The station is in Xiaguan, not the old town: plan about 35 minutes and around ¥55 by taxi, or about an hour and ¥3 on bus 8 to the East Gate.
Dali, the practical part 大理
What’s different here, and the few things that quietly cost people a morning.
Getting in
For the old town, allow about 40 minutes and ¥80–100 by taxi. Airport buses also run directly to the old town: standard fares are ¥15 to Dali station and ¥25 to the old town. Ask the arrivals desk for that departure’s old-town stop so your hotel can meet you there.
Getting around
Cycle a short out-and-back along Erhai’s west shore for lake and mountain views. Corridor rental points offer pedal and assisted bicycles; agree the return point and time there. Outside electric rentals have separate access rules.
For local buses, select Dali in Alipay and activate 大理支付宝公交卡 before boarding.
Easy to get wrong
Treating “Dali” on the train ticket as the old town.
Add 30–60 minutes for the Xiaguan-to-old-town transfer on both arrival and departure days.
The old town already uses half a day before the corridor’s 2–3 hours.
Pick one anchor for a half day, or give both a longer day; do not treat transport as zero.
Past travel notices
One outing, with room to enjoy it
Leave an afternoon for the Erhai corridor
120–180 minutes for the full block
Erhai Ecological Corridor →
2–3 hours