Hanoi to Sapa by bus: Schedule, overnight and budget friendly options

Sapa is that place where you can easily live the luxury adventure in Vietnam, but it is also attractive to backpackers. As one of the main tourist hubs in the country, it is easy to get to Sapa, and one of the most budget-friendly ways is taking a bus.

Taking a bus from Hanoi to Sapa is very easy, and the journey, even though long, it’s smooth. Within about a six-hour journey, through thick forest, greenish landscape, and high waterfall, you will reach 1,600 metres above sea level, surrounded only by nature.

This guide about how to get from Hanoi to Sapa by bus will simplify the steps to book the right ticket and check schedules against prices.

If you are a backpacker like us, this is the right guide for you. The bus from Hanoi to Sapa is one of the cheapest options to reach the mountains from the capital.

Why Choose the Bus?

Let’s start by explaining why taking the bus is an excellent option. First, it’s budget-friendly. Compared to other modes of transport, buses are often the cheapest way to get from Hanoi to Sapa.

But it’s also straightforward, as you don’t have to show up early, like at an airport, change trains, or check directions. You hop on the bus in Hanoi, sit back, and enjoy the ride straight to Sapa.

Our experience taking the bus from Hanoi to Sapa and return

We woke up early to catch our bus. The excitement of heading to Sapa made it easy to rise before dawn. As we walked to the pickup point, it was nice to see the city waking up so active.

Our journey from Hanoi to Sapa was one of the best and smooth, even though we didn’t pay as much as other bus transport around the country, it felt like we won the lottery.

We will explain in detail where to take the bus and help you choose the best option for your needs. Also, check the buttons to book your ticket in advance, as they tend to be fully booked within days.

Leg 1: Hanoi to Sapa

Our first leg was on a standard sleeper bus. Despite booking the cheapest ticket, the journey was surprisingly comfortable. We had a double sleeper bed which made the journey even better. The bus made two stops, each about 20 minutes long, giving us time to stretch our legs, use the toilet, and grab a quick bite.

The ride was smooth, and we even managed to catch some sleep. The bus had charging ports, so we kept our devices juiced up and watched movies on our iPad.

If you are used to bus trips, you might also get some work done in between. The scenery is gorgeous when you pass Hanoi city and enter the mountainous landscape of Sapa and its valleys.

READ ALSO | Hanoi 3 days itinerary

Leg 2: The Return Trip – Sapa to Hanoi by bus

On our return journey, luck was on our side. Even though we had booked the cheapest ticket again, we got upgraded to a VIP luxury sleeper bus.

This bus was the definition of comfort – spacious seats, cosy blankets, fresh water, and snacks. The nap we had was fantastic, making the journey feel much shorter than it was.

Hanoi to Sapa by bus – Options

Here’s a breakdown of the types of buses you can take:

• Standard Sleeper Bus: Affordable, basic amenities, and comfortable enough for a 6-hour journey. Ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
• VIP Sleeper Bus: More expensive but offers extra comfort. Think larger seats, blankets, and sometimes even personal entertainment systems. We highly recommend this if you can snag an upgrade or if your budget allows.
• Overnight Bus: These buses leave Hanoi in the evening and arrive in Sapa early in the morning. Perfect if you want to save on accommodation for a night and maximise your daytime exploring.

Day bus from Sapa to Hanoi

Even though we often prefer overnight buses to save money on accommodation and avoid wasting a day, we went from Hanoi to Sapa during the day. This was mostly because the sleeper bus arrived too early in the morning to check in, and we couldn’t bother to stay around town with the backpacks too much.

The day bus was comfy, with enough room for us and length. If you book in advance through 12Go Asia, you can reserve seats in the front of the top deck so you get more space.

You can recline your seats, and don’t be shy to do that, everyone does. There is a socket to plug your device, which recharges nicely and smoothly. Depending on the bus you book, you might get water and snacks included. The departure point of the bus we took in Hanoi was at 26 P. Hang Tre.

Hanoi to Sapa overnight bus

The overnight bus from Hanoi to Sapa and vice versa is very convenient, as you will save some money on accommodation, putting those toward activities or better transportation. Many companies serve the route with a sleeper bus, which takes 6 to 7 hours, with two stops of 20/30 minutes in between.

When on a long trip in a country like Vietnam for a month, we tend to plan more overnight buses. I don’t know about you, but travelling during the night makes us not feel the journey completely.

Sapa Dragon Express offers the cheapest sleeper bus from Hanoi to Sapa. It is not the most comfortable, but you can reach the destination for just VND 175 ($7 | €6.40 | £5.5). Check the tickets here.

However, our most comfortable journey was on board the VIP22, which is also the fastest, covering the route in just 5 hours. It costs VND 420 ($17 | €15 | £13)— check the tickets.

