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 20 05:55 - 10:55VND 403k
Luxury Van Limousine Limousine 13 06:45 - 12:15VND 438k
Daiichi Travel VIP 24 09:00 - 14:20VND 440k
Daiichi Travel VIP 24 11:00 - 16:20VND 440k
Grouptour Lower Single Cabin 13:50 - 20:10VND 528k
Cua Ong Limousine VIP 22 15:20 - 21:20VND 431k
Daiichi Travel VIP 24 16:30 - 22:30VND 468k
Techbus VN JSC VIP 20 18:45 - 01:00VND 468k
Viet Nam Travel Bus VIP 22 Sleeper 21:28 - 03:58VND 432k
VicSapa Train VIP Sleeper 22:00 - 05:55VND 1,700k

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$14
Fastest Transport4h 30m
Earliest Departure6:30 AM
Latest Departure10:36 PM
Departures per day15
Distance225 kilometers
Transport CompaniesChapa Express, Dichung, Fanxipan, GreenLion Bus, Grouptour, Laman Express, NewLivitrans Express, OUROS Travel, Saigon DMC, Sapaly Express, Techbus VN JSC, Tiim Group, VicSapa Train, Vietnam Railways, Violette Express Train

Hanoi to Sapa Destination Reviews

FF
I arrived on time at the airport, the bus wasn't at the bus stop, so I called the number of the service provider. They told me to wait and they would send someone to pick me up. I waited for 30min then called again, was told to wait again. 1h later still noone, asked again no answer.... I just got asked where I'm at, same place for 1,5 hours without moving (I sent them pictures so did they, it was the same spot 1F 17 ) 2,5 hours later at 2:45 I was told the bus was already really far away and they would pick me up at 7. I asked what I am supposed to do now, no answer..... I ended up spending the night waiting. Overall great experience
Bus VIP Luxury 22, Sapa Ethnic Travel (Công Ty TNHH Một Thành Viên Du Lịch Thiểu Số), Mar 29, 2024
RG
When we arrived at the office they gave us a ticket for a bus 1 hr earlier. It meant we didn't have time to get food and visit an ATM as planned. The bus was comfortable and the toilet on board was clean. Staff on board were not particularly friendly with no communication at any point in the journey other than to take off shoes. The TV screens didn't work. Some of the USBs did work but not all.
Bus VIP 24, Daiichi Travel (Daiichi Travel), Mar 25, 2024
DP
The booking was prerry easy and straight forward. We was urgently booking the earliest possible bus. We got confirmation within 5 min. We arrived at the pickup point an hour later and they were able to put us on an earlier bus which was the best
Bus VIP Luxury 22, Sapa Ethnic Travel (Công Ty TNHH Một Thành Viên Du Lịch Thiểu Số), Mar 24, 2024
DI
One of the best transport/travel i had in my life. Own cabin!! On the bus!! Meaning own bed!! Brand new everything usb type3 as well as regular charger in your bed/cabin. You can close windows fully and comfortably sleep. Nice clean WC on the bus... better travelling then in Europe 100%.. 7 stars
Bus VIP Luxury 22, Sapa Ethnic Travel (Công Ty TNHH Một Thành Viên Du Lịch Thiểu Số), Mar 23, 2024
MM
The bus was not so clean.
Bus VIP Luxury 22, Sapa Ethnic Travel (Công Ty TNHH Một Thành Viên Du Lịch Thiểu Số), Mar 23, 2024
HW
Fantastic coach, clean and comfortable, great wifi, only thing that let it down was couldn’t find the meeting point at Hanoi airport as email information just said the airport, I managed to message them and they came and got me from a spot which they sent me a photo of.
Bus VIP Luxury 22, Sapa Ethnic Travel (Công Ty TNHH Một Thành Viên Du Lịch Thiểu Số), Mar 22, 2024
LD
The bus left 30 minutes early, and we arrived at 4:00 a.m. instead of 5:00 a.m. It was hard to get any sleep because the bus was making a lot of noise (there were also a few potholes on the way that shook us a bit)… The upside: 2 small bottles of water in each cabin.
Bus VIP 24, Daiichi Travel (Daiichi Travel), Mar 21, 2024
LC
New bus, super friendly driver, everything very clean and comfortable. The trip was very pleasant.
This review was autotranslated
Bus VIP Luxury 22, Sapa Ethnic Travel (Công Ty TNHH Một Thành Viên Du Lịch Thiểu Số), Mar 17, 2024
ZN
They were late by an hour. But it was comfortable and overall a nice experience
Bus VIP 24, Daiichi Travel (Daiichi Travel), Mar 17, 2024
C
The bus driver spent the entire time talking on the phone and watching videos while driving. Shockingly unsafe. For whatever reason the bus stopped 5 different times on the way. Seats/beds were comfortable. When we got to Sapa they did drive us to our hotel but the shuttle driver was unimaginably rude and angry. Not sure why.
Bus Lower Single Cabin, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Mar 17, 2024
4.4
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