How to go → SAPA to CAO BANG? ☀️

From Sapa to Cao Bang you can travel by bus/van, car or train+bus.

• • The travel distance from Sapa in Lao Cai province to Cao Bang town spans approximately 600 km by land via Hanoi. The best way to reach Cao Bang from Sapa is to travel via Hanoi. While an alternative route via Ha Giang exists, it significantly extends travel time. There are 3 primary transportation options to Cao Bang: tourist bus, private car, or bus+train via Hanoi. Traveling by bus or minivan from Sapa to Cao Bang takes about 16-20 hours via Hanoi, costing approximately $18-35 per person, making it the most economical choice. Travelers can take a bus from Sapa to Hanoi and then proceed to Cao Bang or Ban Gioc. Notably, there is no direct train from Sapa to Cao Bang due to the absence of a railway station in Cao Bang.
• • However, travelers can opt for a train journey from Lao Cai to Hanoi, followed by a bus ride to Cao Bang. Flights to Cao Bang are unavailable as the town lacks an airport. Private car hire from Sapa to Cao Bang, also via Hanoi, is another option. While private car or taxi services offer the most comfortable transfer, they are also the most expensive. Some private car services extend to Ban Gioc Waterfall, a popular attraction in Cao Bang province. Travelers can easily search and book bus tickets or taxi/minivan services from Hanoi to Cao Bang + Ban Gioc Waterfall online.

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• • Cao Bang is a large province in northern Vietnam, yet it remains relatively unexplored by foreign tourists. Situated on the border with China, this province offers an authentic rural Vietnamese experience and is home to various ethnic minorities and groups. Exploring this province on a motorbike rental can be a rewarding adventure, considering the limited availability of local buses, absence of an airport, and the lack of railways. The nearest railway station to Cao Bang town is in Lang Son, approximately 125 km away. However, several buses operate routes to Cao Bang town.
• • From Cao Bang town, travelers can explore various attractions such as Ban Gioc Falls, Nguom Ngao Cave, Pac Bo Historical Site, Phong Nam, Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark, and other intriguing destinations. Cao Bang town and Ban Gioc Waterfall offer a wide range of accommodations and homestays for travelers. Travelers can easily journey from Cao Bang town to Hanoi via tourist bus or private car, with travel time averaging about 8 hours.

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How do I get from Sapa to Cao Bang?

1. BUS / MINIVAN from Sapa to Cao Bang

A) Bus or Minivan from Sapa to Hanoi

• • from Sapa to Hanoi you can travel by tourist bus or minivan
  • travel by tourist bus or minivan from Sapa to Hanoi takes about 5.5-6 hours
  • bus companies to Hanoi: Ha Son Haivan, EcoSapa, SapaExpress, Sao Viet, Inter Bus Lines, Goodmorning Sapa…
  • one-way bus tickets from Sapa to Hanoi costs about $9-20/pp
  • buses and minivans arrive to various bus stations in Hanoi
  • you can read this article: How to get to Hanoi from Sapa?

B) Bus from Hanoi to Cao Bang

• • travel time by tourist bus from Hanoi to Cao Bang is about 8-10 hours
  • bus companies to Cao Bang (+Ban Gioc Waterfall): Khanh Hoan, Thanh Ly…
  • bus tickets from Hanoi to Cao Bang (+Ban Gioc) cost about $8-12/pp
  • buses arrive to Cao Bang Bus Station – (M6J2+5X Khau Sả, Đề Thám)
  • you can read this article: How to reach Cao Bang from Hanoi?
  • you will receive your bus tickets to Hanoi and Cao Bang by email, ready to print or carry in your mobile phone or tablet and present at the ticket counter of the bus station before boarding the bus

2. TAXI / CAR from Hanoi to Cao Bang / Ban Gioc Waterfall

A) Private Car or Taxi from Sapa to Hanoi

• • from Sapa to Hanoi you can also travel by private car or taxi
  • travel by private car from Sapa to Hanoi takes about 4.5-5.5 hours
  • private cars to Hanoi by EcoSapa, GreenLion Bus, Grouptour, Dichung Taxi, Ouros Travel…
  • travel by private car from Sapa to Hanoi costs about $140-255/pp
  • you can read this article: How to travel to Hanoi from Sapa?

B) Private Car from Hanoi to Cao Bang / Ban Gioc Waterfall

• • from Hanoi to Ban Gioc Waterfall you can travel by private car/minivan
  • travel time by car or taxi from Hanoi to Ban Gioc in Cao Bang is about 10 hours
  • taxi company from Hanoi to Ban Gioc Waterfall: Booking Car
  • transport by private taxi from Hanoi to Ban Gioc Waterfall costs about $195-275/vehicle
  • you can also take a private car from Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi to Ban Gioc Waterfall
  • you can read this article: How to get to Ban Gioc from Hanoi?

3. TRAIN + BUS from Sapa to Cao Bang (via Hanoi)

A) Public Bus or Taxi from Sapa to Lao Cai

• • travel by public bus or taxi from Sapa to Lao Cai takes about 1-1.5 hour
  • one-way bus ticket from Sapa to Lao Cai costs about $1.30/pp
  • this route is operated by Lao Cai Public Bus, this bus arrive to Lao Cai Railway Station
  • you can book and buy bus ticket to Lao Cai online with Baolau, private car with 12go.asia

B) Train from Lao Cai to Hanoi

• • travel time by train from Lao Cai to Hanoi is about 8 hours
  • one-way train ticket from Lao Cai to Hanoi costs about $7-150/pp (regular or tourist trains)
  • there are seat or sleeper tourist trains to Hanoi Railway Station
  • read this article: How to reach Hanoi from Lao Cai?

C) Bus from Hanoi to Cao Bang

• • there is no train from Hanio to Cao Bang, there are only buses or minivans
  • it takes about 8-10 hours to reach Cao Bang from Hanoi by bus
  • bus companies to Cao Bang: Khanh Hoan, Thanh Ly…
  • it costs about $8-12/pp to reach Cao Bang by bus from Hanoi
  • you can read this article: How do I get to Cao Bang from Hanoi?

❓ FAQ + TIPS – Travel route from Sapa to Cao Bang:

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🎫 Book bus/train tickets from Sapa to Cao Bang + Schedule:

(You can change your departure or arrival, eg. Sapa to Hanoi, Hanoi to Cao Bang…)

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