Hanoi to Sapa transfer detail guidance
When you want to get from Hanoi to Sapa, you have a few options to consider. Traveling between these destinations is possible by different means of transport:
- Bus
- Train
- Limousine Van
- Private car
If you’re looking for a quick trip, it’s recommended that you use Hanoi Sapa private car. However, if you’d rather take your time with a slower, more affordable travel option, you can book a Train ticket to Lao Cai then take a taxi to Sapa.
The cost of travel will depend on the means of transport you choose for your trip. A private car is the most expensive option - it will cost you about VND 3,600,000 (USD 152). If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a sleeping bus as a Hanoi Sapa bus ticket costs as low as VND 250,000 (USD 11)
How long does it take to get from Hanoi to Sapa?
The travel time from Hanoi to Sapa can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 4 to 10 hours.
- Bus: around 5.5 - 6 hours
- Train: around 8 hours, also train just take you to Lao Cai which 45 km away from Sapa.
- Limousine Van: about 5.5 hours with 2 breaks on the way
- Private car: about 4.5 - 5 hours
How much does it cost to get from Hanoi to Sapa?
The cost of the trip from Hanoi to Sapa varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is Vietnam Railways (Đường sắt Việt Nam): travelling by train expect to pay as low as VND 141,000 for your ticket.
However, if you’re after more upscale travel . The most expensive variant is to opt for a private - a one-way taxi ticket can cost as much as VND 3,600,000.
Here is a chart of the average ticket prices and transportation options available from Hanoi to Sapa:
- Train tickets: USD 19 - USD 100;
- Sleeping Bus tickets: US10;
- Van price : USD 15 - USD 20 (depend you seat location on the van)
- Train & taxi price: VND 1,540,010 - VND 2,420,010. From Hanoi to Sapa starting from 21:35 Hanoi until 22:00 Hanoi
You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 152 to USD 190 depend on which type of vehicle and what time for pick up.
How many trips per day are there between Hanoi and Sapa?
Depending on your choice of transportation, the number of daily trips varies.
- Vans from Hanoi to Sapa depart during the day - there are approximately 2 departures a day: 7 AM and 3 PM
- 6 by train+taxi from Hanoi to Sapa starting from 21:35 Hanoi until 22:00 Hanoi
- 2 by taxi+train from Hanoi to Sapa starting from 21:35 Hanoi until 22:00 Hanoi
- Buses start plying the route from 7:00 - you can also take a bus as late as 22:00. There are 3 available bus trips every day.
- Trains always run on a set schedule - there are 2 trains per day.
Taxis are a good option to consider for this route, too. Book a cab to take you from Hanoi to Sapa any time of the day.
Which means of transport is the best for the route?
Buses
Taking a bus from Hanoi to Sapa is cheaper than flying. Quite often, a long-distance bus is the cheapest transportation option. Buses normally make bathroom and/or lunch stops along the way.
Things to remember before opting for a bus ride:
- If possible, make sure to choose higher-class buses for a more comfortable travel experience. Such buses often have an air conditioning system, soft reclining seats, Wi-Fi, bathrooms, etc.
- As with plane tickets, buses are better booked in advance so that you can secure a good seat.
- While booking a bus, keep in mind that delays are possible. Yet it still pays to get to the bus station at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.
Taxi
Catching a cab is the easiest way to get from Hanoi to Sapa. It allows you to tailor-make your trip, plan all the detours and see all the places you want. You can choose the type and the size of your car as well to be as comfortable as you'd like to.
Depending on the route, it might cost as much as VND 3,000,000.
Things to remember: It's a good idea to follow the route on Google Maps or any other GPS navigator.
Trains
Things to remember while choosing a train ticket:
Consider everything carefully while choosing the class of your train travel. In most cases, the second class is comfortable enough – it features 2 or 4 berths in each compartment and is often air-conditioned.
If you’re in for a premium experience, consider getting a first class ticket. The price of first class tickets may include Wifi, and a choice of snacks and drinks.
Vans
A shared van is another means of transport for traveling from Hanoi to Sapa. As far as travel time is concerned, it’s basically equal to a taxi ride, while price-wise it’s way more affordable. The majority of tourists book a van online in advance.
Sometimes, when trains or buses aren’t available, a van is your only way to get from Hanoi to Sapa.
Things to remember: while traveling by van, you might not have as much space for luggage as you would on a train or a plane. It’s a good idea to pack only the most useful things for a van trip and put them in a backpack that will be easy to carry around.
The most popular transport from Hanoi to Sapa
How to choose the most convenient way of travel from Hanoi to Sapa? In order to make your choice of transportation easier, we asked 1000 users to range their preferences for this route. Here are the results of the poll:
- 43% users enjoyed a train ride.
- 16% decided to go for a bus.
- 16% opted for a van.
- 14% decided to catch a taxi.
