1. Bus / Van – Hanoi to Sapa
2. Train+Bus – Hanoi to Sapa
3. Minivan – Hanoi to Sapa
4. Taxi / Car – Hanoi to Sapa
5. FAQ + Travel Tips + Info
🎫 Book a Tour in Sapa
🎫 Book Tickets to Sapa
How to travel from Hanoi to Sapa?
1. BUS from Hanoi to Sapa
Transportation from Hanoi to Sapa by bus, minivan, or minibus is a popular and cheaper transfer option between these cities. It is also popular with tourists who want to avoid the long train and bus transfer through Lao Cai city. The offer includes new and modern sleeper or seater buses or minibuses for more people, and most of them all offer pleasant comfort and good services.
Some well-known transport companies that operate between Hanoi and Sapa include Inter Bus Lines, Ha Son Haivan, Techbus VN, EcoSapa, Sapa Express, Full Moon Party Tour, Sao Viet, Goodmorning Sapa, Sapa Dragon Express, Sapa Ethnic Travel, Duc Duong Bus and Daiichi Travel. Transport by bus or minibus will save you some time compared to a transfer by train, the total travel time is approx. 6-6.5 hours.
Some transport companies go directly to Sapa, and some have occasional stops along the way before arriving at their final destination in Sapa. These buses to Sapa depart from various locations or bus stations in Hanoi and may also arrive at various locations in Sapa, but often go to the main bus station which is in the center of the city.
Sleeper buses from Hanoi to Sapa offer comfortable beds, but some newer but slightly more expensive buses offer high-quality comfort, including LCD TVs and toilets right in the vehicle. A trip by bus or minibus from Hanoi to Sapa costs approx. $6-22/pp, depending on the type of vehicle and travel route. And you can easily book bus tickets to Sapa in advance. You can also check and read the article about bus timetables from Hanoi to Sapa.
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2. TRAIN + BUS from Hanoi to Sapa (via Lao Cai)
A very popular option of transportation from Hanoi to Sapa among tourists is to travel by train and bus via the border town of Lao Cai. Trains do not go directly to Sapa town as there is no direct railway to this town. Therefore, it is necessary to combine this form of transport with a transfer from the city of Lao Cai to Sapa by bus or private car. However, this means that the transfer will take more time compared to e.g. a bus or a private car.
The city of Lao Cai is approximately 25 km from the city of Sapa, and the total travel time by train + bus is approximately 10 hours, even with a transfer to a bus in Lao Cai. Trains from Hanoi to Lao Cai run at night and offer standard seats, but significantly more tourists use sleeper tourist trains with quality service and amenities. The train journey from Hanoi to Lao Cai takes about 8 hours and you will arrive after 5 in the morning. However, traveling by train in Vietnam has its own charm, it’s definitely a good idea to try it here if you can get over the more noise of the trains.
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You can choose from several private companies that operate these luxury tourist sleeper trains, such as Violette Train, Lotus Express, Laman Express, Damitrans Train, Livitrans Express, Fanxipan Express, King Express or Chapa Express. These sleeper trains have cabins for 2-4 people and offer sleeping beds and sometimes light refreshments. Standard trains of Vietnam Railways will offer beds in 4-bed cabins.
The one-way train ticket from Hanoi to Lao Cai costs from 14-100 USD / per person, depending on the type of train and the number of people in the cabin. Of course, the cheapest are the standard trains oeprated by Vietnam Railways. All these trains depart from Hanoi Railway Station and arrive to Lao Cai Railway Station (see the Vietnam Railway Map). It is highly recommended to book your train tickets to Lao Cai online in advance, because this is one of the most popular travel routes in Vietnam.
After you arrive to Lao Cai, you can travel from Lao Cai to Sapa by private minibuses and minivans or by private taxi. It takes about 1 hour to travel from Lao Cai to Sapa and local public bus tickets cost about 2 USD and a minibus ride costs about 4 USD / per person. A private taxi can cost you 35-80 USD / for the whole car.
