1. Bus – Phong Nha to Sapa
2. Trains to Lao Cai
3. Tourist Map of Sapa
🎫 Book a Tour in Sapa
🎫 Book Tickets Online
From Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park to Sapa you can travel by bus.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park lies at a considerable distance from Sapa in northern Vietnam, with a travel distance of approximately 830 km by land. To journey from Phong Nha to Sapa, travelers typically take two buses, first from Phong Nha to Hanoi and then from Hanoi to Sapa. Alternatively, they can opt for a train ride from Dong Hoi (45 km from Phong Nha) to Hanoi and then from Hanoi to Lao Cai (25 km from Sapa). Booking bus or train tickets from Phong Nha-Ke Bang to Sapa is convenient and straightforward online. Notably, there are no direct flights connecting Phong Nha to Sapa as neither of these locations has an airport. Sapa ranks among the most sought-after tourist destinations in northern Vietnam, and Lao Cai town serves as a pivotal transportation hub in the region. From Sapa, travelers can easily reach Noi Bai Airport via tourist bus or private taxi, or opt to explore Ninh Binh.
🎫 Book your tickets from Phong Nha to Sapa + Schedule:
(You can change your departure, arrival place, eg. Dong Hoi > Sapa, Hanoi > Sapa…)
How do I get from Phong Nha to Sapa?
1. BUS from Phong Nha to Sapa
1.step – From Phong Nha to Hanoi by bus
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- there are some tourist buses from Phong Nha-Ke Bang to Hanoi
- travel by bus from Phong Nha to Hanoi takes about 9 hours (500 km)
- modern and comfortable sleeper buses (night buses)
- bus companies: Queen Cafe Bus, Hung Thanh, Hey Travel…
- one-way bus ticket from Phong Nha to Hanoi costs about 300 000 viet.dongs ($13-14/pp)
- Book and buy bus e-tickets from Phong Nha to Hanoi on Baolau ➜, secured online payment
- you will receive your e-ticket by email, ready to print or carry in your mobile phone or tablet and present at the ticket counter of the station before boarding the bus
2.step – From Hanoi to Sapa by bus
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- there are lots of various direct buses from Hanoi to Sapa
- travel by bus from Hanoi to Sapa takes about 6 hours (320 km)
- bus tickets from Hanoi to Sapa cost only about $10-22/pp
- various bus companies: Hung Thanh, Ha Son Haivan, Inter Bus Lines, EcoSapa, SapaExpress…
- there are also some luxury van/minivans of Grouptour company (tickets cost about $16/pp)
- Book and buy bus e-tickets from Hanoi to Sapa online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜
- this is a top travel route from Hanoi to Sapa – recommended – book+buy your bus e-tickets online!
- you can read this article: Hanoi to Sapa – Bus Schedule
2. TRAINS from Dong Hoi to Lao Cai
You can travel by bus/taxi from Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park to Dong Hoi (about 45 km to Dong Hoi) and in Dong Hoi you can travel by train to Hanoi and from Hanoi to Lao Cai. Lao Cai is about 25 km from Sapa, there are various public and tourist buses or minivans from Lao Cai and Sapa.
1.step – From Dong Hoi to Hanoi by train
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- travel by train from Dong Hoi to Hanoi takes about 10-12 hours
- trains are comfortable and refurbished, you can buy snack + food
- there are about 7-10 trains of Vietnam Railways from Dong Hoi to Hanoi every day
- one-way train ticket costs about 440 000 – 750 000 viet.dongs ($20-40, Seat or berth)
- Book and buy train e-tickets from Dong Hoi to Hanoi on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜, secured online payment
- you will receive your e-ticket by email, ready to print or carry in your mobile phone or tablet and present at the ticket counter of the station before boarding the train
2.step – From Hanoi to Lao Cai by train
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- all trains go to Lao Cai town (340 km from Hanoi), it is the end station (25 km from Sapa)
- trains to Lao Cai can be boarded from Tran Quy Cap station in Hanoi (western entrance of Hanoi Railway Station)
- a cheap trains of Vietnam Railways with less comfort (ofic.vietnamese railways)
- train tickets from Hanoi to Lao Cai – prices start already at $7/pp (soft seat – Vietnam Railways)
- also luxury trains – Orient Express, King Express, Sapaly, Fansipan, Livitrans…
- Book and buy train e-tickets from Hanoi to Lao Cai online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜
- this is a top travel route from Hanoi to Lao Cai – recommended – book and buy your train e-tickets online!
From Lao Cai town to Sapa you can travel by public bus/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 the north of Vietnam. Trains run throughout the day and many travellers and tourist travel in the evening (20.30 – 22.00 pm). The nigth trains arrive 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. The public bus station is in the center of town, 300 meters from the train station, see a detailed map below.
