Sapa is a mountain town in Vietnam's far north, 253 kilometres (157 miles) from Hanoi. It's known for its terraced rice fields and the trekking routes through Hmong and Dao villages. The bus is the cheapest way to get from Hanoi to Sapa at $9.20 (242,000 VND), and it runs direct in 4h 55m - 6h 50m. The minivan costs more and takes about as long, and the train is slower again.
Distance from Hanoi to Sapa
Hanoi and Sapa are about 253 km (157 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 314 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 4h 45m and 8h 50m.
4 ways to travel from Hanoi to Sapa
There are four ways to travel from Hanoi to Sapa. You can choose between the bus, minivan, train, and private transport. The journey takes 4h 45m–8h 40m and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $9.20 (242,000 VND).
BusDuration4h 55mPricefrom$9242,000 VND
Hanoi to Sapa by Bus
Plenty of companies operate buses from Hanoi to Sapa daily.
The advantage of taking the bus is that they are direct. Most buses depart from Hanoi city centre and arrive at Sapa town centre, so you won’t have to worry about getting additional transfers.
If you want to save on accommodation, we recommend taking an overnight bus with Sao Viet. They depart late at night and arrive in Sapa around 06:00 in the morning.
Sapa Express and Good Morning Sapa are also good options. Although they arrive at Sapa in the middle of the night, the drivers allow passengers to stay and sleep on the bus until 06:00.
The bus trip from Hanoi to Sapa takes 4h 55m - 6h 50m.
Which bus to take?
There are 3 types of buses to choose from when travelling from Hanoi to Sapa. It’s a ride that takes 4h 55m - 6h 50m, so it’s important to pick one depending on your preferred level of comfort.
- Sleeper Bus: The most basic, these usually come with sleeper bunks, blankets, as well as food & drinks. Rates start from $9.20 (242,000 VND).
- VIP Cabin Bus: An upgrade to the sleeper bus, this comes with a cabin-style bunk with curtains that you can close for privacy. Fares are from $16 (410,000 VND).
- Limo Bus: Airconditioned buses with reclining seats — an alternative if you don’t want sleeper bunks. Prices start from $12 (310,000 VND).
Departure and arrival station
Different companies have varying departure and arrival stations — usually, it's their own offices in Hanoi and Sapa.
We recommend booking with a company that offers the most convenient bus stations for you. Better yet, pick one that offers free hotel pickup and drop-off.
Bus schedule from Hanoi to Sapa
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Booking Tip
TrainVia Lao CaiDuration8h 40mPricefrom$28730,000 VND
Hanoi to Sapa by Train
Sapa is a small hill town up in the mountains that doesn’t have its own railway station. If you want to travel by express train from Hanoi to Sapa, you’ll take the train to the closest railway station in Lao Cai. From Lao Cai, you can continue by van or bus to Sapa.
The total train journey from Hanoi to Sapa takes about 8h 40m - 8h 50m.
All trains depart at night, which is quite convenient as they allow you to get a good night’s sleep. Upon arrival in Sapa, you’ll have enough time to freshen up and get ready to join one of the many groups going on a trek, which usually starts around 08:00-08:30.
If you contact your hotel beforehand, you might be allowed to check in early and take a shower before setting off to see the beautiful Sapa.
PRO TIP: If you are short of time, you can book the night train back to Hanoi for the next day. When doing this, you can do one-day tour on the day of arrival (day 1), sleep one night in Sapa and do another day tour the next day (day 2). On the second day, you can take the night train back to Hanoi.
Step 1: Hanoi to Lao Cai by Train
The night train from Hanoi to Sapa departs from Hanoi Railway Station, a 20-minute walk or a 10-minute taxi ride from the Old Quarter. The easiest way to reach this train station is to order a Grab (taxi), which shouldn’t cost more than a few dollars.
Several trains depart at 22:00 every night. Others leave at 15:00 daily.
Once you arrive at the train station, you should enter on the western side (Tran Quy Cap). This is the platform when taking the train from Hanoi to Sapa.
Which train to book from Hanoi to Sapa?
There are many different companies you can book with when you travel by train from Hanoi to Sapa. They vary in comfort level, amenities offered, and of course, price.
Amenities differ per company — like the quality of mattresses, inclusion of free drinks and snacks, as well as the number of bunks per cabin.
See below a quick breakdown of train choices from Hanoi to Sapa.
- Vietnam Railways offers the most basic options but the cheapest price. Fares start at $26 (680,000 VND) for a 1st class sleeper (4-berth cabin with soft bunks).
- We think you get better value for money with a deluxe train, which has more comfy beds, a good pillow and free food & drinks. Rates start from $23 (610,000 VND) with Pumpkin Express.
- Luxury trains offer an overall more luxurious ambience. But we don’t think they’re too different to the deluxe trains in terms of amenities. Fares start from $34 (890,000 VND) with Chapa Express, $27 (720,000 VND) with Livitrans Express, and $28 (720,000 VND) with Sapaly Express.
