Hanoi To Sapa
There are four best ways to go from Hanoi to Sapa: bus, train, minivan (limousine bus), or private car.
I took the overnight bus from Hanoi to Sapa last winter and it was one of the best sleeper bus experiences that I had in Vietnam. But before booking my tickets, I did an extensive amount of research to make sure that it was the right choice for me.
So, here’s a full transportation guide with a comparison of sleeper bus and train routes, as well as tips and tricks on deciding the best option for you.
A Quick Comparison
🚍 Sleeper Bus: great budget option that saves you time | 250k+ VND | Browse Tickets
🚞 Train: ideal for privacy and space but is a long journey | 400k+ VND | Browse Tickets
🚐 Mini Van (Limousine Van): small-group daytime travel | 400k+ VND | Browse Tickets
🚗 Private Transfer: fast, convenient, comfortable | 3.5 mil VND | Browse Tickets
First Off, What's The Distance From Hanoi To Sapa?
Hanoi and Sapa are roughly 313 kilometers (195 miles) apart.
This is the distance between Hanoi Old Quarter and Sapa town. The route follows highway CT05 almost all the way through until it makes a turn for mountain roads at Lao Cai.
If you're taking the train, you'll have to account for a 30-kilometer detour to the train station.
How Long Does It Take To Get From Hanoi to Sapa?
It can take anywhere between 5-9 hours to get from Hanoi to Sapa depending on your mode of transportation and traffic conditions.
Private Car: The speediest of the options! If you're taking a private car in the dead of night (or when there's less traffic), the trip will take roughly 5 hours.
Minivan / Limousine Bus: Usually 5.5 - 6 hours depending on rest stops and traffic.
Bus: Similar to the above options--usually 5.5 to 6 hours.
Train: 9 hours total. 8 hours on the train plus another one-hour drive from the train station to Sapa town. ☠️
If you're short on time, private car or sleeper bus are by far the best options.
With a private car, you can set your own schedule and leave at optimal traffic times. A smaller vehicle also moves through traffic more easily (and safely).
With a sleeper bus, you can make the most of your agenda by teleporting at night and magically waking up at your destination in the morning.
I chose to go by sleeper bus because it was the cheapest option that allowed me to make the most of my time. Plus, sleeper buses don't actually bother me that much, but more on that a little later!
1. Bus
Sleeper bus is by far the best way to go from Hanoi to Sapa.
It's the perfect combination of affordability and efficiency.
I booked one for my adventures from Hanoi to Sapa and it was one of the most positive and luxurious sleeper bus experiences that I had in the country!
You can choose between regular and VIP tickets but I highly recommend that you go with the VIP option.
The seats/beds are a little wider and more comfortable; you’re given amenities like wifi and charging ports; and it only costs a few dollars more.
One of the biggest criticisms for sleeper buses is that driving at night be dangerous. The drivers might be tired and recklessly speeding through rough road conditions to get a few minutes of test.
Your chances of getting into a serious accident are pretty slim, but the chance is still there.
If you feel uncomfortable with taking an overnight bus, you can always take a regular bus.
These tend to be cheaper and the seats are definitely less comfortable, but you have the security of knowing that you’re traveling in daylight.
My Sleeper Bus Experience
My experience of taking the sleeper bus from Hanoi to Sapa was fairly positive!
We booked the tickets for a Duc Duong Bus beforehand through 12Go and then headed to their Hanoi office about 30 minutes before departure.
The check-in process with painless. They just took a peek at my reservation code and then directed us to the bus.
We put our luggage in the storage compartment and then were handed plastic bags for shoes. The seats were not preassigned, but depending on the bus company, you might be given a specific bunk.
My friend and I got settled in and then we headed off!
Amenities
The sleeper bus that we booked was one of the nicer ones.
All sleeper buses give you a blanket (and sometimes a pillow) but this one came with two blankets, privacy curtains, Wi-Fi, charging ports, and the bed even had massage capabilities!
There was a bathroom in the back, but I don’t think either of us really took note of it.
We did take a rest stop in the middle of the night so if you can, I highly recommend you waiting for an actual bathroom.
Cleanliness
The bus that we took was pretty clean.
