How to Get from Hanoi to Sapa ?

Sapa is an attractive and famous tourist destination in Lao Cai province, Vietnam. Sapa town is located about 38 km from Lao Cai city and about 370km from Hanoi. If you're traveling from Hanoi to Sapa, you have several transportation options.

1. Hanoi to Sapa by local bus
2. Hanoi to Sapa by tourist bus
3. Hanoi to Sapa by taxi
4. Hanoi to Sapa by motorbike
5. Hanoi to Sapa by train
6. Hanoi to Sapa by private car

1. Hanoi to Sapa by local bus

This is the most affordable means of transportation to travel from Hanoi to Sapa. There are currently several bus companies operating this route. The local buses are available in two types: seats and beds. Most of the buses are of good quality and are kept clean to serve the tourists.

Price: 200.000 – 280.000 VND/pax
Travel time: All the buses use the highway Hanoi – Lao Cai so it takes only 5-6 hours to arrive in Sapa
Time schedule: From 6.30 AM to 10.00 PM
Pick-up point: My Dinh bus station or at the bus company’s office in Hanoi
Drop off point: Sapa bus station or at bus companies’ office in Sapa
Advantages: Good rate, many bus companies to choose
Disadvantages: Share bus with other passengers, have to take a taxi to/from the bus station. The driver could not speak English, so it was hard to communicate with him for any help on the way.

>>> Reference to book ticket at vexere.com
Or at bus companies: Sapa Express, Inter bus lines, Hung Thanh Sapa, Green Bus…

2. Hanoi to Sapa by tourist bus

This is a Limousine bus that has been designed and modified with modern facilities such as leather seats that can be adjusted for your comfort, WiFi, USB ports, a minibar, and a TV.

Price: 350.000 – 400.000 VND/pax
Travel time: 5-6 hours
Time schedule: From 6.30 AM – 7.30 AM or 2.30 PM – 3.30 PM
Pick-up point: mostly hotels in the Hanoi Old Quarter or bus offices in Hanoi
Drop off point: Sapa center or bus’s office in Sapa
Advantages: High-quality bus, many facilities
Disadvantages: The bus will go around the city to pick up other tourists, and it will take time. Not proactive in time.

>>> Reference to book the ticket: vexere.com
or directly with the bus companies:
Sapa Express
Add: 13 Hang Thung, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
Hotline: (+84) 24.668.21555, (+84) 984.890.055
Web: sapaexpress.com

EcoSapa Limousine
Add: 42 Hang Giay, Dong Xuan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Tel: +841675556666
Web: Ecosapa.com

3. Hanoi to Sapa by taxi

It is an easy transportation from Hanoi to Sapa for every passengers

Travel time: 5-6 hours
Price: The fare is high for the transfer from Hanoi to Sapa by taxi, it will be around 3.500.000 VND
Advantages: Could start the anytime, just take a taxi
Disadvantages: The cost is high, and sometimes, during special periods ( weekend holidays, New Year, local holidays, or even rainy days), the taxi is unavailable.

4. Hanoi to Sapa by motorbike

Traveling from Hanoi to Sapa by motorbike is a good choice for backpackers and adventure lovers. With a low cost for the 400 km distance, bikers can stop anytime, anywhere, to relax and enjoy the beautiful landscapes.

Travel time: 12 – 14 hours following the national road 70 or national road 32 (455km)
Motorbike rental price: about 200.000 – 300.000 VND/day. Not including the gasoline
Advantages: Proactive in time, easy to discover the beauties on the way.
Disadvantages: The transfer from Hanoi to Sapa takes too long and cannot be completed within a day. You need good health, knowledge of the routes and weather, and an ability to avoid the rainy season, as it can be dangerous on the mountain roads.

>>> Reference to rent motorbike in Hanoi:
Flamingo Travel:
Add: 66 Dao Duy Tu str, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Tel: +84.912.214.554
Web: https://flamingotravel.com.vn/

Motogo
Add 1: 1081 Hong Ha, Chuong Duong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Add 2: 81 Nguyen Kha Trac, Mai Dich, Cau Giay, Hanoi
Tel: 0966 456 969
Web: Motogo.vn

5. Hanoi to Sapa by train

Previously, a train was the main transportation from Hanoi to Sapa. The train will arrive in Lao Cai station, then passengers have to go to Sapa by car, bus, motorbike. The train has 2 types: chairs or beds

Train ticket: 375.000 – 430.000 VND/pax, depending on the chair or bed option
Travel time: 8 – 9 hours
Departure time: 9.35 PM – 10.00 PM Hanoi railway station – 120 Le Duan str
Arrival time: 5.15 – 5.55 AM Lao Cai railway station.
Advantages: Safe, save 1-night stay in a hotel when traveling to Sapa by train
Disadvantages: Noisy and shaking, so it will be hard to sleep, and you may be tired the next day.

Passengers could book train tickets through travel agent or at Vietnam Railway station website: dsvn.vn

hanoi to sapa by train

6 Hanoi to Sapa by private car

From Hanoi to Sapa, private cars are still the most preferred transportation option because they are the fastest and most safe. Driving in 5-6 hours is especially optimal for families with kids.

Travel time: 5-6 hours
Travel route: Highway Noi Bai to Lao Cai about 320km then turn to the national road 4D to Sapa
Price: about 1.500.000 VND/day (Ford Transit)
Advantages: proactive in time, safe, and the travel route is guaranteed, private space, no waiting time, no transit bus.
Disadvantages: high cost than other public vehicles.

Ford Transit 1