Train
Best balance of speed, price, and reliability
Standard bus / minivan
Cheapest option with frequent departures
Private car / taxi
Door-to-door transfer with flexible schedule
Flight
No flights available for this short route
Quick answer: Traveling from Hanoi to Phú Thọ is straightforward and offers several convenient options. The distance is approximately 95 km to Phú Thọ town and about 80 km to Việt Trì, the provincial capital. The journey typically takes between 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on your chosen mode of transport. The most popular and affordable option is the train, which departs from Hanoi Railway Station and arrives at Phú Thọ or Việt Trì Railway Station. Alternatively, buses and minivans provide direct services, while motorbike rentals offer flexibility.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: ~95 km to Phú Thọ town, ~80 km to Việt Trì
- ⏱️ Travel time: 1.5–2.5 hours
- 💰 Price range: Train: $2–$4, Bus/Minivan: $6–$7
- 🚆 Best for budget: Train (e.g., SE1, SE3, SE5, SE7)
- 🚌 Best for comfort: Bus or Minivan (e.g., XE Vietnam)
- 🏍️ For adventurers: Motorbike (requires International Driving Permit)
Phu Tho – bright culture, ethnic origin land and transport junction.
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- Travel distance from Hanoi to Phu Tho town is about 95 km and about 80 km to Viet Tri. There are 3 ways how you can travel to Phu Tho or Viet Tri from Hanoi – by train, bus or motorbike. There are no flights between these cities. The best and popular option is to travel by train to Phu Tho or Viet Tri from Hanoi. Travel by train to Phu Tho from Hanoi takes about 2.5 hours and train tickets cost about $2-4/pp. Trains depart from Hanoi Railway Station.
- Another way how you can travel to Phu Tho is to travel by bus. Travel by bus from Hanoi to Phu Tho takes about 1.5-2.5 hours and bus tickets cost about $6-7/pp. You can also book a motorbike and travel on your own, but IDP in Vietnam is necessary. You can search and book tickets from Hanoi to Phu Tho or Viet Tri easily online. From Hanoi you can also travel to Sapa in northern Vietnam or you can go to central Vietnam and visit Hoi An.
Phu Tho province is the province without the foreign tourists.
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- Phu Tho province in northern Vietnam begins about 80 km west of Hanoi. This province is not so visited by the foreign tourists. All the tourists go by a train from Hanoi directly to Lao Cai town and then to Sapa. But in this place like Phu Tho you can see real Vietnam and authenticity without a tourist madness. The trains from Hanoi to Lao Cai stop also in Viet Tri and Phu Tho. We can say, the main and interesting place for visiting is Xuan Son National Park in the west part of the Phu Tho province. This west part of Phu Tho province is interesting, a small mountains and hills, nature. Phu Tho is an also an importation transport junction connecting Hanoi and the Red River Delta region.
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How do I get from Hanoi to Phu Tho / Viet Tri?
1. TRAIN from Hanoi to Phu Tho or Viet Tri
👉 Cheapest train from Hanoi to Phu Tho or Viet Tri, suitable for budget travelers but with limited schedule.
- ✔️ Good for: low-cost and solo travelers
- ✔️ Duration: ~2.5 hours
- ✔️ Price: $2–4 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (basic train seats)
- ✅ Best option: Vietnam Railways train to Viet Tri or Phu Tho
- 💡 Tip: Check schedules in advance as trains are limited and may sell out quickly.
The cheapest option for getting from Hanoi to Phu Tho in Vietnam is a train transfer. This option is ideal mainly for low-cost and solo travelers looking for a cheaper option for transportation. However, the disadvantage of this option is the very limited schedule of these trains.
Some of these connections also include trains that go to Lao Cai, these are trains suitable for tourists going to Sapa. The train departs from Hanoi Railway Station and arrives at Phu Tho Railway Station (Phường Phong Châu) and also stops at Viet Tri Railway Station (Phố Kiến Thiết), see the map of Vietnam Railways.
BOOK TRAIN TICKET to Phu Tho ➜
Train travel from Hanoi to Phu Tho takes about 2.5 hours. Train transfer from Hanoi to Phu Tho costs between $2-4/pp, which is the price per seat. You can search and buy train tickets online in advance, if you can’t find tickets, you have to buy them at the train station in Hanoi.
You will receive your train e-ticket to Phu Tho or Viet Tri by email, ready to print or carry in your mobile phone or tablet and present when boarding the train in Hanoi Railway Station.
