It is about 320 km from Hanoi to Sapa town by train/tourist van, or private car via Lao Cai. There are several options to reach Sa Pa town from Hanoi: by train + bus via Lao Cai, sleeper bus/sleeper bus, private minivan, private taxi/car or you can move by motorbike
How to get from Hanoi to Sapa 2023
Sapa town does not have an airport, so traveling by air from Hanoi is undisputed. One of the most popular modes of transportation from Hanoi to Sapa is by train + bus or taxi via Lao Cai town. There are regular luxury sleeper trains or travel from Hanoi to Lao Cai. From Lao Cai to Sapa, you can take a bus or private car.
| Shipping method – Hanoi to Sapa | travel time | cost range |
| Train + bus | 8-9 hours | 45$ US |
| Bus/van | 5-6 hours | 15$ US |
| Private car/taxi | 5-6 hours | 180$ US |
| Motorbike | 10 hours | 15$ US |
From Hanoi to Sapa by Bus
- The best way is to take a day or night tour bus from Hanoi to Sapa town
- There are various types of day or overnight tour buses, and minivans (sleeping, seat, luxury…)
- It takes about 6 hours from Hanoi to Sapa by tour bus
- Cheap bus tickets from Hanoi to Sapa, the fare is only 9-22 USD/per person
- Bus or minivan is the cheapest way to get from Hanoi to Sapa
- Bus companies from Hanoi to Sapa: Inter Bus Lines, Ha Son Haivan, Techbus VN, EcoSapa, Sapa Express, Full Moon Party Tour, Sao Viet, Good Morning Sapa, Sapa Dragon Express, Daiichi Travel…
- Buses from Hanoi to Sapa depart from various bus stations in Hanoi (check Baolau or 12go)
- There are also some luxury vans/minivans/limousines of Grouptour (fares are about 16 per person).
- Book and buy e-tickets for the bus from Hanoi to Sapa online from these bus companies.
- This is a popular travel route from Hanoi to Sapa – recommended – book tickets online + buy bus e-tickets to Sapa
Hanoi to Sapa (via Lao Cai) by train
- Many tourists take the night train from Hanoi – Lao Cai to Sapa
- The train goes to Lao Cai town (340 km from Hanoi), the last station (25 km from Sapa).
- From Lao Cai to Sapa you can take a local bus or taxi, read this:
- Trains to Lao Cai can be boarded from Tran Quy Cap Station in Hanoi (West Gate of Hanoi Station)
- Less comfort than Vietnam Railways or premium trains for tourists
- Train ticket Hanoi – Lao Cai – from 6.70$/person (soft seat – Vietnam Railways)
- Cruise ships (there are also two-bed cabin trains), but the price is also more expensive (Orient Express, King Express, Fansipan, Livitrans …)
- You can search, book and buy e-train tickets online
- You can choose your seat online or through agency travel.
- Vietnam Railways can change the direction of carriages at the departure station at any time
- Book and buy e-train tickets from Hanoi to Lao Cai online
- This is a popular route from Hanoi to Lao Cai – recommended – book tickets online and buy e-tickets!
How to book train tickets from Hanoi to Lao Cai?
For reservations with private rail companies Victoria Express, Fanxipan Express, King Express, Orient Express, Sapaly Express, Chapa Express, and Saigon Golden Train, you need to complete payment before submitting your order. Your booking will be processed and you will receive an email voucher to receive your physical ticket at the station before boarding.
For bookings with Vietnam Railways and private rail companies Livitrans Express and Violette Train, you need to complete payment before submitting your order. Your booking will be processed and you will receive your e-ticket by email, ready to print or carry on your mobile phone or tablet and present upon boarding in Hanoi.
Traveling with children by train:
For trains operated by Vietnam Railways:
Passengers under 6 years old do not need to buy train tickets if sitting with their parents, and vice versa, they will receive a 25% discount on ticket prices when booking separately. Select Fewer Passengers if you don’t want this passenger to be considered in your booking
Passengers from 6 to 9 years old need to buy train tickets but get a 25% discount on the fare
Passengers aged 10 and over are not entitled to children’s discounts and have the same need to buy train tickets as adults
For trains operated by Victoria Express, Fanxipan Express, King Express, Orient Express, Sapaly Express, Chapa Express, Livitrans Express, Violette Train, and Saigon Golden Train:
Passengers under 3 years old do not need to buy tickets if sitting with their parents.