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Train tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
All deluxe, luxury and VIP trains depart from Hanoi at 22:00.
We recommend booking your tickets online through BookAway. Their site is intuitive, provides a clear picture of what you can expect, and offers great customer service. If you're eyeing the best deals, you might occasionally find slightly cheaper tickets on Baolau.
PRO TIP: You can also buy tickets from Hanoi Train Station. But note that the availability of soft bunks in the Hanoi-Sapa sleeper train is limited. You risk not being able to get a ticket for your desired train when you don’t book online in advance.
Step 2: Lao Cai to Sapa by Van or Public Bus
Option 1: Lao Cai to Sapa by Van
The van is a quick way to get to Sapa from Lao Cai. They don’t make unnecessary stops so the journey takes just around 55m. You can get a seat for around $8.20 (216,000 VND).
Vans are easily available outside the train station so you don’t need to book them in advance. Keep in mind the ticket price, some drivers tend to overcharge tourists. Also, most vans don’t leave until they are full.
You’ll be dropped off around the main square in Sapa, within walking distance of many hotels in town. You will also find a Lot of taxis here, and they can take you to your accommodation if it’s outside the town centre.
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Option 2: Lao Cai to Sapa by Public Bus
The public bus from Lao Cai is a great way to kick off your Sapa adventure while travelling like a local. These buses are quite comfortable, although you might want to pay for an extra seat for your luggage if you’re carrying big bags.
Take Bus #1 when heading to Sapa. You can find the public (yellow-red) buses across the railway station, at the end of the parking area. Buses are available as early as 05:40 in the morning.
Buses depart every 20-30 minutes and will drop you off at Sapa Yellow Bus Station, near the Old Church. Note that these public buses make a Lot of stops so the journey will take at least 1h 02m - 3h 20m.
Be aware! Locals might tell you there is no public bus and point to a fake blue timetable next to the minivans. Don’t let them fool you and just continue to the end of the parking area.
Private TransferDuration5h 30mPricefrom$1203,150,000 VND
Hanoi to Sapa by Private Transfer
If you’re travelling in a group, or if you want a direct ride from Hanoi Airport, you can also consider getting a private transfer.
Rates start from $120 (3,150,000 VND) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about $40 (1,040,000 VND) per person.
PRO TIP: The road to Sapa is safe when you travel with experienced local drivers. But we don’t recommend driving this route on your own if you’re not familiar with road conditions in Vietnam. In fact, very few companies will rent out a self-drive car to tourists.
Reach out to our Community
1Hi! Thanks for your post. It is really useful. I am trying to book a train for october, it says that there are no trains in the websites, just buses... Is it that it is still not published or something happened due to covid? Thank you for your help!
Hi Maria, thanks for making us aware of this. At the moment it seems like BookAway doesn't allow train bookings yet. In the meanwhile, you can also book train tickets via this platform (booking.baolau.com). There website is a bit slow but it is known as one of the most trusted providers for train tickets in Vietnam. As you only travel in October, you still have a lot of time as bookings haven't opened yet. In the meanwhile, you can check out this blog post with tips for travelling by bus or train in Vietnam (geckoroutes.com).
“Wow, this guide is so comprehensive! Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks a lot!”
“I was traveling solo in the north of Vietnam and found this guide to Sapa quite useful. Thanks so much! Esp. the PRO TIps”
Our favourite places to stay in Sapa
Here are our favourite places to stay in Sapa for every budget.
D&D Eco Lodge Sapa
Eco Palms House – Mountain Retreat
Little View Homestay Sapa
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Sapa?
Sapa is a small village and popular tourist destination in northern Vietnam. Backdropped by spectacular rice terraces, the town boasts both natural and cultural beauty. Ethnic minorities make up over 80% of its population, and here you’ll get the chance to see and experience their traditional way of life.
Here you'll also find Fansipan, the highest mountain on the Indochinese peninsula and a great adventure if you're up for the hike. Don't worry, cable cars to the summit are also available. The town centre can be a bit touristy, but don’t let that deter you. The real charm of Sapa lies in its mountains and the rice fields still farmed by the hill tribes, as they have been doing so for centuries.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Hanoi to Sapa, roughly 253 kilometres (157 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $9.20 (242,000 VND). The quickest trip takes 4h 45m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Hanoi to Sapa?
The distance from Hanoi to Sapa is 253 kilometres (157 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Hanoi to Sapa?
Journey times from Hanoi to Sapa overlap: bus 4h 55m - 6h 50m, minivan 4h 45m - 6h, train 8h 40m - 8h 50m, private transfer 5h 30m - 6h. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
What is the cheapest way to get from Hanoi to Sapa?
The cheapest way to get from Hanoi to Sapa is by bus with ticket costs starting from 242,000 VND.
What is the best way to get from Hanoi to Sapa?
Does Sapa have its own train station?
How long does it take to travel from Hanoi to Sa Pa?
Where can I book my tickets?
About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
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