Hanoi to Sapa VIP bus

We have introduced you to the VIP bus, which is the most comfortable way to get from Hanoi to Sapa and vice versa, even better than the train.

Usually, the VIP buses can accommodate only 18 to 24 passengers. The seats are fully reclined, ideal for an overnight trip. Sapa Ethnic Travel offers departures from Hanoi every hour from 7 AM to 1 AM.

These are the current departures for the VIP22 from Hanoi: 00:00, 01:00, 07:00, 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00, 22:00, 23:00

Hanoi to Sapa luxury bus

If you want to stay large, the upgraded option is to book a ticket from Hanoi to Sapa on a limousine bus. The luxury option has more space and offers only 20 tickets. It is the fastest service, with the most reliable service.

You can easily book the tickets on 12Go Asia in advance and just show up at the meeting point with your unique QR code. The luxury bus from Hanoi to Sapa has more departures, and Sapa Ethnic Travel also offers those.

The schedule for the bus is: 00:00, 01:00, 06:20, 07:00, 07:20, 08:00, 08:20, 09:00, 09:20, 10:00, 10:20, 11:00, 11:20, 12:00, 12:20, 13:00, 13:20, 14:00, 14:20, 15:00, 15:20, 16:00, 16:20, 17:00, 17:20, 18:00, 18:50, 19:00, 19:30, 20:00, 21:00, 21:50, 22:00, 22:35, 22:50, 23:00, 23:50.

Day bus VS sleeper bus

We’ve taken plenty of day buses and sleeper ones. In some we didn’t have much of a sleep, because of the noise, the wobbling, and continue honking. Other sleeper buses instead were amazing, plenty of room, comfortable and fewer people which makes it nicer.

The first thing we always say to friends is: adapt to travel to Vietnam. You’ll not always get the best bus, often pay premium doesn’t mean you get luxury.

Usually day buses are less comfortable than night buses, but it is also true that you’ll want to take them for shorter journeys.

While travelling to Vietnam in our last leg, we prioritized long journeys travelling on night buses (using extra cash saved from an overnight accommodation), and short journeys up to 6 hours by day buses – getting only seat tickets.

Tips for a smooth journey

• Book in Advance: Especially during peak seasons. This ensures you get the best seats and prices. Check here for deals!
• Pack Snacks and Water: Although some buses provide them, it’s always good to have your own.
• Carry a Power Bank: Even though buses have charging ports, a power bank is handy when you’re not near a plug.
• Dress in Layers: Buses can get cold with the air conditioning, so bring a sweater or light blanket (most buses provide a blanket, but your own is cleaner).
• Entertainment: Download movies, books, or podcasts to keep yourself entertained.

Getting to and from the Bus Station

In Hanoi, most buses depart from the Old Quarter. We found it easy to walk to the pickup point from our hostel (Sapa Central Hostel—Just $5 per night for a couple). If you’re staying further out, a quick taxi or Grab ride will get you there in no time.

In Sapa, the buses drop you off near the town centre. From there, it’s a short walk or a quick taxi ride to most hotels and hostels. We loved the convenience of stepping off the bus and almost immediately being at our accommodation.

Hanoi to Sapa bus or train?

The bus is often the best choice in Southeast Asia, and Vietnam is the same. Taking the bus from Hanoi to Sapa takes you directly into town; instead, the train will arrive at Lao Cao Station in Sapa, and you need to get a taxi or shared van.

This is one of the major advantages of taking the bus vs the train. Also, if you consider the overnight journey, cabins or sleeper pods on trains are more expensive than buses.

There are more options in terms of departure times for buses compared to trains. The train journey in Vietnam is awesome, and parts like Da Nang to Hue are rated as one of the best in the world; however, in terms of landscape, Hanoi to Sapa is either gorgeous by train or by bus.

How long are you staying in Sapa?

Stay in Sapa for at least 3 to 4 days to enjoy the town, the tribe villages and some hikes. You must know that Sapa is budget-friendly and ideal for backpackers. Staying in a home stay or in hostels in Sapa is the perfect way to balance your budget within an extended trip.

You can plan to stay even a week in Sapa without getting bored; the town is friendly, welcoming and very active during the day and at night. With so many activities, you can have a change of scenery every day.

Where to stay in Sapa?

We covered the entire topic in our deep guide to the best area to stay in Sapa. There are four specific locations where it is best to find accommodation.

Depending on your budget, you can get a cheap hostel from $3 in Sapa town, or go downtown toward Ta Van Village and stay either in a guesthouse (Sapa Soul – Our Favourite) for $6 per night or get a luxury stay at Supan Ecolodge and Spa. Below, we have included some of our favourite accommodations in Sapa for every budget.