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📅 Train Schedule / Timetable – Hanoi to Lao Cai (Sapa) + Train Tickets:
| Trains from Hanoi to Lao Cai (Sapa) | Departs in Hanoi | Arrival in Lao Cai | Book Train Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train SP1 (sleeper) | 21:35 | 05:15 | Book from $14-17 |
| Train SP3 (sleeper) | 22:00 | 05:55 | Book from $14-17 |
| New Livitrans Express SP3 (sleeper) | 22:00 | 05:55 | Book from $32.00 |
| Violette Trains SP1 + SP3 (sleeper) | 21:35 + 22:00 | 05:15 + 05:55 | Book from $34.00 |
| King Express SP3 (sleeper) | 22:00 | 05:55 | Book from $27.60 |
| Fanxipan Express SP3 (sleeper) | 22:00 | 05:55 | Book from $36.20 |
| Chapa Express SP1 + SP3 (sleeper) | 21:35 + 22:00 | 05:15 + 05:55 | Book from $36.20 |
| Sapaly Express SP3 (sleeper) | 22:00 | 05:55 | Book from $36.20 |
| Laman Express SP3 (sleeper) | 22:00 | 05:55 | Book from $34.00 |
| Victoria Express SP3 (sleeper) | 22:00 | 05:55 | Book from $36.00 |
3. VAN / MINIVAN from Hanoi to Sapa
Another popular way to travel from Hanoi to Sapa is by private minivan. This variant is also very interesting, as it offers high-quality comfort in modern cars for a relatively affordable price. It is also a suitable option for tourists traveling in a group of several travelers, as you can reserve, for example, 9-12 seats in a car.
If these cars are fully booked, they usually go directly to Sapa town with no further stops along the way. Transportation by private minivan from Hanoi to Sapa costs approximately 12-22 USD / per person and the transfer time is approximately 4.5-5.5. Like the sleeper buses to Sapa, these minivans can depart from Noi Bai Airport, so it’s another option to quickly get to the north of Vietnam without visiting Hanoi.
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Some of the well-known and reliable private transport companies that offer modern minivans are Arrirang Travel, EcoSapa, GreenLion Bus, Grouptour or Techbus VN. If you want to use these minivans for traveling from Hanoi to Sapa, it is definitely advisable to book your tickets to Sapa in advance online.
These modern minivans depart from different locations or stops from different private agencies in Hanoi and arrive at different locations in Sapa. Some also go to specific hotels in the city or nearby. You will always see all this information when ordering tickets for these vehicles. Please read carefully all additional information about this type of transfer.
4. PRIVATE TAXI / CAR from Hanoi to Sapa
The most convenient, but at the same time more expensive, option of transportation from Hanoi to Sapa is by private taxi/car with a driver. This option is more expensive, a trip by private taxi or car to Sapa with a driver costs approximately 95-300 USD / per person. This price depends on the type of car you will use, as there are various modern to luxurious standard cars, SUVs or Jeeps on offer.
The journey time by private taxi from Hanoi to Sapa is approximately 4.5-5.5 hours and it can be said that this is the fastest transfer option. Several private companies operate on the route and the well-rated ones are, for example, Saigon DMC, Tiim Group, Dichung Taxi, Grouptour, Ouros Travel, PacknGo and Booking Car.
BOOK PRIVATE TAXI / CAR to Sapa ➜
The advantage of this transport option is the journey from the place you specified or even from the train station in Hanoi and the arrival, for example, to the hotel or homestay in Sapa. Again, some of these companies offer cars that depart directly from Noi Bai Airport.
You can search and book your private car and driver from Hanoi to Sapa easily online and in advance. Smaller minivans or minibuses will be suitable for groups of passengers, families or for several people traveling at the same time in one group. The range of cars is very wide and everyone will surely choose their suitable vehicle variant. Again, you can find and book a private car from Hanoi to Sapa with a driver online, even in advance.
