How to Get to Sapa from Hanoi by Bus: Practical Guide and Booking tips
You need to get to Sapa from Hanoi and you’re looking for a cheap option, or maybe you just want to experience Vietnam’s unique sleeper buses? Good idea: it’s an affordable, fairly comfortable, and super convenient way to reach the mountains of northern Vietnam.
Here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip step by step.
Booking Your Ticket: Quick and Easy with 12go.asia
No need to look for an agency on-site or wait until the last minute — you can book your ticket online in just a few minutes on 12go.asia.
It’s easy:
- Enter your dates,
- Compare companies, schedules, and bus types,
- Pay online (card or PayPal),
- And receive your ticket by email.
Some companies even offer pickup from Hanoi’s Old Quarter, so you don’t need to go all the way to the bus station.
Types of Buses: Choose What Works for You
Sleeper Bus 🛏️
- No seats: you are lying down in a kind of individual sleeper, often made of hard plastic or synthetic leather
- Two or three rows of bunk-style beds
- Blanket, pillow, sometimes USB outlets and Wi-Fi
- Good for sleeping, but be aware: space is quite tight if you’re tall
Love Bus 💕
- Double beds designed for two people, like a small mattress
- Perfect if you’re traveling as a couple or with a friend
- ⚠️ Note: If you book alone, you may end up sharing your bed with a stranger. Make sure to check the photos and reviews before booking if this makes you uncomfortable.
VIP Bus 🌟
- Same sleeping setup, but with fewer passengers, more space, and a more modern interior
- Better bedding, soft lighting, sometimes individual screens
- Quieter and more comfortable — ideal if you want a good night’s sleep
👉 Make sure to check the photos when booking: layouts vary from one company to another.
Duration, Price & Departure Times
- Travel time: between 5.5 and 7 hours (depending on traffic and weather)
- Average price: between 250,000 and 450,000 VND (about €10 to €18)
- Most companies make one or two stops along the way for food or bathroom breaks
Day Bus or Night Bus? 🌓
- Day buses: depart between 6am and 9am – you can enjoy the scenery (but you lose some of your day)
- Night buses: depart between 9pm and 10pm – you sleep during the trip and save on a night of accommodation
What to Bring for the Trip
Even though the buses are well equipped, it’s better to have:
- 🧥 A sweater or scarf (AC is often very cold)
- 📱 Your ticket (printed or on your phone)
- 🎧 Earphones or earplugs
- 🥤 A bottle of water + a small snack
- 🔋 A power bank (especially if you’re traveling at night)
By bus, you’ll arrive directly in the center of Sapa, ready to explore the terraced rice fields, ethnic villages, and the fresh mountain air.
Need a hand planning the rest of your trip (accommodation, hikes, return to Hanoi…)? Don’t hesitate to contact us!
