Hanoi to Sapa: Sleeping Train vs. Sleeping Bus Review 2026

Hello, it's Moarang! :)

Today, for those planning a free and easy trip to Sapa, Vietnam,

let's talk about the travel method that many of you might be wondering about!

I'm going to share my firsthand experience with both the sleeping train and sleeping bus

from Hanoi to Sapa, and compare them for you.

During my trip to Hanoi and Sapa, Vietnam,

Hanoi → Sapa: Sleeping Train

Sapa → Hanoi Airport: Sleeping Bus

This is how I traveled.

Having experienced both myself, I found that each definitely has its own pros and cons.

The train certainly offered a romantic journey, while the bus was fantastic for its price and convenience.

So today, based on my personal experience,

I'll break down everything from how to travel from Hanoi to Sapa,

to the differences between the train and the bus.

How to Get from Hanoi to Sapa

The distance from Hanoi to Sapa is over 300km, so it takes more than 6 hours by car.

The main ways to travel include:

✔️Sleeping Train

✔️Sleeping Bus

✔️Limousine or private car, among others.

Among these options,

I personally tried both the sleeping train and the sleeping bus.

I also agonized over which to choose, but to give you the conclusion upfront:

if you seek the romance of travel, I recommend the train;

if price and convenience are your top priorities,

then the bus is for you.

Taking the Sleeping Train from Hanoi → Sapa

The train I took when traveling from Hanoi to Sapa was the Vic Sapa train.

The biggest reasons I chose the train were 'romance' and 'saving on accommodation costs'.

It departs from Hanoi at 10 PM, allowing you to sleep while traveling and arrive in Lao Cai in the morning,

which meant I could use my travel time very efficiently.

More than anything, the very act of starting my Sapa journey on a sleeping train in Vietnam

felt a bit special.

Indeed, as we departed from Hanoi Station and passed through the city,

there were many people watching the train go by, and we even exchanged greetings.

This kind of experience definitely offered a different kind of fun compared to traveling by bus.

Vic Sapa 2-Person Private Cabin

Sapa sleeping trains are divided into

shared cabins and private cabins.

Since I was traveling with my mom,

we booked a 2-person private cabin.

We didn't have to share a cabin with strangers, and we could lock the cabin door,

allowing us to rest relatively comfortably even on a long-distance journey.

(There's talk that shared cabins don't differentiate between genders.)

The train interior was cleaner than I expected,

and the bedding was comfortable.

Bottled water, simple snacks, beer, bananas,

and a disposable toothbrush set were also provided.

There were power outlets next to each bed,

so I could charge my phone.

Advantages of the Sleeping Train

One thing I was very satisfied with when taking the train

was the presence of restrooms onboard.

Restrooms can be a concern during long journeys, right?

While sleeping buses require you to wait until you reach a rest stop,

the train had restrooms just outside the cabins, so you could use them whenever you wanted.

On a sleeping train traveling overnight,

this felt like a much bigger advantage than I expected.

When I used it, the restrooms were clean

and not too crowded, so it was convenient.

However, the train doesn't go directly to Sapa.

This is something you definitely need to know

when booking a Sapa sleeping train.

The final destination of the sleeping train

is not Sapa, but 'Lao Cai Station'.

After getting off at Lao Cai Station,

you need to take another vehicle to get to Sapa town.

Since we arrived at Lao Cai Station in the early morning,

and I thought catching a taxi or haggling might be troublesome,

I booked a shuttle bus from the station to Sapa along with my train ticket.

After getting off the train, you just find a staff member holding a sign with your reservation name,

and then you'll travel to Sapa town with other passengers in a minivan.

Thanks to this, it was so easy since I didn't have to call a separate Grab or haggle for taxi fares from early in the morning.

However, it took about an hour to get from Lao Cai Station to Sapa town.

Booking a Sleeping Train

I booked my sleeping train through Klook.

📌Book Hanoi - Sapa Sleeping Train Tickets

When I made my booking, I had several train options to choose from,

including Chapa Express, Damitrans, and Big Sapa.

I ultimately chose the Big Sapa train for its atmosphere and slightly more affordable price.

Klook currently offers an early bird discount, so if you book 30 days before departure, you can get 5% off!

If your Sapa travel itinerary is set,

it might be a good idea to check this out in advance.

However, the discount eligibility may vary depending on the product or package,

so be sure to double-check before booking.

Also, among the discount packages visible on Klook,

some only apply to the Chapa Express train, so the same discount didn't apply

to the Big Sapa train I used.

If you're planning to book Big Sapa, make sure to use an early bird discount or a Klook discount coupon.

