Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi

Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi

Sapa Lao Cai
Hanoi
Tue, Jul 14
+ Add return
2 Passengers
Finding the best routes for you — almost ready!
Sort by
Recommended
Filters
Departure time
Transport type
Departure station
Arrival station
Booking Facilities
Price
Arrival time
Operators
 
 
 
 
 

Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi Destination Reviews

R
Richard
Absolute torture. Have been on many trains all over SE Asia going on 35 years. I hope all the trains between Sapa and Hanoi aren’t like this one. First 2/3 of the trip it made the most horrendous sounds I thought the train was breaking apart. The rest was a constant loud sound that prevented any kind of relaxation much less sleeping. Kids screaming at the top of their lungs. Someone was smoking near us that spread through the ventilation system into our cabin. No food car. The ac was ok and going through train street at the end was fun.
Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train Cabin 4x, Damitrans, Jul 3, 2026
AY
Alfi Y
Is soo much noise under our carriage, the door is broken and couldn’t open properly. The train is very cold - bring jacket with you!
Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train VIP Cabin with double bed, King Sapa Train, Jul 3, 2026
HH
Harry H
The only downside is the train is really noisy, otherwise a great experience.
Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train Cabin 4x, Damitrans, Jun 29, 2026
LN
Lou N
The lounge was nice. But the cabin was extremely warm and it was difficult to breathe in the night. The day after the company requested feedback and when we shared our experience they simply said they wished they knew sooner. However when we confronted them with the fact that we had tried to let them know during the train ride, they ignored us. Not a great way to handle feedback :/
Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train #SP4 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Jun 28, 2026
KH
Kasper H
Great way to travel from Lao cai to Hanoi. Definitely recommend
Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train #SP4 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Jun 22, 2026
LT
Lee T
I was worried when I booked the train ride as I was concerned over cleanliness. Many a times, what are sold online differs from what we book and get. BUT I am very happy with the booking and thr ride. 1st time experience for my hubby and I and our kids. The cabin is spacious (i thought it will be crammed), there is space underneath the lower deck for all our 3 luggage with room for a 4th one. The covers on the beds are clean and fresh. There are bottled drinks, biscuits, snacks and bananas for all 4 of us. Charging of mobile phone is easy as long as you have an adapter and plug type charger. Air-conditioning is weak for those on the upper deck. Toilet is clean!!! Overall, I would rate this experience a 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.
Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train #SP8 Deluxe Shared 4x, NewLivitrans Express, Jun 20, 2026
SM
Santosh M
The cabin was vintage styled and beds were comfortable. Only bad part was the wash basin in the bathroom was leaking. Otherwise the experience was good
Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train #SP4 VIP Sleeper 4x, Laman Express, May 14, 2026
SI
Sonia I
Someone offered us the option to pay an extra $60 for a private cabin. I thought it would be a great idea to get a good night’s sleep, so I paid for it. What a mistake!!! Yes, the cabin was very nice, but it was absolutely impossible to sleep, not even for 10 minutes. The train was creaking as if it were going to break apart, and it was shaking like an 8-degree Richter scale earthquake. On the train to Sapa, even though we had a shared cabin, we slept very well. I don’t know why this trip was so awful. So, I do not recommend paying extra for a private cabin.
Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train #SP4 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, May 11, 2026
RA
Rebecca A
The train, the cabin, and the bathroom you could access was nice & clean. However, being a luxury train (and please note, I am comparing it to another train doing the same route), it was way too noisy (which I didn’t face in the other one). During the whole ride, the noise didn’t stop. The ear buds provided dont help. And you really can’t sleep.
Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train #SP4 Indigo Berth 4x, Chapa Express, May 11, 2026
MR
Martinus R
Comfortable and good experience
Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train 4 beds cabin lower berth, Vietnam Rail, May 1, 2026
4.4
465 customer reviews
5
44%
4
31%
3
14%
2
11%
1
0%

Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Train
King Sapa Train
VIP Cabin with twin beds
00:00
08:00
$123.59
  5.0
Train
Vietnam Railways
1st Class Sleeper
12:05
19:37
$10.28
  4.0
Train
Vietnam Railways
1st Class Sleeper
12:05
19:37
$12.94
  4.0
Train
Lotus Train
VIP 2 Berth
20:40
04:35
$45.68
Train
Laman Express
VIP Sleeper 4x
21:30
05:25
$29.69
  4.4
Train
Family Express
1st Class Sleeper
22:40
06:25
$47.59

How to get from Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi

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

  • Bus
  • Train
  • Van

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 Train ticket.

The cost of travel will depend on the means of transport you choose for your trip. A Train ticket is the most expensive option - it will cost you about USD 463.98. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a train as a train ticket costs as low as USD 10.96.

How far is Sapa Lao Cai from Hanoi?

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi. Your trip will be a total of 156 miles (250 km). The flying distance is 156 miles (250 km).

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

The travel time from Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 5 to 9 hours.

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

The cost of the trip from Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is Vietnam Rail: travelling by train expect to pay as low as USD 10.96 for your ticket.

However, if you’re after more upscale travel . The most expensive variant is to opt for a Train - a one-way Train ticket can cost as much as USD 463.98.

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

  • Bus tickets - USD 9.93 to USD 14.44;
  • Train tickets - USD 10.96 to USD 463.98;
  • Van price : USD 12.64 - USD 16.25;

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

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

  • Trains always run on a set schedule - there are 37 trains per day.

Which means of transport is the best for the route?

Buses

Taking a bus from Lao Cai to Hanoi 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.

Trains

Things to remember while choosing a train ticket:
Consider everything carefully while choosing the class of your train travel. In most cases, the second class is comfortable enough – it features 2 or 4 berths in each compartment and is often air-conditioned.

If you’re in for a premium experience, consider getting a first class ticket. The price of first class tickets may include Wifi, and a choice of snacks and drinks.

Vans

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

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 Lao Cai to Hanoi

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

  • 98% users enjoyed a train ride.
  • 1% Other

Transportation from Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi

Facts about the transport from Sapa Lao Cai to Hanoi

Cheapest Transport$10
Fastest Transport5h
Earliest Departure7:40 AM
Latest Departure9:30 PM
Departures per day37
Distance250 kilometers
Transport CompaniesChapa Express, Damitrans, Family Express, Fanxipan Express, GreenLion Bus, Grouptour, King Sapa Train, Laman Express, NewLivitrans Express, Tonkin Heritage Express, Vicsapa Train, Vietnam Rail, Violette Trains