Daiichi Travel, Duc Duong Bus, Full Moon Party Tour, Good Morning Cat Ba Bus, Grouptour, Ket Doan Travel, Luxury Van Limousine, Sapa Discovery Travel, Sapa Ethnic Travel, Techbus VN JSC
Sapa to Hai Phong Destination Reviews
CF
Christian F
My spouse, three sons (10 months and 3 and 6 years old) took the night VIP Bus from Sa Pa to Cat Ba. In Hanoi we had to change to another bus. The staff was stressed and not that friendly and attentive. However, the prices are super fair, the busses were clean, we found some sleep and we arrived safely and in time in Cat Ba.
I was nervous to take this bus considering some people's reviews but it was actually a very smooth pain free process. The bus did leave about 45 minutes late but still arrived on time with no issues.
The beds were curtained and have a USB port and a blanket. Just like all busses I've taken in Vietnam there were a few stops along the way to pick up and drop off things but I don't find this to be out of the usual.
There was 2 stops throughout the journey for bathroom breaks and in the morning one of the workers went around and asked where people were staying so that you can be dropped off nearby (eg at Buffalo hostel which is like 10 minutes from the main stop in town).
Bus goes on the ferry so you go all the way to the island without having to transfer at any point.
Bus VIP 34, Sapa Ethnic Travel (Công Ty TNHH Một Thành Viên Du Lịch Thiểu Số), Mar 22, 2024
NS
Nicolas S
Bus was 2.5 hours late. The company (full moon) buys tickets from other bus company. Pros: they answer to Whatsapp quite fast. Cons: they get little information from actual bus company. They don't really know when the bus comes. When bus comes, they don't really have a list or check your ticket. You just run and hope it is the correct bus and there is place for you. A poor girl had to sleep on the floor because they oversold (or someone sneaked in and they didn't check). On the way they picked up a passenger who also slept on the floor. Get in quick because you really don't want to sleep on the five seater at the very back. They stopped a couple of times for toilet break. They didn't honk that much during the night. The single cabins are ok, a bit tight if you're an average built person. I slept ok. Honestly there isn't much alternative, I been told the two person cabins are worse because you end up sleeping next to a stranger or sometimes they want to make you sleep three people in a two person cabin. So just be patient and be quick when the bus arrives as to not sit near the drivers or at the back.
Bus Sleeper 40, Full Moon Party Tour (Full Moon Party Tour), Mar 8, 2024
KS
Karlijn S
We booked the VIP20 bus which was super comfortable and had a toilet & WiFi.
You can adjust the seats automatic but the first 5 hours, that didn’t work.
At one point we were transferred to another bus, which was not a VIP bus. The bus wasn’t even cleaned up, used blankets everywhere, really cold and not comfortable at all.
We had to wait almost 2 hours until this bus finally left.
Bus VIP 20, Sapa Ethnic Travel (Công Ty TNHH Một Thành Viên Du Lịch Thiểu Số), Feb 4, 2024
AS
Axel S
Ba and it was the quickest option with a journey time of 10 hours.
The bus was supposed to start at 07:30, the bus was at the depot, but it didn't leave until 08:00.
The driver and a helper spent a long time discussing what to do with my ticket, Ha Long was on the bus, at least the direction was right.
There were 2 breaks until Hai Phong, which was ok. But it took 9 hours, there were constant stops to get on and off.
In Hai Phong we changed to a simple city bus that went to the ferry. The conductor knew where to get off. And she spoke to a fellow passenger who took me to the ferry and had the money for the ferry ticket and the next bus. On Cat Ba there was another simple city bus. After 13 hours I arrived at my destination in the city of Cat Ba. It was a great experience with friendly Vietnamese people.
But not what I had booked.
This review was autotranslated
Ba und es war die schnellste Option mit 10h Fahrtzeit.
Start sollte 07:30 sein, der Bus stand im Depot, los ging es aber erst um. 08:00.
Der Fahrer und ein Helfer diskutierten lange, was sie mit meinem Ticket machen sollten, Ha Long stand am Bus, zumindest die Richtung stimmte.
Es gab 2 Pausen bis Hai Phong, das war ok. Es dauerte aber schon 9h, ständig gab es Stopps zum Ein- bzw Aussteigen.
In Hai Phong dann umstieg in einen einfachen Stadtbus, der zur Fähre fuhr. Die Schaffnerin wusste, wo aus aussteigen musste. Und sie sprach eine Mitfahrende an, die mich zur Fähre brachte und das Geld für das Fährticket und den nächsten Bus hatte. Auf Cat Ba dann wieder ein einfacher Stadtbus. Nach 13h war ich dann am Ziel in der Stadt Cat Ba. Alles eine schöne Erfahrung mit freundlichen Vietnamesen.
Aber nicht das, was ich gebucht hatte.
Bus Sleeper 38 Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Jan 17, 2024
TS
Thanushan S
On thé ticket thé départure was at 8 pm We arrived at thé bus station they Said now it s 10 pm. After We had a problèm with thé bus We had to change thé bus but they were speed an other bus came take us in mess than 1 our
Bus VIP 34, Sapa Ethnic Travel (Công Ty TNHH Một Thành Viên Du Lịch Thiểu Số), Dec 7, 2023
M
Maria
The bus left 1.5 h late. The sleeper bus wasn't very comfortable, the seats were really small but we made it eventually on time.
Bus VIP Sleeper 34, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), Dec 4, 2023
IM
Ignacio M
It was so small, full of people even in the corridor.
The stops wasn’t advertised.
You have your own seat to sleep confy.
Bus Tourist Bus + Ferry, Sapa Ethnic Travel (Công Ty TNHH Một Thành Viên Du Lịch Thiểu Số), Dec 2, 2023
AS
Amelia S
The first bus was good and made a few toilet break stops but they suddenly dropped us off in Haiphong and transferred us to a small public bus without explaining what was happening. Very poorly organised
Bus Sleeper 38 Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Nov 20, 2023
MH
Mirko H
A very good service. Pickup points were very good and dropped off directly in front of the hotel. Also a very good driver. Gladly again. Thanks.
Bus Sleeper 45, Daiichi Travel (Daiichi Travel), Nov 11, 2023
Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Sapa to Hai Phong 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 Hai Phong 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 Hai Phong?
If travelling by bus, you will cover the distance of 392 km between Sapa and Hai Phong.
How long does it take to get from Sapa to Hai Phong by bus?
Buses normally need between 8h and 13h hours to get to Hai Phong 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, Ket Doan Travel (Kết Đoàn) offers the fastest service. Luxury Van Limousine 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 Hai Phong 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 Hai Phong 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 15.19. A Sapa Ethnic Travel (Công Ty TNHH Một Thành Viên Du Lịch Thiểu Số)'s ticket will set you back USD 15.19 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.
