Hanoi to Sapa

Hanoi to Sapa

Other Options

Hanoi to Sapa Schedule

Hanoi to Sapa Schedule
Transport NameRoute TimePrice
OUROS Travel Van 9pax Any timeVND 5,077k
Grouptour VIP 22 05:55 - 11:55VND 414k
Grouptour Sleeper 41 07:00 - 12:50VND 294k
Grouptour Double Cabin 08:15 - 14:15VND 805k
Techbus VN JSC VIP 22 11:15 - 16:45VND 436k
Grouptour VIP 22 12:50 - 18:00VND 428k
Grouptour VIP 22 14:00 - 18:40VND 437k
Techbus VN JSC VIP 22 17:50 - 23:50VND 420k
Grouptour VIP 22 19:15 - 01:25VND 426k
Daiichi Travel Sleeper 45 21:30 - 01:40VND 253k
Full Moon Party Tour VIP Cabin 22:20 - 04:40VND 450k

How to get to Sapa from Hanoi

There are two major ways to travel from Hanoi to Sapa, namely by train or by bus.
There is no airport in the region, so your choice is limited to overland means of transportation.

Train

The overnight railway route to Sapa is one of the most popular routes in the country. It is operated both by ordinary Vietnamese Railway carriages and more luxurious private trains which offer both a more expensive and more comfortable alternative.
Trains operate between Hanoi and Lao Cai station, about 35 km from Sapa. If travelling by train, you will then need to hire a taxi or jump onto a bus to cover this final leg.
Train tickets sell out quickly, so it is a good idea to book your ticket online as early as possible if you have travel dates fixed.

Bus

Hanoi to Sapa bus companies often offer pickup from the Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake. Buses of some companies depart from the Old Quarter. In Sapa, they bring passengers to different location around town.
Buses make multiple trips per day between Hanoi and Sapa. They take the fastest time to get from Hanoi to Sapa and are very budget-friendly but not always that comfortable.
Buses offer the widest choice of departure time throughout the day, too.

How far is from Hanoi to Sapa?

The overland distance from Hanoi to Sapa is 315 km. Sapa is located northwest of the capital in the mountainous area of Lao Cai province.

How long does it take to get from Hanoi to Sapa?

Hanoi to Sapa travel time normally lies within five and a half and 9 hours range. Buses travel faster, while trains are slower, require a taxi or a shuttle bus ride to cover the final leg of the journey but offer more comfort.
Trains normally need from seven and a half to eight and a half hours to reach Lao Cai. From Lao Cai train station, it is another hour–90 minutes to Sapa by taxi or public shuttle bus.
If travelling from Hanoi to Sapa by bus, duration of your trip is likely to be between five and a half and seven and a half hours.

How much does it cost to get from Hanoi to Sapa?

Ticket prices from Hanoi to Sapa differ greatly depending on the means of transport and the class of your travel.
Ordinary or semi-sleeper buses cost USD12-USD14. They feature three rows of soft berth instead of seats where you can only lie but not sit.
VIP buses offer soft reclining seats and enough legroom. These ones are more expensive: be ready to pay between USD16 and USD20 per seat.
First class sleepers in Vietnam Railways trains start at USD20-25 for a berth in a closed compartment for four passengers.
Luxury private trains that are essentially separate carriages attached to the same Vietnam Railways train, offer private compartments for two (first class sleeper) or four passengers (VIP sleeper).
For a first class sleeper, you’ll need to shell out about USD35-USD40. A VIP sleeper will set you back about USD70 and USD80 in media, though some companies, e.g. Victoria Express, charge twice as much for both options.

Hanoi to Sapa Timetable

Check Hanoi to Sapa timetable for buses and trains to choose the most convenient trip. Bus schedule is for reference only and can be changed without prior notice.

Trains Hanoi–Lao Cai

Hanoi–Lao Cai daily 9.35 pm 8 hours USD22-85
Hanoi–Lao Cai daily 10 pm 8 hours USD22-165

Buses Hanoi–Sapa

Sapa Express 7 am, 10 pm 5.30–6 hours USD13-16
Green Bus 7 am, 1.30 pm, 9.30 pm 6 hours USD11-12
Green Lion Bus 7 am 5.30 hours USD20
Good Morning Sapa 7 am 6 hours USD13
Fansipan Express 7.30 am, 10 pm 5.30 hours USD11-12

Best Rated Companies for this Route

All luxury trains enjoy great reviews. You can choose Pumpkin Express, Orient Express, Finxipan, Livitrans Express, Chapa Express, Violette Express, Sapaly Express and will not be disappointed.
Victoria Express is the most expensive and most luxurious of them all.
Yet ordinary carriages of Vietnam Railways trains are a decent budget-friendly option.
Reputed Hanoi to Sapa bus operators include Sapa Express, Green Bus, Inter Bus Lines, Queen Café VIP Open Bus, Good Morning Sapa Bus, and others.

