1. Bus / Van to Sapa
2. Train + Bus to Sapa
3. Taxi / Car to Sapa
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From Ninh Binh to Sapa in Vietnam you can travel by bus or train.
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- The travel distance from Ninh Binh to Sapa spans approximately 420 km via land route passing through Hanoi. Travelers have several options to reach Sapa in northern Vietnam, with two popular choices standing out. The first option involves traveling by tourist bus from Ninh Binh to Sapa, typically taking around 6-9 hours, with bus tickets priced at approximately $12-32 per person. Alternatively, travelers can opt for a train journey from Ninh Binh to Lao Cai via Hanoi, followed by a local bus or taxi ride to Sapa.
- Sleeper trains are available from Hanoi to Lao Cai, and the combined train and bus journey to Sapa via Hanoi typically takes about 9-10 hours. Lao Cai, situated approximately 30 km from Sapa, serves as a border town with China. It is now possible to conveniently book bus or train tickets from Ninh Binh to Sapa online. Once in Sapa, travelers can explore the beautiful area of rice terraces by taking a bus to Mu Cang Chai. Additionally, travelers have the option to return to Hanoi via bus, bus + train, or private car.
BOOK TICKETS to Sapa on 12go.asia ➜
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- Sapa – one of the most visited places in northern Vietnam, located in Lao Cai province and home to the Black Hmong and Dao ethnic groups. Sapa continues to attract both foreign tourists and Vietnamese visitors alike. From Sapa, travelers can embark on a cable car ride or hike up Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest mountain. Sapa also offers the unique experience of staying in a local homestay with ethnic communities. The most popular villages for homestays are situated in the Muong Hoa valley, including Lao Chai, Tavan, and Ban Ho, many of which are well-prepared and adapted for foreign tourists.
- While traveling from Hanoi to Sapa remains a popular route, some travelers opt to journey from Ninh Binh to Sapa. Travelers can choose between two options to reach Sapa from Ninh Binh: by bus or bus+train via Hanoi, with private minivans or taxis also available from Ninh Binh to Sapa town. Sapa does not have an airport, ruling out air travel from Ninh Binh. Additionally, from Sapa, travelers can take a tourist bus to Ha Giang province.
| Transfer Mode – Ninh Binh to Sapa | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Train + Bus | 9-10 hours | $25-100/pp |
| Tourist Bus / Van | 6-9 hours | $12-32/pp |
| Private Car / Taxi | 5.5-6.5 hours | $150-300/car |
BOOK TICKETS to Sapa on Baolau ➜
How do I get from Ninh Binh to Sapa?
1. BUS / VAN from Ninh Binh to Sapa
The cheapest and most used transport option from Ninh Binh to Sapa is a sleeper bus or a comfortable minivan/minibus. Various companies operate modern buses and very comfortable minivans on this route, such as Grouptour, HK Open Tour, Sapa Ethnic Travel, Techbus VN, Full Moon Party, The Long Travel, Vietnam Luxury Travel, Luxury Van Limousine, Ket Doan Travel, Vietnam Easy Go Travel, Duc Duong or Ninh Binh Footprint.
Buses from these mentioned companies to Sapa depart from various places in Ninh Binh, e.g. from the city center, from Tam Coc, Trang An and others, some depart directly from specific hotels or popular homestay accommodation. Older sleeper classic buses tend to be cheaper, but there are also very modern buses with LCD TVs or toilets on offer, tickets from Ninh Binh to Sapa cost on average $12-32/pp.
Prices are based on the type of bus, minivans are usually a little more expensive than classic sleeper buses. The travel time for buses from Ninh Binh to Sapa can also vary depending on the route the buses travel. Some buses may have more stops, some less, but on average the bus ride to Sapa takes approximately 6-9 hours.
This is a popular route among travelers, it is recommended to search and book bus tickets to Sapa online in advance. Always read all important instructions carefully when ordering tickets, companies may have different transfer conditions. You can also travel by bus from Ninh Binh to Hanoi and from Hanoi to Sapa, so 2 steps with a visit to the capital.