I’m not saying that it was completely spotless, but all the blankets were clean and there wasn’t any trash left behind.
I’ve heard some horror stories about people encountering bugs, but in my month of traveling up and down the country I never had any of those experiences.
Comfort
I’m 165 cm (5’4”) and 50 kg (110 lbs).
Sleeper buses tend to be pretty comfortable for me because they’re made for people my size.
I love burrowing into a small spaces but if you’re larger, it’ll definitely be a cramped and uncomfortable ride.
Additionally, I’m the kind of person that just completely knocks out and sleeps through the night so buses are never an issue for me.
But if you are easily woken up by noise or sharp turns, then you might want to consider a different option.
Relatively speaking though, the route from Hanoi to Sapa is quiet and calm.
Unlike the journey from Hanoi to Ha Giang, this route mostly follows a standard highway. Aside from the honking to get out of Hanoi and the winding mountain roads in the last hour, it’s a fairly smooth journey.
Drawbacks
Other than the noise and potential danger, one of the biggest drawbacks to taking an overnight bus is the early morning arrival.
We arrived in a pitch dark, foggy, Sapa and it was pretty disorienting to have to navigate the streets right after waking up.
There were a lot of taxi drivers hounding passengers just as we got off but luckily, we booked
Greenland Sa Pa Hotel which was just a 15 minute walk away.
The town was quiet at 5 in the morning and we were able to find our hotel with it any issues.
If you plan on taking an overnight sleeper bus or train, make sure to communicate with your hotel beforehand!
The last thing you want is to show up to an empty reception desk (or locked hotel!) after a long, five hour journey.
Tip: ask if you can check in early or at least store your luggage in the lobby. Head out to grab breakfast and a hot cup of coffee, and spend your morning wandering the charming mountain alleys.
Tips For Booking A Bus
Planning transportation in Vietnam is pretty straightforward. I booked all of my tickets through the 12Go and found it an easy and reliable platform to use.
Double check your date and destinations! The platform sometimes resets for no reason.
Sort by time to make the most of your schedule. I booked the 23:45 bus that arrived at 5:45 in Sapa town.
Check the details on departure and arrival. You ideally want the drop-off points to be close to your accommodations.
Read the reviews! Quality varies A LOT across different bus companies. Make sure to find one that is clean and punctual. The last thing you want is your bus breaking down in the middle of the night. (No lie, this happened to my friend and they were stranded for 12+ hours before another bus could arrive to get them.)
Bus Tickets and Schedules
Buses from Hanoi to Sapa run multiple times an hour with departures starting at 5 AM and ending at 1 AM.
Again, the most important thing is to choose a VIP option from a reputable company. Some of the best rated ones are G8 Sapa Open Tour and Sao Viet.
Pick a route that works with your schedule and coordinate with your accommodations to ensure a smooth experience.
Most people book an overnight bus departing from Hanoi after 9 PM or an early morning route leaving at 5 AM so that they have enough time to explore in the afternoon.
You can of course take a bus at noon, but you’ll probably run into traffic and it seems like a shame to waste your entire day on transportation.
Ticket prices usually range from $15-$20. There are a handful of options for $10 but I definitely recommend splurging for the comfort and safety.
2. Train
The second best way to get from Hanoi to Sapa is by train.
I didn’t choose this option because it would’ve taken a lot more time and I didn’t feel like dealing with a transfer.
All train routes depart at night and run between Hanoi Railway Station and Sapa Lao Cai.
The station is a 50 minute drive away from town so it's definitely a hassle and something to consider if you're thinking about going this way.
photo by sapaly express via 12go
Train Types
The biggest thing to note is that you have two train types: state-owned Vietnam Railways trains and privately owned luxury trains.
Vietnam Railways trains typically only have four berth cabins and can be booked through their official website.
Note: There are a lot of third party resellers titled “Vietnam Railways” that often rank higher in search. There’s usually no harm in booking from them, but it’s hard to distinguish scams from legit ones. Use the official website if you plan on going with Vietnam Railways or check out a luxury train to avoid getting scammed.
Privately owned luxury trains on the other hand, offer a plethora of different cabin types, bed types, and amenities. They're often listed on easy-to-navigate websites like 12Go, and I have never had a negative experience with them.
