Hanoi to Lao Cai

Hanoi to Lao Cai

Best Options

$9
$298

Other Options

Hanoi to Lao Cai Schedule

Hanoi to Lao Cai Schedule
Transport NameRoute TimePrice
Hai Van Transport SUV 4pax Any time$ 217.41
Grouptour VIP 22 05:55 - 11:55VND 414k
Grouptour VIP 28 06:45 - 12:35VND 391k
Daiichi Travel VIP 24 08:30 - 13:50VND 440k
Daiichi Travel VIP 24 10:00 - 16:20VND 451k
Grouptour VIP 22 12:50 - 18:00VND 428k
Daiichi Travel VIP 24 14:00 - 19:20VND 440k
Daiichi Travel VIP 24 17:00 - 23:20VND 451k
Daiichi Travel VIP 24 19:30 - 01:50VND 451k
Techbus VN JSC VIP 22 21:50 - 03:40VND 472k
Techbus VN JSC VIP 22 22:15 - 04:15VND 455k

Transportation from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Facts about the transport from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Cheapest Transport$9
Fastest Transport3h 55m
Earliest Departure12:00 AM
Latest Departure11:45 PM
Departures per day453
Distance196 kilometers
Transport CompaniesBooking Car, Chapa Express, Daiichi Travel, Fanxipan, Full Moon Party Tour, GreenLion Bus, Grouptour, Inter Bus Lines, Laman Express, NewLivitrans Express, OUROS Travel, Saigon DMC, Sao Viet, Sapa Dragon Express, Sapa Express, Sapaly Express, Techbus VN JSC, Tiim Group, VicSapa Train, Violette Express Train, VTS

Hanoi to Lao Cai Destination Reviews

JD
it was really late and we also ended up sitting on the bus much longer than we should have as it was further delayed
Bus VIP 22, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Sep 23, 2023
PB
We got told to give them our food so that we wouldn’t eat during the drive because apparently that’s not aloud and we where supposed to get them back when we got to our destination but instead of getting them back they ate the food during the drive even though we where supposed to get them back since it was ours! They could have at least asked because we could share with them. The seats weren’t that great either because we couldn’t put them up so we had to lie down the whole drive and there was no button to turn off the air conditioning because the driver controls that so it was on for the whole drive and it became very cold.
Bus VIP 22, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Sep 16, 2023
HJ
For a Dutch person of 1.80 sharing the small cabin with his girlfriend, it was definitely an experience. However, we managed and was actually comfortable. Put your backs in de back of the truck because you won't have space otherwise. We had 2 stops for food/toilet in our 6 hour drive. ( it took longer then expected). Would do it again, but if you can, reserve 2 cabins just in case.
Bus Sleeper 40, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Sep 7, 2023
AB
We bought Two tickets and we only have one cabin for two people, we Don’t know why yet
Bus Sleeper 41 Express, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Aug 13, 2023
DE
We had smaller seats than the rest and couldn’t stretch the legs.
Bus Sleeper 40, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Aug 13, 2023
VV
Bad communication, other bus as booked, 2 different buses, departure address unclear, many stops and a lot of noise
Bus VIP Sleeper 34, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Aug 10, 2023
AM
The bus left at 23:30, they changed us the bus at the middle of the night. They wrote us to go at 22:00 to the station because the bus would leave sooner but then the bus left at 23:30.
Bus VIP Sleeper 34, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Aug 6, 2023
V
The bus was comfortable and left on time, however how we have been treated by one of the drivers/staff is terrible. He knocks near your seat without speaking any English, shouting to let you know that you have arrived and have to leave the bus. For this you have 30 seconds, and your bags are already thrown on the street. Couldn't even put on my shoes properly. Only to find out we weren't dropped off at the airport itself, but had to wait for another 45 minutes for a minibus to take us there.
Bus VIP 22, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Jun 10, 2023
YB
It was a good ride! Little break in the middle of the ride to go to the toilets. Thanks
Bus Express 47, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Jun 6, 2023
CL
Best bus i‘ve ever had! Very comfy and spacious. Recommend to pay 3-4 bucks more
Bus VIP 22, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), May 2, 2023
4.4
128 customer reviews
5
46%
4
29%
3
13%
2
12%
1
0%

How to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai

When you want to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai, you have a few options to consider. Traveling between these destinations is possible by different means of transport:

  • Bus
  • Train
  • Van
  • Taxi

If you’re looking for a quick trip, it’s recommended that you use Taxi. However, if you’d rather take your time with a slower, more affordable travel option, you can book a Train ticket.