2. TRAIN + BUS from Ninh Binh Sapa (via Hanoi)
A) TRAIN from Ninh Binh to Hanoi
The first step of the train transfer from Ninh Binh to Sapa will be the train journey from Ninh Binh to Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam. It is a trip that takes about 2.5-3 hours by train and train tickets to Hanoi from Ninh Binh will cost you about $4.00-8.00/pp (seat). Trains depart from Ninh Binh train station just outside the city center, about 5 km from Tam Coc, and you will arrive at Hanoi train station, which is a short distance to the popular Hoan Kiem district.
The trains also have sleeping beds, but for such a shorter route, most travelers will be satisfied with a comfortable soft seat. You can find and book train tickets to Hanoi from Ninh Binh online, tickets for ordinary trains are also accepted on mobile phones, there is no need to print them. After arriving in Hanoi, you can stay in the city for 1-2 days and then take another train transfer from Hanoi to Lao Cai.
B) TRAIN from Hanoi to Lao Cai
The next step is to travel by train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, a city located in the far north of Vietnam, approximately 2 km from the border with China. It is about 30 km by road from Lao Cai to Sapa. It is the nearest train station to Sapa town, there is no direct railway to Sapa town. Often these transfers are referred to as „Hanoi to Sapa trains“ but arrive at the Lao Cai terminus.
Trains that also offer sleeper berths that tourists look for leave at night and arrive in Lao Cai early in the morning, sometimes there is 1 train and sometimes there are 2 trains. So-called tourist luxury sleeper trains are also included in the ordinary trains of Vietnam Railways, which offer better comfort, modern interiors and other additional services, such as light refreshments.
These tourist sleeper trains are of course more expensive than regular trains. Train tickets from Hanoi to Lao Cai for regular trains cost around $14-17/pp (soft sleeper) and tourist sleeper trains cost an average of $29-70/pp. The prices are based on the type of train you choose and how many travelers the cabins are for (e.g. 2-4 beds in a cabin).
Some tourist sleeper trains that you can use are New Livitrans Express, Violette Trains, King Express, Fanxipan Express, Chapa Express, Sapaly Express, Laman Express, Damitrans and or VicSapa Train. The train journey from Hanoi to Lao Cai takes approximately 8 hours.
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C) Public Buses or Taxi from Lao Cai town to Sapa
After arriving in Lao Cai city by train, you can immediately continue to Sapa city by public bus, private taxi or other private transfers. The cheapest option for transportation is a public bus with seats, the journey with this bus takes approximately 1-1.5 hours and tickets cost approximately $1.60/pp. A public bus departs from Lao Cai train station and arrives in Sapa city center.
There are also some private minivans on the route and they offer a little better comfort, the fare for these minivans costs on average 3.60-6.00/pp. These minivans are usually even faster, e.g. you will be 20 minutes faster in Sapa. Another way to go from Lao Cai to Sapa is by private taxi/car. This is the most convenient and also fast transportation option, the fare ranges from $30-50/car, depending on the type of car you book.
Most of these private cars depart from the Lao Cai train station and arrive, for example, in the center of Sapa or, upon agreement, directly to the place where you will be staying. You can use, for example, private taxi services by Saigon DMC, Ouros Travel and or Tiim Group.
They offer modern and air-conditioned smaller cars, minivans and even SUVs, larger cars are also suitable for groups of more people. You can search and book bus tickets to Sapa from Lao Cai online, as well as book a private taxi/car. Carefully read all instructions and conditions of transfers to Sapa before booking a ticket or taxi.
3. PRIVATE TAXI / CAR from Ninh Binh to Sapa
The fastest and most comfortable, but also the most expensive way to get from Ninh Binh to Sapa is by private taxi/car with a driver. Even on this longer route, some private taxi services of companies such as Saigon DMC, Ouros Travel, Taxi with VTS, Viet Technology Travel operate and they offer very modern and comfortable small cars, but also SUVs or minivans for groups of travelers.
