Because located on the high mountain without an airport, there is the only road is accessible when you want to visit Sapa. The most popular way to travel to Sapa from Hanoi is by overnight train. But if you want to save money for your Sapa Vietnam tours, you can choose bus as the transporter to travel to Sapa from Hanoi. A new highway has been opened in 2014 is a big help for you not only to save your money but also save your time to come to Sapa.
Photo: Crossing travel
1. By train
If you go to Sapa from Hanoi by taking a train, it takes you about 8-9 hours to stop at Lao Cai station, in the same province with Sapa. Then you have to take a taxi or “Xe om” (rent motorbike) to get to Sapa.
You have a large choice of tourist trains operating the route from Hanoi in your Sapa Vietnam tours. Each company runs a carriage that is attached to the national train carrier. So that even the train you take is different but the road you will go through will be the same. As my experience, you should book a ticket in advance, and it is better if you can book during the peak time of the week include Hanoi to Lao Cai on Thursday and Friday and Lao Cai to Hanoi on Sunday and Monday. Because if you come to Sapa before Friday, you can join the special market fair in Bac Ha, a special occasion which attracts many visitors of Sapa tours for years.
The trains often depart at between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm, so that you can have a deep sleep before waking up and see the romantic mountain scenery at dawn. You also can choose the day train for your Sapa trekking tours but it is not as comfortable as night train because it takes longer to travel and makes more stops. And if you come Lao Cai station in the night, there is less time for you to explore many beautiful landscapes in your Sapa trekking.
The price of night train ticket is about $35-$180 per person per way. You can choose the Victoria express as the most expensive one to enjoy your trip as exclusively in-house guests.
The price of the day train ticket is about $10-$20 per person per way as the reasons I’ve said.
2. By bus/coach
There is a daily bus departing Hanoi at 6:30 am or 10:00 pm. One way trip takes between 6 and 7:00 hours.
Besides the train, you can choose bus/coach which depart from Hanoi at about 6:30 am to 10:00 pm. It just takes about 6 – 7 hours to get to Sapa by bus/coach. Going by bus/coach is faster than going by train. Moreover, you can go directly to Sapa without stopping in Lao Cai station as going by train.
To the peace of mind and comfortable you should arrive before the coach pick-up time about 30 minutes. The coach departure has a specific departure time you can find out easily before go on your trekking tour. You can catch the car of Vietbus, Sao Viet, Hung Thanh … At My Dinh bus station or 284 Giai Phong. The advantage of going by bus/coach is to go straight to Sapa town and not stop at any station, the coach also runs overnight like a train. However, going by bus may be a problem in the rainy season. In addition, the road to Lao Cai, Sapa quite many bumpy slopes.
Get to Sapa from Hanoi by berth coach in your Sapa Vietnam trekking tours you need to grasp the following details: For those who are sick car prepared nylon bag, should choose floor 1 to ease up and down the coach as the coach passes the crab pass. In the coach, you get a bag of nylon to put on your slippery shoes because you will not be wearing shoes on the bed. Seat belts, especially with the upstairs bed should be more careful.
The train is an ideal vehicle to go to Sapa if you are the sick car. You should think carefully before you choose one of two way I’ve recommended, not only to save your money but also can help you feel the most convenient in your Sapa Vietnam tours.
