How to Get to Dali from Kunming

Dali City(大理市) is located in western Yunnan, approximately 250 km northwest of the provincial capital of Kunming. Those are two top destinations of Yunnan. Kunming, as the capital city of Yunnan Province, usually serves as the transportation hub of Yunnan travel. Dali is one of the most famous places for travelers to go, which is easily accessible by air, train, and bus. 

How to Get to Dali from Kunming?

By Air

It’s not recommended to travel from Kunming to Dali by airplanes. It’s much expensive and time-wasting. Although the duration on the flight is only about 1 hour, while 3-4 hours are needed for the transfer time to and from the two airports. Located on the southeast bank of Erhai Lake, Dali airport (大理机场)is about 13 kilometers away from the city center.

At present, there are 4 daily flights between Kunming to Dali and two airport shuttles Line 1 and Line 2 going to Dali downtown areas. You can depart at Kunming Changshui International Airport(昆明长水国际机场).

Kunming-Dali Airline Schedules

Flight Number Airlines Departure Arrival Duration Plane Full Price(Economy)
MU5943 China Eastern Airlines 07:20 08:15 55mins Beoing737 CNY1270
MU5734 China Eastern Airlines 17:15 18:15 1h Beoing737 CNY1270
CZ8028 China Southern 9:20 10:20 1h Airbus319 CNY1270
OQ2028 Chongqing Airlines 9:20 10:20 1h Airbus319 CNY1270

Dali-Kunming Airline Schedules

Flight Number Airlines Departure Arrival Duration Plane Full Price(Economy)
MU5737 China Eastern Airlines 10:15 11:25 1h10mins Beoing737 CNY1270
MU5944 China Eastern Airlines 15:55 17:00 1h5mins Beoing737 CNY1270
CZ8027 China Southern 07:20 08:20 1h Airbus319 CNY1270
OQ2027 Chongqing Airlines 07:20 08:20   Airbus319 CNY1270

Kunming Changshui International Airport:
Add:Changshui Village, Guandu District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province
How to Get:  Airport Express No.919, Taxi
Dali Airport
Add: Airport Road, Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture.

By High-speed Train

Since June 29, 2018, the normal speed trains from Kunming to Dali are all closed and the high-speed trains are formally put into use, which cut the entire journey to 2 hours. There are more than 36 high-speed trains departing from Kunming South Railway Station to Dali Railway Station from the early morning hours to the late night around 06:30-21:20, with some stopping at Kunming Railway Station in the downtown.

Kunming-Dali Train Schedules

Train Number Departure Arrival Duration Tickets Price(Second class cabin)
D9103 06:25 09:02 2h37mins CNY155.5
D8653 07:03 09:25 2h22mins CNY155.5
D8657 07:14 09；44 2h30mins CNY155.5
D8661 07:38 09:55 2h17mins CNY155.5
D8665 07:46 10:28 2h42mins CNY155.5
D8669 08:36 11:11 2h35mins CNY155.5
D8673 09:02 11:24 2h22mins CNY155.5
D8677 09:10 11:41 2h31mins CNY155.5
D8693 09:40 12:05 2h25mins CNY155.5
D8696 09:56 11:51 1h55mins CNY155.5
D8681  10:06 12:23 2h18mins CNY155.5
D8685 10:18 12:40 2h22mins CNY155.5
D8689 10:25 13:08 2h43mins CNY155.5
D3933 11:34 13:56 2h22mins CNY155.5
D8703 11:52 14:21 2h29mins CNY155.5
D8707 12:17 14:46 2h29mins CNY155.5
D3937 12:32 15:01 2h29mins CNY155.5
D9107 12:50 15:27 2h37mins CNY155.5
D8711 13:33 15:50 2h17mins CNY155.5
D9111 13:55 16:19 2h24mins CNY155.5
D3945 14:50 17:12 2h22,ons CNY155.5
D3803 15:05 17:42 2h37mins CNY155.5
D8715CNY155.5 15:32 17:54 2h22mins CNY155.5
D8726 15:35 17:30 1h55mins CNY155.5
D3949 15:46 18:15 2h29mins CNY155.5
D8723 15:53 18:31 2h38mins CNY155.5
D381 16:11 18:40 2h29mins CNY155.5
D3953 16:21 18:51 2h30mins CNY155.5
D3819 16:35 19:05 2h30mins CNY155.5
D3957 17:13 19:42 2h29mins CNY155.5
D3961 17:24 19:54 2h30mins CNY155.5
D8719 17:45 20:29 2h44mins CNY155.5
D8735 18:19 21:03 2h44mins CNY155.5
D9115 18:50 21:30 2h40mins CNY155.5
D8739 19:22 21:39 2h17mins CNY155.5
D8743 21:21 23:37 2h16mins CNY155.5

