Lao Cai to Sapa

Lao Cai to Sapa

NaN Passengers

Best Options

$4
$48

Other Options

Lao Cai to Sapa Schedule

Lao Cai to Sapa Schedule
Transport NameRoute TimePrice
Grouptour Private Van 4pax 00:00 - 00:55VND 633k
Sapa Ethnic Travel Sleeper 41 Express 06:30 - 09:50VND 187k
Grouptour Shared van 6 pax 09:00 - 09:55VND 173k
Grouptour Shared van 6 pax 10:00 - 10:55VND 173k
Sapa Ethnic Travel Van 15pax 13:00 - 16:00VND 165k
Grouptour Shared van 6 pax 14:00 - 14:55VND 161k
Grouptour Express 17:30 - 18:20VND 92k
Grouptour Express 18:00 - 18:50VND 92k

Transportation from Lao Cai to Sapa

Facts about the transport from Lao Cai to Sapa

Cheapest Transport$4
Fastest Transport50m
Earliest Departure12:00 AM
Latest Departure6:00 PM
Departures per day55
Distance42 kilometers
Transport CompaniesGrouptour, OUROS Travel, Saigon DMC, Sapa Ethnic Travel, Tiim Group

Lao Cai to Sapa Destination Reviews

JG
We booked the bus from Lao Cai to Sapa. The driver was waiting in front of the train station with a sign with our name. We left nearly on time. Drive was good, nothing dangerous as we read in other comments. We can recommend them and booked the return drive with them as well.
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Nov 22, 2023
JG
good service but style of the driver was quite risky
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Nov 12, 2023
AS
Very good service , train had delay and they wait for you.
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Oct 11, 2023
P
Had difficulty finding the driver at the train station . Many drivers with signs but despite extensive searching his wasn’t obvious for unknown reasons but a local found him for us. Contributing factor may have been our arrival by bus when the train was halted halfway from Hanoi due to rail washout
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Oct 8, 2023
EC
First one to be picked-up, then the long wait for people arrive. You can ask to be pick-up in the place of your choice if they can go there so do not hesitate to contact them on Whatapps. 1-2 breaks. Ride was normal but beware of the AC if you are weak to it. Locals and goods were also picked-up on our way but that the way it is. Don’t be surprised.
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Oct 4, 2023
4.4
16 customer reviews
5
37%
4
31%
3
13%
2
19%
1
0%

How to get from Lao Cai to Sapa

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

  • Bus
  • Van
  • Taxi

If you’re looking for a quick trip, it’s recommended that you use Bus. However, if you’d rather take your time with a slower, more affordable travel option, you can book a Bus 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 47.83. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as USD 3.79.

How far is Lao Cai from Sapa?

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Lao Cai to Sapa. Your trip will be a total of 27 miles (42 km). The flying distance is 27 miles (42 km).

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

The travel time from Lao Cai to Sapa can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 1 to 4 hours.

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

The cost of the trip from Lao Cai to Sapa varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour): travelling by bus expect to pay as low as USD 3.79 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 47.83.

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

  • Bus tickets - USD 3.79 to USD 37.86;
  • Van price : USD 6.63 - USD 7.10;

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 30.84 to USD 47.83.

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

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

  • Vans from Lao Cai to Sapa depart during the day - there are approximately 22 departures a day.
  • Buses start plying the route from 00:00 - you can also take a bus as late as 18:00. There are 17 available bus trips every day.
  • Taxis are a good option to consider for this route, too. Book a cab to take you from Lao Cai to Sapa any time of the day.

Which means of transport is the best for the route?

Buses

Taking a bus from Lao Cai to Sapa 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 Lao Cai to Sapa. 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 30.84.

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

Vans

A shared van is another means of transport for traveling from Lao Cai to Sapa. 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 Lao Cai to Sapa.

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 Lao Cai to Sapa

How to choose the most convenient way of travel from Lao Cai to Sapa? 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:

  • 42% decided to go for a bus.
  • 40% opted for a van.
  • 18% decided to catch a taxi.