Sapa to Hanoi airport: the Ultimate transfer guide on 2024

In a relaxed itinerary, travelers often choose to return to Hanoi on the last day to enjoy local dishes, sip coffee, and stroll around the city before heading to the airport. However, with a tighter schedule, many prefer going straight from Sapa or Ha Long to Noi Bai Airport instead of returning to Hanoi. In this article, A21 Tours will provide a detailed guide on how to travel from Sapa to Noi Bai Airport, hoping you’ll find it helpful for your trip.

If you urgently need transportation from Sapa to Hanoi Airport, you can book through A21 Tours via this link. We guarantee competitive prices and the best customer service.

1. Why Go from Sapa to Hanoi Airport Directly?

For travelers looking to avoid unnecessary stops, going directly from Sapa to Noi Bai Airport is a smart choice. Since the airport is already on the way to Hanoi, skipping the city can save you about 80 kilometers of travel and two hours in transit. This not only reduces your time on the road but also eliminates the need for extra accommodation or transportation costs in Hanoi.

This option is ideal for travelers with tight schedules or early flights, providing a practical way to arrive at the airport with less stress and more time to spare.

2. Sapa to Hanoi airport transportation options

The distance from Sapa to Noi Bai Airport is approximately 290 km, with an average travel time of 4.5 to 5.5 hours thanks to the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway. There are three main options for traveling from Sapa to Hanoi Airport: private car/taxi, sleeper bus, and limousine van. The train is not considered a practical choice for this route, as it only operates from Lao Cai to Hanoi and does not provide a direct connection to the airport.

2.1. Bus Transfer

The Sapa to Hanoi route has numerous bus operators, with an average of over 20 companies running buses every 20 to 30 minutes. Additionally, the service quality on this route is generally higher compared to the average bus services in Vietnam.

There are two main types of buses on the Sapa to Hanoi Airport route:

• Sleepping buses: These buses have three rows of bunk beds, with two levels per row, totaling around 36 to 38 beds. Each bed is approximately 60 x 180 cm in size, and ticket prices range from USD 9 to USD 15.
• VIP Cabin buses: These buses have two rows of cabins, also with two levels, totaling 22 to 24 cabins per bus. Each cabin has a curtain for privacy, and the bed size is 90 cm x 180 cm, offering more comfort and space. Ticket prices range from USD 16 to USD 25.

With so many operators running on this route, it can be challenging for more selective passengers to choose a reliable company rather than picking one at random. To make the decision easier, A21 Tours has curated a list of the top five bus operators for this route, complete with pricing details and pick-up/drop-off locations, as follows:

2.1.1. HK Busline VIP Cabin Bus

HK Busline specializes in Cabin bus services and entered the market in early 2021. Despite being a new player, the company has quickly grown due to its excellent service, reasonable pricing, and strong financial backing. They now operate over 15 buses on the Hanoi-Sapa route, with 6 departures per day.

• Ticket price: approximately 450,000 VND to 600,000 VND, depending on the seat location.  
• Schedule:
• Pick-up/drop-off: Shuttle buses pick up passengers from hotels in Sapa town.

2.1.2. G8 Open Bus

G8 Open Bus is a new bus company that started operations in early 2020, targeting tourists on the Hanoi-Sapa route. The company has implemented high operational standards and offers courteous service, which has earned it a strong reputation on ticket booking platforms.

• Currently, the company operates cabin buses with the following departure times: 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 10:30 PM.
• Price: From 450.000 vnd per berth
• Pick-up/drop-off: Shuttle buses pick up passengers from hotels in Sapa town.

2.1.3. Kadham Bus

Kadham Bus, whose team originally came from Greenbus (the best bus on the Hanoi-Sapa route from 2018 to 2020), offers good service at reasonable prices. However, they currently only operate two trips per day, at 2:00 PM and 10:00 PM.

• Price: From 450.000 vnd per berth
• Schedule: 2:00 PM and 10:00 PM daily
• Pick-up location in Sapa: 645 Điện Biên Phủ, Sapa town.

