Nha Trang and Danang are popular places to visit in Vietnam, and well-connected to each other by six trains per day. As there aren’t many places of interest between the two cities, most travellers complete the 500km journey in one go, usually on an overnight sleeper. Comfortable four-berth carriages are the best way to travel and should be booked in advance if possible.
Nha Trang is a flashy beach town with one of the country’s largest theme parks. It’s popular with domestic tourists, Russian expats and long-term digital nomads. Although there are plenty of things to do in town, it’s not to everyone’s tastes. Danang has a much more cosmopolitan atmosphere thanks to the large numbers of expats and an international airport. It’s also very close to one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist sites; the Unesco-listed old town in Hoi An.
If you’re planning to travel further around Vietnam by train, our Vietnam train travel guide covers the country’s main railway routes, buying tickets, train classes and what to expect on board.
Disclaimer: This website contains affiliate links. Should you click to purchase, it is at no additional cost to you, but we receive a small commission.
Have questions? Join the Southeast Asia Trains Facebook Group.
Route map
Timetables
Click here to check all Vietnam train times
There are six trains per day between Nha Trang and Danang, although the majority of them either depart or arrive at inconvenient times.
If you just want the most practical option, SE10 travels overnight and saves you a night’s accommodation, arriving into Danang in time for breakfast.
If you’d prefer to travel during the day then SE8 is probably the best choice, although it’ll be a late arrival to Danang.
| Train | Nha Trang | Da Nang |
|---|---|---|
| SE4 | 02:47 | 12:13 |
| SE2 | 03:51 | 13:06 |
| SE8 | 14:03 | 23:21 |
| SE6 | 16:13 | 01:46+1 |
| SE22 | 18:12 | 05:40+1 |
| SE10 | 21:58 | 08:44+1 |
Average journey time: 9 hours 55 minutes
How to buy tickets
Click here to book train tickets from Nha Trang to Da Nang.
The easiest way to buy train tickets in Vietnam is online rather than going to the station. You do pay a very small commission but the ease and convenience makes it worthwhile.
Baolau is the best site to use for buying train tickets, they have access to the live Vietnam Railways booking engine, so you can easily see availability, timetables and prices.
Payment can be made using international credit card and PDF confirmation tickets are sent to your email address within a few minutes. This is the actual ticket you need to board the train, so there's no need to exchange it at the station before travel. You may prefer to print the pdf out, but it's also fine to show it on your mobile phone to the conductors and station staff.
How much does it cost?
Trains on the route from Nha Trang to Danang typically have three classes available: four-berth sleeper, six-berth sleeper and normal seats. For a short daytime journey like this, many travellers choose the normal seats and spend the whole time gazing out of the window.
Ticket prices are from:
| Class | Cost (VND) |
|---|---|
| Soft seat | 450,000 |
| Sleeper 4-berth | 1,300,000 |
| Sleeper 6-berth | 1,000,000 |
What to expect on board
Vietnamese trains are generally comfortable, reliable and in good condition. The rolling stock is perhaps showing its age in places, although there are plans for refurbishments and upgrades. On board, the compartments are kept clean and there’s plenty of space to store your luggage, especially if you’re just travelling with backpacks.
Four and six-berth sleepers are the best option for all services on this route, even if you don’t intend to fall asleep. There’s plenty of space to spread out, although the views out of the window can be restricted for those sitting further away.
Normal seating carriages are fine for shorter journeys (and are even recommended for daytime trips) but you’re best avoiding them for this trip as most journeys take place overnight.
Journey description
As the majority of services run throughout the night, the journey tends to pass most people by. After departing Nha Trang’s central but soulless station, the train heads north along the coast towards Hoi An. If you’re on one of the overnight trains, you’ll soon be settling down into your comfortable berth.
Nha Trang and Danang are two of the most popular destinations in Vietnam, so the trains are often occupied mainly by overseas tourists, especially during peak season.
Useful reads before you go:
Top tips for Southeast Asia train travel
Reasons why you should travel by train around Southeast Asia
The BEST train journeys in Southeast Asia
10 essentials experienced travellers always take on trains in Southeast Asia
Book your train travel:
If you have found this website useful for planning your Southeast Asia train travel, you can show your support by buying me a coffee. Thanks so much!
