Sapa is a small picturesque town in Vietnam located within the province of Lao Cai. Filled within a mountain landscape backdrop, incredible terraced rice paddies and lush green valleys, this town is a beautiful destination to visit. There are many hiking trails that you can trek along to enjoy the breathtaking views, or if you are looking for something more adventurous you can take part in activities such as rafting and cycling. You can also spend your day relaxing in the town, wandering through the streets, tasting the flavours of the area, and embracing their interesting culture. If you are looking to travel from Hanoi to Sapa then you can check out how to do this and book your ticket online with 12Go throughout this blog.
HOW TO GET FROM HANOI TO SAPA
Throughout this blog I am going to delve into the details of how you can travel from Hanoi to Sapa and pre-book your ticket online. I will go through the 4 options of travel currently available for you to make the journey via, including the departure and arrival times as well as stations, how long the commute will take, and the pricing of each ticket, which will then make it easier for you to find the most ideal trip to suit your travel plans.
Within this article I am also going to explain information that is good to know before booking your ticket online and travelling from Hanoi to Sapa, so that you don’t have to do all of the research. Once I have gone through all of the journey and ticket booking points, I will then talk about key points that are great to know for your trip to Sapa, ensuring that you have an amazing time there.
BEST WAY TO BOOK A TICKET ONLINE FROM HANOI TO SAPA
If you don’t have the time right now to read through this whole article ahead of booking your ticket online from Hanoi to Sapa, then the quick information you will want to know is the best way to do this. The most reliable platform to pre-book your travel ticket online is through 12Go. This platform allows you to see the different options of journeys available, alongside all of the details you will need to know for the commute, and allows you to have a communication point if you should need to change anything around your travel plans.
However, if you have the time to continue reading then I would suggest you do so, as I am also going to let you know about the best time to visit Sapa, how long you will want to spend there as well as the must-do bucket list activities to check out.
4 OPTIONS OF TRAVEL FROM HANOI TO SAPA
These are the current options available for travelling from Hanoi to Sapa and details that are great to know about the journey…
Option 1 – Bus
This is a great way to travel from Hanoi to Sapa as it is one of the quickest forms of public transport to take as well as being very affordable in ticket prices. The commute time can take from 4 hours and 55 minutes up to 8 hours and 15 minutes, with tickets costing between $10 and $49 per person or if you book a private bus that can host nine to twelve people, the cost of these are between $245 and $248.
There are several departure stations in Hanoi and a few arrival stations in Sapa with over 500 buses running per day, making it a form of transport that will be able to suit your ideal travel plans. To find more information around timings of buses from Hanoi to Sapa, check out all of the available options on 12Go.
Option 2 – Taxi
There are roughly fifteen taxis running per day from Hanoi to Sapa costing between $149 and $471 per vehicle, hosting from 3 to 15 people each. The commute time for this form of transport can be as short as 3 hours and 55 minutes or as long as 5 hours and 20 minutes, with departure stations in Hanoi Noi Bai Airport, city centre or train station and arrival stations at Sa Pa Lao Cai or city centre.
When booking this option of travel, you can choose your preferred departure time which you can determine by the time you would like to arrive at Sapa for. For more information around booking a taxi online from Hanoi to Sapa, head over to 12Go.
Option 3 – Train
Another travel option to pre-book online from Hanoi to Sapa is the train, costing $30 to $160 per person, and taking between 7 hours to 8 hours and 55 minutes in commute time. You have different options for your comfort in travel which include first class sleeper, VIP sleeper, private cabins and shared cabins. These trains depart from Sapa and arrive into Sapa Lao Cai where you will then have to take a transfer to Sapa centre. Pre-book your ticket online with 12Go.
Option 4 – Overnight train – [Vietnam Rail] Train to Sapa From Hanoi & Vice Versa
Here you have a comfortable way to travel from Hanoi to Sapa. This train takes 8 hours in commute time and only costs $31 per person. There are different options for the style of cabin you can book, with the choice of private or shared and you can also decide the travel operator you would prefer to go with depending on if they have options available for your ideal day of travel.
KEY POINTS
Here are some great things to know ahead of booking your ticket online and making the commute from Hanoi to Sapa…
Most affordable way to get from Hanoi to Sapa
The cheapest way to travel from Hanoi to Sapa is with one of the buses which take 6 hours in commute time as these only cost $10 per ticket and can be pre-booked online to ensure that you don’t miss out on your preferred departure time.
Quickest way to get from Hanoi to Sapa
The fastest way to commute from Hanoi to Sapa is with a taxi operated by VTS and departing from Hanoi Noi Bai Airport as this takes just 3 hours and 55 minutes in travel time.
