How to get from Danang to Nha Trang by train

The ten-hour train ride from Danang to Nha Trang is a practical and time-saving option for visitors to Vietnam, allowing travellers to bypass a less interesting part of the country. Comfortable four-berth carriages are the best way to travel and should be booked in advance if possible.

Danang has a cosmopolitan atmosphere thanks to its large expat community and international airport. It’s also very close to one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist sites, the Unesco-listed old town in Hoi An. 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.

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.

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Route map

Timetables

Click here to check all Vietnam train times

There are six trains per day between Danang and Nha Trang, most running during daylight hours. This gives you a good chance to enjoy the scenery, but for a more practical option, choose SE7, which travels overnight and saves you a night’s accommodation, arriving in Nha Trang in time for breakfast.

If you’d prefer to travel during the day, then SE21 is a good compromise between departure and arrival times.

Average journey time: 10 hours 15 minutes

How to buy tickets

Click here to book train tickets from Da Nang to Nha Trang.

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 Danang to Nha Trang 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:

What to expect on board

Four- and six-berth sleepers are the best option for this route, even if you don’t intend to sleep. There’s plenty of space to spread out, although the views from the window can be restricted for those sitting further away.

Normal seating carriages are fine for shorter journeys and are even a good option for daytime trips, but you’re best avoiding them here as most services travel overnight.

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.

Journey description

The journey from Danang to Nha Trang takes you south along the central Vietnamese coast, with a mixture of countryside, small towns and occasional glimpses of the sea. We enjoyed the daytime journey, as there’s enough variation in the scenery to keep things interesting for much of the way, although it’s certainly not the most spectacular stretch of railway in Vietnam.

If you’re travelling overnight, the journey is a different experience. Once you’ve settled into your berth, there’s not much reason to stay awake and most of the journey passes by while you sleep. We found the trains fairly busy with overseas tourists, particularly during peak season, which isn’t surprising given how popular both Danang and Nha Trang are with visitors.

As you approach Nha Trang, the scenery gradually becomes more built-up before the train finally arrives at the city’s central station. It’s a convenient way to travel between two of Vietnam’s most popular destinations without losing a full day to the journey.