Hanoi to Sapa Travel Tips

  • Use online booking for buying your Hanoi to Sapa tickets as it is one of the most popular routes in the country and tickets sell out quickly, especially cheap tickets.
  • While trains do not guarantee the fastest time for your trip, they are the most comfortable way to get from Hanoi to Sapa.
  • There are two Hanoi to Sapa trains a day and both are night trains.
  • Luxurious Victoria Express carriages are available in 10 pm train.
  • There are no toilets on buses in Vietnam, but they make one quick rest stop during their trip from Hanoi to Sapa.
  • The majority of buses to Sapa depart either in the early morning or late in the evening.
  • The road to Sapa is winding and far from perfect in parts so if you are prone to movement sickness opt for a train.

Transportation from Hanoi to Sapa

Facts about the transport from Hanoi to Sapa

Cheapest Transport$9
Fastest Transport4h 40m
Earliest Departure12:00 AM
Latest Departure11:59 PM
Departures per day8
Distance234 kilometers
Transport CompaniesChapa Express, 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, Vietnam Railways, Violette Express Train

Hanoi to Sapa Destination Reviews

CT
Service was excellent, personnel so kind and helpful. Transport efficient and train beds are comfortable
Train #SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Laman Express, Oct 3, 2023
S
As expected from Reading other reviews, if not better. Small carriages with 4 beds (cramped if you are tall. Water and oreos and banannas ready on arrival. Cleaner beds than expected with nice sheets / pillow. Chargers above every bed. Rattly train, never going to be an amazing night's sleep but did the job.
Train #SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, VicSapa Train, Oct 1, 2023
M
clean bus, friendly staff, they will stop every 2 hour, so you can go to rest room or buy food , but a little bit smelly. you will get a bottle of water and blanket, best sleeper bus i ever tried
Bus VIP Cabin lower berth, Sapa Express, Sep 23, 2023
AS
The bus office and pickup place is next to the Cafe Phuong Linh (left side) if you are wondering. The sleeper bus was on time (though it stopped twice to pickup other passengers in the town). The seat was comfortable for a 1.75m height person like me though you still cannot fully stretch your legs. Aircond was working well and they give you a blanket too. There is no curtain (except on the windows) if your concern is about privacy but i still think overall it was a good experience with this price. Also, they stopped once after 3 hours ride at a nice R&R for you to grab dinner or some drinks if you don’t bring your own food.
Bus Sleeper 40, Daiichi Travel (Daiichi Travel), Sep 17, 2023
JC
Don’t be above the wheels. It’s awful we didn’t sleep. When they say the bus arrives at 4, it really is and you have to leave the bus really express
Bus VIP Cabin, Full Moon Party Tour (Full Moon Party Tour), Sep 12, 2023
EA
The bus was fine, although the chair to lift it up didn't work and neither did the window blinds. Bad employees, they treat you horribly for no reason. All the comments I read about the drivers were true. The bus company could talk to them, since you ask my opinion, take it into account and take action.
Bus VIP 20, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Sep 11, 2023
MH
The room is spacy for 4 berth, glad to have compliment snacks and drinks, toilet is clean, washing place is good for refresh and bed is nice and comfortable. Just the train is too noisy for me to keep sleeping, and a bit shaky as I am easily get carsick.
Train #SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Laman Express, Sep 11, 2023
CC
We booked an express sleeper bus ticket from Hanoi to sapa. Someone came to pick us up from our hotel with a scooter, but there were two of us. The pick up person who speaks good English walked with us to the get on point. Our departure from Hanoi old quarter was a little late (around 30 mins?) but it didn’t bother us. The seat was comfortable and lengthy. I was able to sleep most of the bus ride. There were 3-4 time toilet break which was nice. A bottle of water and a vacuum sealed bread was given to each passenger. Bus drivers were nice. Although they didn’t speak English, they kindly notify everyone about toilet break etc with google translate. We arrived just after 2pm where the bus stopped in from of their office at sapa. I strongly recommend daiichi to whoever is deciding on bus provider in Vietnam.
Bus Sleeper 40, Daiichi Travel (Daiichi Travel), Sep 11, 2023
AP
Good for the price, need to remove some cockroach. We'll take it next time
Bus Sleeper 40, Daiichi Travel (Daiichi Travel), Sep 8, 2023
LF
The bus is comfortable but the team was so rude. They need to learn manners. Do get the night bus by the way, they drove crazy because they wanted to finish early and that is dangerous because the roads in sapa are very tricky.
Bus VIP 22, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Sep 7, 2023
4.4
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