Sapa to Lao Cai

Sapa to Lao Cai

NaN Passengers

Best Options

 
$4
 
 
$47

Other Options

Sapa to Lao Cai Schedule

Sapa to Lao Cai Schedule
Transport NameRoute TimePrice
OUROS Travel SUV 4pax Any timeVND 892k
Grouptour Shared van 6 pax 06:00 - 06:50VND 173k
Grouptour Shared van 6 pax 08:00 - 08:55VND 173k
Grouptour Shared van 6 pax 11:00 - 11:55VND 173k
Sapa Ethnic Travel Van 15pax 13:00 - 16:20VND 187k
Grouptour Shared van 6 pax 15:00 - 15:55VND 161k
Grouptour Shared van 6 pax 16:00 - 16:55VND 161k
Grouptour Shared van 6 pax 18:00 - 18:50VND 161k

Transportation from Sapa to Lao Cai

Facts about the transport from Sapa to Lao Cai

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

Sapa to Lao Cai Destination Reviews

LK
Vehicle did not Show up. They booked us a taxi instead but everything then was late aswell.
Van Shared van 6 pax, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Apr 16, 2024
AP
The bus was on time but then it stops during at least 45 minutes so we were late at the end. The bus driver was awful, super impolite and dangerous on the road
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Apr 13, 2024
P
Delay, loud music, always stopping, driver + other clients "loud talking" /shouting for 3 h.
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Nov 9, 2023
J
Overall good, however we were pushed to to get there earlier thus we had to quit restaurant.
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Aug 7, 2023
AR
The driver was not concerned with the passenger comfort/safety experience. Locked us in the van while he took a smoke and bathroom break. He picks up extra passengers and sat them in the aisle on little stools.
Bus Ford 16 Express, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Aug 7, 2023
MM
Driver managed to fit 23 people onto a 16 seater bus, an impressive feat, but did not make for the most comfortable ride. Got me where I wanted to go in the end.
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Apr 25, 2023
T
Return trip was changed with very poor communication and no sufficient information re. Time and pick up.
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Mar 27, 2023
4.4
26 customer reviews
5
27%
4
23%
3
8%
2
34%
1
8%

How to get from Sapa to Lao Cai

When you want to get from Sapa to Lao Cai, 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 46.14. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as USD 3.65.

How far is Sapa from Lao Cai?

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Sapa to Lao Cai. 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 Sapa to Lao Cai?

The travel time from Sapa to Lao Cai 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 Sapa to Lao Cai?

The cost of the trip from Sapa to Lao Cai 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 3.65 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 46.14.

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

  • Bus tickets - USD 3.65 to USD 36.52;
  • Van price : USD 6.39 - USD 6.85;

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 29.74 to USD 46.14.

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

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

  • Vans from Sapa to Lao Cai 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 Sapa to Lao Cai any time of the day.

Which means of transport is the best for the route?

Buses

Taking a bus from Sapa 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 Sapa 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 29.74.

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 Sapa 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 Sapa 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 Sapa to Lao Cai

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

  • 41% decided to go for a bus.
  • 40% opted for a van.
  • 19% decided to catch a taxi.