➡️ Book bus tickets from Lao Cai to Sapa online on Baolau ➜
📍 Sapa (Lao Cai) – tourist map:
Baolau – search, compare and buy tickets online
– Baolau sells the bus,train, ferry/boat tickets + flights mainly for Vietnam (tickets for Cambodia and Laos, Myanmar…)
– ferry/boat tickets in Vietnam (eg. ferry to Cat Ba, ferry to Phu Quoc, ferry to Nam Du, ferry to Quan Lan, ferry to Ph.Penh…)
– tickets for travel routes in Vietnam (eg. Da Lat to Hoi An, Da Nang to Ninh Binh, Hue to Ninh Binh…)
– the price of tickets or flights is the official price of transport company or airlines
– you can use your online train/bus e-ticket in smartphone in Vietnam (recommended – print your ticket)
– read the all information before you book and buy your tickets online
12go.asia – search, compare and buy tickets online
– 12go sells the bus, train, boat tickets, flights mainly for Thailand (also tickets for Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia…)
– ferry tickets in Vietnam, Thailand…eg. ferry to Vung Tau, Koh Kood, Koh Samui, Koh Chang, Koh Phangan…
– tickets for the most tourist routes…eg. Bangkok to Hua Hin, Bangkok to Surat Thani, Bangkok to Chiang Mai…
– you can use an online train ticket in Vietnam in your smartphone
– if you book your train ticket at Baolau or 12go for tourist trains in Vietnam to Lao Cai (Sapaly, Fansipan…), you must pick it up at the station
❓FAQ + TIPS – Transport from Phong Nha to Sapa:
1. How to book bus / train tickets from Phong Nha to Sapa?
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- You can book tickets from Phong Nha to Sapa online on Baolau.
- You can also search direct flights from Dong Hoi to Hanoi.
2. How long does it take to travel from Phong Nha to Sapa?
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- Travel by bus from Phong Nha to Sapa (stop in Hanoi) takes about 16-18 hours.
- Travel by train from Dong Hoi to Lao Cai (stop in Hanoi) takes about 18-22 hours.
- Travel by plane+bus from Dong Hoi to Sapa (stop in Hanoi) takes about 9-12 hours.
3. What is the travel distance from Phong Nha to Sapa?
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- Travel distance from Phong Nha to Sapa over Hanoi is about 850 km by bus.
4. How much does it cost to travel from Phong Nha to Sapa?
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- Travel by bus from Phong Nha to Sapa (stop in Hanoi) costs about $24-40/pp.
- Travel by train from Dong Hoi to Lao Cai (stop in Hanoi) costs about $27-47/pp (regular train).
- Travel by plane + bus from Dong Hoi to Sapa (stop in Hanoi) $40-100/pp.
5. What is the best way of getting from Phong Nha to Sapa?
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- The best and fastest way of getting from Phong Nha to Sapa over Hanoi is to travel by plane from Dong Hoi to Hanoi (direct flight to Hanoi) and from Hanoi by tourist bus to Sapa.
6. What is the most cheapest way of getting from Phong Nha to Sapa?
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- The most cheapest way of transport from Phong Nha to Sapa is to travel by bus. But it takes a lot of time and it is not so comfortable.
7. Is there a direct flight from Phong Nha to Sapa?
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- No, there is no direct flight from Phong Nha to Sapa. There are only direct flights from Dong Hoi to Hanoi. There is no airport in sapa, but there should be build a new airport in Lao Cai in the near future (more informations).
8. How to get from Sapa to Mu Cang Chai?
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- There are 2 popular options – by tourist or local bus or private car/taxi. You can also travel on your motorbike. Travel by tourist bus or private car takes about 4 hours, read this article > How to get to Mu Cang Chai from Sapa?
9. Are there also some buses from Dong Hoi to Hanoi?
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- Yes, there are also a few tourist buses and trains to Hanoi from Dong Hoi > Dong Hoi to Hanoi – Schedule
10. What is the weather and the best time to visit in Sapa?
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- Sapa is the mountain town and the weather can change very quickly. The best time to visit Sapa, if you want to hike and visit Hoang Lien National Park or Fansipan Mount, is in the dry season. Read this article: Weather in Sapa.
11. What are the most interesting things or facts about Vietnam?
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- Vietnam, a country with a captivating allure, is celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, including the mesmerizing limestone karsts of Halong Bay, the terraced rice fields of Sapa, and the bustling waterways of the Mekong Delta. Its rich history unfolds through ancient temples in Hanoi, the imperial city of Hue, and the Cu Chi Tunnels, providing a glimpse into Vietnam’s resilience during wartime. The country’s vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality further enhance the allure of this Southeast Asian gem. Read this: 15 Interesting Things of Vietnam.
12. What to expect from Vietnam Culture?
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- Expect a vibrant cultural tapestry in Vietnam, characterized by traditional values, a strong sense of community, and a deep-rooted respect for family. You’ll encounter a fusion of French, Chinese, and indigenous influences in art, architecture, and cuisine. Traditional water puppetry, folk music, and dance performances showcase the country’s artistic flair. The importance of rituals and festivals in daily life adds a colorful dimension, while the warmth and friendliness of the Vietnamese people make for a welcoming and enriching cultural experience.
13. What is the weather in Vietnam and what to expect?
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- Weather in Vietnam varies with a tropical climate featuring distinct wet and dry seasons. In the north, the dry season (October to April) brings cooler temperatures, while the wet season (May to September) is marked by higher humidity and heavy rainfall. Central Vietnam experiences a dry period (January to August) with lower humidity and a wet season (September to December) characterized by increased rainfall. In southern Vietnam, the dry season (December to April) offers warm temperatures, while the wet season (May to November) brings higher humidity and occasional heavy rainfall. For accurate information, check local forecasts.
BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Sapa ➜
🎫 Book your tickets from Phong Nha to Sapa + Schedule:
(You can change your departure and arrival place, eg. Phong Nha to Hanoi, Hanoi to Sapa…)
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