5. Book a Tour to Sapa + Tickets in Sapa
A private trip to Sapa for several days, this too can be done directly from Hanoi. So you can search and book a private trip with your guide who will take you to the most interesting places in Sapa. It is often associated with a visit to the highest mountain in Vietnam – Fansipan. The menu includes, for example, trips for 2-4 days with the option of trekking in the area of Sapa, or with accommodation at an authentic homestay with the Hmong or Dao ethnic minorities.
These tours from Hanoi to Sapa can be in a different price range, it depends on what you require, how long you will be in Sapa or what services you want included in the price. These tours usually include the provision of transport from Hanoi or any other transfers in the Sapa area and surroundings. It is therefore suitable for those who do not want to arrange things their own way and expect full-fledged services with all services.
You can also search and book various tickets for Sapa tourist attractions on the Klook platform, it is convenient if you go here in the tourist season as both tickets and tours can be fully sold out.
BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Sapa ➜
6. From Hanoi to Sapa on MOTORBIKE
A motorbike trip from Hanoi to Sapa is an option for more experienced motorbike drivers. It is necessary to realize that traffic on the roads in Vietnam can sometimes be dangerous, drivers do not follow the rules or drive very fast. So it is good to have experience driving a motorcycle in Asia and you must have an international driver’s license with a valid license if you want to ride a motorcycle in Vietnam.
This route is longer, so you should have a slightly stronger motorbike, it is not very suitable to go to this mountainous area on a weak scooter. It is also advisable to avoid the main road from Hanoi to Lao Cai and choose a route through, for example, Nghia Lo, Mu Cang Chai and Lai Chau town. If you drive this route, you will see the beautiful and authentic Vietnamese countryside in full display, with lots of amazing rice terraces and fields, and you can also stop at another place, even just for 1 day, and then continue to Sapa town.
To navigate the roads in the north of Vietnam, you just need to use e.g. Google Maps, most of the roads are marked on the maps. If you ride a motorcycle, it’s a good idea to have safety features and always follow all the regulations you see on the road. If you go from Hanoi to Sapa by motorbike via Mu Cang Chai, it is better to divide this trip into at least 2 days, the travel distance can be over 400 km.
BOOK your MOTORBIKE in Hanoi ➜
How to get from Lao Cai town to Sapa? Public bus or taxi.
If you’re traveling from Hanoi to Sapa by train >>> all the trains end in Lao Cai town, 10 km from the Chinese border in northern Vietnam. Trains run throughout the day and many travellers and tourist travel in the evening (20.30 – 22.00 pm). The nigth train arrives to Lao Cai town at 6.00 – 7.00 am. You have to take a public bus or taxi from Lao Cai town to Sapa, lots of tourist buses are waiting outside the train station. Be careful they are overprized. The public bus station is in the center of town, 300 meters from the train station, check this map below. Transfer by local bus or minivan or taxi from Lao Cai to Sapa town takes about 1-1.5 hours.
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- Book bus tickets or private taxi from Lao Cai to Sapa town on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜
➡️ In the near future, about 2025-2026, there is a plan to build a new international airport in Lao Cai (Cam Con commune), so it’s possible that the transportation to Lao Cai will change.
BOOK your HOTEL / STAY in Sapa ➜
❓ FAQ + TIPS – Travel route from Hanoi to Sapa (Lao Cai):
1. How to book train, bus tickets, car from Hanoi to Sapa?
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- You can book tickets from Hanoi to Sapa (Lao Cai) online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
2. What is the price of transport from Hanoi to Sapa (Lao Cai)?
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- Transfer by tourist bus / minivan or van from Hanoi to Sapa costs about $6-22/pp.
- Transfer by train + bus from Hanoi to Sapa (via Lao Cai) costs about $12-100/pp (depends on the type of train).
- Transfer by taxi / private car from Hanoi to Sapa costs about $90-250 (vehicle, car).