- 6% chosen taxi+train
- 5% chosen train+taxi
Hanoi to Sapa Bus review
Driver Mr Chin drove smoothly the whole time.
Me and my siblings were planning to go from Hanoi to Sapa. Till we realized we haven't book our sleeper bus. We searched and came across A21 tours and tried to see if we can still be accommodated provided that the booking was done less than 24 hours. We booked online, and pro actively we have also sent a message in Whatsapp to ensure that once payment is done, we can get the e-ticket confirmation. To our surprise, just around 4-5 hours, they have reached out to us to guide us on the payment process and the issuance of the e-ticket as well. Their swift response was a relief w/our anxiety given the limited time for us. Also, it didn't stopped from just issuing the vip bus e-ticket confirmation but A21 tours consistently checked us from departure to arrival and any other concerns in between. They made sure that the tourists will only get enjoyment, safety and hassle free experience.
Highly recommended.
Nothing to complain. Everything went as scheduled, no e-ticket needed. Good services and very responsive on WhatsApp.
We took the Fansipan express from Sapa back to Hanoi on 29/9/19 leaving at 13:30, checkin was smooth(ish) - its a scruffy office on a chaotic street where you wait but this is Sapa in Vietnam after all - so expoected.
Bus is confortable enough, Im 1.73m and had plenty of legroom, the berth is private with a curtain.
Its a big bus. The road leaving Sapa is tight and twisty for th first hour down to the highway at Lao Cai, so this isnt airplane or train smoothness - however it was fine in the day. Once on the highway the driver drove at a steady 100km/hr (checked with GPS) there didnt seem to be any taumatic moments - the general standard of driving in VIetnam is pretty poor and our driver seemed to cope well - even when you come across 2 trucks stopped on the highway blocking both lanes with one reversing!!!
By the time we got into Hanoi the drivers favourite control seemed to be the horn as I think we were running 15min late.
We took this bus not because we expected a really smooth comfortable sleep and not because its cheap - its just that it IS comfortable and it leaves at a very convenient time allowing a hotel checkout at midday and then a 13:30 departure. Itys a 5.5hr drive to Hanoi - even if you take the train you have to get a bus or taxi down to Lao Cai for the first hour anyway - if you've got luggage or cases this is easier than dragging onto a train as well - as there was loads of storage space as in all long distance coaches.
Coach made 2 stops on way back - strange open sided supermarkets selling some strange stuff alongside touirist 'tat', beware you need 3k dong to pay for the toilets! Make sure you;ve got some small notes.
To be honest there isn't much alternative for getting to and from Sapa, trains are slow and go overnight only to Lao Cai, a private taxi would be expensive - and seeing the driving standards in Vietnam I'd rather be on a big bus!
Also Im sure some of the more negative views on here are for the wrong bus - this coach as in the main picture is orange and black - its called a VIP cabin bus, some of the pictures of the interior are for a different bus. We would use again because of the convenience.
Driving did feel a bit erratic at times and travelling down from SaPa was a little unnerving but that’s par for the course once you decide to bus it instead of getting the train.
I wouldn’t hesitate to book again and cannot fault the experience. I have travelled on much worse back home and paid a lot more too.
Information was translated into English too regarding stops and arrival in Hanoi which was helpful. Toilet on board was clean, which was impressive considering a lot of people struggle to keep a toilet clean even when they don’t have a moving bus to contend with.
Also, I lost personal stuff in the bus and Sunny helped me 3 times to search for it.
Finally we found it and he made my day!
My friend and I took green bus from Sapa to Hanoi, the bus was comfy. There’s a girl as the bus assistant, who speak very good english and would repeat the pre-recorded broadcasts so to make sure everyone aware of the notices.
We booked the other bus company from Hanoi to Sapa, it was also comfy but the arrangement is not better. Also they don’t have clear instruction about when is the next stop. No notice at all, the bus assistant was just sleeping. And only one toilet time which is not quite enough for a 6 hours trip.
One thing i think green bus can improve is to pay more attention to the guests during the trip. As some of them were eating oranges in the bus which the bus is not allow eating. and some of them watching drama without an earphone, that was ignoring. I asked that person to volume down by myself. If the bus assistant can help for such then it would be even better.
Overall, green bus is good and I will book again if I come to Sapa again.
舒適及安排很好。
我們乘Green Bus由Sapa到河內。
巴士助理很有禮貌，英語亦很好。相比起由河內到Sapa的旅程（別的巴士公司），Green Bus的安排比較好。停站的次數也多一次。
Very happy with our experience, the bus was so comfortable we were able to sleep almost the entire way to Sapa. The bus guide was very friendly, informative and was wearing the most jolly Christmas sweater ever :). Snacks and water were provided. The only downside was an annoying customer who’s phone kept going off very loudly.
Efficient, affordable transportation between Hanoi and Sa Pa with great customer service. we booked the shuttle there and the bus back, both very positive experiences