Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang: Best Ways to Travel

The distance between Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City if calculated by road is approximately 443 km, depending on the route and form you choose. You can choose from 3 main modes of transportation that are motorbikes and cars or flight.

Nowadays, with the development of transportation, that 443 kilometres seem unlikely to be a big deal, visitors always have a lot of options to move from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang. Also, cheap flights and trains are always available, local coaches are ready almost 24 hours a day. 

As Nha Trang is one of the most popular travel destinations for both local and international tourists, the development of infrastructure and transportation has made it easy for travelers to visit the city. Tourists can choose from many options to travel from Ho Chi Minh (aka Saigon) to Nha Trang. Local buses are accessible almost 24 hours a day, and cheap flights and trains are available all the time. Following, we have listed out the most common as well as convenient modes of transportation to travel between these cities. 

By Plane

To travel from Ho Chi Minh by plane, you will head to Tan Son Nhat International Airport which is located about 8-10 kilometres from the city centre, whether by bus, taxi, or airport shuttle. The flights from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang will take approximately one hour and 15 minutes. Today, all Vietnam air carriers offer direct flights between these cities, including Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airway, Vietnam Airlines, and Jetstar Pacific Airlines. 

You can look up flight details (airfare, schedule, how to book, payment) on their official website. As with any other airline, prices vary depending on the brand, flight schedule, and time of booking. Vietjet Air and Jetstar Pacific Airlines provide low-cost airfare and sometimes, they do offer some promotion tickets, which are relatively cheap of about 515,000 VND (~$23) to 614,000 VND (~$27) per person.

Whereas, Bamboo Airways and Vietnam Airlines flights have more expensive prices. It is understandable as they offer high-quality services with meals during flights, more baggage allowances, and spacious legroom. The price from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang ranges from 789,000 VND (~$35) to 1,339,000 VND (~$58). They also have some discount programs for special occasions so the tickets will be lower from 680,000 VND ($29.6) to 734,000 VND ($32). 

The flights are quite varied, about 15 flights/day, Vietnam Airlines operates 7 flights from 7:30 AM to 08:40 PM while Vietjet Air offers 4 flights daily from 08:35 AM to 05:40 PM. Kindly note that the schedule and airfare are checked at the moment and subject to change so the information mentioned above could be different by the time you book. 

When you arrive at the Cam Ranh International Airport, you will have to get into the city centre, either by bus or taxi. The airport is 35 kilometres away and takes about 50 minutes to drive. A ticket counter for a bus to the city is located about 5 meters from the airport's front door. The bus ticket price is about 3 - 5 USD per person for one way. Or you can choose to travel by taxi once walking out of the airport. The cost of a taxi will be $15 to $20. 

Finally, travellers may enjoy a panoramic view of Cam Ranh Bay and Nha Trang city from above if the skies are clear. This is a huge benefit that no other method can provide.

By Train

Another option is to travel by train from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang. This city is not only a popular tourist destination but also one of the main stops of the North-South Railways Line, therefore, many trains arrive and depart from here. 

The duration of travelling by train is approximately 8 to 10 hours, depending on what type of train you take. You can check out the train timetable and price chart as below: 

Travellers can book the train tickets on the official website of Vietnam Railways or purchase them directly at the ticket counter at the train station. Ho Chi Minh City’s train station is located at No.1, Nguyen Thong Street, Ward 9, District 3. Unlike plane tickets, the train fare is fixed so it will not change whether you buy them days or a few hours before the departure.

It is accessible to get on the railroad from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang, as it is significantly more pleasant and quicker than buses, and it offers beautiful views of Vietnamese scenery. Not to mention, Nha Trang Train Station is convenient when located in the heart of the city, making it easy to take a taxi to the surrounding hotels and resorts at a relatively low cost.  However,  the train fare is also slightly more expensive than the bus ticket and it takes a significantly longer time than the plane.

By Bus/ Local Coach

The routes from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang by bus operate almost every hour daily. There are both daytime and nighttime schedules for you to choose from. The travel time by bus will be around 8 to 13 hours, depending on many factors, such as traffic conditions as well as which company you go with. Besides, there is only one type of bus running on the route from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang which is a sleeper bus, a double-deck vehicle with fixed beds that can accommodate 40–48 people. These are quite comfy, so you can sleep and relax for the entire trip. 

Similar to train tickets, bus tickets remain the same whether you buy them days or a few hours before the departure, however, it may be increased if you are planning to travel during the holiday season. Even though travelling by bus can make you tired after a long trip, it is still a good choice to choose from as the ticket fare is reasonable and the service is much improved with equipped facilities. Not to mention, some companies offer free shuttle buses to pick up and drop off within a 10-kilometre radius. 

• To choose the most suitable mode of transportation from Sai Gon to Nha Trang, you have to figure out your budget as well as who you are going with. 
• If you are travelling with a big group of friends or families with kids, renting a private vehicle is considered to be a perfect option. 
• The ticket fare is likely to increase if you book closer to the departure date and particularly if you are planning to travel during the holiday season. 
• In addition, it is still highly recommended to purchase the ticket beforehand so you can select good seats or book the flight ticket a few days in advance to get a good price. 
• If you have a lot of luggage, taking a flight so you don't have to carry around those big suitcases. Also, check the airlines' baggage rules to avoid paying the surcharge. 

Hopefully, with the detailed guide above, the question of “how to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang” is not overwhelmed you anymore. Visit BestPrice and let us take you to the wonderful natural landscape of Vietnam and the rich culture that make the country stand out or search for the best Nha Trang tours to travel.

Minah Trinh 

Image Source: Internet