Sapa is a lovely town located in the northern region of Vietnam, close to the border with China, approximately 200 miles (320 km) away from the nation’s capital, Hanoi. To get to Sapa, there are many possible options such as hiring a taxi after getting off the train at Lao Cai, or using a private transfer, tourist bus, public bus, motorbike, or rental car. Additionally, you can also visit Sapa as part of a tour from Ha Giang, like this amazing Insightful Northwest Adventure 7 Days, this 7 days Spectacular Northwest Journey from Dien Bien Phu or this 2-week Vietnam Highlights tour starting from Hanoi.
Popular routes to get to Sapa
Getting to Sapa involves traversing picturesque routes from various starting points. Here, we unveil the most popular routes to get to Sapa so you can embark on your adventure seamlessly.
Hanoi to Sapa
The journey from Hanoi to Sapa is a classic route, favored by many travelers seeking to escape the bustling city life for the tranquil beauty of Sapa. The distance from Hanoi to Sapa is approximately 320 kilometers (200 miles) when traveling by road. The most common route is via the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway. The journey typically takes around 5 to 6 hours by car or bus, depending on traffic conditions and the mode of transportation. It’s worth noting that Sapa is located in the mountainous region of northern Vietnam, so the road can be winding and hilly.
Ha Giang to Sapa
For those craving a more off-the-beaten-path adventure, traveling from Ha Giang to Sapa promises an unforgettable experience. How far from Ha Giang to Sapa? It is approximately 320 kilometers (200 miles) when traveling by road. The most common route is via the QL2 and QL4D highways. The journey usually takes around 7 to 8 hours by car or bus, depending on traffic conditions and the mode of transportation. It’s important to note that the route from Ha Giang to Sapa involves driving through mountainous terrain with winding roads, so the travel time can be longer due to the challenging road conditions.
Dien Bien Phu to Sapa
Traveling from Dien Bien Phu to Sapa offers a unique opportunity to explore lesser-known regions of Vietnam. The distance from Dien Bien Phu to Sapa is approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) when traveling by road. The most common route is via the QL12 and QL4D highways. The journey typically takes around 7 to 8 hours by car or bus, depending on traffic conditions and the mode of transportation.
How to travel from Hanoi to Sapa?
There are different kinds of transport that you can use to go to the mountainous countryside from Hanoi. Here we put together three popular ones for you:
Overnight train
Traveling by train brings great advantages, especially for those who want safety and comfort with a modest budget. Besides, you can sleep conveniently on the train without the fear of losing way in the dark. However, one shortcoming is that it will take you more time to travel from Hanoi to Sapa by train.
There are three sleeper trains leaving Hanoi’s Main Station each evening, at 20:35 (SP7), 21:10 (SP1) and 21:50 (SP3). You will set your foot in Lao Cai at about 5 or 6 am of the following day. The final 34 kilometers to Sapa can be traveled by minibus or private transfer. The ticket price for Vietnam Railways generally ranges from VND 410,000 – 450,000 (approx US$16.42 – 18.17 ), depending on the type of seat or bed.
You can choose to buy offline a ticket at Tran Quy Cap station or to book online through the website of Vietnam Railways Corporation. It is highly recommended that you should book your ticket in advance about 1 month before your North Vietnam tour during tourist season and 1 week if your tour is not in the height of tourist time.
Sleeper bus
Alternatively, opt for a sleeper bus departing from Hanoi. These comfortable buses offer overnight journeys, allowing you to arrive in Sapa refreshed and ready to explore.
What’s more, you are likely to make friends with new people during your bus journey. Features that make buses better than trains is that they take you less time to travel (about 5 hours); and the number of buses is various, compared to trains: sleeper bus, express bus, night bus, etc. Yet, the space on a bus is normally smaller than that on a train. And there are also pickpockets so it is not a good idea to keep your all valuables in one place.
From Hanoi, it is possible to start your Sapa tour at My Dinh station or Gia Lam station. The ticket fare and the depart time of each bus are different from the others. You are able to select a suitable time to begin your trip with the ticket fare ranging from VND 250,000 to 400,000.
Private car
Free and flexible are the first two words to describe when referring to commuting by private car. You could contact Vietnam tour companies for private car arrang start to move every time you feel ready; and also, you would feel free with your luggage as the trunk would deal with this. One outstanding feature of using a car is that it helps you to go directly to Sapa town from Hanoi. In case of taking a tour with the whole family, parents don’t have to be afraid that their children would disturb other passengers and that they would become lost. Nonetheless, fuel is an issue that the driver needs to care about as petrol stations sometimes prove few and far between.
If getting Sapa by private car is your choice, then here are the suggested route for you: Centre of Hanoi – Thang Long Bridge – Noi Bai Airport – Noi Bai – Lao Cai expressway – National Highways 4D – Sapa town. The distance between Hanoi and Sapa has been reduced significantly thanks to the completion of Noi Bai – Lao Cai expressway in 2014.
How to travel from Ha Giang to Sapa?
To travel from Ha Giang to Sapa, you have a few options depending on your preferences and budget. Here are two common routes:
Bus
From Ha Giang, make your way to Ha Giang City. You can hire a local taxi or take a local bus depending on availability. In Ha Giang City, head to the Ha Giang Bus Station. There should be several buses departing to Lao Cai City, which is the nearest city to Sapa.
Take a bus from Ha Giang to Lao Cai City. The journey usually takes around 6 to 8 hours. Once you reach Lao Cai City, you can take a local bus or hire a taxi to Sapa, which is approximately 38 kilometers away. The journey from Lao Cai to Sapa takes around 1 to 1.5 hours.
Motorbike
If you’re comfortable riding a motorbike, you can rent one in Ha Giang and ride to Sapa. The route is scenic but can be challenging, with winding mountain roads. From Ha Giang, take the QL4C highway towards Tam Son town.
Continue on QL4C until you reach Yen Minh town. From there, take DT176 to Dong Van town. In Dong Van, take the DT4 road to Meo Vac town. From Meo Vac, take QL34 to Bao Lac town, and then continue on QL34 to Cao Bang City. In Cao Bang City, take QL3 to Bac Kan City, and then continue on QL3 to Lao Cai City. Finally, take QL4D from Lao Cai to Sapa.
Note: The motorbike option requires good riding skills, knowledge of the route, and proper safety gear. Make sure to check road conditions and weather forecasts before embarking on this journey.
It’s always a good idea to check the latest transportation options and schedules, as they may change over time. Additionally, consider the weather and road conditions during your travel planning, as they can affect the journey, especially in mountainous regions like Ha Giang and Sapa.
How to get to Sapa from Dien Bien Phu?
Bus
Head to the Dien Bien Phu Bus Station in Dien Bien Phu City. There should be buses departing to Lai Chau City, which is the nearest city to Sapa. Take a bus from Dien Bien Phu to Lai Chau City. The journey usually takes around 4 to 5 hours. Once you reach Lai Chau City, you can take a local bus or hire a taxi to Sapa, which is approximately 105 kilometers away. The journey from Lai Chau to Sapa takes around 3 to 4 hours.
Motorbike
If you’re comfortable riding a motorbike, you can rent one in Dien Bien Phu and ride to Sapa. From Dien Bien Phu, take the QL12 highway towards Muong Lay town. Continue on QL12 until you reach Lai Chau City. In Lai Chau City, take QL4D to Sapa.
Suggestions for best Sapa tours
Above is three main kinds of transport that are often used to travel from Hanoi to Sapa. If you don’t find them suitable, you can think of other types of vehicles for your North Vietnam tours like motorbike, taxi or rental car. By providing useful information, we hope that you will be satisfied with your decision!