E.g. a minivan can also be advantageous if you are traveling in a group of several people, the fare can then be calculated for individual passengers. A private car is the fastest way to go to Sapa from Ninh Binh, the driving time is approximately 5.5-6.5 hours, but of course expect minor delays, this is sometimes common in Vietnam.
Depending on the type of car, the price for booking a car is also determined, but a private car transfer from Ninh Binh to Sapa costs approximately $150-300/car, larger cars are usually a more expensive option. Another advantage is that the cars depart from, for example, the Trang An, Tam Coc or Bai Dinh areas and arrive in Sapa at various locations or by appointment, so even this small detail will save you some time.
A private taxi/car to Sapa is probably not a suitable transport option for low-cost travelers, for them it is better to use e.g. cheap bus connections. You can find and book your private car from Ninh to Sapa easily online and in advance, always carefully read all the conditions and information for the given transfer.
❓ FAQ + TIPS – Travel route from Ninh Binh to Sapa:
1. How to book and buy tickets from Ninh Binh to Sapa?
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- You can book tickets from Ninh Binh to Sapa on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜
- You can also search another routes, e.g. Hanoi > Lao Cai, Lao Cai > Sapa…
2. Do you want to book a tour or hike in Sapa?
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- You can search for these trips online, you can book a tour / homestay in Sapa with KLOOK.
3. What is the travel time from Ninh Binh to Sapa?
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- Travel by train + bus from Ninh Binh to Sapa (via Hanoi, Lao Cai) takes about 9-10 hours.
- Travel by sleeper bus or minivan from Ninh Binh to Sapa takes about 6-9 hours.
- Travel by private taxi/car from Ninh Binh to Sapa takes about 5.5-6.5 hours.
4. What is the travel distance from Ninh Binh to Sapa?
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- Travel distance from Ninh Binh to Sapa is about 420 km by train/bus via Hanoi and about 30 km from Lao Cai to Sapa.
5. What is the price of transport from Ninh Binh to Sapa?
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- Travel by train + bus from Ninh Binh to Sapa (via Hanoi) costs about $25-100/pp.
- Travel by sleeper bus / minivan from Ninh Binh to Sapa costs about $12-32/pp.
- Travel by private car/taxi from Ninh Binh to Sapa costs about $150-300/car.
6. What is the fastest way of transfer from Ninh Binh to Sapa?
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- In this case the fastest way how to reach Sapa from Ninh Binh in Vietnam is to travel by tourist bus. You will save a lot of time, if you skip Hanoi. Because in Hanoi you have to wait for overnight trains to Lao Cai and in Lao Cai you have to take another bus or taxi to Sapa.
7. Is there a flight from Ninh Binh to Sapa?
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- No, there are no flights from Ninh Binh to Sapa or Lao Cai. The only way how to travel is by train or bus. There is no airport in Sapa, in the near future there should be build a new airport in Lao Cai.
8. Is there a direct train from Ninh Binh to Lao Cai?
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- No, there is no direct train from Ninh Binh to Lao Cai. You have to travel by regular train to Hanoi and from Hanoi you have to take another train to Lao Cai. If you want to travel by luxury private train from Hanoi to Lao Cai it is necessary to book train tickets online.
9. What is the best way of transfer from Ninh Binh to Sapa?
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- The best way of transport from Ninh Binh to Sapa is to travel by train to Hanoi and by train to Lao Cai, sleeper trains are comfortable. From Lao Cai you can take a local public bus or taxi to Sapa. There are also regular and tourist luxury trains from Hanoi to Lao Cai.
10. Are there also some private taxis or transfers from Hanoi to Sapa?
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- Yes, from Hanoi you can travel by private taxi/vans or minivans to Sapa. It is a good option if you travel by a group of people. Read this article: How to travel from Hanoi to Sapa?
11. What is the option of transport from Sapa to Hanoi – Noi Bai Airport?
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- It is possible to travel by bus, minivan, private taxi – car and train+bus. Travel time by bus to Noi Bai Airport from Sapa is about 5 hours. Read this article and follow the informations > How do I get to Noi Bai Airport from Sapa?
