Hanoi to Sapa: Sleeping Train or Bus? Prices & Tips (2026)

When traveling from Hanoi to Sapa,

I really debated whether to take the train or the bus.

Because...

The train seemed to offer a great vibe, but it was expensive,

and while the bus was affordable, I worried about it being uncomfortable.

These thoughts were really giving me a headache!

Ultimately, with a group of 5 people, including my parents,

we took the sleeper train on the way there,

and tried the sleeper bus on the way back.

From my experience,

the travel convenience and cost were better with the bus,

but the overall travel satisfaction was higher with the sleeper train.

Having experienced both firsthand, I'll compare them for you! :)

01 Hanoi Sapa

Train vs. Bus: Price & Time Comparison

From Hanoi to Sapa,

it's about 300km (around 186 miles).

That's quite a distance!

Key Differences Between Train and Bus

Price / Time / Transfers

The biggest difference is that

when you take the train, you get off at Lao Cai Station,

and then you still need to travel by car for about an hour to reach Sapa!

※ Fares vary depending on the train/bus type and seat class.

Actual Prices I Paid

For our family trip,

I've also summarized the actual amounts we paid.

For the train, we booked a 2-person cabin and a 4-person cabin.

Since we wanted to use the 4-person cabin exclusively for three people,

we paid the full 4-person fare, including the empty bunk.

So, combining the train and pickup car,

it cost us around ~$82 per person.

Compared to what you might typically expect for a train,

the fare was quite a bit higher than I imagined!

As for the bus,

it was for the Sapa → Noi Bai Airport route,

so we got off before reaching Hanoi city center.

The price difference between going to Hanoi city center

and getting off at the airport is minimal

(about ~$1 difference).

​

🔗 [Check current sleeper bus prices]

🔗 [Check Current Sleeping Train Prices]

The price difference is quite significant, isn't it?

Price Difference Between Sleeping Train and Bus

Approximately ~$65 per person

It's quite a difference, more than you'd expect, right..?

There are various types of trains:

public/private tourist trains.

Among them, I used

Chapa Express, which is considered the best company, so the price difference was a bit higher.

🚂 Popular Train Companies

✅ Chapa Express

✅ Biksa Sapa

Article Comparing Public/Tourist Train Types

What Sleeping Train Should You Take for Hanoi Sapa? Differences Between State Railway and Tourist Trainsblog.naver.com

02 What I Noticed Was Different After Experiencing It Myself

Travel Convenience

When it comes to travel convenience, the bus is the overwhelming winner!

The train departed at 10:40 PM and

arrived at Lao Cai Station at 6:30 AM the next day.

But that wasn't the end of it; I had to transfer to another vehicle...

On the other hand, the bus I took back

from Sapa to Noi Bai Airport was a quick 5 hours and 20 minutes!​

It was definitely more convenient going straight without any transfers.

Comfort

Sleep quality and overall comfort are a matter of personal preference!

Since I paid for 4 seats on the train,

my group could have the cabin to ourselves.

If you pay for 3 people in a 4-person cabin,

another traveler might occupy the remaining seat..!

The shared restrooms were also cleaner than I expected.

However, there was some rail noise and shaking.

(Only my mom, who has a sensitive inner ear (?), felt just a little motion sickness)

The rest of the family had no issues with motion sickness!

The HK bus had cozy individual cabins with curtains,

but it swayed a lot more than expected on the winding mountain roads of Sapa... haha.

(I took all my motion sickness medication before getting on the bus, just in case)

Still, personally, I found the train more enjoyable

for the travel experience.

As we passed through the Hanoi railway tracks and

saw people waving, my mom really loved it too, haha.

▶ Chapa Express Cabin and Actual Ride Review

Hanoi Sapa Sleeping Train: Take Chapa Express! Satisfied Review and Price Comparisonblog.naver.com

▶ HK Sleeping Bus Upper/Lower Berth Review

Sapa HK Sleeping Bus Review: Price, Booking Method, and Actual Travel Time to Hanoi Airportblog.naver.com

03 Additional Costs and Precautions for the Train

Since the train only goes as far as Lao Cai Station,

You'll need to book a separate vehicle to get to Sapa.

Since there were 5 of us, we used a private car,

and we paid ~$35.

Also, there are no shower facilities on the train.

So, we booked a half-night stay at a hotel near Hanoi Station,

showered, rested a bit, and then boarded.

When you consider these additional costs,

the train isn't exactly the most economical choice... haha.

▶ Review of Our Half-night Stay near Hanoi Station

Review of a Hotel Half-Night Stay in Hanoi, Vietnam: Solving Shower and Luggage Storage Before Taking the Sleeping Trainblog.naver.com

If you choose the train, you'll also need to prepare how to get from Lao Cai Station to Sapa. If you're traveling with several people, look into the cost of a private vehicle. Here's a link to the place I compared all the prices and chose ↓

🔗 [Check Lao Cai Station Sapa Pickup Vehicle Prices]

04 What to Recommend for Which Itinerary?

✔ If price and travel time are important, choose the bus

You can go to Sapa directly without transfers,

and it's generally cheaper than the train.

✔ If you're heading straight to the airport on your return day, choose the bus

From Sapa to Noi Bai Airport,

it's convenient because you can go directly.

However, since traffic conditions can vary,

make sure to leave with plenty of time!

(I arrived 5 hours before my flight... just in case! 😉)

🔗 [Check Sleeping Bus Timetables and Seats]

✔ If you're exploring Hanoi and departing at night, choose the train

If you want to savor the unique atmosphere of an overnight train,

it's definitely worth taking.

🔗 [Check Sleeping Train Timetables and Seats]

For me, the combination of taking the train on the way there and the bus on the way back

was quite satisfying.

Honestly, if you're just thinking about transportation, the bus is more reasonable,

but I think I'd still take the train one way again even if I went back! 💕

Next time, I'd love to try trains from other companies like Big Sapa or Damirtrans..!

However, if you don't have a particular interest in train travel,

there's probably no need to spend extra money.

Even though there was a price difference, for me, it was an experience you can't easily find elsewhere,

so I was really satisfied! (My family loved it too 😻)

Take a good look and choose according to your

travel itinerary and budget :)

​

ⓒTABIYA