3. What is the travel time by bus / van, train or car from Hanoi to Sapa?
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- Transport by tourist bus / minivan or van from Hanoi to Sapa takes about 5.5-6 hours.
- Transport by train + bus from Hanoi to Sapa (via Lao Cai) takes about 10 hours.
- Transport by taxi / private car from Hanoi to Sapa takes about 5 hours.
4. What is the travel distance from Hanoi to Sapa?
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- Travel distance from Hanoi to Sapa (via Lao Cai) is about 320 km by train + bus/minivan or private car.
5. How you can search and book a tour to Vietnam?
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- It is very easy, you can search and book a tour or other tourist activity to Vietnam at KLOOK ➜.
- Wit this platform you can also book various tickets for tourist attractions in Sapa or other site.
6. How do I get from Hanoi Noi Bai Airport to Sapa?
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- There are some private companies, you can travel by private bus companies from Noi Bai Airport to Sapa, eg Inter Bus Lines (sleeper bus), Sapa Ethnic Travel or Techbus VN, you can book and buy tickets online.
7. How to get from Lao Cai town to Sapa?
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- From Lao Cai to Sapa you can travel by local public bus (book bus tickets) or you can use taxi or private bus company. Travel time is about 45 minutes and travel distance is about 25 km.
8. What is the best way of transport from Hanoi to Sapa (Lao Cai)?
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- It is not easy to say it. But in my opinion the tourist bus or minivan is better than a train, you will save a time and bus tickets are cheap, buses are mostly comfortable. But some sleeper buses are not comfortable for tall people (check photos of buses), trains have berths but they are a little bit noisy and they are leaving Hanoi at night. But travel by train from Hanoi to Lao Cai is not bad, it is a popular way of transport by foreign tourists heading to Sapa.
9. What is the most cheapest way of transport from Hanoi to Sapa?
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- The most cheapest (and fast) way of transport from Hanoi to Sapa is to travel by bus/van. Bus tickets from Hanoi to Sapa start at $6-8. Another cheap way is to travel by train from Hanoi to Lao Cai (soft seat for $6.70) + local public bus from Lao Cai to Sapa (about $1.30).
10. Where do you keep your luggage in Hanoi?
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- If you want to keep your luggage in Hanoi you can try Radical Storage ➜ service. This service offers a few places in the city center of Hanoi, it is a cheap and your luggage will be safe.
11. Where can I hike in Sapa?
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- There are a lot of various places where you can hike. Fansipan – the highest mountain of Vietnam, Muong Hoa Valley and nearby ethnic village, Hoang Lien Son National Park… Read this – Villages in Sapa + Map.
12. Can you fly to Sapa Vietnam? Does Sapa have an airport?
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- No, Sapa has not an airport, so you can not fly from Hanoi to Sapa, the only way how to get there is to travel by train/bus/motorbike. But in the near future there is a plan to build a new airport in Lao Cai.
13. Where and how to travel from Sapa town?
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- If you are already in Sapa or Lao Cai, you should definitely to visit Ha Giang Province. This mountain province is accessible by bus, minivan, car or motorbike. There is no railway and no flight to Ha Giang Province.
14. How to travel solo in Vietnam?
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- Discover the wonders of solo travel in Vietnam as you explore ancient temples, cruise through scenic landscapes or karst sceneries, hike various national parks and ethnic villages and connect with the warm-hearted locals, creating a personalized journey of cultural immersion and breathtaking experiences.
BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Sapa ➜
Hanoi to Sapa by tourist bus, van, train, taxi or car.
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- The travel route from Hanoi to Sapa in northern Vietnam is one of the most popular tourist routes in this area of Vietnam. Sapa has been a popular destination for foreign tourists for many years. This area has changed a lot, modernized and is visited by a large number of tourists. Many travelers make the trip to Sapa from the capital city of Hanoi, and in this case they have several transportation options.
