Sa Pa is about 320 km from Hanoi. Since the expressway opened, the drive takes around 5 hours, and the old night train is no longer the obvious choice. Here are your options.
Your options
| Time | Price | What to expect | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night train + shuttle | 8 hours + 1 hour | Around 700,000 to 1,200,000 VND per person | The train goes to Lao Cai, not Sa Pa. You arrive at 6 in the morning and still need a 45 minute shuttle up the mountain. Romantic idea, broken night in practice. |
| Sleeper or limousine bus | 5.5 to 6.5 hours | Around 350,000 to 500,000 VND per person | Fixed times, fixed stops. The winding final climb in the back of a bus is where many people get carsick. Luggage space is limited. |
| Private car | About 5 hours | From 3,800,000 VND per car | Hotel to hotel. Stop for photos at the viewpoints on the climb, or for lunch halfway. Leave at the time that suits you. |
Which one should you take?
The bus is fine for solo travellers on a budget. But Sa Pa is where the private car makes a real difference: the last hour is a mountain climb full of switchbacks, and sitting in the front of a car beats lying in the back of a bus. With 3 or 4 people the car costs about 1,000,000 to 1,300,000 VND per person, and you keep your whole day.
Many guests combine this drive with our Ha Giang route or continue from Sa Pa to Halong Bay. Send us your route and we plan it as one trip.
Prices on this page were correct when we wrote it. They can change a little over time, for example when fuel prices change. We do our best to keep this page up to date, and we always confirm the exact price before you book.
How to book
- Send us a message with your dates and route. We reply the same day.
- No prepayment. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup.
- You pay the driver at the end, in VND, USD or euro. Gas, tolls and parking are included.
Contact us here or book directly on our transfer page.
See also: one driver for your whole trip and the full transfer price list.
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