One of the most magical and popular experiences you can have when you visit Da Nang is a day trip up to the incredible Ba Na Hills. This mountaintop resort, often called Sun World, is a world of its own, famous for its breathtaking Golden Bridge, its charming French Village, and its stunning cable car ride through the clouds. The resort is located approximately 35 km from the Da Nang city center, and the journey itself is a beautiful one, taking about 45 to 60 minutes. One of the most common questions our Indian guests ask is, “What is the best way to get from Da Nang to Ba Na Hills?” The answer depends entirely on your budget, your group size, and your preference for convenience and flexibility. This guide from Vietnam Story will provide you with a detailed and honest comparison of all the best transportation options, with our personal recommendations tailored specifically for you, our Indian travelers, to ensure your journey to this mountain paradise is as smooth and enjoyable as the destination itself.
A comparison of your travel choices from Da Nang to Ba Na Hills
Choosing how you get to Ba Na Hills is the first step in planning a perfect day. Whether you are a solo traveler on a budget, a family with young children, or an adventurous rider, there is an ideal option for you. To help you decide, let’s break down the main ways to travel, from the most budget-friendly shuttle bus to the most convenient private car.
Option 1: The shuttle bus
For solo travelers or those on a tight budget, the shared shuttle bus offers the best balance of low cost and guaranteed round-trip convenience.
The shuttle bus is highly competitive in price. The cost is per person and often includes a convenient pickup from your hotel if it is in a central area. You can expect to pay between 130,000 – 170,000 VND (which is approximately ₹440 – ₹575) per person for a round trip.
The shuttle bus operates on a fixed daily schedule. It will typically depart from Da Nang in the early morning (between 7:45 AM – 8:30 AM) and will have a fixed return time from Ba Na Hills in the late afternoon (around 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM). This means your time on the mountain is limited. Because the shuttle bus makes several stops to pick up other passengers, the total travel time is a bit longer, usually around 70 – 80 minutes.
TIP: To make your booking even simpler, look for combo packages offered by many tour operators. These packages often bundle the round-trip shuttle bus ticket with the Ba Na Hills cable car ticket for a total price of around 1,070,000 VND. This is a great way to handle both bookings in one go
READ MORE: Full guide to public transport in Da Nang: Buses, Grab and the Hoi An Link
Option 2: The private car / Taxi / Ride-hailing
For families, groups, or any traveler who values maximum flexibility, comfort, and a door-to-door service, hiring a private car is, without a doubt, the best option.
| Service | Price range (Round trip) | Travel time (one way) | Best for |
| Private car transfer | 600,000 – 1,200,000 VND (approx. ₹2,000 – ₹4,050) for a 4-7 seat car. This price includes the driver waiting for you at Ba Na Hills for several hours. | 45 – 50 minutes | This is our top recommendation for families and groups. It offers pre-booked comfort, a guaranteed return at whatever time you choose, and a completely stress-free experience. |
| Taxi (Grab/GreenSM) | 700,000 – 1,000,000 VND (approx. ₹2,370 – ₹3,385) depending on the app’s dynamic pricing or your negotiation with the driver. | 35 – 45 minutes | This is a very flexible option for your departure time, but our honest advice is that securing a return taxi or Grab from Ba Na Hills in the afternoon can sometimes be difficult or more expensive. It’s often better to negotiate a round-trip fee with your driver for them to wait. |
Special advice for families: For our guests traveling with young children or elderly parents, a private car is the wisest investment. It completely eliminates the stress of waiting for a bus or trying to find a ride back. It allows you to control your own schedule, leaving when you are ready, which makes the entire day much more relaxed and enjoyable for everyone.
Option 3: The motorbike rental
Renting a motorbike is very cheap, usually between 80,000 – 150,000 VND per day, plus the cost of fuel.
Safety note: While the route to Ba Na Hills is incredibly scenic, it also involves driving on winding mountain roads where the weather can change suddenly, with frequent foggy conditions. We only recommend this option for very experienced and confident riders who prioritize adventure and the freedom to explore at their own pace. For most tourists, the other options are much safer and more relaxing.
The all-inclusive group tour of Vietnamstory.in
For travelers who want a completely worry-free and structured day, booking an all-inclusive group tour is an excellent choice. This is the simplest way to experience Ba Na Hills without having to think about any of the logistics.
The Ba Na Hills daily group tour of Vietnamstory.in is designed for maximum convenience, allowing you to simply sit back and enjoy the experience. Here is what is typically included:
- Inclusions: A standard group tour package will almost always combine round-trip transportation from your hotel, the Ba Na Hills entrance and cable car tickets, the services of an English-speaking guide, and often a buffet lunch at one of the restaurants on the mountain.
- The benefit: This is perfectly suited for travelers who prefer a fixed itinerary and do not want to worry about making separate bookings for transport, tickets, and food. It’s also a great way to meet other travelers. For a unique experience, look for specialized night tours that allow you to see the French Village beautifully lit up without the large daytime crowds.
Arrival and essential travel tips for your day trip in Ba Na Hills
Once you have chosen your transport, a little bit of planning will ensure you have the best possible day on the mountain.
A smooth arrival and a well-planned day can make all the difference in your Ba Na Hills experience. Here are our most crucial tips.
The cable car access and tickets
- The gateway: The Ba Na Hills cable car base station is the one and only gateway for visitors to get to the top. The ride itself is a major attraction, holding world records for its length and offering stunning panoramic views of the mountains and waterfalls below. The journey takes about 20–25 minutes.
- Ticket price: The current price for an adult international visitor is 950,000 VND. This ticket includes the round-trip cable car ride and access to most of the attractions at the top, including the Golden Bridge and the French Village.
Our recommendation: We highly advise you to pre-book your cable car tickets online or as part of a tour package. This can save you a lot of time waiting in the ticket queue, allowing you to proceed directly to the ride.
How to plan your perfect day trip?
- The best departure time: This is our most important piece of advice! Plan for a very early morning departure. You should aim to leave your hotel in Da Nang by 7:00 AM at the latest. This will get you to the cable car station right before it opens at 7:30 AM. This is the absolute best way to avoid the very long queues and, most importantly, to get to the Golden Bridge and take your beautiful photos before the major crowds arrive around 9:00 AM.
- Check the weather: The climate on top of the mountain can be very different from the coast. Always check the weather forecast for Ba Na Hills specifically before you go. It can be significantly cooler, foggier, or even rainy compared to the sunny weather in Da Nang city.
- What to prepare: Wear your most comfortable walking shoes, as you will be doing a lot of walking on cobblestone streets. It is also a very good idea to bring a light jacket or sweater, as the mountain temperatures are always cooler.
- Book in advance: During the peak tourist season (especially from May to August), it is essential to book both your transport and your tickets in advance to guarantee your spot and avoid disappointment.
Conclusion
Navigating the logistics of a day trip to a major attraction like Ba Na Hills can seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. With a clear understanding of your transportation options, you can easily make a choice that eliminates stress and maximizes your enjoyment. A pre-booked private car or an all-inclusive tour are fantastic ways to ensure that you don’t have to worry about a single thing – no waiting, no negotiating, and no uncertainty about your return trip. It is the smartest way to guarantee a full day of fun and wonder for you and your loved ones.
Let Vietnam Story make your entire trip this easy and stress-free. We handle all the planning, from your airport transfers to your day trips, so you can simply relax and immerse yourself in the beauty of Vietnam. Get in touch with us to plan your trip, and discover just how effortless a perfect day trip to Ba Na Hills can be.