VAN / MINIVAN from Hanoi to Sapa
- You can also move to Sapa from Hanoi City or Noi Bai airport by luxury minivan/van
- It takes about 4.5-5.5 hours by minivan/limousine/private taxi
- Also available in a private minivan for 9 passengers or a private vehicle for 2-4 people
- Many private companies come to Sapa: EcoSapa, GreenLion Bus, Grouptour, Techbus VN…
- The most comfortable way to go to Sapa from Hanoi
- EcoSapa Van – Ride this van that takes you directly from Noi Bai Airport to Sapa
- Minivan/van from Hanoi to Sapa will cost about 14-22$/person
Taxi/private car from Hanoi to Sapa
- Most expensive option to transfer from Hanoi (or Noi Bai Airport) to Sapa
- It takes about 4.5-5 hours from Hanoi to Sapa by private car or taxi
- There are modern cars and minivans from Hanoi city center + train station to Sapa
- Private Taxi companies to Sapa: Saigon DMC, Tiim Group, Dichung Taxi, Grouptour, Ouros Travel, Booking Car…
- You can also take a private car from Noi Bai International Airport
- Taxi/private car from Hanoi to Sapa will cost about 130-270 USD/car
Book Sapa tour
Another option is to book a tour/trip to Sapa
- You can search and book various tours and tours in Northern Vietnam
- Tours in Vietnam mainly provide local guides
- You can also book and buy tickets for Fansipan cable car or other tourist attractions
- With agency travel, you can also book a variety of tickets, private tours, and other activities
Ride a motorbike from Hanoi to Sapa
- You can also ride a motorbike from Hanoi to Sapa, you have to pay about 12$ US per day for a motorbike.
- It is only a good choice if you are an experienced motorcycle rider
- I recommend going through Nghia Lo and Mu Cang Chai
- You will be driving on the road – QL32 and QL4D (look up Google Maps)
- Total of about 440 km from Hanoi to Sapa (via Mu Cangchai)
- You will drive through many beautiful natural landscapes
From Hanoi to Lao Cai by local bus
- From Hanoi to Lao Cai town, you can also take a bus
- Ha Son Hai Van Car company has many sleeper cars
- It takes about 4-4.5 hours from Hanoi to Lao Cai by bus
- Bus fare from Hanoi to Lao Cai is only 10-15 USD/person
- Bus from Hanoi to Lao Cai runs all day from morning to night
- Book and buy bus e-tickets from Hanoi to Lao Cai online at Baolau
How to get from Lao Cai town to Sapa?
All trains end in Lao Cai town, 10 km from the Chinese border in northern Vietnam. The train runs throughout the day and many passengers and visitors go in the evening (20:30 – 22:00). Night train to Lao Cai Town is from 6 am to 7 am. From Lao Cai town to Sapa, you need to take a bus or taxi, there are many tourist cars waiting outside the station. Be careful they are overrated. The bus stop is located in the center of town, 300 meters from the train station, please see the map below.
Consulting itinerary from Hanoi to Sapa
Sapa in Lao Cai province is the land of tourism. Many foreign tourists visit this place. If you want to avoid scams in Hanoi, buy bus or train tickets online. Many travel agencies in Hanoi sell train and bus tickets, but many tickets are overcharged.
The cheapest is the train ticket from Hanoi to Lao Cai (soft seat – about 7 people). Almost all trains allow 20kg luggage (recommended – keep this rule).
You can store your luggage in the center of Hanoi with Radical Storage. Take care of luggage on board (do not litter indiscriminately).
If you buy train or bus tickets online, please read all the necessary information on the website of the train company
The fastest way to get from Hanoi to Sapa is by direct bus. If you go to Lao Cai by train – take the sleeper train, which is both comfortable and inexpensive.
Recommendation – Arrive at the train or bus station about 1 hour before departure time.
We hope the article gives you valuable information for traveling from Hanoi to Sapa.
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