12. How to travel solo in Vietnam, what to expect?
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- Embarking on a solo adventure in Vietnam involves securing the necessary visa, meticulous budgeting for accommodation, meals, and activities, prioritizing health with vaccinations and a well-equipped first aid kit, familiarizing yourself with basic Vietnamese phrases for effective communication, and staying connected through translation apps to navigate the diverse landscapes and vibrant culture seamlessly.
🚍 Bus Schedule / Timetable – Ninh Binh to Sapa + Bus Tickets:
Bus Schedule - Ninh Binh to Sapa | Departs in Ninh Binh | Arrival in Sapa | Bus Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
Grouptour | 12:00 | 22:00 | From $17.00 |
Grouptour | 16:00 | 00:20 | From $17.00 |
Grouptour | 17:00 | 03:00 | From $17.00 |
Grouptour | 19:00 | 05:00 | From $19.00 |
Grouptour | 21:40 | 06:40 | From $19.00 |
Grouptour | 04:30 | 13:20 | From $31.00 |
Grouptour | 05:30 | 14:20 | From $31.00 |
Grouptour | 06:30 | 15:50 | From $26.00 |
Grouptour | 07:30 | 16:20 | From $31.00 |
Grouptour | 08:40 | 18:00 | From $26.00 |
Grouptour | 09:30 | 18:20 | From $31.00 |
Techbus VN | 06:00 | 15:20 | From $28.00 |
Techbus VN | 07:00 | 16:200 | From $28.00 |
Techbus VN | 08:00 | 17:20 | From $28.00 |
Techbus VN | 09:00 | 18:20 | From $28.00 |
Techbus VN | 10:00 | 19:20 | From $28.00 |
Techbus VN | 11:00 | 20:20 | From $28.00 |
Techbus VN | 12:30 | 21:30 | From $15.00 |
Techbus VN | 14:00 | 23:20 | From $28.00 |
Techbus VN | 19:30 | 04:30 | From $16.00 |
Techbus VN | 22:00 | 07:00 | From $16.00 |
Sapa Ethnic Travel | 18:30 | 02:30 | From $16.00 |
Sapa Ethnic Travel | 19:30 | 03:30 | From $16.00 |
Full Moon Party | 13:30 | 23:00 | From $29.00 |
Full Moon Party | 14:30 | 00:00 | From $29.00 |
Full Moon Party | 18:40 | 02:50 | From $18.00 |
Full Moon Party | 21:40 | 05:50 | From $18.00 |
Vietnam Luxury Travel | 10:15 | 19:15 | From $22.00 |
Vietnam Luxury Travel | 21:15 | 06:15 | From $22.00 |
Ninh Binh Footprint | 12:30 | 20:30 | From $17.00 |
Duc Duong | 19:30 | 04:30 | From $17.00 |
🚕 Taxi Schedule / Timetable – Ninh Binh to Sapa + Fares:
Taxi Schedule - Ninh Binh to Sapa | Departs in Ninh Binh | Travel Time | Price (Car) |
|---|---|---|---|
Taxi with VTS | Any Time | 06:10 | From $198.00 (Comfort) |
Taxi with VTS | Any Time | 06:10 | From $207.00 (SUV) |
Taxi with VTS | Any Time | 06:10 | From $237.00 (Minibus) |
Saigon DMC | Any Time | 06:30 | From $149.00 (Comfort) |
Saigon DMC | Any Time | 06:30 | From $155.00 (SUV) |
Saigon DMC | Any Time | 06:30 | From $237.00 (Van) |
Ouros Travel | Any Time | 05:15 | From $151.00 (Comfort) |
Ouros Travel | Any Time | 05:15 | From $156.00 (SUV) |
Ouros Travel | Any Time | 05:15 | From $235.00 (Van) |
Ouros Travel | Any Time | 05:15 | From $279.00 (VIP Van) |