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- It is always a land variant of transport. An easy and popular low-cost transportation option from Hanoi to Sapa is to travel by bus, either by sleeper bus or by bus with seats. The bus trip to Sapa from Hanoi takes approximately 6-6.5 hours, although this time may vary slightly. Bus tickets cost between $6-22/pp, depending on the type of bus and the comfort it offers you.
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- There are older, classic sleeper buses, but also very modern and comfortable buses with, for example, an LCD TV and a toilet in the vehicle. Some tourist sleeper buses or minivans also leave from Noi Bai Airport, which is an advantage for those who arrive in Hanoi and want to go straight to Sapa. A similar variant of bus transfers are smaller minivans and minibuses, which offer you great comfort at an adequate price.
BOOK TICKETS to Sapa with 12go.asia ➜
Travel by regular or tourist train + bus to Sapa from Hanoi.
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- Another option, and also very popular, is to travel by train and bus via the city of Lao Cai. The nearest train station to Sapa is in Lao Cai, and between Lao Cai and Sapa there is a local bus or other private transfers or minivans. From Hanoi to Lao Cai, you can use regular Vietnam Railways trains, which also include tourist sleeper luxury trains.
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- Most tourists use sleeping berths as the trains run overnight and arrive in Lao Cai town in the morning. Train tickets from Hanoi to Lao Cai cost between $14-100/pp, the cheapest are seats or beds on regular trains, tourist trains are more expensive. A tourist sleeper train ticket starts at about $30/pp in a 4-passenger cabin. From Lao Cai to Sapa you have to go by bus or private car, the options are there, the journey then takes approx. 8 hours by train to Lao Cai and approx. 1 hour from Lao Cai to Sapa.
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- If you would like to go to Sapa from Hanoi by private car/taxi, this option is available, but of course it is the most expensive transport option between these cities. Private taxi / car to Sapa from Hanoi takes approximately 5-6 hours and fares range from $90-250 (car). The offer includes modern cars, SUVs or minivans for groups of travelers from various companies, which are mostly well rated by other travelers.
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- More adventurous travelers go to Sapa from Hanoi, for example, by motorbike. However, this option is more suitable for more experienced motorcycle drivers, you must also have an International Driving Permit with a valid license for the motorcycle in question.
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- Some of the options for transferring to Sapa from Hanoi are, for example, private tours for 2-3 days, the advantage is that you then have your guide at hand who will guide you through Sapa and the surrounding area. There are plenty of transport options from Hanoi to Sapa, and the advantage is that you can easily search for and book tickets online in advance for all types of connections.
BOOK TICKETS to Sapa with Baolau ➜
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- Discover the allure of Sapa, ranking among northern Vietnam’s top three tourist destinations after Hanoi and Ha Long Bay. While it’s renowned for trekking adventures, the town teems with tourists. If you seek lesser-known destinations, consider exploring Ha Giang instead. Sapa’s highlights include Vietnam’s tallest peak, Fansipan (3,143 m), accessible via a train and cable car journey from Sapa (Fansipan Legend cable car). Immerse yourself in the local culture by opting for a homestay with ethnic minorities like the Black Hmong and Red Dao.
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- Notable attractions include the scenic Muong Hoa Valley, adorned with quaint villages and terraced rice fields, perfect for leisurely treks. With multiple transport options available, including buses, minibusses, trains via Lao Cai, or private taxis/cars, accessing Sapa from Hanoi is convenient. Foreign tourists particularly favor tourist trains to Lao Cai for their journey to Sapa. You should also know – Sapa has no airport, travel by plane is not possible.
| Transfer Options – Hanoi to Sapa: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Train + Bus / Taxi (via Lao Cai) | 8-9 hours | $14-100/pp |
| Tourist Bus / Van | 5-6 hours | $6-22/pp |
| Private Car / Taxi | 5-6 hours | $90-250 (car) |
| Motorbike | 6-7 hours | $15-20/pp |
🎫 Book Your Tickets / Private Car from Hanoi to Sapa + Schedule:
(You can change your departure, arrival, e.g. Hanoi to Ha Long, Sapa to Ha Giang…)