Sapa to Hanoi tickets

	Distance 253 km (158.1 miles)
	Price range US$ 7-US$ 297
	Ride Duration Range 4h 30m-8h 30m
	Earliest Departure 17:30
	Latest Departure 23:30
	Most Popular Operator Sapa Dragon Express

Taking a bus from Sapa to Hanoi is very affordable and convenient. You never have to worry about missing a bus because they make transfers all throughout the day. It can get very hot, wet, and humid during the summer months in Vietnam, so try and plan a trip during the Spring or Autumn. Hanoi is great for sightseeing, with plenty of museums, temples, and ancient architecture to visit. It’s known especially for its great food and fine art.

Taking a bus from Sapa to Hanoi

Fastest bus: 4h 30m

Cheapest bus: US$ 7

The fastest: 4h 30m

The cheapest: US$ 7

Pros

Free cancellations

Inexpensive

Replaces night accommodation

Comfortable sleeper buses

Incredible views from window

Cons

Departure time limited to specific time of day

Long journey

Bumpy ride

Shared cabin: possibly crowded

POSSIBLE AMENITIES:

A/C

Food

Blanket

Charger

Reclining Seats

English Speaking Staff

Wifi

The fastest: 7h 50m

The cheapest: US$ 26

Pros

Great Vietnamese experience

Modern train experience

English speaking services

Toilet on board

Clean cabins

Cons

Long journey

Makes no stops

Shared bathroom

Noisy

POSSIBLE AMENITIES:

A/C

Blanket

Food

Wifi

Charger

English Speaking Staff

Wheelchair accessibility

The fastest: 5h 30m

The cheapest: US$ 17

Pros

Possible to cancel

Flexible pick up

Efficient service

Soft seats

Consistent, accessible pricing

Cons

Mountaneous road

Shared van: possibly cramped

A/C on high

Driver lottery

Speedy driving

POSSIBLE AMENITIES:

A/C

Charger

English Speaking Staff

Food

Reclining Seats

Wifi

Blanket

The fastest: 5h 30m

The cheapest: US$ 106

Pros

Luggage allowance

Air conditioned cabin

Super flexible departure time

Many different types of cars available (sedans, SUVs)

English speaking service provided

Cons

Expensive service

Long journey

Not eco friendly

Airport pick up/drop off available for extra fee ($20)

POSSIBLE AMENITIES:

A/C

English Speaking Staff

About the ride from Sapa to Hanoi

You’ve been hiking through the tranquil rice fields of Sapa. You’ve learned about the lifestyle of the Indigenous cultures who live there. Now it’s time to run full steam ahead into the frenetic capital city of Hanoi.

The two tourist hotspots couldn't be more different. And that is precisely why you need to travel between them — to get a comprehensive taste of just how incredibly diverse Vietnam is.

It is a frequently traveled path, so you have several transportation choices for the journey between Sapa and Hanoi. From Sapa, you’ll travel 194 miles (313 km) southeast via a:

Bus
Train
Car
Minivan

No matter which method you choose, you’re looking at a half-day of travel at a minimum. So get cozy, relax, and chill because once you get to Hanoi, there is no rest for the weary. There is too much to do and see.

Five must-do experiences in Hanoi

You could spend days just wandering the streets, stumbling upon hidden gems, but if you need a game plan, here are some must-do experiences:

Get lost in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. This chaotic yet charming maze of narrow streets, vendors, and a buzzing market is where you can hunt for souvenirs and people-watch from a tiny plastic stool. It has that genuine Hanoi vibe!

Try egg coffee at Café Giảng. Egg coffee is a Hanoi specialty. Sip the strong Vietnamese coffee topped with a sweet, frothy egg yolk mixture at Café Giảng. It’s the OG spot to try it.

Experience the thrill of Train Street. This Insta-famous spot is an active railway track lined with tiny cafés. Grab a drink, sit just inches from the tracks, and feel the adrenaline as a train speeds past.

Catch the Thang Long Water Puppet Show. This quirky and entertaining show brings Vietnam’s folklore to life through traditional puppetry and live music. Grab an English audio guide so you don’t miss out on the stories behind the performances.

