The best mean of transport to Lao Cai and Sapa is still the train, however, car or van can be also good to reach to this beautiful mountain town.

It will take about 10 hours (not including possible traffic jams) in a distance of 400 km from Hanoi. Although, there is not much of sightseeing we can make en route.

We strongly recommend to travel by train, but for some reasons, you would wish to travel there by car, please check with one of our travel consultants to see the road conditions since it sometimes has construction and will make your journey to Sapa even longer than 10 hours.

Road travel should be at day time.

Tip: We hardly see people traveling by road to Sapa, night train simply the best option so far.

See also other FAQs

What should I bring as a gift to the homestay family?

Will it be cold in Sapa?

How does sleeping work in the homestays?

How do I prepare before going to the homestay?

What kind of food will we eat at the homestay?

What types of activities should we expect to be participating in at the homestay?

Are we sleeping with the family at the village in the same house? Do we eat with the locals at the homestay?

What do you mean by CBT homestay?

What kind of shoes should we use for trekking in Sapa?

How do you define: easy trekking, intermediate & hard trekking?

Is there anywhere in Sapa or Lao Cai, that we can get changed, have a shower, and leave luggage before our trekking?

Is your local guide waiting for us at the train station of Lao Cai?

How far is that from Lao Cai to Sapa and mean of transport?

Is there a day train to Lao Cai (Sapa)?

Is there a sleeper train to Sapa? What is it like?

Before our night train to Sapa, do you have a place where we can leave luggage?

When is the best time to visit Sapa?