2. BUS / MINIVAN from Hanoi to Phu Tho
👉 Fast and convenient bus/minivan from Hanoi to Phu Tho with flexible departures.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers seeking faster and flexible transport options
- ✔️ Duration: ~1.5–2.5 hours
- ✔️ Price: $5–12 per person (approx.)
- ✔️ Comfort: medium to high (modern air-conditioned minivans)
- ✅ Best option: XE Vietnam minivan for quick and comfortable transfer
- 💡 Tip: Check departure and arrival points carefully and arrive at least 30 minutes early.
Another cheaper option for transportation from Hanoi to Phu Tho is a transfer by minivan or bus. Bus transportation on this route is offered by XE Vietnam, which usually operates smaller air-conditioned minivans, minibuses for a limited number of passengers. However, these vehicles are very comfortable and the transfer is fast.
XE Vietnam buses or minivans can depart from various places in Hanoi, e.g. from Noi Bai Airport, and arrive at various places in Phu Tho or near this city. You will see all information about departure points in Hanoi and arrival points in Phu Tho when searching and booking tickets online, so read everything carefully.
Also look at the links for the location of the stations so you know where you are going from and where you are going. Transportation by bus or minivan from Hanoi to Phu Tho takes about 1.5-2.5 hours, but the stated travel time may vary slightly and the transfer may also be delayed.
You can easily search for and buy tickets for buses and minivans to Phu Tho from Hanoi online in advance. Please arrive at the departure point in Hanoi at least 30 minutes before the bus or minivan departs.
3. Book a MOTORBIKE in Hanoi
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- it is very easy route on the motorbike from Hanoi to Phu Tho
- recommended places for visit on this route: Duong Lam Ancient Village, Ba Vi National Park
- there are lots of motorbike rentals in Hanoi (1 day costs about 7-15 Usd)
- you can search and book your motorbike in Hanoi online with BIKESBOOKING ➜
❓ FAQ + Tips – Travel from Hanoi to Phu Tho / Viet Tri:
How to book tickets from Hanoi to Phu Tho?
You can book tickets from Hanoi to Phu Tho online on 12go.asia ➜.
How long does it take to travel from Hanoi to Phu Tho?
Travel by train takes about 2.5 hours. Bus or minivan transfer takes about 1.5–2.5 hours.
What is the distance from Hanoi to Phu Tho?
The travel distance from Hanoi to Phu Tho is about 95 km.
How to rent a motorbike in Hanoi?
You can search and book a motorbike online with BIKESBOOKING ➜.
How much does transport from Hanoi to Phu Tho cost?
Train tickets cost about $2–4/pp. Bus or minivan tickets cost about $6–7/pp.
What is the best transport option?
The best option is traveling by Vietnam Railways train.
What is the cheapest way to travel to Phu Tho?
The cheapest option is a train with hard or soft seats.
Is there a direct flight from Hanoi to Phu Tho?
No, there are no direct flights between Hanoi and Phu Tho.
Where to stay in Phu Tho?
You can search hotels and guesthouses online on Agoda.
Where can you travel from Phu Tho?
From Phu Tho you can continue by train to Lao Cai and other destinations in northern Vietnam.
How to travel solo in Vietnam?
Read this guide about solo travel in Vietnam with tips for transport and local culture.
What are interesting facts about Vietnam?
Read this article: 15 Interesting Things of Vietnam.
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🧭 Popular travel routes from Hanoi in northern Vietnam:
If you’re planning your next trip from Hanoi, here are other popular routes in Vietnam:
These are the most popular travel routes from Hanoi for visitors exploring Vietnam or neighbouring countries.
Practical Travel Tips for Hanoi to Phu Tho
Traveling from Hanoi to Phu Tho is an easy short-distance route in northern Vietnam. You can travel by train, tourist bus, minivan or private car.
- Best Option: Vietnam Railways trains are comfortable, cheap and reliable.
- Bus Transfer: Minivans and buses are slightly faster and operate frequently.
- Start Early: Morning departures usually avoid heavier traffic leaving Hanoi.
- Avoid Cheap Offers: Use trusted companies and avoid unofficial buses at Hanoi terminals.
- Rainy Season: Heavy rain can occasionally affect road travel times.
- Book Early: Train and bus tickets may sell out during holidays and weekends.
Tip: Train and bus tickets can be searched and booked online in advance.