Sum up options transfer from Hanoi airport to Sapa. figure it out 4 major of modes bus, train, minivan (limousine bus), or private car. As a local driver experience help you find out the best ways to reach Sapa from Hanoi without hustle.
A Quick Comparison
🚍 Sleeper Bus: great budget option that saves you time | 250k+ VND
🚞 Train: ideal for privacy and space but is a long journey | 400k+ VND |
🚐 Mini Van (Limousine Van): small-group daytime travel | 400k+ VND |
🚗 Private Transfer: fast, convenient, comfortable | 3.5 mil VND
First Off, What’s The Distance From Hanoi To Sapa?
Hanoi and Sapa are roughly 313 kilometers (195 miles) apart.
This is the distance between Hanoi Old Quarter and Sapa town. The route follows highway CT05 almost all the way through until it makes a turn for mountain roads at Lao Cai.
If you’re taking the train, you’ll have to account for a 30-kilometer detour to the train station.
How Long Does It Take To Get From Hanoi to Sapa?
It can take anywhere between 5-9 hours to get from Hanoi to Sapa depending on your mode of transportation and traffic conditions.
Private Car: The speediest of the options! If you’re taking a private car in the dead of night (or when there’s less traffic), the trip will take roughly 5 hours.
Minivan / Limousine Bus: Usually 5.5 – 6 hours depending on rest stops and traffic.
Bus: Similar to the above options–usually 5.5 to 6 hours.
Train: 9 hours total. 8 hours on the train plus another one-hour drive from the train station to Sapa town. ☠️
If you’re short on time, private car or sleeper bus are by far the best options.
With a private car, you can set your own schedule and leave at optimal traffic times. A smaller vehicle also moves through traffic more easily (and safely).
With a sleeper bus, you can make the most of your agenda by teleporting at night and magically waking up at your destination in the morning.
Your friendly budget will reach you out, find out the fast ways to Sapa from Hanoi
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1. Bus
It’s the perfect combination of affordability and efficiency.
You can choose between regular and VIP tickets but I highly recommend that you go with the VIP option.
The seats/beds are a little wider and more comfortable; you’re given amenities like wifi and charging ports; and it only costs a few dollars more.
One of the biggest criticisms for sleeper buses is that driving at night be dangerous. The drivers might be tired and recklessly speeding through rough road conditions to get a few minutes of test.
Your chances of getting into a serious accident are pretty slim, but the chance is still there.
If you feel uncomfortable with taking an overnight bus, you can always take a regular bus.
These tend to be cheaper and the seats are definitely less comfortable, but you have the security of knowing that you’re traveling in daylight.
Drawbacks
Other than the noise and potential danger, one of the biggest drawbacks to taking an overnight bus is the early morning arrival.
There were a lot of taxi drivers hounding passengers
If you plan on taking an overnight sleeper bus or train, make sure to communicate with your hotel beforehand!
The last thing you want is to show up to an empty reception desk (or locked hotel!) after a long, five hour journey.
Tip: ask if you can check in early or at least store your luggage in the lobby. Head out to grab breakfast and a hot cup of coffee, and spend your morning wandering the charming mountain alleys.
Bus Tickets and Schedules to Sapa from Hanoi
Buses from Hanoi to Sapa run multiple times an hour with departures starting at 5 AM and ending at 1 AM.
Again, the most important thing is to choose a VIP option from a reputable company.
Pick a route that works with your schedule and coordinate with your accommodations to ensure a smooth experience.
Most people book an overnight bus departing from Hanoi after 9 PM or an early morning route leaving at 5 AM so that they have enough time to explore in the afternoon.
You can of course take a bus at noon, but you’ll probably run into traffic and it seems like a shame to waste your entire day on transportation.
Ticket prices usually range from $15-$20. There are a handful of options for $10 but I definitely recommend splurging for the comfort and safety.
2. Train
The second way to get from Hanoi to Sapa is by train.
All train routes depart at night and run between Hanoi Railway Station and Sapa Lao Cai.
