Buses from Sapa to Dao Cat Ba

Buses from Sapa to Dao Cat Ba

Sapa
Dao Cat Ba
Mon, Jun 15
+ Add return
2 Passengers
Finding the best routes for you — almost ready!
Sort by
Recommended
Filters
Departure time
Transport type
Departure station
Arrival station
Booking Facilities
Price
Arrival time
Operators
 
 
 
 
 

Sapa to Dao Cat Ba Destination Reviews

A
Augustinus
The bed was too short to sleep in. But the bus was on time to the minute, and the driver was so helpful and had me connected to my boat trip
Sapa to Dao Cat Ba, Bus Single Cabin + Limousine 28, G8 Sapa Open Tour (G8 Sapa Open Tour), May 8, 2026
LV
Luna V
Lots of screaming during the night and poor communication
Sapa to Dao Cat Ba, Bus VIP 34, Asian Bus Travel, Mar 30, 2026
PC
Pinank C
We used Daiichi for our journey from Sapa to Catba island. Our bus was booked for 10.30pm but Saoviet bus operator moved us to 11pm bus. We were anxious if we would miss our connection in Hanoi and that's not refunded. Bus left on time and we were stuck between lao cai and sapa for 20 minutes. Bus stopped at lao cai to pick some more passengers. We were dropped in Hanoi by 5.10am. We walked 150m to Saoviet office. At 5.40am Daichii bus came and picked us up. Everything was very well managed. We were dropped at our hotel in Catba at sharp 9am. Overall it was a good experience, safe driving for both legs - sapa to hanoi and hanoi to cat ba. I highly recommend.
Sapa to Dao Cat Ba, Bus VIP Cabin 22 + Bus + Speedboat, Daiichi Travel, Mar 18, 2026
GA
Garth A
Arrived on time in Cat Ba, but it was a "near miss" despite timely communication via WhatsApp. VIP Sao Viet sleeper bus from Sapa to Hanoi was very nice (10:30pm-4:45am). Instructed to wait for connecting bus, which would pick-up at 5:40am. Bus did not arrive, messaged via WhatsApp ... picked-up by local van ... and connected to the second bus, which departed at 6am. Daichi bus stop is less than 500-meters from Sao Viet drop-off, suggest either walking, or messaging Daichi immediately when you get dropped off so that you do not accidentally get left behind. After second bus, brief boat ferry to Cat Ba Island, followed by third bus to Cat Ba Town, arrived on-time at 9am.
Sapa to Dao Cat Ba, Bus VIP Cabin 22 + Bus + Speedboat, Daiichi Travel, Feb 27, 2026
MP
Markus P
Bus startet 45 min Late. I told the Ladys in the office we will miss the bus in Hanoi and also messaged the WhatsApp contacts I was told ,this is so you don’t have to wait too long in Hanoi’. When we arrived in Hanoi (late, just as I had predicted) the connecting bus to cat ba did not leave from the agreed place of pickup but somewhere else. In the office in Hanoi where we arrived the man in charge only said ,here no cat ba’ and did not help. I got a message last minute from the bus personell of the second bus so we managed to get a grab to reach the other place of departure literally in the moment the bus was about to depart. The buses themselves were comfortable and the drivers were nice, but both the given WhatsApp contacts and the people in both the offices were part of the problem, not part of the solution.
Sapa to Dao Cat Ba, Bus VIP Cabin 22 + Bus + Speedboat, Daiichi Travel, Dec 23, 2025
PM
Patrick M
Negative point: Confirmation took more than 48 hours to arrive... Confirmation received the day before departure. First bus trip operated by SAO VIET and not by DAIICHI. The bus departed an hour late. Nevertheless, DAIICCHI managed the connection in Hanoi very well, which went smoothly (WhatsApp exchanges). DAIICHI dropped us off directly at the address of our accommodation in Cat Ba.
Sapa to Dao Cat Ba, Bus VIP Cabin 22 + Bus + Speedboat, Daiichi Travel, Dec 20, 2025
RD
Rory D
Needs to be more information on how to do the transfer in Hanoi. A map would be handy
Sapa to Dao Cat Ba, Bus VIP Cabin 22 + Bus + Speedboat, Daiichi Travel, Dec 14, 2025
PM
Pavla M
The bus itself was clean and comfortable, it is the driver’s driving that made you worry not to fall in the aisle but that is more cultural thing than personal. I was a bit disappointed we were promised an earlier stop since our accomodation was on the way of the bus (and the final stop was 8km further and it was 6 a.m.), but when we got closer the guy who was organizing everything for most of the way wasn’t on the bus anymore and the driver had no idea what I wanted so he didn’t stop.
Sapa to Dao Cat Ba, Bus Cabin 20, Asian Bus Travel, Dec 1, 2025
WM
Wyatt M
Wish it would be conveyed somewhere that there is no food allowed on the bus we used. Other than that everything was extremely organized and comfortable. Minimal waiting times compared to other experiences.
Sapa to Dao Cat Ba, Bus VIP Cabin 22 + Seater Bus, Daiichi Travel, Oct 13, 2025
EY
Eyal Y
Cabin is very slim and they allow over booking with people sleeping between the cabins
Sapa to Dao Cat Ba, Bus VIP 34, Asian Bus Travel, Oct 4, 2025
4.4
95 customer reviews
5
45%
4
23%
3
20%
2
12%
1
0%