2.1.4. Sao Viet Bus

Sao Viet is the oldest bus company operating on the Hanoi - Sapa route, mainly serving Vietnamese travelers along the Sapa - Lao Cai - Hanoi corridor. They provide two types of vehicles: sleeper buses and VIP cabin buses, with a very frequent schedule — departures happen almost every hour. This makes Sao Viet Bus a great choice for those booking last-minute tickets; visiting their office almost always guarantees a ticket back to Hanoi.

However, one downside is the many pickup and drop-off points. The bus can pick up passengers along the way from Sapa to Lao Cai and may stop in Lao Cai to either collect more travelers.

• Price: about 240.000 vnd for sleeping bus and 450.000 vnd for VIP Cabin tickets
• Schedule: every hours from 6:00 AM to 23:00
• Bus office in Sapa: No. 3 Nguyễn Đăng Khuê, Sapa

2.2. Limousinve van from Sapa to Hanoi airport

In addition to sleeper buses, limousine buses offer a great alternative, especially for those who prefer sitting rather than lying down. The primary advantage of the limousine service is its spacious seating and the convenience of being picked up directly from hotels in Sapa. However, the limousine service only operates at two main departure times: 7-8 AM and 2:30-3:30 PM. This limited schedule may not align with some early morning or late-night flights.

Some customers may not be familiar with limousine transportation, but it is a popular means of travel in Vietnam. Each limousine has 9 to 11 spacious seats, adhering to European size standards. According to the layout, there are 2 seats next to the driver, 3 seats at the back, and 4 or 6 VIP seats, which are the most spacious. Ticket prices for the Sapa-Hanoi route range from USD 18 to USD 25, depending on the seat location.

Currently, the most reputable limousine service on this route is Eco Sapa, established in 2015, primarily serving foreign tourists visiting Vietnam. While you may come across some negative reviews about this company, we at A21 Tours can assure you of the quality service provided by Eco Sapa, based on our long-standing partnership with them. 

You can book the Eco Sapa limousine from Sapa to Hanoi here.

2.3. Private Car/Taxi - a bit pricy but allow you depart at any time.

We recommend private car services as a final option, as the bus and limousine services from Sapa to Noi Bai Airport are already excellent and reasonably priced. However, opting for a private car gives you greater flexibility and privacy, along with the convenience of choosing your own departure time.

The journey by private car takes around 4.5 hours, typically about 30 minutes faster than a bus. The cost for a 5-seater private car (suitable for up to 3 passengers with luggage) ranges from USD 140 to USD 150. If you need a pick-up from a more remote area or during nighttime hours, there is an additional surcharge of USD 10 to USD 20 per car.

You don't need to search for transportation anymore. A21 Tours offers a private car service from Sapa to Hanoi, ensuring competitive prices and the best support services. Book now at this link.

3. Note and travel tip for booking Sapa to Hanoi airpot service

3.1. Timing Considerations

Traveling from Sapa to Hanoi Airport takes approximately 4.5 hours by private car and 5.5 hours by bus or limousine. Therefore, it's essential to allow extra time, as transfers may not always arrive as expected.

• For international flights, we recommend departing 7 hours before your flight time if using a private car and 8 hours in advance when taking a bus.
• For domestic flights, the suggested departure times are 6 hours and 7 hours prior to your flight for private cars and buses, respectively.

3.2. Seat and Berth Location

When booking a limousine van, you'll find different seating options, including VIP seats, seats next to the driver, and seats in the back, each with varying prices. Be sure to choose and pay for the specific seat that you and your partner prefer.

For cabin buses, prices also vary between upper and lower berths, with lower berths costing approximately USD 2 more. Please avoid booking lower berths in the last row, as these are considered baby berths, measuring only about 160 cm in length, which can be uncomfortable for long journeys.

4. Conclusion

In summary, if your flight is scheduled between 3 PM and 5 PM or 9 PM and 11 PM, the limousine service (Eco Sapa) will be a suitable choice. For flights outside these hours, you can opt for HK Busline, ensuring you depart from Sapa at least 7 to 8 hours before your flight. If you have a comfortable budget and value privacy, a private car would be an excellent option.

If you need assistance with transportation services, please don't hesitate to contact A21 Tours through this form.