Hanoi to Sapa

Hanoi to Lao Cai

There are four trains from Hanoi to Lao Cai and during the holidays when tourist traffic is at its peak, more trains are added. However, the fastest train services with the least number of stops are the SP1 and SP3 trains. Both the trains have VIP sleepers (soft beds; 2 berths per cabin), first class sleepers (soft beds, 4 berths per cabin) and second class sleepers (hard beds, 6 berths per cabin). The VIP and first class tickets are also reasonably priced. 

Lao Cai city is roughly 35 km away from Sapa and the only way to reach Sapa from here is by road. It takes anything between 50 to 90 minutes to reach Sapa. You can travel by the public bus or arrange a taxi or private car transport. Remember to make arrangements for your Lao Cai to Sapa transfer beforehand to avoid troubles after you land in Lao Cai early in the morning. 

The cheapest option is the public bus. The bus stop is located near the car parking of the Lao Cai train station, to the left of the main gate exit. The buses are a bright yellow and red and very easy to identify. The first bus departs the Lao Cai station at 5:50 am and there are frequent rides throughout the day every 20 to 30 minutes. The bus journey takes about an hour and a half to reach Sapa, Tickets can be bought on board or online at VND 30,000 per person.

Else, you can arrange for private transfer by a car or minivan. The route from Lao Cai to Sapa is very windy, so if you suffer from motion sickness, this option is not for you. It’s better to opt for the public bus. The car ride is however faster, taking only 50-60 minutes. You can also arrange for the hotel you are going to stay in to pick you up from Lao Cai or can reserve a seat on a minibus through Sapa O’Chau. Be wary of taxis at the station as there is a risk of being scammed.

The bus journey is pretty long, almost 6 hours. However, there are two scheduled rest stops each of 10 minutes during which you can use the restrooms or buy snacks and drinking water. 

The bus travels on the CT05 highway which is mostly flat upto Lao Cai after which the road becomes windy as it ascends the mountain. The drivers are professional and the ride is extremely safe. If you are prone to motion sickness, it is best to avoid the bus trip, else it is a great option as there is no need to change transportation like going by train.

The Express Bus departs from Sapa at 7 am in the morning and arrives at Sapa at 1 pm in the afternoon. The tickets for the Express Bus service can be bought online and cost around VND 280,000 per person.

This is probably the most convenient option available to travel from Hanoi to Sapa. Pickup is on demand at any time of the day or night. They pick you up from whatever place you ask for and drop you off at the desired location in Sapa.  There is ample storage space for your luggage. The taxis are air-conditioned and wi-fi facilities are also available. 

The prices for hiring a private taxi start at around VND 4,000,000 for a nine seater vehicle. You can book a private taxi online through 12Go Asia. The private taxi is a very economical option if you are travelling with a fairly large family.