Hanoi to Sapa Bus and Minivan

Hanoi to Sapa transfer detail guidance

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

• Bus
• Train
• Limousine Van
• Private car

If you’re looking for a quick trip, it’s recommended that you use  Hanoi Sapa private car. However, if you’d rather take your time with a slower, more affordable travel option, you can book a  Train ticket to Lao Cai then take a taxi to Sapa.

The cost of travel will depend on the means of transport you choose for your trip. A private car is the most expensive option - it will cost you about VND 3,600,000 (USD 152). If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a sleeping bus as a Hanoi Sapa bus ticket costs as low as VND 250,000 (USD 11)

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

The travel time from Hanoi to Sapa can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 4 to 10 hours.

• Bus: around 5.5 - 6 hours
• Train: around 8 hours, also train just take you to Lao Cai which 45 km away from Sapa.
• Limousine Van: about 5.5 hours with 2 breaks on the way
• Private car: about 4.5 - 5 hours

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

The cost of the trip from Hanoi to Sapa varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is Vietnam Railways (Đường sắt Việt Nam): travelling by train expect to pay as low as VND 141,000 for your ticket.

However, if you’re after more upscale travel . The most expensive variant is to opt for a private - a one-way taxi ticket can cost as much as VND 3,600,000.

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

• Train tickets: USD 19 - USD 100;
• Sleeping Bus tickets:  US10;
• Van price : USD 15 - USD 20 (depend you seat location on the van)
• Train & taxi price: VND 1,540,010 - VND 2,420,010. From Hanoi to Sapa starting from 21:35 Hanoi until 22:00 Hanoi

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 152 to USD 190 depend on which type of vehicle and what time for pick up.

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

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

• Vans from Hanoi to Sapa depart during the day - there are approximately 2 departures a day: 7 AM and 3 PM
• 6 by train+taxi from Hanoi to Sapa starting from 21:35 Hanoi until 22:00 Hanoi
• 2 by taxi+train from Hanoi to Sapa starting from 21:35 Hanoi until 22:00 Hanoi
• Buses start plying the route from 7:00 - you can also take a bus as late as 22:00. There are 3 available bus trips every day.
• Trains always run on a set schedule - there are 2 trains per day.

Taxis are a good option to consider for this route, too. Book a cab to take you from Hanoi to Sapa any time of the day.

Which means of transport is the best for the route?

Buses

Taking a bus from Hanoi to Sapa 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.

Taxi

Catching a cab is the easiest way to get from Hanoi to Sapa. It allows you to tailor-make your trip, plan all the detours and see all the places you want. You can choose the type and the size of your car as well to be as comfortable as you'd like to.

Depending on the route, it might cost as much as VND 3,000,000.

Things to remember: It's a good idea to follow the route on Google Maps or any other GPS navigator.

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 Hanoi to Sapa. 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 Hanoi to Sapa.

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 Hanoi to Sapa

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

• 43% users enjoyed a train ride.
• 16% decided to go for a bus.
• 16% opted for a van.
• 14% decided to catch a taxi.
• 6% chosen taxi+train
• 5% chosen train+taxi