Getting around DaLat (on foot, Grab moto)

Getting around DaLat: The Quick Answer

You can live in Da Lat without renting a motorbike: I got around for three months on foot and by Grab bike, and spent about 70 USD a month on transportation. What you should know: the traffic is chaotic and the city isn’t built for walking, though you get used to it. And Grab prices nearly double when it rains or at night: a ride that cost me 30,000 VND during the day went up to 55,000 at night.

How I Got Around DaLat

I got around on foot and by Grab bike, and I didn’t rent a motorbike during the first part of my stay. I did in the second part (I stayed for half a year in total), but that info goes in a separate post.

Getting Around DaLat Without Renting a Motorbike

Walking in DaLat

Da Lat isn’t made for walking: the traffic is terrible and there are hills, but once you get used to it, it’s doable. The worst but most necessary thing of all is learning to cross the street on foot, I swear. For today: I only have two pieces of advice:

1. Commend yourself to every deity you know.
2. Cross without thinking… don’t look… straight ahead, firm steps, and pray they swerve around you.

I swear… I still need to make a video about it, but I swear that’s all there is to it. Pray and cross.

Otherwise, keep in mind that as a pedestrian you’re the lowest priority, so you have to stay alert every time you walk or cross, because someone on a motorbike can always show up from where you least expect it.

Grab Bike in DaLat: The Option I Used the Most

It always worked really well for me, and every driver gives you a helmet, since it’s required by law in Vietnam.

Approximate conversion; check the exchange rate on the day.

The key takeaway: prices nearly double when it rains or at night. If you can, plan your outings for the daytime or wait for the rain to pass.

Getting around DaLat

Taxi and Grab Car

I only took them twice, when there were four of us and it ended up being worth it. But it will always be much more expensive than a motorbike and also much slower.

Is It Worth Renting a Motorbike in Da Lat?

I didn’t rent one because the traffic seemed pretty chaotic to me. Even so, I’ll probably end up renting next time. Not every place will ask for an international license to rent you a bike, but if they do and you don’t have one, they’ll give you lower-powered bikes, and if you have an accident, your travel insurance most likely won’t cover you. Drive carefully!

For reference, friends of mine have had very different experiences (from around 100,000 to 200,000 VND per day, plus fuel), so check the price on the spot.

Getting Around Da Lat When It Rains or at Night

Here’s the most useful thing I learned from living there during the rainy season: Grab prices nearly double. It’s very rare for it to rain for a long stretch, so unless you’re in a hurry, I recommend simply waiting for the rain to stop.

From the Airport to Downtown Da Lat

Lien Khuong Airport is about 30 km from the center, roughly 40 to 50 minutes by car.

My experience: when I arrived, public transportation wasn’t running, so I booked a private transfer. I booked it through 12go.asia and it cost me about 13 USD.

How Much I Spent on Transportation in Da Lat

I spent about 70 USD a month on transportation, between Grab bike rides and the occasional transfer.

That’s on top of my other costs in Da Lat: what to see, what to avoid and how much it costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you live in Da Lat without a motorbike?
Yes. I got around for three months on foot and by Grab bike, and spent about 70 USD a month.

How much does a Grab bike cost in Da Lat?
For me, a ride cost 30,000 VND during the day and 55,000 VND at night or when it was raining. Prices nearly double.

Is it safe to ride a Grab bike?
…it depends on what you consider safe. You’ll see that the traffic is chaos, but locals understand it perfectly, and I only had one “near miss,” which was the fault of a car, not the bike I was on.

Do you need to rent a motorbike in Da Lat?
It’s not necessary, but it does give you the freedom to explore places farther from the center.

How do I get from the airport to downtown Da Lat?
There are shuttles and taxis, but check the current status. I booked a private transfer because public transportation wasn’t running when I arrived.

Can you walk around Da Lat?
Yes, but it isn’t built for it: there’s heavy traffic and hills. You get used to it.

Do transportation prices change when it rains?
Yes, they nearly double when it rains or at night.

Conclusion

To get around Da Lat without renting a motorbike, walking and using Grab is enough, but it’s best to plan longer trips for the daytime and not when it’s raining.

This might help:

• DaLat: how to find accommodation
• ATM’s in Vietnam
• Travel insurance