How to Get from Sapa to Halong Bay: By Bus, Train and Taxi

1. Bus

Trip information

Route	Distance	Travel time	Price
Sapa to Halong Bay (Bai Chay bus station)	467 kilometers (290 miles)	8h 40m (bus)	200,000 VND
Sapa to Tuan Chau Marina (for cruise)	459 kilometers (285 miles)	8h 30m (bus)	200,000 VND
Sapa to Halong city (for ciy tour, Quang Ninh museum)	472 kilometers (293 miles)	8h 50m (bus + taxi)	250,000 VND
Sapa to Cat Ba Island (Lan Ha bay)	480 kilometers (298 miles)	10h 35m (bus + transfer via Hanoi)	655,000 VND

Phuc Xuyen bus is the most recommended option as being the only transport company that provides direct transfer from Sapa to Halong and vice versa.

This 42-seat luxury bed car is well-appointed with all necessary amenities such as air conditioner, LCD screen, free WIFI, blankets, bottles of water, and free cold towels. Therefore, passengers will always feel comfortable with this extremely convenient journey.

Phuc Xuyen Bus from Sapa to Van Don, Quang Ninh. 

After arrive at the bus station, you need to take a taxi to the cruise port or hotel in Halong City.

Information:

• Frequency: 4 times per day
• Estimated price: US$16 ~ 370000 VND
• Hotline: 02033662662
• Website: phucxuyen.com.vn

Bus schedule from Sapa to Halong:

Pickup-time	Drop-off time	Departure	Arrival	Duration
08:00	16:40	Phuc Xuyen office (80 Phan Đình Phùng, Phố Mới, Lào Cai)	Van Don Bus Station	8h40m
11:00	19:40	Phuc Xuyen office (80 Phan Đình Phùng, Phố Mới, Lào Cai)	Van Don Bus Station	8h40m
16:00	00:10 (next day)	Phuc Xuyen office (80 Phan Đình Phùng, Phố Mới, Lào Cai)	Van Don Bus Station	8h10m
18:30	02:30 (next day)	Phuc Xuyen office (80 Phan Đình Phùng, Phố Mới, Lào Cai)	Van Don Bus Station	8h

Alternatively, you can book through vietnamlocalbus.com for a bus that picks you up at the hotel in Sapa town or Sapa bus station to transfer directly to the bus station in Halong city.

Information:

• Pick-up time: 17:00 pm
• Drop-off time: 4:00 am (next day)
• Duration: 9 hours
• Transfer: Sapa – Lao Cai (seating bus) and Lao Cai – Halong city (sleeping bus)
• Website: vietnamlocalbus.com

The price is 590,000 VND and includes a taxi pick up from the hotel in Sapa town and a bus ticket to Halong Bay.

2. Train and bus

Overnight train from Sapa to Hanoi!

Traveling by train is an ideal choice for those who get sick of a bus ride and look for a good night’s sleep. However, this is the most time-consuming transfer option.

From Sapa town center, you need to take a bus or a taxi to Lao Cai train station to catch a train to Hanoi. The total journey time is 8.5 hours.

Train schedule from Lao cai train station (Sapa) to Hanoi:

Train	Type	Lao cai Station (for Sapa)	Stops	Hanoi Station (Tran Quy Cap)
SP2	Express train	20:05	03 stops	04:35 am (next day)
SP4	Express train	20:45	04 stops	05:10 am (next day)
SP6	Express train	18:55	04 stops	03:40 am (next day)
SP8	Express train	19:30	04 stops	04:05 am (next day)
LC2	Regular train	21:20	15 stops	06:55 am (next day)
LC4	Regular train (slowest)	09:10	27 stops	20:15 (11h5m)
LC8	Regular train	22:05	13 stops	07:25 am (Long Bien station)

Notes: Train times and schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions.

Upon Hanoi arrival, take a bus from My Dinh or Yen Nghia bus station to Halong city (~4.5 hours). The price for a one-way ticket is from 70000 VND – 150000 VND. See our bus guide from Hanoi to Halong.

3. Taxi and private transfer service

Mai Linh taxi Lao Cai - (0214) 3 76 76 76

The fastest and most comfortable yet most expensive way to transfer from Sapa to Halong Bay is by a private taxi. Normally, the cost ranges from 6,500,000 VND to 7,200,000 VND for a 7-hour drive depending on the car size.

Recommended taxi & private transfer

Mai Linh taxi group 

• Tel: (0214) 3 76 76 76
• Website: mailinh.vn

Sapa transfer service:

• Address: Linh handicraft, Cat Cat village, Sapa, Lao Cai
• Tel: +84 243 99 155 99; +84 91 235 82 82
• Website: http://sapatransferservice.com/private-transfer-sapa-to-halong-66/

You can also use Grab app for private transfer for an upfront price quote.

Last updated: August 20, 2022