The cost of travel will depend on the means of transport you choose for your trip. A taxi ticket is the most expensive option - it will cost you about USD 297.58. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as USD 8.04.

How far is Hanoi from Lao Cai?

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Hanoi to Lao Cai. Your trip will be a total of 122 miles (196 km). The flying distance is 122 miles (196 km).

How long does it take to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai?

The travel time from Hanoi to Lao Cai can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 4 to 8 hours.

How much does it cost to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai?

The cost of the trip from Hanoi to Lao Cai varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company): travelling by bus expect to pay as low as USD 8.04 for your ticket.

However, if you’re after more upscale travel . The most expensive variant is to opt for a taxi - a one-way taxi ticket can cost as much as USD 297.58.

Here is a chart of the average ticket prices and transportation options available from Hanoi to Lao Cai:

  • Bus tickets - USD 8.04 to USD 198.72;
  • Van price : USD 13.67 - USD 17.57;
  • Train tickets - USD 30.86 to USD 106.15;
  • taxi+Train price: USD 65.79 - USD 103.10. From Hanoi to Lao Cai starting from 21:35 Hanoi until 22:00 Hanoi
  • Train+taxi price: USD 65.79 - USD 103.10. From Hanoi to Lao Cai starting from 21:35 Hanoi until 22:00 Hanoi

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 110.88 to USD 297.58.

How many trips per day are there between Hanoi and Lao Cai?

Depending on your choice of transportation, the number of daily trips varies.

  • Buses start plying the route from 00:00 - you can also take a bus as late as 23:45. There are 406 available bus trips every day.
  • Trains always run on a set schedule - there are 14 trains per day.
  • Taxis are a good option to consider for this route, too. Book a cab to take you from Hanoi to Lao Cai any time of the day.

Which means of transport is the best for the route?

Buses

Taking a bus from Hanoi to Lao Cai is cheaper than flying. Quite often, a long-distance bus is the cheapest transportation option. Buses normally make bathroom and/or lunch stops along the way.

Things to remember before opting for a bus ride:

  • If possible, make sure to choose higher-class buses for a more comfortable travel experience. Such buses often have an air conditioning system, soft reclining seats, Wi-Fi, bathrooms, etc.
  • As with plane tickets, buses are better booked in advance so that you can secure a good seat.
  • While booking a bus, keep in mind that delays are possible. Yet it still pays to get to the bus station at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.

Taxi

Catching a cab is the easiest way to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai. It allows you to tailor-make your trip, plan all the detours and see all the places you want. You can choose the type and the size of your car as well to be as comfortable as you'd like to.

Depending on the route, it might cost as much as USD 110.88.

Things to remember: It's a good idea to follow the route on Google Maps or any other GPS navigator.

Trains

Things to remember while choosing a train ticket:
Consider everything carefully while choosing the class of your train travel. In most cases, the second class is comfortable enough – it features 2 or 4 berths in each compartment and is often air-conditioned.

If you’re in for a premium experience, consider getting a first class ticket. The price of first class tickets may include Wifi, and a choice of snacks and drinks.

Vans

A shared van is another means of transport for traveling from Hanoi to Lao Cai. As far as travel time is concerned, it’s basically equal to a taxi ride, while price-wise it’s way more affordable. The majority of tourists book a van online in advance.

Sometimes, when trains or buses aren’t available, a van is your only way to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai.

Things to remember: while traveling by van, you might not have as much space for luggage as you would on a train or a plane. It’s a good idea to pack only the most useful things for a van trip and put them in a backpack that will be easy to carry around..

The most popular transport from Hanoi to Lao Cai

How to choose the most convenient way of travel from Hanoi to Lao Cai? In order to make your choice of transportation easier, we asked 1000 users to range their preferences for this route. Here are the results of the poll:

  • 51% decided to go for a bus.
  • 20% opted for a van.
  • 18% users enjoyed a train ride.
  • 5% chosen taxi+Train
  • 5% chosen Train+taxi
  • 1% Other