1. Bus – Saigon to Pleiku
2. Flight – Saigon to Pleiku
3. Train + Bus to Pleiku
🎫 Book Ticket to Pleiku
From Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku you can travel by bus, plane or train + bus.
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- Embark on an adventure from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Pleiku, spanning approximately 500 km by bus or 400 km by plane. Discover three distinct avenues to reach Pleiku in Gia Lai province from Ho Chi Minh City: bus, direct flight, or a combination of train and bus. Opting for a direct flight promises swiftness and convenience. Pleiku Airport warmly welcomes several daily direct flights from Tan Son Nhat Airport. With a mere one-hour flight duration, you’ll save valuable time, with fares ranging from $50 to $120 per person, including budget-friendly options. Pleiku Airport sits just 5 km from the city center, ensuring seamless travel.
- Alternatively, embrace the journey from Saigon to Pleiku via tourist bus travel. Experience the comfort of modern sleeper buses departing from Mien Dong Bus Station or other stations in Saigon to Duc Long Bus Station in Pleiku. Although the journey spans approximately 12 to 13 hours, ticket prices range from $12 to $28 per person. While this option may be the most economical, consider that extended travel times might compromise comfort. Easily book bus or train tickets, as well as direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku, online. Upon arrival in Pleiku, continue your exploration by bus to Buon Ma Thuot.
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- Given Pleiku’s absence of a railway station, direct train travel from Ho Chi Minh City is not feasible. However, embark on a scenic train journey to Quy Nhon, situated approximately 170 km from Pleiku. From Quy Nhon, continue your voyage by bus or minivan to Pleiku. This combined train and bus route from Saigon to Pleiku, via Quy Nhon, spans about 16 to 20 hours, with fares ranging from $18 to $60 per person. Trains offer both seats and sleeper berths to Dieu Tri Railway Station in Quy Nhon, a picturesque coastal destination worthy of exploration.
- Pleiku, nestled in Gia Lai province, remains a lesser-visited gem among tourists. Home to the Bahnar and Jarai minorities, often known as mountain dwellers, Pleiku boasts tea cultivation, traditional crafts, woodworking, and rice production. As a pivotal transportation hub, Pleiku offers bus connections to Quy Nhon, Da Nang, and Da Lat. Despite facing destruction upon the departure of South Vietnamese troops, Pleiku underwent reconstruction in 1980, influenced by socialist realism architecture, with support from the Soviet Union. Before embarking on your Pleiku journey, acquaint yourself with local weather conditions through our informative Weather in Pleiku guide.
| Transfer Mode – Ho Chi Minh to Pleiku: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeper Bus (Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku) | 12-13 hours | $12-28/pp |
| Plane (Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku) | 1 hour | $50-120/pp |
| Train + Bus (via Quy Nhon) | 16-20 hours | $18-60/pp |
How do I get from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku?
1. BUS from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku
A popular and cheaper transport option from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku (Kontum Province) is to travel by intercity sleeper bus. Since there is no railway leading to the city of Pleiku, a bus transfer is a popular option. It is a very long route, the transport by sleeper bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleik takes approximately 12-13 hours.
However, it is good to know that the exact times do not have to be observed and buses in Vietnam are also delayed on departure and therefore also on arrival. These long-distance buses also make other stops before reaching their destination in Pleiku, departing from stations such as Mien Tay or Eastern Bus Station in Ho Chi Minh City.
In Pleiku, buses arrive at places such as Duc Long Bus Station in Pleiku (Bến xe cuốt Đức Long Gia Lai Bus Station) or Yaly intersection. These bus routes from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku are operated by companies such as Nhat Tan, VietNam Travel Bus, Bay Lang, Thuận Tiến, Kính Diên Hồng, Hoàng Thuọ, Phượng Thu, or others.
Transport by sleeper bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku costs in the range of $12-28/pp, prices are based on the type of sleeper bus, more modern buses are usually more expensive, but offer better comfort and service. These prices may also change slightly during the year and season.
You can search and buy bus tickets to Pleiku from Ho Chi Minh City online even in advance, which is recommended. It is also recommended to arrive at the departure point at least 30 minutes before the departure of the bus. The bus transfer is mainly suitable for solo low-cost travelers who have a limited travel budget.
2. DIRECT FLIGHT from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku
If you are looking for the most convenient and fastest transfer option from Ho Chi Minh City to the city of Pleiku in central Vietnam, you can also use direct air connections. Transfer by plane to the city of Pleiku is of course a more expensive option than traveling by bus, but on the other hand, it will save you a lot of time.
A direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku City takes approximately 1 hour and flight prices range from $50-120/pp. Economy class flights are in operation, but you can also choose a higher class, e.g. Business class at Vietnam Airlines. These flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleik are operated by VietJetAir, Vietnam Airlines, Hanh Air Systems, Bamboo Airways.
The cheapest flights from Saigon to the city of Pleiku are mostly offered by the low-cost airline VietJet Air, which, however, has relatively good reviews and references, so don’t be afraid to use it. Hanh Air Systems is a smaller private company that offers small aircraft flights for a limited number of passengers.
BOOK DIRECT FLIGHT to Pleiku ➜
Direct flights are operated from Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku Airport, which is approximately 7 km from the city center (see the airport map of Vietnam). It is advisable to arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Saigon at least 2.5 hours before your flight departure in order to be able to check in on time.
You can search and book direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku City easily online in advance. Always carefully read the conditions and flight instructions and the information on the maximum weight of carry-on bags to avoid possible complications and other problems.
A direct flight is also suitable for solo travelers, for those who do not have a very limited budget for their trip. Convenience and time saving is the main advantage of this transfer option. However, the flight schedule between Ho Chi Minh City and Pleiku City in Kontum Province can be more limited at times.
3. TRAIN + BUS from Ho Chi Minh to Pleiku (via Quy Nhon)
There is no direct train to Pleiku City, so a direct train ride from Ho Chi Minh City is not possible. However, it is possible to transfer by train and bus via Quy Nhon city. This coastal and interesting town is about 160 km east of Pleiku and can be reached by bus from here. So this option has a total of 2 steps, the first is a train ride from Ho Chi Minh City to Quy Nhon and then a bus ride from Quy Nhon to Pleik.
The first step is to travel by Vietnam Railways train from Ho Chi Minh City to Quy Nhon. Most trains arrive and stop at the Dieu Tri railway station, which is approx. 10 km from the city center, approx. 1 train also goes to the city district (see Vietnam railway map). Saigon Railway Station, where trains leave for Quy Nhon, is a short distance from the city center and is an easily accessible station.
As it is a longer route, the travel time from Ho Chi Minh City to Quy Nhon is 11-13.5 hours, so it is advisable to use a sleeping bed in the cabin for 4 or 6 passengers. Trains will also offer you seats, which are always cheaper than sleeping beds. Train tickets from Ho Chi Minh City to Quy Nhon cost between $15-40/pp (soft seat, sleeper), these prices may vary slightly over time.
You can search for and reserve train tickets online even in advance, ordinary trains also accept tickets on a smartphone, so it is not necessary to print them. However, always read the current conditions and instructions for tickets and train transfers to avoid any complications.
BOOK TRAIN TICKETS to Quy Nhon ➜
The second step is a bus transfer from Quy Nhon to the city of Pleiku. There are several buses, possibly minivans, but the schedule may be more limited. The trip by bus / minivan from Quy Nhon to Pleiku takes about 3.5-4 hours and you can use Tuấn Anh or Kim Anh companies. Buses can depart from and arrive at various locations in Quy Nhon.
E.g. Tuấn Anh bus departs from 316 Tay Son, Quang Trung, Qui Nhon City and Kim Anh bus departs from 1A National Route – Binh Dinh (along 1A National Route). A bus ride from Quy Nhon to Pleiku City costs between $8-10/pp. You can buy tickets for these buses or minivans on the spot when boarding the bus.
More information about these buses here at this link. Transfer by train and bus is also a low-cost transport option, but as a result it takes more time than traveling by sleeper bus.
❓ FAQ + TIPS – Travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku:
1. How to book tickets + flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku?
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- You can book bus tickets + flights from Saigon to Pleiku online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
- You can also search another routes, e.g. Ho Chi Minh > Quy Nhon, Ho Chi Minh > Da Lat…
2. What is the travel time from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku?
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- To get by bus/minivan from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku takes about 12-13 hours.
- To get by plane (direct flight) from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku takes about 1 hour.
- To get by train+bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku (via Quy Nhon) takes about 16-20 hours.
3. What is the travel distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku?
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- Travel distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku is about 500 km by bus and about 400 km by plane.
4. How much does it cost to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku?
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- Transport by tourist bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku costs about $12-28/pp.
