WHERE IS SAPA?
Sapa town is located in the Northwest region of Vietnam, home to most ethnic minorities such as Hmong, Dao, Tay, Giay, etc.
This small town is famous for its incredible natural scenery, with mountains, valleys and terraced fields appearing. The climate is better than most other regions of Vietnam, cool and pleasant all year round, making this a popular destination for tourists wanting to escape the heat.
HOW ABOUT THE DISTANCE FROM HANOI TO SAPA?
From Hanoi to Sapa, it is not too far. With the development of transportation systems and means of transportation, getting to Sapa from Hanoi has become easier and faster than ever. With a distance of more than 300km, you only need to travel for about 5 – 8 hours with cheap prices and many amenities.
HOW TO GET SAPA FROM HANOI?
These are means of transport to help you move to Sapa easily and quickly:
TRAIN
BUS
MINIVAN
CAR
OPTION 1: FROM HANOI TO SAPA BY TRAIN
What is the timing of train?
Normally, there will be 2 trains departing daily from Hanoi to Lao Cai and back to Hanoi:
– Depart from Hanoi for Sapa at 21:35 – SP1 (8 hours)
– Depart from Hanoi for Sapa at 22:00 – SP3 (8 hours)
Both trains above will take you to Lao Cai City in about 8 hours. If you do not want to stay in Hanoi until night and go to Sapa earlier, you can choose the 21:35 trip. However, if you have just finished another journey and returned to Hanoi, or you simply want to see Hanoi at night longer, perhaps the 22:00 trip will be best for you.
Which companies can I book tickets?
Here are some companies of train that you book the tickets with: Chapa Express, Victoria Express, Fansipan Express, King Express, Sapaly Express,… Among them, Chapa and Victoria Express trains often have higher prices than the other trains, but the service of these carriages may be better.
And no matter what type of train or travel time you choose, make sure you book your tickets early enough because train tickets usually sell out quickly.
WHERE TO BOARD THE TRAIN TO SAPA?
Hanoi has several different train stations but both of the trains (SP.1 and SP3) move Hanoi to Sapa will leave at the same place – Hanoi Railways Station in Van Mieu, Dong Da, Hanoi. See the exact location at Google Map.
If you hold Vietnam Railways-issued tickets, you should enter at the main A Station building on Le Duan Street. There is no need to check in – just show your e-ticket to the steward when boarding the train. But if you don’t book the train tickets at Vietnam Railways, you need to take your tickets voucher to the office of trains companies and exchange them to the paper tickets before you can get the train.
Normally, with trains like King Express, Chapa Express,… you will be present at the entrance to station 6 – Tran Quy Cap Station to meet the train company’s staff and exchange tickets. When you come to the train, just show the staff on train about your paper tickets and they will show you about your cabin and your bed.
Noted: Both of the train from Hanoi to Sapa only drop off you at Lao Cai city, so from there to Sapa (38km), you need to take another transportation to get Sapa center from there. So please make sure that you arrange the train from Hanoi to Sapa and bus or private car from Hanoi to Sapa already before you do.
OPTION 2: HANOI TO SAPA BY BUS
Pros:
Good price, fast, comfortable, many departure times a day.
Cons:
Less safe, quite noisy
To get Sapa from Hanoi by bus will be a good choice if you love more about the transportation faster, cheaper than train. If you don’t have too much time but still want to come to Sapa early to participate in trekking activities, motorbike tours or explore Sapa yourself. By bus from Hanoi to Sapa, you will have 2 options: SLEEPER BUS OR CABIN BUS
Currently, there are many units providing sleeper buses running two-way Hanoi – Sapa as: Futa Hason, Sapa Open Tour G8, King Express, Sao Viet, Inter Bus Line, Fansipan Express,…
What is the different between SLEEPER BUS AND CABIN BUS?
These two types of buses will differ the most in terms of service quality and travel time. Depending on your needs and the amount of money you can spend on your trip, you can decide which type of vehicle is most suitable.
Here are some things about the differences between sleeper buses and VIP Cabin buses for you to easily choose:
* SLEEPER BUS: Sleeper buses are regular vehicles with a capacity of 44 passengers on board. This vehicle line is fully equipped with air conditioning and beds for each passenger; however there are no curtains or frames separating passengers from each other. It is cheap and suitable for large group. However, this sleeper buses also have some disadvantages: Stopped to pick up passengers many times along the way, runs slower than cabin buses, no private space for individuals/couples.
* CABIN VIP BUS: In contrast to conventional sleeper buses, Cabin Vip buses are modern and luxurious. It is divided into separate cabins for individuals or couples, do not stop along the way to pick up passengers. Vip Cabin buses will be suitable for couples or individuals who want private space in the car.
What is the bus timing from Hanoi to Sapa?
Buses from Hanoi to Sapa depart almost continuously every. However, depending on each car company, travel time and number of buses vary. Below are the departure times of bus companies from Hanoi to Sapa:
– Futa Hason: This company’s buses depart continuously every 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the type of sleeper bus or VIP cabin from 6:15Am to 11:30PM.
– Sapa Open Tour G8: 7:30AM, 10:45Pm, 11PM, 11:30PM
– King Express: 7Am, 1:30PM, 10Pm
– Sao Viet: This company’s buses depart continuously every 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the type of sleeper bus or VIP cabin from 6:00Am to 00:30AM.
– Inter Bus Line: 6:30Am, 1Pm, 9:15PM
– Fansipan Express: 7Am, 10PM.
How to book a bus ticket from Hanoi to Sapa?
There are many ways to book a bus ticket from Hanoi to Sapa. You can go directly to the bus office to buy tickets, through the hotel reception where you stay or buy tickets online.
Currently, all the bus companies have offices in Hanoi’s Old Quarter area and bus stations in Hanoi, so if you want to book a bus ticket, it becomes easier. Besides, you can book tickets online through ticket booking channels and websites. Bus offices in Hanoi where you can buy tickets directly: Futa Hason, Sapa Open Tour G8, King Express, Sao Viet, Inter Bus Line, Fansipan Express,…
Therefore, please check carefully which type of bus you want to take (sleeper or cabin), choose the time and book early to make sure you have a bus ticket.
OUR BEST PICK UP FOR THE MOST COMFORTABLE FROM HANOI TO SAPA IS FUTA HASON BUS
The Futa Hason Bus details as bellow:
– Sleeper bus (15USD/per person/per way): This is a single bed (not private) that you can sleep on the way.
– Single cabin sleeper bus (20USD/per person/ per way): This is a single bed in a private cabin for 1 person
– Double cabin sleeper bus (35USD/per person/per way): This is a small private cabin for 2 people with massage, TV, air conditioning,…
The bus timing from Hanoi to Sapa and back:
– From Hanoi to Sapa: 6:15Am, 9:30Am, 11:20Am, 3:30PM, 10:30PM, 11:15Pm and 11:50Pm for CABIN BUS; 6h3009:15Am, 11:00Am, 12:30Pm, 1:30Pm, 3:15Pm, 10:00Pm, 10:30PM, 11:00Pm, 11:20PM and 23h50 for SLEEPER BUS
– From Sapa to Hanoi: 08h30, 1h30, 13h30, 14h00, 15h30, 18h00, 23h00, 23h30 for CABIN BUS; 07h30, 09h30, 12h30, 13h00, 15h00, 16h45, 19h30, 22h45, 23h00, 23h30 for SLEEPER BUS