Eat your way through the city on a street food tour. From piping hot bowls of pho to crusty banh mi, Hanoi’s street food is legendary. Hop on the back of a motorbike with a local guide and let them take you to all the best (and sometimes hidden) food spots.

How to get from Sapa to Hanoi

You’ve got options, my friend. Four of them to be exact.

Let’s break down the choices so you can see which mode of transportation works best for your time, budget, and patience.

Bus:

Duration: 5-7 hours

Price: Starts at $9

The good news about a lot of buses in Vietnam is that they are super modern and comfortable. Even for long hauls like the one from Sapa to Hanoi, you’ll be able to rest while you travel. No more waking up in your destination like a zombie. You’ll be relaxed and raring to go.

Even the cheapest bus has comfy seats and AC, and some offer blankets, water and WiFi. However, don’t count on the internet for anything major. You are driving through the countryside, often in very rural areas, so you might not always have a signal. Be prepared and download your favorite podcasts, music, books, or whatever you need to make the trip whizz by.

If your bus doesn't have a bathroom, the driver will stop for breaks. Even if there is a WC on board, they usually stop for people to stretch.

There are dozens of bus operators with multiple departure and arrival locations — try to find one close to your accommodations. Additionally, there are so many departure times per day that it’ll be easy to find one that works for your schedule. Use the sidebar to filter down departure times if needed.

Pro tip: A Sleeping Bus doesn’t always mean it travels overnight. It means your seats are so far reclined that you are basically lying down. But when it is an overnight trip, you save money on accommodation — a win-win!

Train:

Duration: 6-8.5 hours

Price: Starts at $29

Train travel in Vietnam can be pretty luxurious. You can have a bed in a four-person cabin with AC, blankets, WiFi, outlets and a bathroom. Generally, the more you spend, the more amenities you’ll get, but the price only increases minimally. So, it’s worth looking at what a few bucks more might buy you.

Some cabins have four beds, others just two. If you don’t want to share, you’ll need to buy the whole cabin; otherwise, you’ll meet some new travel buddies.

You depart Sapa Lao Cai Train Station and arrive at Hanoi Central Train Station feeling refreshed. There are various departure times daily, but go for the latest one, and you’ll save on accommodations.

Car:

Duration: 5.5 hours

Price: Starts around $116 per vehicle.

If you decide to hire a car to get from Sapa to Hanoi, it’s a private transfer in a modern car or SUV.

It’s a great option if you want door-to-door service because they’ll pick you up from your hotel in Sapa and drop you off at your hotel or the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. You’ll get to choose a time that works for your schedule.

You are paying for the convenience but not by much. An SUV with up to five people will take you from your hotel to the airport for around $116 per vehicle. Going to a hotel instead? That’ll cost you $133. Once you split that between your traveling party of five, it costs around $23-26 per person.

Another perk of private travel is stopping whenever your bladder or legs need it. It’s your journey. You can even stop to look at the side-of-the-road vistas.

Minivan:

Duration: 5.5-6 hours

Price: Starts at $15 for a seat in a shared minivan and $150 for your own private ride.

Most minivans heading from Sapa to Hanoi are shared transfers. They are more affordable, but you're sharing space with other travelers. If that’s not your speed, opt for a private transfer.

With both options, you can choose door-to-door service. It’s pretty much the same details as with a car but on a bigger scale.

If you are traveling with a small group, you can share the cost of a private van and keep the costs super low.

When is the best time to visit Hanoi?

The ideal time to visit Hanoi is from February to April and September to November when the weather is mild and pleasant. Spring and autumn bring comfortable temperatures and lower humidity, making it ideal for wandering the city's streets and soaking up its charm.

Avoid summer (May to August), when temperatures soar to 82–95ºF (28–35ºC) with high humidity and frequent heavy rain — especially in July and August, which are the wettest months.

Winter (December to January) can be surprisingly chilly. With temperatures dropping below 50ºF (10ºC), the damp air can make it feel even colder.