- Transport by plane (direct flight) from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku costs about $50-120/pp.
- Transport by train + bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku (via Quy Nhon) costs about $18-60/pp
5. How to get from Pleiku Airport to Pleiku city center?
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- From Pleiku Airport to Pleiku City you can travel by private car/taxi or local bus.
6. What is the best and fastest way of transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku?
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- The best and fastest way of transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku is definitely to travel by plane because there are direct flights. Sometimes these flights to Pleiku are very cheap and start already at $25/pp.
7. What is the cheapest option of transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku?
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- The most cheapest transfer option from Saigon to Pleiku is to travel by tourist sleeper bus. The cheapest bus tickets to Pleiku start already at $11/pp, yes it is a cheap option, but travel by bus for this long route is not so comfortable.
8. Is there a direct train connection from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku?
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- No, travel by train directly to Pleiku city from Ho Chi Minh City is not possible, because there is no railway route. But you can travel by train from Saigon to Quy Nhon (Dieu Tri Railway Station). Quy Nhon is about 170 km from Pleiku and you can travel by bus between Quy Nhon and Pleiku.
9. Where to stay in Pleiku / Kon Tum?
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- You can find various cheap hotels, guesthouses in Pleiku or Kon Tum. Search and book your accommodation in Pleiku or Kon Tum easily online > Book Hotel in Pleiku online ➜.
10. How to travel solo in Vietnam?
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- Discover the wonders of solo travel in Vietnam as you explore ancient temples, cruise through scenic landscapes or karst sceneries, hike various national parks and ethnic villages and connect with the warm-hearted locals, creating a personalized journey of cultural immersion and breathtaking experiences.
11. What are the most interesting things or facts about Vietnam?
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- Vietnam, a country with a captivating allure, is celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, including the mesmerizing limestone karsts of Halong Bay, the terraced rice fields of Sapa, and the bustling waterways of the Mekong Delta. Its rich history unfolds through ancient temples in Hanoi, the imperial city of Hue, and the Cu Chi Tunnels, providing a glimpse into Vietnam’s resilience during wartime. The country’s vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality further enhance the allure of this Southeast Asian gem. Read this: 15 Interesting Things of Vietnam.
12. What to expect from Vietnam Culture?
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- Expect a vibrant cultural tapestry in Vietnam, characterized by traditional values, a strong sense of community, and a deep-rooted respect for family. You’ll encounter a fusion of French, Chinese, and indigenous influences in art, architecture, and cuisine. Traditional water puppetry, folk music, and dance performances showcase the country’s artistic flair. The importance of rituals and festivals in daily life adds a colorful dimension, while the warmth and friendliness of the Vietnamese people make for a welcoming and enriching cultural experience.
13. What is the weather in Vietnam and what to expect?
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- Weather in Vietnam varies with a tropical climate featuring distinct wet and dry seasons. In the north, the dry season (October to April) brings cooler temperatures, while the wet season (May to September) is marked by higher humidity and heavy rainfall. Central Vietnam experiences a dry period (January to August) with lower humidity and a wet season (September to December) characterized by increased rainfall. In southern Vietnam, the dry season (December to April) offers warm temperatures, while the wet season (May to November) brings higher humidity and occasional heavy rainfall. For accurate information, check local forecasts.
BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Vietnam ➜
✈️ Flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku – Flight Schedule / Timetable:
Flight Schedule - Ho Chi Minh to Pleiku | Departs in Ho Chi Minh | Arrival in Pleiku | Ticket - Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Vietnam Airlines | 15:45 | 17:00 | From $70.00 |
VietJet Air | 06:15 | 07:25 | From $60.00 |
VietJet Air | 16:50 | 18:05 | From $60.00 |
Hanh Air Systems | 06:15 | 07:25 | From $100.00 |
Hanh Air Systems | 16:50 | 18:05 | From $100.00 |
✈️ Flights from Pleiku to Ho Chi Minh City – Flight Schedule / Timetable:
Flight Schedule - Pleiku to Ho Chi Minh | Departs in Pleiku | Arrival in Ho Chi Minh | Ticket - Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Vietnam Airlines | 17:40 | 19:05 | From $70.00 |
VietJet Air | 08:00 | 09:00 | From $70.00 |
VietJet Air | 18:40 | 19:50 | From $70.00 |
Hanh Air Systems | 08:00 | 09:00 | From $118.00 |
Hanh Air Systems | 18:40 | 19:50 | From $118.00 |