Dali-Kunming Train Schedules

Train Number Departure Arrival Duration Tickets Price(Second class cabin)
D8654 07:16 09:46 2h30mins CNY155.5
D8658 07:10 9:35 1h55mins CNY155.5
D9104 07:48 10:25 2h37mins CNY155.5
D8662 08:22 11:05 2h43mins CNY155.5
D3934 09:05 11:49 2h44mins CNY155.5
D9108 09:41 12:11 2h30mins CNY155.5
D3938 09:48 12:17 2h29mins CNY155.5
D3844 10:18 13:01 2h43mins CNY155.5
D8666 10:52 13:09 2h17mins CNY155.5
D3946 11:13 13:53 2h40mins CNY155.5
D3852 11:36 14:05 2h29mins CNY155.5
D3856 11:54 14:30 2h36mins CNY155.5
D3950 12:08 14:37 2h29mins CNY155.5
D8678 12:29 15:14 2h36mins CNY155.5
D8670 12:45 15:14 2h29mins CNY155.5
D3954 13:01 15:30 2h29mins CNY155.5
D8682 13:20 15:15 1h55mins CNY155.5
D8674 13:43 16:00 2h17mins CNY155.5
D3958 14:18 16:47 2h29mins CNY155.5
D8686 14:48 17:18 2h30mins CNY155.5
D8690 15:10 17:47 2h37mins CNY155.5
D3962 15；36 17:59 2h23mins CNY155.5
D9112 15:53 18:17 2h24mins CNY155.5
D8698 16:23 18:40 2h17mins CNY155.5
D9116 17:00 19:42 2h42mins CNY155.5
D8704 17:34 20:08 2h34mins CNY155.5
D8728 18:14 20:32 2h18mins CNY155.5
D8712 18:23 20:48 2h25mins CNY155.5
D8708 18:32 22:55 2h32mins CNY155.5
D8694 18:44 21:20 2h36mins CNY155.5
D8720 19:14 21:45 2h31mins CNY155.5
D8724 19:27 21:56 2h29mins CNY155.5
D8716 19:35 22:05 2h30mins CNY155.5
D8732 19:58 22:21 2h23mins CNY155.5
D8736 20:08 22:30 2h22mins CNY155.5
D8740 20:38 22:54 2h16mins CNY155.5
D8748 20:50 23:07 2h17mins CNY155.5

Kunming South Railway Station:
Add: Xiangyuan Street, Chenggong District of Kunming City
How to Get: Take Metro Line 1 or taxi

Kunming Railway Station:
Add: No. 1, Beijing Road, Guandu District, Kunming, Yunnan
How to Get: Take the Metro Line 2 or taxi

Dali Railway Station:
Add: 261 Weishan Road, Dali
How to Leave: Take a taxi or bus

By Long-distance Bus

Taking a 4-hour coach to Dali is an alternative choice for sometimes the train tickets have been sold out. Tourists can take the coach at Kunming West Bus Station to different stations in Dali City, which runs every 15–20 minutes from the early morning to the late afternoon daily. You can choose the proper one according to your needs.

Kunming-Dali Bus Schedules

Departs Arrives
08:00,  08:40, 09:10, 09:20, 09:40, 10:10, 10:20, 10:40, 10:50, 11:10, 12:30, 13:10,13:40, 19:00, 22:30 Dali
08:30, 09:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 20:00 Dali Ancient Town
09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 11:00, 11:20, 11:40, 12:20, 12:40, 14:00, 14:50, 15:30, 18:00 Dali Express Bus Station
07:50, 08:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:10, 13:20, 13:50, 14:20, 15:20, 15:50, 16:30, 17:00, 17:30, 18:40, 19:20 Dali Xingsheng Bus Terminal

Kunming West Bus Station:
Add: No.18, Yining Road, Xishan District, Kunming city, Yunnan province
How to Get there: Take Metro Line 3 or taxi

Dali Bus Stations:
Add: All located at the downtown area
How to Leave: Take a bus or taxi

Transportation in Yunnan:

Yunnan Travel by Air

Rail Transport in Yunnan

Roads in Yunnan