Sapa is a beautiful mountain town, located in the north of Hanoi. This is definitely a place you must visit while you’re in Northern Vietnam. If you’re looking for the best way to get to Sapa from Hanoi, Tourguidevietnam.com gives you ideas how to get there within your budget.
How to get from Hanoi to Sapa by Bus, Train or Private Car
Sapa is far from Hanoi 320 kilometers. Known as rice terraced fields and mountain ranges. If you are an adventurous traveler or nature lover, then Sapa is great place for your holiday
There are 3 main ways to travel between Hanoi and Sapa
- Hanoi Sapa bus: cheapest – the range of price from $10 – $20 / ticket, various departure times (morning, afternoon and night bus)
- Overnight train: safest and most comfortable way, the price varies from $20 t0 over $100/berth
- Private Car: Most expensive yet most convenient way of transfer, price ranges from $160 to $200 per car
By Bus
High quality seats with reasonable price, instance booking confirmation even in last minute booking, these ideal characteristics make buses a good travel option. This option is the best way to get to Sapa for the ones who are traveling on a budget.
Bus Travel time & Schedule
It takes about 6 hours from Hanoi in comparison with 8 hours traveling by train on high way with stopping at middle road.
Traveling by bus, you could go straight to Sapa town, not having to stop at Lao Cai city as the trains do.
The buses run many trips during the day, departing from Hanoi at 7 am, 2 pm and 10 pm. However, traveling by bus can be a problem in the rainy season. One tips for you is to take the night bus (depart at 22:00pm) to get to Sapa, that way you could save one night of staying at the hotel. However, you may miss opportunity to enjoy the view of the mountains through the window at night.
How to choose the right bus to Sapa
Please distinguish between Local bus and Tourist bus on Hanoi Sapa route. While local buses (as Sao Viet bus, Ha Son Hai Van bus) mainly serve Vietnamese with non-English speaking drivers, normally stop at Lao Cai and just pick up at Bus station, Tourist buses (run by Travel company as Green Sapa bus, Sapa Express …) bring you more professional service with English speaking guide on board and, especially, pick up at hotels around Hanoi old quarter.
There are three type of buses for you to choose from:
- Sleeper bus (fare starts from $10), equipped with 38 standard soft berth, which helps you to lie down and have a good rest while travling to Sapa.
- Luxury limousine (fare starts from $20), with 9 European standard soft seat, offers you a more privacy while traveling, since the limousine can only take 9 people. Moreover, with smaller size compared to the sleeper bus, the limousine van can get easily get through the small roads of Hanoi and Sapa and be able to pick you up and drop you off at your hotel.
- Cabin bus ($22 / ticket), which has 20 private cabins with extra large soft berths, offering you the ultimate privacy and comfortable.
Recommended services for Hanoi – Sapa bus
Sleeping Bus
- Price: $11/pax
- Departure Time: 07:00 AM, 02:00 PM, 10:00 PM
- Recommended bus company: Green Sapa, Sapa Express bus
9-seat Dcar Limousine Bus
- Price: $20/pax
- Departure Time: 07:00 AM, 03:00 PM
- Recommended bus company: Eco Sapa Limosine, Green Lion Limousine van
Private Cabin Bus
- Price: $20/pax
- Departure time: 07:00 AM and 22:00 PM
- Recommended bus company: Fansipan Express bus
Want to book your bus ticket Hanoi to Sapa. Let us know
By Train
raveling by train is the most relaxing experience among transfer options from Hanoi to Sapa. If you’re looking for the most comfortable way of travelling, this is an option for you
Hanoi Sapa Train schedule
Hanoi Sapa trains run daily at night from Tran Quy Cap Station (Hanoi) to Lao Cai Station early in the next morning, also the same for the returning route.
Pre-book private Lao Cai trian station – Sapa transfer
How to choose the right Hanoi Sapa train
On each Hanoi Sapa train, there are two type of cars, cars that owned by the Vietnam Railway (VNR) and cars that owned by private railway companies.
Vietnam Railway (VNR) Carriers
Vietnam Railway (VNR), a government owned railway company, mainly serves the domestic passengers, offers their service at a low range price, you can check out their website at www.dsvn.vn
There are 3 types of seats that offered by Vietnam Railway (VNR):
- Soft-seats in air-conditioned carriage: 7 USD/ticket (around 155,000 VND)
- Soft-berth in 4-berth cabin: 17 USD/ticket (around 415,000 VND)
- Soft-berth in 2-berth cabin: 35 USD/ ticket (around 825,000 VND)
Our recommended night train by private train company in serving international passengers.
Private Railway Companies
Each private owned cars has two types of cabin, deluxe four-berth cabin and VIP two-berth cabin. The quality of those cabins vary among operators, but there are 3 classes of cars: economy class, business class and first class
- Economy class: from 27 USD/ticket, including King Express and ET-Pumpkin Express
- Business class: from 32 USD/ticket, including Chapa Express and Sapaly Express
- First class: from 75 USD/ticket, including Victoria Express
If you’re just looking for a comfort way to get to Sapa, then the economy class (from 27 USD/berth) would surly meet your requirement. If you’re looking for a pleasant railway-travel experience from 32 USD/pax. if top-notch railway-service is what you’re seeking for, opt for the first class carriage (from $75/berth).
Highly recommended overnight Sapa Train
ET-Pumpkin Express: Economy Class
- Price: $27/pax
- Departure Time: 21: 40 PM (SP1)
- Booking: ET-Pumpkin Express
King Express: Economy Class
- Price: $27/pax
- Departure Time: 22: 00 PM (SP3)
- Booking: King Express
Chapa Express: Business Class
- Price: $32/pax
- Departure Time: 22:00 PM (SP3)
- Booking: Chapa Express
Orient Express: Business Class
- Price: $32/pax
- Departure Time: 21:40 PM (SP1)
- Booking: Orient Express
Sapaly Express: Business Class
- Price: $35/pax
- Departure Time: 22:00 PM (SP3)
- Booking: Sapaly Express
Victoria Express: First Class
- Price: $75/pax
- Departure time: 21:50 PM (SP3)
- Booking: Victoria Express
By Private Car
The private car option helps you get to Sapa at anytime you prefer, and this service also offers pick-up from any places within Hanoi city. This makes the private car service more convenient than other options, since buses and trains have a fixed schedule and their pick-up service is limited inside the Hanoi Old Quarter area.
Moreover, this service offers a wide range of car, including 4-seater car, 7-seater car and 16 mini van. Therefore, if you are traveling in a group or with your family, this would be the most comfortable option!
For your reference, our own private car transfer of Hanoi Car Hire offers from 150 USD to 200 USD for a single trip.
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