(I'll list the Klook discount coupons at the bottom of the post)

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Taking the Sapa → Hanoi Sleeping Bus

On my way back from Sapa to Hanoi,

I took the HK Sleeping Bus.

Unlike the train, I chose the bus for its price and convenience.

My itinerary was to finish my trip in Sapa

and head straight to Hanoi Airport.

The bus I used offered pickup from Sapa accommodation

and could take me directly to the airport.

Most importantly, the price was in the ~$7 range,

which was very reasonable.

It's a long journey of over 6 hours, but having pickup from my accommodation and direct transfer to the airport made it incredibly convenient for my last day's travel.

Especially if you need to go directly from Sapa to the airport like me,

I think the sleeping bus is quite a good option.

My Actual Review of the HK Sleeping Bus

The HK Sleeping Bus I used

was a cabin-style sleeper bus.

When boarding the bus, you need to take off your shoes,

and you can put them in a plastic bag to bring them with you.

Inside the cabin, there was a bed, pillow, and blanket, and complimentary bottled water and wet wipes were also provided.

There were also USB and Type-C charging ports,

so I could charge my phone while traveling.

And the bus I took even had

a massage function.

I actually used it, and it was better than I expected,

so I really enjoyed it, haha!

I also connected to and used the Wi-Fi; there were times it disconnected or slowed down,

but it was good enough for watching YouTube.

The bus makes stops at rest areas.

During the journey from Sapa to Hanoi Airport,

the bus stopped at rest areas twice.

If you frequently need to use the restroom,

the train might be slightly more convenient in this regard.

On the other hand, for me, stopping at rest areas twice

wasn't a major inconvenience.

📌Book Hanoi-Sapa Sleeping Bus Tickets

Sleeper Train vs. Sleeper Bus

Category	Sleeper Train	Sleeper Bus
Travel Time	Around 8 hours	Around 6-7 hours
Price	~$146 (based on 2-person private cabin)	~$7 per person
Hotel Pickup	❌ Requires separate travel	⭕ Hotel pickup available
Direct to Airport	❌	⭕ Available to the airport
Restroom	⭕ Inside the train	⭕ Inside the bus or at rest stops
Comfort	⭕ Free to move around	⭕ Cabin-style beds
Travel Vibe	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Value for Money	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Key Recommendation	Romantic travel experience	Affordable and convenient travel

Having tried both myself, I could definitely feel the difference.

The sleeper train offered a wonderful 'travel experience' itself.

It was fun traveling overnight while sleeping on the train, and even the short journey through Hanoi's railway tracks had a romantic charm that I loved.

Above all, starting my Sapa trip by taking a train became a truly special memory later on.

On the other hand, the sleeper bus's biggest advantages were its 'value for money and convenience'.

The price was reasonable at around ~$7, hotel pickup was available, and you could travel directly from Sapa to Hanoi Airport.

Especially for itineraries like mine, where you need to head to the airport on the last day, being able to go directly without transfers was incredibly convenient.

So, which one do I recommend?

If you're visiting Sapa for the first time, I'd definitely recommend trying the train at least once.

Especially if you value a 'unique experience' in your travels, the train might be a perfect fit.

Conversely, if you want to save money or prefer convenient travel without transfers, I recommend the sleeper bus.

If you need to go directly from Sapa to Hanoi Airport, it was incredibly convenient to travel straight from hotel pickup to the airport.

The price, around ~$7, also made it less of a burden.

Personally, I think using a sleeper train from Hanoi to Sapa and a sleeper bus from Sapa to Hanoi Airport is also a great option.

I actually did this myself, and it was even better because I got to experience the advantages of both.

Klook Discount Coupons

For those of you booking on Klook like I did, I'll also leave some discount coupons.

✅Coupon Code: threehoursago260001
Get ~$1 off purchases over ~$36

✅Coupon Code: threehoursago260002
Get ~$2 off purchases over ~$73

✅Coupon Code: threehoursago260003
Get ~$5 off purchases over ~$146

The expiration date is September 30, 2026, and the discount can only be applied via the 🔗Register Discount Coupon link.

Wrapping Up

If you're wondering whether to take a sleeper train or a sleeper bus when traveling from Hanoi to Sapa, here's how I'd summarize it:

Train: Romance and unique experience

Bus: Value for money and convenience

Having ridden both myself, they definitely have different characteristics, so you can choose based on your travel style.

Taking the train from Hanoi to Sapa and then the bus to the airport for your return journey, as I did, is also a great option, so keep that in mind :)

⭐️Book Hanoi → Sapa Sleeper Train Now

⭐️Book Sapa → Hanoi Airport Sleeper Bus Now

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