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Modes of transportation to Sapa
With the advancement of transportation systems, getting to Sapa has become increasingly convenient. You have several options to choose from: bus, train, motorcycle, private car, airplane, and more.
Getting to nearby destinations from Sapa is relatively easy. However, for travelers living in distant provinces such as the Central or Southern regions, it's more challenging. Hence, you'll need to travel to Hanoi first before continuing your journey to Sapa.
Here's some basic information about popular transportation options to Sapa that you can consider.
Sleeper buses
Sleeper buses are a preferred mode of transportation to Sapa by many travelers. Nowadays, there are various types available, including single and double beds. Sleeper buses to Sapa offer spacious seating, smooth rides, ensuring passengers feel comfortable throughout the journey.
Sapa is a renowned scenic destination. Consequently, many transportation companies seize this business opportunity by operating routes from Hanoi to Sapa. Notable bus companies include Sapa Express, Inter Bus Line, Green Bus, Hà Sơn Hải Vân, among others. Ticket prices range from 180,000 VND to 500,000 VND depending on the company. It's advisable to book round-trip tickets to avoid sold-out situations.
Traveling to Sapa by sleeper bus
There are various departure times, but the optimal time is 10:00 PM. The journey from Hanoi to Sapa typically takes around 5 hours. Therefore, it's recommended to travel in the evening to utilize the travel time for rest and arrive early in the morning to begin exploring the area.
Train
Traveling to Sapa by train is also a favored option among many tourists due to its safety. You can travel from train stations in Hanoi to Lao Cai station, then opt for a taxi or motorbike taxi to cross the mountain pass to the town of Sapa. You can enjoy the scenery along the way unlike when traveling by road.
All trains on the Hanoi - Lao Cai route operate at night. A journey takes approximately 8 hours, departing at 21:30 and 22:00. There are 2 trains departing from Hanoi to Lao Cai and vice versa every day.
You can check train ticket prices from Sapaly Express, Victoria Express, Chapa Express, etc. Prices vary depending on the class (standard or premium), sleeper or seat, hard or soft seat, ranging from 250,000 VND to 1,800,000 VND.
>> Check out the detailed guide on traveling to Sapa by train.
Traveling to Sa Pa by train (@tanisi2000)
Motorcycles, personal cars
Traveling by personal vehicle allows you to be more proactive and flexible in your Sapa trip. The first important thing when deciding to travel by motorcycle or personal car is to determine the weather. Driving on unfamiliar long roads can be quite dangerous. Therefore, travelers should avoid visiting Sapa during the rainy season, usually in July or August. To find the most suitable time to visit Sapa, you can read the article 'When is the best time to visit Sapa?
The main routes you can choose are towards Lao Cai or towards Lai Chau. When traveling from Hanoi, the gasoline cost for motorcycles is about 250,000 VND. For cars, toll fees may apply when passing through these routes.
Airplane
For travelers coming from afar, airplanes are their top choice. Traveling by plane helps save both time and cost.
Currently, to travel to Sapa by airplane, you'll need to book a flight to Hanoi. From there, you can travel by car or train to reach the beautiful land of Sapa. There are several airlines with flights to Noi Bai Airport: Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways. Thus, travelers have a variety of options to choose from.
Soon, you'll be able to fly directly to Lao Cai Airport. From Lao Cai Airport, travelers can continue their journey approximately 4km further to reach the town of Sapa.
>> Discover in detail how to travel to Sapa by airplane
Traveling to Sapa by airplane (@tuanphotovn)
Transportation in Sapa
After a long journey to reach Sapa, exploring this beautiful land is a well-deserved reward. To explore the town, you can choose from the following transportation options in Sapa:
Renting a motorbike
Motorbikes are one of the popular means of transportation in Sapa. Many tourists love and choose to ride motorbikes because they can freely explore every corner of this misty town according to their own preferences. Motorbikes are also suitable for young adventurers, those with experience in traveling to Sapa. It's advisable to travel in groups to support each other. Some rental locations for motorbikes in Sapa you can consider are:
- Mr. Chinh - 44 Fansipan - 0988 628 515. Rental prices here are said to be the cheapest, starting from only 80,000 VND.
- Long Sapa - Sapa town - 0989 423 018. The price for renting a bike ranges from 100,000 VND to 130,000 VND depending on whether it's a scooter or a manual bike.
- Lao Cai Tourist Information Center - 2 Fansipan - Starting from only 100,000 VND per vehicle, you can rent a car here and roam the roads of Sapa at your leisure.
Renting a car
A car is suitable for tourists traveling in groups. This method has the advantage of not worrying much about the weather. However, a disadvantage of a car is that it can only be used for transportation outside. If you want to delve into the villages, you'll have to walk or rent a motorbike. Car rental prices start from 500,000 VND.
Renting a car to travel to Sapa (@younghee312)
Some reputable addresses that Mytour wants to recommend to you:
- Vietnam Discovery Travel Company: 31 Xuân Viên Street, Sapa Town. Phone: 098 4353 577 - 0912410410.
- Mai Long Travel Company: Tran Phu Alley, Group 10, Nam Cuong Ward, Lao Cai City. Phone: 0214.3.863.862 - 0868.333.883
- Mây Sa Pa Hotel: 139 Thach Son Street, Sapa Town. Phone: 0829 607 412 - 094 17 17 888
Hiking
Hiking is a fantastic way to exercise while enjoying the magnificent scenery. However, travelers need to have good health and necessary equipment to ensure safety during the hike. This method is also convenient because you don't have to worry about parking, theft, etc. However, hiking is suitable when moving between Sapa tourist spots that are close to each other.
Hiking to explore Sapa (@kirana_keekii)
Booking all-inclusive Sapa tours
To avoid worrying about transportation and meals throughout their journey to Sapa, travelers can opt for booking all-inclusive Sapa tours. The advantage of these tours is that they include all necessary services: transportation to and within Sapa, meals, Sapa hotels, entrance tickets, and a tour guide throughout the itinerary. Currently, there are many tour schedules to choose from, such as 2 days 1 night, 3 days 2 nights, 5 days 4 nights, 6 days 5 nights, etc. Each tour will have different sightseeing itineraries. Therefore, depending on individual preferences, you can choose a suitable tour. The price of all-inclusive Sapa tours ranges from approximately 1.5 million VND to 6 million VND per person.
Alternatively, if you want the freedom to explore, you can still book a Sapa travel combo. The advantage of this package is that it includes transportation and hotel rooms, offering both convenience and savings. Additionally, you can freely explore the area according to your preferences without being restricted like in all-inclusive tours.
Hope this article has helped you answer the question of how to travel to Sapa. Wish you all to choose the suitable means of transportation and have a memorable trip to Sa Pa!
Mytour Admin
Image source: Instagram, Internet