Cabin Types
Each train will have different cabin types.
Four berth cabins are the most common. These usually feature two bunkbeds with a table in the middle and a shared bathroom.
Additionally, you'll find six berth cabins with three bunkbeds; two berth cabins where you get the entire cabin to yourself; or even suites with a single queen sized bed.
If you’re thinking about going by train, you should book a two berth cabin or even a suite.
The point of train travel is comfort and privacy so booking a four berth cabin where you're squished into a small bunkbed with strangers negates the point.
photo by NewLivitrans Express via 12go
What To Expect
Each train company will have a different procedure but for the most part, you should arrive at the train station one hour before your train departs and will need to exchange your voucher for a physical ticket (if you’re booking through 12Go or Klook).
Once you board the train, you’ll be brought to your cabin and each passenger is given a bottle of water, toothbrush, toothpaste, and some snacks in a little basket presented on the table.
Some of the newer train routes offer light meal services, but for the most part, you should bring your own snacks if you get peckish.
Each bunk is given a blanket and a pillow for the evening and the trains usually have Wi-Fi (though the varies drastically).
Drawbacks
The biggest complaint about taking the train from Hanoi to Sapa is that the journey itself is really long and surprisingly stressful.
The trains themselves are really loud and screech throughout the night. The cabins shake so if you’re prone to motion sickness, you might want to take some medicine beforehand.
The toilets are shared between cabins and the walls are thin enough that you can hear people talking through the night.
If you’re sound sensitive, taking the train from Hanoi to Sapa can be pretty triggering. Otherwise, if you value space and a bit of privacy, it’s definitely worth considering.
photo credit: klook
Getting From Lao Cai Station to Sapa
Finally, a major deterrent to taking the train is that you still have to take a one-hour car ride after you arrive.
I hate transfers so that last step really put me off.
Once you arrive at the station, you’re swarmed with taxi drivers and again, it can be overwhelming.
The best thing to do is to pre-book a minivan that will take you to the main town, or if you decide to go with a last minute cab, ask for a quote upfront.
Most of the drivers are honest but taxi scams are still one of the most common crimes in Vietnam.
A one-hour taxi ride usually runs for 500,000 - 600,000 VND and a minibus in comparison will cost roughly 200,000 VND.
Train Tickets and Schedules
There are far fewer trains than buses so you want to book them in advance (especially during holidays like Christmas or Tet).
The first train leaves at 9:35 PM and the last train leaves at 12:00 AM. Tickets usually cost between 400,000 VND and 2,000,000 VND.
photo credit: klook
3. Minivan (Limousine Van)
A minivan (or limousine van as are called in Vietnam) is the third best way to get from Hanoi to Sapa.
It's an ideal choice for people who want to avoid crowds, appreciate the comfort, and want to travel during the daytime.
Limousine Vans typically carry between 9-12 passengers and run every few hours from Old Quarter.
Tickets usually cost between 400,000 VND to 650,000 VND. I'd check third-party providers listed on 12Go or Klook for the most credible companies!
4. Taxi or Private Transfer
A taxi or private car is by far the fastest and most comfortable way to get from Hanoi to Sapa
This option allows you to take things at your own pace, leave whenever you want to, and take as many rest stops as you need.
The drivers are professional and experienced with this route and you get dropped off/picked up directly from your accommodations.
If you're traveling with three or four people, it might be worth it to just hire a cab!
What’s Next?
Now that you know how to get from Hanoi to Sapa, it’s time to book your tickets!
You can ask your hotel to help you arrange transportation but if you’re like me and get anxious when speaking to people, using a credible platform like 12Go streamlines the process and keeps all your tickets in one place.
If it’s your first time in Vietnam, try taking the sleeper bus! It’s the most local way to travel and definitely leaves a lasting quintessentially Vietnamese impression.
For more tips and tricks on planning your Hanoi itinerary, don’t miss out on best French Quarter walking tours or take a break from the city with these 17 unmissable day trips from Hanoi.
If you're ready to move on to planning your northern Vietnam adventures, get started with What's Better: Sapa or Ha Giang or read my full review of the 4-day Ha Giang Loop Tour to see if it's worth it.
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