and waiting for the next bus, it also takes several hours.
BOOK TICKETS / CAR to Vung Tau ➜
❓ FAQ + TIPS – Travel route from Da Lat to Vung Tau:
1. How to book bus/ferry tickets or taxi from Da Lat to Vung Tau?
-
- You can book bus tickets or taxi/car from Da Lat to Vung Tau on 12go.asia ➜ or Baolau ➜.
- It is also possible to search and book another tickets, e.g. Da Lat > Mui Ne, Ho Chi Minh > Vung Tau…
2. What is the travel time from Da Lat to Vung Tau?
-
- Travel by bus/minivan from Da Lat to Vung Tau takes about 6-10 hours.
- Travel by bus + ferry from Da Lat to Vung Tau (via Saigon) takes about 9-12 hours.
- Travel by private car/taxi with a driver from Da Lat to Vung Tau takes about 5-6 hours.
- Travel by plane + bus from Da Lat to Vung Tau (via Saigon) takes about 7-8 hours.
3. What is the travel distance from Da Lat to Vung Tau?
-
- Travel distance from Da Lat to Vung Tau is about 280 km by private car or about 400 km by bus/ferry via Saigon.
4. How much does it cost to get from Da Lat to Vung Tau?
-
- Transfer by bus/minivan from Da Lat to Vung Tau costs about $18-40/pp.
- Transfer by bus + ferry from Da Lat to Vung Tau (via Saigon) costs about $17-35/pp.
- Transfer by private car/taxi with a driver from Da Lat to Vung Tau costs about $115-260/car.
- Transfer by plane + bus from Da Lat to Vung Tau (via Saigon) costs about $55-120/pp.
5. Is there a train from Da Lat to Ba Ria – Vung Tau?
-
- No, travel by train is not possible because there is no direct railway from Da Lat to Vung Tau.
6. What is the most cheapest way of transport from Da Lat to Vung Tau?
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- The most cheapest option of getting to Ba Ria – Vung Tau from Da Lat is to travel by tourist bus via Ho Chi Minh City. The most cheapest option of transfer by bus to Ba Ria – Vung Tau should cost totally about $12-28/pp.
7. What is the fastest way of transfer from Da Lat to Vung Tau?
-
- The most fastest way of transfer to Ba Ria – Vung Tau from Da Lat is to travel by private car/taxi.
8. Is there a flight to Vung Tau from Da Lat?
-
- No, there is no commercial flight from Da Lat to Vung Tau. But you can take a direct flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
9. How to travel from Tan Son That Airport to Vung Tau?
-
- It easy to travel from Tan Son Nhat Airport in Saigon to Vung Tau because there are some private bus companies and you can use various fast minivans to Vung Tau. Travel by minivan from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Vung Tau costs about $6-16/pp. There is no train from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Vung Tau.
10. How do you get to Con Dao from Vung Tau?
-
- From Vung Tau to Con Dao you can travel by ferry/boat. Travel time by ferry from Vung Tau to Con Dao is about 3.5 hours. Check and read carefully this article: How to reach Con Dao from Vung Tau?
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Da Lat to Vung Tau
This long south‑central Vietnam route links the cool highland city of Da Lat with the sandy beaches of Vung Tau. Because there’s no direct train or flight all the way between the two, travellers often combine bus, ferry, car or plane + bus — each with its own trade‑offs in time, comfort and cost.
Best Departure Times
If you’re taking a bus or minivan, early morning departures (around 7:00–9:00) tend to avoid city traffic and allow you to reach Vung Tau by late afternoon or evening, which is perfect for beach walks or dinner. Night buses are also available if you want to sleep en route and arrive the next morning.
Avoiding Long Waits
Since this is a long route with multiple segments possible, avoid buying tickets at the last minute on the day of travel. Booking through reputable carriers online in advance gives you confirmed seats and a clear pickup point, which helps you skip uncertain waiting times at crowded bus stations.
Luggage & Comfort Tips
For land transport options taking 6–12 hours, bring water, light snacks, chargers and something cozy for longer stretches. Choosing a sleeper bus or a minivan with roomy seats will make a significant difference compared to standard seating buses. If you combine a flight with a bus transfer, prepare for handling luggage during transfers at the airport and bus terminals.
Transport Options – What to Expect
Most travellers use buses or sleeper minibuses as the main choice from Da Lat to Vung Tau — these can take about 6–10 hours of driving and cost moderately. Some routes combine bus travel with a ferry ride from the big city south of Da Lat to reach Vung Tau’s waterfront, which adds a scenic twist but typically extends total travel time. Private car transfers offer a more comfortable door‑to‑door option in roughly the same time but at a higher price.
Road Conditions & Scenic Route Insights
The road distance is around 280–300 km, and although many roads are well paved, mountainous highland segments near Da Lat and busy sections closer to the south can slow you down. Weather can have a big effect on timing, especially rainy afternoons, so leave some buffer time if you have onward plans. The route features changing landscapes from highland pine forests to coastal plains and beaches as you approach Vung Tau.
Tip: Bus, ferry, private car and flight + bus transfer tickets can be searched and booked online in advance, which helps secure your seat and preferred departure time — especially useful during weekends, holiday periods and peak seasons.