Arrival times at departure stations
- Bus
You are asked to arrive between 30 to 60 minutes before the stated time of departure from Hanoi to Sapa. I would suggest arriving 60 minutes before you are due to leave, as this will give you time to ensure you have everything you need ahead of your journey.
- Taxi
There is no specific time which you need to arrive for when travelling from Hanoi to Sapa with a taxi, however extra charges may occur if you are late for pick up, so arriving at the departure station 15 minutes ahead of the leaving time would be a great idea. - Train and overnight train
When travelling from Hanoi to Sapa with a train, there is no stated time you will need to arrive at the departure station for, although if you are not there ready and waiting for when the train arrives, there is a chance you will miss it.
Luggage allowance for each form of transport
- Bus
Your luggage should not exceed 15 kg per person when travelling via bus from Hanoi to Sapa.
- Taxi
Each passenger is allowed to take 1 suitcase and 1 piece of hand luggage with them in their taxi from Hanoi to Sapa.
- Train and overnight train
With this form of transport from Hanoi to Sapa, each person can take up to 20 kg of luggage with them.
Additional information when travelling with a bus
Here are some more key points when travelling by bus from Hanoi to Sapa…
- When checking in and boarding your bus from Hanoi to Sapa, you will need to show your 12Go ticket.
- Depending on traffic, the commute time of your journey may be slightly longer than stated.
- The operating companies ask for you to wear a mask but this is not mandatory.
HOW TO BOOK A TICKET ONLINE FROM HANOI TO SAPA
The best and most convenient way to pre-book your ticket online from Hanoi to Sapa is via the booking platform 12Go. This site allows you to compare the different options of travel, alongside discovering all of the information you will need to know before boarding your chosen form of transport. Other benefits to using 12Go include;
- Having a point of contact before your journey
- Guarantee of making any connections needed
- Securing your preferred journey
HOW TO GET TO DEPARTURE STATIONS IN HANOI
Before embarking upon your journey from Hanoi to Sapa you will need to first get to the departure station ahead of your trip. There are a handful of options which you can choose from which are;
- Public bus
- Taxi
- Xe Om (Motorcycle taxi)
- Cyclo (A fun and authentic form of transport)
Before deciding on which form of transport to choose, you will need to double check the arrival time that you need to be at the departure station for ahead of your journey, as this could be the deciding factor for which option you will take.
HOW TO GET TO YOUR FINAL DESTINATION IN SAPA
Once you have arrived from Hanoi to Sapa you will then need to commute to your final destination within the town. First and foremost, one of the best ways to get around Sapa is by foot, although, if your luggage is too big to transport this way you do have some other options to choose from. In Sapa you are also able to take transport such as local buses, taxis and motorbikes.
BEST TIME TO VISIT SAPA
Ensuring you get to experience Sapa at its finest is what will make your trip unforgettable. The best time to visit this beautiful destination is within the months of September and October as this is when the views of the rice terraces are picture perfect with the weather conditions being cool and dry making it ideal for trekking. During this period of time you will get to admire the rice fields at their most golden colour and wake up to mystical scenery with the morning dew.
HOW LONG TO SPEND IN SAPA
You will want to make sure that you have scheduled in enough time to explore around the breathtaking town, hike through several trails to get the best views overlooking the golden rice fields and also get to experience the culture of the area. If you are wanting a short trip to Sapa then 2 days can be enough time but you will have a jam packed itinerary. To slow down slightly and get to embrace your time to its fullest, spending 4 days here is perfect. Alongside this, booking an early trip from Hanoi to Sapa also allows you to have a full first day which isn’t taken up too much by travelling.
MUST-DO ACTIVITIES IN SAPA
These are brilliant things to do on your trip in Sapa…
Go trekking
This has to be at the top of your Sapa bucket list of things to do. The awe-inspiring town is filled with trails you can follow and is an absolute paradise for those who love to hike. You will be amazed by the stunning views you will get to witness, and with treks for all levels of ability, this is a great activity for everyone.
Mount Fansipan
Here you have the highest peak in Vietnam but don’t let that put you off from visiting it if you think the hike might be too much. Sapa hosts a cable car that takes you up to near the peak, making it more accessible for those who want to check out the incredible views but aren’t up to hiking from the town to the top.
Silver waterfall
Enjoy a refreshing experience underneath this beautiful landmark spot. Many people go here to watch as the sunlight shines through the waters, making it sparkle and create a rejuvenating atmosphere. There are also trails around the Silver waterfall which are great for hiking along.
Sapa museum
If you are interested in finding out more about the history and culture of Sapa then you will definitely want to check out their museum. Located just by the Sapa station, you can view different exhibits that tell stories of the town, and it can be seen all for free.
Explore local villages
Another great activity to do which will allow you to see more of the gorgeous area within and surrounding Sapa is wander through the different villages. You will be able to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of lush greenery, mountainous backdrops and golden rice fields.
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