One day in Da Lat: an itinerary in the best order
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 2 of 5 free; 3 paid — see “Cost”
- Duration
- 7 h 40 min · 09:30–17:06
- Start and finish
- Da Lat Railway Station → Truc Lam Monastery
- On foot
- ≈ 32 min in total
- Transport
- 2 rides, ≈ 49 min
- Lunch
- around 12:47
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- December to March: dry and sunny. Nights are cool, down to 10 °C.
The plan, stop by stop
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Da Lat09:30–17:06 · 5 places · 7 h 40 min
Da Lat Railway Station
· 45 min · 50,000 VND; train extra
- 15 min on foot
Xuan Huong Lake
· 1 h · Free
- 17 min on foot
Da Lat Flower Park
· 1 h · 40,000–100,000 VND
- Lunch · 1 h
- 23 min · transport or taxi
Crazy House
· 1 h · 80,000 VND; under 1.2 m free
- 26 min · transport or taxi
Truc Lam Monastery
· 1 h 30 min · Free
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
2 of 5 are free; 3 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 1 | Da Lat Railway Station | 38 | 45 min | 50,000 VND; train extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Xuan Huong Lake | 43 | 1 h | Free |
| 3 | Da Lat Flower Park | 37 | 1 h | 40,000–100,000 VND |
| 4 | Crazy House | 37 | 1 h | 80,000 VND; under 1.2 m free |
| 5 | Truc Lam Monastery | 38 | 1 h 30 min | Free |
| Total | 5 h 20 min | 2 of 5 free |
Tips for each stop
- 1
Da Lat Railway Station. An Art Deco station from 1932–1938 with old carriages. 50,000 VND; the tourist train to Trai Mat is extra.
- 2
Xuan Huong Lake. The crescent lake in the centre: a 5 km path, pines and cafés. Free.
- 3
Da Lat Flower Park. The flower park on the lake: hydrangeas, orchids, roses and greenhouses. 40,000–100,000 VND.
- 4
Crazy House. A Gaudí-style guesthouse of concrete trunks, grottoes and rooftop bridges. 80,000 VND, under 1.2 m free.
- 5
Truc Lam Monastery. A Zen monastery in the pines above Tuyen Lam Lake. Free; the cable car is 150,000 VND.
Who this route is for
- First time in Da Lat
- Cool air after the beach
- On foot and by Grab
- The waterfalls and Langbiang are day two
- Pongour Falls is 50 km away
December to March: dry and sunny. Nights are cool, down to 10 °C.
What to do in Da Lat in one day
The station, the lake and the Flower Park are central, 15–20 minutes apart on foot. The Crazy House is 1.8 km from the main square. The cable car to Truc Lam leaves Robin Hill near the Prenn Pass.
Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, and add another one nearby — the times recalculate.
The cable car to Truc Lam
Tickets are 150,000 VND, children 120,000. On weekdays it runs 7:30–12:00 and 13:00–17:00, at weekends without a break. From above you see the pine forest and Tuyen Lam Lake.
The train to Trai Mat
A tourist train runs 7 km from the station to Trai Mat village for 98,000–191,000 VND. There stands Linh Phuoc Pagoda, covered in broken-ceramic mosaic, with a dragon made of 12,000 bottles.
More to see
Datanla Falls with its alpine coaster and Langbiang Mountain are day two. Prenn Falls has a path behind the curtain of water.
How to do it right
- Bring a jumper: mornings and evenings are cool.
- The Truc Lam cable car closes 12:00–13:00 on weekdays.
- Pagodas and temples want shoulders and knees covered; shoes come off at the door of the halls.
- Vietnam uses the dong (VND). Markets, pagodas and small cafés want cash; Grab is the easiest way to get a car or motorbike taxi.
- Mist over Xuan Huong Lake in the early morning makes the best photos.
Questions
What to do in Da Lat in one day?
The station, Xuan Huong Lake, the Flower Park, the Crazy House and Truc Lam Monastery by cable car.
How much is the Crazy House?
80,000 VND; children 1.2–1.4 m 30,000, under 1.2 m free.
How much is the Da Lat cable car?
150,000 VND, children 120,000.
Do trains run from Da Lat station?
Only the 7 km tourist train to Trai Mat.
How much does the day cost?
About 400,000 VND in tickets with the cable car, plus Grab.
Can you explore Da Lat on your own?
Yes: the centre on foot, Grab beyond.
Is it good with kids?
Yes: the Crazy House and the cable car are favourites.
Is Da Lat cold?
Warm by day; mornings and evenings drop to 10–15 °C.
When is the best time?
December to March.
What currency is used in Vietnam?
Vietnam uses the dong (VND). Markets, pagodas and small cafés want cash; Grab is the easiest way to get a car or motorbike taxi.
Sources and fact-check
- Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
- Lam Dong Department of Tourism
- Wikipedia: Da Lat