Sapa to Dao Cat Ba Bus Schedule

OperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Luxury Van Limousine
VIP Cabin + Tourist Bus
05:45
18:45
$24.69
Luxury Van Limousine
VIP Cabin + Tourist Bus
06:45
19:45
$24.69
Luxury Van Limousine
VIP Cabin + Tourist Bus
07:30
20:30
$24.69
Sapa Discovery Travel
VIP Cabin 20 + VIP 18
08:00
19:00
$26.59
  4.5
Luxury Van Limousine
VIP Sleeper 34
20:30
07:20
$18.99
  3.2
Techbus VN JSC
Sleeper 40
20:46
08:46
$18.80
Techbus VN JSC
VIP Sleeper 34
21:05
08:45
$19.75
Techbus VN JSC
VIP Sleeper 34
21:25
09:05
$19.75
Luxury Van Limousine
VIP 32 Sleeper
22:00
08:20
$18.99
Daiichi Travel
VIP Cabin 22 + Seater Bus
22:30
09:00
$23.17
  3.9
Daiichi Travel
VIP Cabin 22 + Seater Bus
23:00
09:30
$23.17
  3.9
Sapa Discovery Travel
VIP Cabin 20 + VIP 18
23:30
10:30
$26.59
  4.5

How to get from Sapa to Dao Cat Ba by bus

Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Sapa to Dao Cat Ba 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 Sapa to Dao Cat Ba 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 Sapa from Dao Cat Ba?

If travelling by bus, you will cover the distance of 359 km between Sapa and Dao Cat Ba.

How long does it take to get from Sapa to Dao Cat Ba by bus?

Buses normally need between 9h and 12h 30m hours to get to Dao Cat Ba from Sapa. 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, Asian Bus Travel offers the fastest service. Good Morning Cat Ba Bus (Good Morning Cat ba) 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 Sapa to Dao Cat Ba 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 Sapa and Dao Cat Ba remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by Sapa Ethnic Travel (Công Ty TNHH Một Thành Viên Du Lịch Thiểu Số) and costs USD 20.42. A Daiichi Travel's ticket will set you back USD 20.42 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.

Transportation from Sapa to Dao Cat Ba

Facts about the bus from Sapa to Dao Cat Ba

Cheapest Bus$10
Fastest Bus9h
Earliest Bus6:00 AM
Latest Bus11:30 PM
Daily Bus Routes38
Distance359 kilometers
Bus CompaniesAsian Bus Travel, Cat Ba Express, Daiichi Travel, Good Morning Cat Ba Bus, Grouptour, Laman Express, Sapa Discovery Travel, Sapa Ethnic Travel, Vietnam Luxury Travel, VietNam Travel Bus, Vin Bus