The station is a 50 minute drive away from town so it’s definitely a hassle and something to consider if you’re thinking about going this way.
Train Types
The biggest thing to note is that you have two train types: state-owned Vietnam Railways trains and privately owned luxury trains.
Vietnam Railways trains typically only have four berth cabins and can be booked through their official website.
Note: There are a lot of third party resellers titled “Vietnam Railways” that often rank higher in search. There’s usually no harm in booking from them, but it’s hard to distinguish scams from legit ones. Use the official website if you plan on going with Vietnam Railways or check out a luxury train to avoid getting scammed.
Privately owned luxury trains on the other hand, offer a plethora of different cabin types, bed types, and amenities.
What To Expect
Each train company will have a different procedure but for the most part, you should arrive at the train station one hour before your train departs and will need to exchange your voucher for a physical ticket Once you board the train, you’ll be brought to your cabin and each passenger is given a bottle of water, toothbrush, toothpaste, and some snacks in a little basket presented on the table.
Some of the newer train routes offer light meal services, but for the most part, you should bring your own snacks if you get peckish.
Each bunk is given a blanket and a pillow for the evening and the trains usually have Wi-Fi (though the varies drastically).
Drawbacks
The biggest complaint about taking the train from Hanoi to Sapa is that the journey itself is really long and surprisingly stressful.
The trains themselves are really loud and screech throughout the night. The cabins shake so if you’re prone to motion sickness, you might want to take some medicine beforehand.
The toilets are shared between cabins and the walls are thin enough that you can hear people talking through the night.
If you’re sound sensitive, taking the train from Hanoi to Sapa can be pretty triggering. Otherwise, if you value space and a bit of privacy, it’s definitely worth considering.
Getting From Lao Cai Station to Sapa
Finally, a major deterrent to taking the train is that you still have to take a one-hour car ride after you arrive.
Once you arrive at the station, you’re swarmed with taxi drivers and again, it can be overwhelming.
The best thing to do is to pre-book a minivan that will take you to the main town, or if you decide to go with a last minute cab, ask for a quote upfront.
Most of the drivers are honest but taxi scams are still one of the most common crimes in Vietnam.
A one-hour taxi ride usually runs for 500,000 – 600,000 VND and a minibus in comparison will cost roughly 200,000 VND.
Train Tickets and Schedules to Sapa
There are far fewer trains than buses so you want to book them in advance (especially during holidays like Christmas or Tet).
The first train leaves at 9:35 PM and the last train leaves at 12:00 AM. Tickets usually cost between 400,000 VND and 2,000,000 VND.
3. Minivan (Limousine Van)
A minivan (or limousine van as are called in Vietnam) is the third way to get from Hanoi to Sapa.
It’s an ideal choice for people who want to avoid crowds, appreciate the comfort, and want to travel during the daytime.
Limousine Vans typically carry between 9-12 passengers and run every few hours from Old Quarter.
Tickets usually cost between 400,000 VND to 650,000 VND.
4. Taxi or Private Transfer Hanoi airport to Sapa
A taxi or private car is by far the fastest and most comfortable way to get from Hanoi to Sapa
This option allows you to take things at your own pace, leave whenever you want to, and take as many rest stops as you need.
The drivers are professional and experienced with this route and you get dropped off/picked up directly from your accommodations.
If you’re traveling with three or four people, it might be worth it to just hire a cab!
Book Your Private Transfer With a local driver like us to impact the distribution right away to community
Check it out: Hanoi to Sapa private car transfer
What’s Next?
Now that you know how to get from Hanoi to Sapa, it’s time to book your tickets!
For more tips and tricks on planning your Hanoi itinerary, don’t miss out on best French Quarter walking tours or take a break from the city with these day trips from Hanoi.
If you’re ready to move on to planning your northern Vietnam adventures, get started with What’s Better: Sapa or Ha Giang or read Ha Giang Loop Tour to see if it’s worth it.
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