Hanoi to Sapa

Hanoi to Sapa

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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

S
Really nice bus with private cabin and comfortable bed. TV was not working and WiFi too but that was not necessary for a night trip Bus left on time and arrive 1 hour before the schedule Toilet inside was very clean and one stop for eat or drink something
Bus Lower Single Cabin, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Nov 28, 2023
M
Did Hanoi to sapa in the afternoon so no overnight. Bus was on time. Couple of stops. Bus is not like the photos you get the little cabins with the curtains Wich cab be a bit claustrophobic if too Crowed. I had the cabin to myself so it was fine and it's tall enough so you can sit (if you're not tall)
Bus Sleeper 44, Inter Bus Lines (Công Ty Cổ Phần Inter Bus Lines), Nov 24, 2023
GS
We drove from Hanoi to Sapa. The departure was almost on time (10 minutes delay). Bus was clean and we had enough space. The driver was very friendly and helpful. He drove very chilled and arrived almost on time in Sapa :)
Bus Sleeper 40, Daiichi Travel (Daiichi Travel), Nov 23, 2023
MS
We thought we would be getting a sleeper bus but it was just a van with more comfortable seats. The van arrived 1/2 hours late so we had to wait a longer time. We still got to Sapa only half an hour late. We did two stops to go to the toilette or get something to drink and snack. Overall just not what we expected but it was ok.
Bus VIP 20, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Nov 18, 2023
AL
1 hour to late but the driver is good
Bus Sleeper 40, Daiichi Travel (Daiichi Travel), Nov 14, 2023
HY
Vehicle is great and good ride yet drivers were not friendly and being stare at with very uneasy look even just for getting on and alighting the bus
Bus VIP Luxury 22, Duc Duong Bus, Nov 13, 2023
AS
The drive was on time, the car was clean and spaceous and the ride was extremely comfortable. We will book with Ouros again.
taxi VIP Van 9pax, OUROS Travel (Ouros Travel), Nov 13, 2023
MH
Bus was clean. Driver was driving very well and stopping regularly for toilet stopps. Places were super comfortable!! Staff was making sure that nobody was eating on the bus and that everyone to their shoes off to keep the bus clean.
Bus VIP 22, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Nov 12, 2023
AK
From all the nightbuses we took in SEA, this was the one with the most space. We arrived on time at 4am in Sapa and they let us sleep until 6 am on the bus. Nothing negative to say.
Bus Executive, Sapa Dragon Express (Sapa Dragon Express), Nov 11, 2023
MH
A very good service. Pickup points were very good. Also a very good driver and Gladly again. Thanks.
Bus VIP 28, Sapa Express, Nov 11, 2023
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