How to transfer from Hanoi to Sapa

Sapa is a famous tourist destination in the northern Vietnam. This is a highland town in Lao Cai province, more than 300km from Hanoi. So how to go from Hanoi to Sapa? Here are some of the most convenient ways for tourists to travel from Hanoi to to Sapa explore this wonderful area as well as a great place for relaxing.

By train
From Hanoi to Sapa by train chosen by many tourists because of safety and economy.
There are 2 trains running to Sapa with the code LC ( Lao Cai) and SP (Sapa).
LC is the slow train which is operated in day time for local passengers with their goods. And SP is fast train in the night time for tourists. It runs from 21.40 (SP1 train) and 22.00 (SP3 train) , arrives in Lao Cai station at 4.15 and 6.30am.
And vice versa, there are SP2 and SP4 trains from Lao Cai to Hanoi.

The train will arrive in Lao Cai station and you will travel to Sapa by bus at 50 000 VND (2.5$). It is easy to book a bus to Sapa as you will see the booking ticket counters as soon as you get off the train to the exit gate.

Hanoi railway station - check in gate 

By tourist bus
In the past, to travel to Sapa by Road, it will take so long time and make tourist tired as the road is normal road. After 2014, a Highway was completed and therefore, travel by bus from Hanoi to Sapa is very convenient. Travel time is about 6 hours.
You could choose some of the best bus companies as below:

By tourist bus will be dropped off at Sapa town instead of Lao Cai as by train.
For Train and Bus transfer, you could book at any travel agent or book online at travel platform baolau.com, xevere.com or 12go.asia
 
By Private car or taxi
This is the most convenient way however, it is the more expensive. For the comfort, it may be less than a big bus a mentioned above. You still transfer on the same way on the highway from Hanoi to Lao Cai and then to Sapa. Travel time is about 5 hours. You can ask hotels or travel agent to arrange private car or taxi for you. It costs about 150 USD.

By Motorbike
This is an adventure transfer to enjoy experience on the journey from Hanoi to Sapa.
You need to be a good motorbike driver.
The New highway is not allowed motorbike so you will travel by the old road.
 

Rice Terrace in Sapa

So, you simply need to travel by train to Lao Cai and take a shuttle bus to Sapa or travel straight from Hanoi to Sapa by tourist bus. More experience with motorbike, however, we do not really recommend you this kind of transfer as it is really adventurous and dangerous if you do not understand the traffic in Vietnam.
Each kind of transfer has its own advantages and you have to find out what is the most appropriate way for you to travel from Hanoi to Sapa.
Note: The ticket fares in this article is for reference. it may change without priority notice.