Transportation
By
Air
Currently no international flights serve Nha Trang's Cam Ranh Airport,
which is 35km from town, but linked with a new, good quality road.
Vietnam Airlines flies the Saigon-Nha Trang-Saigon route three
times a day on Sat, Mon, Wed, and Thu, with four a day on Fri, Sun and
Tue. The fare costs 575,000 dong one way, 1,155,000 dong return. Times
are as follows:
Saigon - Nha Trang: 06:00, 10:15, 14:10
Nha Trang - Saigon: 07:45, 16:00, 16:10 (11:10 on Fri, Sun and
Tue).
From Nha Trang to Hanoi there is one flight a day, but no set
schedule, leaving at either 09:20 or 13:40. Ticket prices are 1.325,000
dong one way or 2,655,000 return.
Vietnam airlines also has flights to Da Nang. The office can be
found at 91 Nguyen Thien Thuat, T: (058) 526 768.
By Train
There are numerous classes of train travel between Saigon and Nha Trang,
including the new '5 star' express service which only stops once between
the cities. This service boasts private departure lounges at each end,
and facilities on the train included LCD TV's, several bars and
airline-standard bathrooms. The train departs daily at the following
times:
Saigon - Nha Trang: 06:15 (arriving 13:33)
Nha Trang - Saigon: 14:55 (arriving 23:18)
Tickets prices depend on which of three classes are chosen:
5 star: 450,000 dong (one way), 900,000 dong (return).
Deluxe: 330,000 dong (one way), 660,000 dong (return)
Standard: 200,000 dong (one way), 400,000 dong (return)
Normal trains differ in journey time and number of stops, and seat
prices also vary depending on the type of berth. The full national train
timetable is avaliable at . From Nha Trang to Saigon, trains
depart at the following times:
SE1 - 22:00 (arr. 05:30)
SE3 - 21:46 (arr. 04:30)
SE5 - 12:30 (arr. 20:00)
Sleepers come highly recommended, anyone who has experienced a 'soft' or
a 'hard' seat for any length of time will understand why. A soft sleeper
on the Nha Trang to Saigon route costs US$18, a hard sleeper (not as bad
as it sounds) costs $15. The price will vary again depending on the bunk
(top, middle or bottom), top being the cheapest.
Trains also leave to the North -- one for Da Nang (the jump off
point for Hoi An) is the D2, 23:46 (arr. 10:30).
Buying tickets is better left to the travel agents that litter Hung
Vuong and Biet Thu St. It's recommended to book ahead, especially for
sleepers on weekend trains heading to Saigon.
By Bus
Like any other city in Vietnam, Nha Trang is well served by the'Open
Tour' buses run by various travel agencies. Three options exist -- south
to Mui Ne (and on to Ho Chi Minh City), north to Hoi An
(on to Hue and Hanoi) or inland to Da Lat (via Phan
Rang). Buses from Nha Trang to Saigon leave twice daily at 08:00 and
20:30 (10 hours, 80,000 dong), Saigon to Nha Trang departures are
roughly the same times, but check with with individual travel agencies
to be sure. The bus to Saigon stops in Phan Thiet allowing those wishing
to jump off at Mui Ne beach the chance to do so. Leaving for other
destinations:
Nha Trang - Dalat: 08:00, 5 hours, 50,000 (Open tour stops at the
Cham Tower in Phan Rang)
Nha Trang - Hoi An: 19:30, 11 hours, $6.
Local buses avoid the potential pitfalls of the open tour, but are often
crowded and only leave when full. The open tour still wins for comfort,
even if convenience is sometimes infringed. The only other reasonable
alternative would be the Mai Linh Corporation, who run small but
speedy minibus services. Mai Linh can be found at 98B/9 Tran Phu St, T:
(058) 817 111.
Getting Around
Xe Om drivers
are easy to find, as are cyclos, which may make for a pleasant
cruise along the beachfront road, Tran Phu. Renting a personal
motorbike is easy enough, ask at your hotel. A fully automatic costs
around $6 a day, a semi-automatic $4. Many tourists prefer to rent
bicycles to enjoy the roads around the sea front -- bicycles are
available for rent from almost every hotel.
The following taxi companies operate in Nha Trang:
Nha Trang Taxi : (058) 824 000
Mai Linh : (058) 817 111 |