Facts about the bus from Lao Cai to Sapa
| Cheapest Bus | $4 |
| Fastest Bus | 55m |
| Earliest Bus | 12:00 AM |
| Latest Bus | 6:45 AM |
| Daily Bus Routes | 8 |
| Distance | 46 kilometers |
| Bus Companies | Grouptour, Sapa Ethnic Travel, Techbus VN JSC |
Buses from Lao Cai to Sapa
Best Options
$4
$30
Other Options
Transportation from Lao Cai to Sapa
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Buses$ 3.63
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Taxis$ 30.83
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Vans$ 8.17
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Trains are not available
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Ferries are not available
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Flights are not available
Lao Cai to Sapa Destination Reviews
EE
Esme ENot good. Trying to get money out of you every chance they get. A train operator said to me and my friend if we want this room to ourselves we would have to pay, we refused and we ended up being the only people in the room anyway. Bed wasn’t comfy at all. The operators were also rude and not helpful.
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Apr 22, 2024
JG
Jascha GWe booked the bus from Lao Cai to Sapa. The driver was waiting in front of the train station with a sign with our name. We left nearly on time. Drive was good, nothing dangerous as we read in other comments. We can recommend them and booked the return drive with them as well.
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Nov 22, 2023
JG
Johanna Ggood service but style of the driver was quite risky
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Nov 12, 2023
AS
Ann SVery good service , train had delay and they wait for you.
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Oct 11, 2023
P
Peter Had difficulty finding the driver at the train station . Many drivers with signs but despite extensive searching his wasn’t obvious for unknown reasons but a local found him for us. Contributing factor may have been our arrival by bus when the train was halted halfway from Hanoi due to rail washout
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Oct 8, 2023
EC
Elora CFirst one to be picked-up, then the long wait for people arrive. You can ask to be pick-up in the place of your choice if they can go there so do not hesitate to contact them on Whatapps.
1-2 breaks. Ride was normal but beware of the AC if you are weak to it.
Locals and goods were also picked-up on our way but that the way it is. Don’t be surprised.
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Oct 4, 2023
Popular Routes
From Lao Cai
To Lao Cai
Popular Routes in Vietnam
How to get from Lao Cai to Sapa by bus
Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Lao Cai to Sapa by bus may not be the fastest way of travel, yet many travellers prefer to rely on the bus on this route; with easy online booking and tickets of different classes for all tastes and budgets available, the bus from Lao Cai to Sapa a conscious and budget-friendly option.
Check the timetable before you book your ticket and read other travellers’ reviews to choose the trip that suits you best. Note that there may be several bus terminals at your departure or arrival point – always double-check where you are leaving from and arriving to. It may prove crucial if you have connecting trips.
Here is the list of operators serving the route: .
How far is Lao Cai from Sapa?
If travelling by bus, you will cover the distance of 46 km between Lao Cai and Sapa.
How long does it take to get from Lao Cai to Sapa by bus?
Buses normally need between 55m and 3h 20m hours to get to Sapa from Lao Cai. Note that the travel time is for your reference only and can depend on different factors such as traffic and weather conditions. Heavy rainfalls almost inevitably make the trip longer due to poor visibility or floods. Road and surface repairs which happen quite often, result in detours and longer travel times. Major national holidays, long weekends, or peak season periods may cause delays both in departures and arrivals – plan accordingly to avoid disappointment, especially if you have further connections and a tight schedule.
On this route, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour) offers the fastest service. Sapa Ethnic Travel (Công Ty TNHH Một Thành Viên Du Lịch Thiểu Số) buses usually take the longest time to complete the journey.
Remember, though, that tickets offering the shortest travel time are normally the most expensive ones. Yet it pays to spend a bit more to ensure your bus goes direct without additional stops and uses highways instead of local roads.
How much does it cost to get from Lao Cai to Sapa by bus?
The price of your bus ticket will depend not only on the distance you need to cover but on the class of your coach. E.g. expect to shell out more for VIP or sleeper buses while ordinary buses though being the cheapest option, often are a compromise on comfort and travel time. Of course, they do their job, too, and can be the only option if you hop on/off in the middle of the route.
Anyway, travelling by bus between Lao Cai and Sapa remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour) and costs USD 3.63. A Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour)'s ticket will set you back USD 3.63 on average.
Travelling by bus essentials
- If you are planning to travel during the high season, weekends, or national holidays, booking your bus tickets in advance is highly recommended. The demand is at its highest, yet very often, the number of coaches serving the route remains the same. The earlier you reserve your seat, the better. On some routes, you need to secure your ticket more than a month in advance; on others, a couple-of-days advanced booking is enough. During such periods, try to book online beforehand whenever possible, as showing up at the bus station without a ticket may result in many-hours of waiting in the queue or leave you downright stranded.
- VIP, 1st, Gold, and similar bus tickets are the most expensive option, but they provide a higher level of comfort. Normally the price of such tickets will include wide soft reclining seats, blankets, water and snacks or lunch, and sometimes some toiletries. Upper-class buses travel faster, make fewer stops during the route, and normally provide more spacious seating to their passengers and a better travel experience.
- Not all buses have an on-board toilet, but generally, for all trips longer than three hours, all operators schedule a bathroom and/or a lunch stop. While operators definitely do their best to keep on-board toilets clean, the smell may be an issue sometimes. For longer trips, booking a seat a bit farther from the toilet may be a good idea. Also, using bathroom stops for your toilet needs is always better than trying to find your balance in an on-board toilet on the run.
- If you travel by an air-con bus, make sure to pack layers. A hoodie, a warm scarf, or a beanie hat may prove a good idea. Air-conditioning on buses tends to be excessive, and running nose and sore throats abound after even not the longest bus rides.
- Always use the security belts even if your bus ride attendant or driver does not insist on it. Your safety comes first – for you, for sure. All buses normally are equipped with security belts, but they may be fixed behind your seat. Take time to find the belt and fix it appropriately.
- To avoid being disturbed by overhead lights, switched on during stops even at night, and too loud music or sound from the on-board entertainment system, have earplugs and a sleeping mask at hand.
- As a courtesy to other passengers, avoid using strong perfumes or smelly foods. Some foods like cheeses or durians are forbidden to take on-board – check in advance. Alcohol is also prohibited on the majority of buses.
- Note that if the bus requires refuelling en-route, passengers will be asked to get off the bus. Operators are not allowed to refuel with passengers on board due to safety reasons. Usually, it takes from 5 to 10 minutes and is often combined with a toilet/lunch stop.
- If not stated otherwise in your tickets, arrive at the bus station 20-30 minutes before departure. It will give you enough time to find the departure platform and check-in. For international trips, you may need more time for check-in and border formalities.