Daiichi Travel, Duc Duong Bus, Full Moon Party Tour, Grouptour, Luxury Van Limousine, Sapa Discovery Travel, Sapa Ethnic Travel, Techbus VN JSC
Quang Ninh to Sapa Destination Reviews
SS
Stine S
Way to late
Bus VIP Cabin 20, Sapa Discovery Travel, Apr 23, 2024
CM
Claudio M
Very good experience overall in a VIP cabin. Everything went smoothly, although actual pickup point was not where it was written, people there were aware of us and took care of transporting us there (without any additional fee)
Bus VIP 22, Sapa Ethnic Travel (Công Ty TNHH Một Thành Viên Du Lịch Thiểu Số), Apr 9, 2024
SG
Stella G
We took the night bus from Halong to Sapa and booked the tickets via 12goAsia with Sapa Ethnic Travel. Having read previous reviews, it wasn't quite so bad as we were already prepared for the worst. The most important info from our experience. The bus was fully booked but there were no people in the aisle. The bus was full of mosquitoes (pack your spray!). There are several stops along the way, but there are no official breaks. Toilet stops were out of the question on the 8-hour journey. There was no toilet on board either. Of course the driver doesn't speak English, actually no one on board. The tourists were shouted at by the driver to lie down in the back in the assembly areas (5 next to each other and on top of each other). You are not allowed to choose your seat. The good seats are reserved for local passengers. There is little space for luggage in the bus (even downstairs), as thousands of other things are being transported (e.g. motorcycles - wtf). Smaller luggage is often left in the aisle. In Lao Cai you are then transferred to a mini van (overcrowded) to Sapa. For 38 euros for 2 tickets, not the best experience. The private car from Halong costs 170USD in comparison. You should think twice ;-) The pick-up station in Halong is not at the Bay Chai Bus Station, but virtually in front of it. Diagonally opposite the Mitsubishi store. But we had to find out for ourselves. Our bus was "only" 30 minutes late for pick-up. And 1.5 hours on arrival. So the times are not soooo precise.
This review was autotranslated
Wir sind mit dem Nachtbus von Halong nach Sapa gefahren und haben die Tickets via 12goAsia bei Sapa Ethnic Travel gebucht. Nachdem ich vorherige Reviews gelesen hatte, war es nicht ganz so schlimm, da wir schon auf das Schlimmste eingestellt waren. Die wichtigsten Infos aus unserer Erfahrung. Der Bus war ausgebucht, aber es lagen keine Menschen im Gang. Der Bus war voller Mücken (Spray einpacken!). Es wird mehrfach auf dem Weg angehalten, offizielle Pausen gibt es aber nicht. An WC Stops nicht zu denken bei der 8h Fahrt. Ein WC an Board gab es auch nicht. Der Fahrer spricht natürlich kein Englisch, eigentlich keiner an Board. Die Touristen wurden vom Fahrer angeschrien sich nach hinten auf Sammelplätze (5 nebeneinander und übereinander) zu legen. Man darf den Platz also nicht wählen. Die guten Plätze sind einheimischen Mitfahrern vorbehalten. Platz für Gepäck ist im Bus (auch unten wenig), da tausend andere Sachen transportiert werden (zB Motorrad- wtf). Kleineres Gepäck steht also oft im Gang herum. In Lao Cai wird man dann in einen Mini Van (überfüllt) bis nach Sapa umgeladen. Für 38 Euro für 2 Tickets gar nicht mal die beste Erfahrung gewesen. Das Private Car aus Halong kostet im Vergleich 170USD. Sollte man sich gut überlegen ;-) die Abholstation in Halong ist übrigens nicht in der Bay Chai Bus Station, sondern quasi davor. Schräg gegenüber von dem Mitsubishi Laden. Mussten wir aber auch selbst rausfinden. Unser Bus hatte "nur" 30min Verspätung bei Abholung. Und 1.5h bei Ankunft. Die Zeiten sind also nicht soooo genau zu verstehen.
Bus Sleeper 41, Sapa Ethnic Travel (Công Ty TNHH Một Thành Viên Du Lịch Thiểu Số), May 5, 2023
Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Quang Ninh 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 Quang Ninh 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 Quang Ninh from Sapa?
If travelling by bus, you will cover the distance of 300 km between Quang Ninh and Sapa.
How long does it take to get from Quang Ninh to Sapa by bus?
Buses normally need between 8h and 11h hours to get to Sapa from Quang Ninh. 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, Sapa Ethnic Travel (Công Ty TNHH Một Thành Viên Du Lịch Thiểu Số) offers the fastest service. Duc Duong Bus 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 Quang Ninh 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 Quang Ninh and Sapa remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by Sapa Discovery Travel and costs USD 16.57. A Sapa Ethnic Travel (Công Ty TNHH Một Thành Viên Du Lịch Thiểu Số)'s ticket will set you back USD 16.57 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.