How to Get from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Last updated: October 17, 2026

Contents

1. Hanoi to Lao Cai by Train
2. Hanoi to Lao Cai by Bus
3. Hanoi to Lao Cai by Van
4. Hanoi to Lao Cai by Private Transfer
5. Comparing Your Options
6. Timetable
7. Frequently Asked Questions
8. Sources and background

Lao Cai is the rail and road gateway for Sapa. From Hanoi you can take the overnight train, a bus or shared van on the expressway, or a private car.

Hanoi to Lao Cai by Train

Vietnam Railways' timetable for the Hanoi to Lao Cai line shows an overnight train leaving Hanoi at 22:00 and reaching Lao Cai at 05:50 (294 km), a journey of about 8 hours.^[1] Vietnam's national tourism board also describes the night train as taking about eight hours, with fares from about VND 900,000.^[2] Fares vary by train, cabin type and date, so check the price on the Vietnam Railways booking site, dsvn.vn.

Hanoi to Lao Cai by Bus

Booking platforms list frequent sleeper and cabin buses from Hanoi to Lao Cai through the day and evening. The listed journey time is about 5 to 6 hours and fares in October 2026 were about US$9 to US$32 depending on the bus type (12Go shows fares in Thai baht; converted to US dollars at the ECB rate of 16 October 2026).^[3] Some operators also pick up at Noi Bai Airport, at about 5 hours and US$13 to US$17.^[3]

Hanoi to Lao Cai by Van

Shared vans run on the same road. Booking platforms list them at about US$16 to US$21 per seat in October 2026, with a journey time of about 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours.^[3]

Hanoi to Lao Cai by Private Transfer

Booking platforms list private vans and cars from Hanoi to Lao Cai at about US$169 to US$196 per vehicle in October 2026, with a listed journey time of about 5 hours 30 minutes.^[3]

Comparing Your Options

Mode	Fare	Journey time
Train	From about VND 900,000^[2]	About 8 hours^[1]
Bus	About US$9 to US$32 per person (October 2026)^[3]	About 5 to 6 hours^[3]
Shared van	About US$16 to US$21 per seat (October 2026)^[3]	About 5 h 30 min to 6 hours^[3]
Private transfer	About US$169 to US$196 per vehicle (October 2026)^[3]	About 5 h 30 min^[3]

Timetable

Hanoi - Sapa More info / Tickets

Bus Hanoi - Sapa $ 7.08–34.05 5h 30m – 6h 20m
→ VIP 20 05:50, 06:10, 06:25, 06:35, 06:55, 07:05, 08:10, 09:10, 10:10, 11:10, 12:10, 12:25, 12:30, 13:10, 14:10, 14:15, 14:30, 15:10, 17:05, 21:05, 21:50, 22:30, 22:40, 23:00 → Sleeper 38 Express 06:10, 06:15, 06:20, 06:25, 06:30, 06:35, 06:45, 21:00, 21:15, 21:30 → VIP 9 Express 14:50 → Express 29 06:45, 07:00, 14:30, 14:45 → VIP 22 06:00, 06:15, 06:45, 06:55, 07:15, 07:30, 08:00, 08:10, 08:15, 09:00, 09:10, 09:15, 09:30, 10:00, 10:05, 10:15, 11:00, 11:15, 11:30, 12:00, 12:15, 12:30, 13:00, 13:13, 13:15, 13:30, 14:00, 14:15, 14:30, 14:45, 15:00, 15:10, 15:15, 15:30, 16:10, 17:15, 17:30, 21:15, 21:30, 21:45, 22:00, 22:10, 22:15, 22:25, 22:30, 22:45, 22:50, 23:00 → Sleeper 38 06:38, 06:55, 21:00, 21:10, 21:20, 21:30, 21:40, 21:45 → Sleeper 41 06:15, 21:00, 21:30, 21:40, 21:46 → VIP 12pax 06:30, 06:47, 14:16, 14:25, 14:30, 14:45 → VIP 32 11:15, 18:15 → Semi Sleeper 06:20, 06:25, 06:30, 21:10, 21:20, 21:40 → VIP 14 14:30, 14:45 → VIP 28 06:45, 07:00, 14:25, 14:36 → Double cabin 06:15, 07:15, 08:15, 09:15, 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15, 14:15, 15:15, 17:15, 21:45, 22:00, 22:30, 22:45 → Upper Single Cabin 06:10, 07:00, 07:10, 07:15, 08:15, 09:15, 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15, 14:15, 15:15, 16:10, 17:15, 21:30, 22:00, 22:30, 22:45 → Lower Single Cabin 06:10, 06:30, 10:15, 13:50, 14:10, 22:10, 22:30, 23:15 → Executive 06:25, 06:30, 06:35, 06:40, 06:45, 06:50, 06:55, 21:40, 21:45, 21:50, 22:00, 22:15 → Sleeper 06:30, 06:40, 06:50, 07:00, 21:30, 21:40, 21:50, 22:00 → Sleeper 41 Express 06:00, 06:15, 06:30 → Sleeper 40 21:15, 21:30, 21:45
Taxi Hanoi - Sapa $ 102.36–272.49 4h 10m – 5h 30m
→ Economy 3pax → Van 12pax → Minivan 5pax → Comfort 3pax → Van 9pax → SUV 4pax → VIP Van 9pax → Minibus 15pax → Van 6pax → SUV 3pax → Van 10pax
Train Hanoi - Sapa $ 21.40–109.12 7h 19m – 8h 5m
→ VIP Sleeper 22:00, 22:36 → Cabin 2x 22:00, 22:36 → VIP Sleeper 4x 22:00 → VIP Double Bed 22:00 → 1st Class Single Sleeper 22:00 → Suite 2x 22:00 → Cabin 4x 22:00
Van Hanoi - Sapa $ 14.98–17.76 5h 30m – 6h
→ Regional 06:25, 06:31, 06:35, 06:45, 06:46, 07:00, 07:10, 14:30, 14:45 → Middle seats 06:30, 06:45, 06:55, 07:00, 14:30 → Front and Back seats 06:15, 06:25, 06:30, 06:45, 07:00, 14:20, 14:35

Noi Bai Airport - Sapa More info / Tickets

Bus Noi Bai Airport - Sapa $ 9.34–24.05 5h 30m – 6h 30m
→ Sleeper 40 07:15 → VIP 22 07:00, 07:30, 07:45, 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 13:30, 13:45, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:15, 22:20, 22:30, 23:30 → Sleeper 44 07:45, 13:45, 22:30 → Sleeper 08:00, 23:00 → Double cabin 08:00, 23:00 → Single Cabin 08:00, 23:00
Taxi Noi Bai Airport - Sapa $ 102.36–319.23 3h 55m – 5h 10m
→ Economy 3pax → Van 12pax → Minivan 5pax → Comfort 3pax → Van 9pax → SUV 4pax → VIP Van 9pax → Van 6pax → SUV 3pax → Van 11pax → Minibus 15pax
Van Noi Bai Airport - Sapa $ 18.00–24.32 5h 10m – 5h 50m
→ Middle seats 07:30, 15:30 → Van + VIP Bus 06:15, 07:15, 08:15, 09:15, 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15, 14:15, 15:15, 16:15, 17:15, 20:15, 21:15, 22:15

Hanoi - Lao Cai More info / Tickets

Bus Hanoi - Lao Cai $ 9.00–31.62 5h – 6h
→ VIP 20 05:55, 06:30, 07:00, 07:15, 08:15, 09:15, 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15, 14:15, 15:15, 17:15, 21:00, 21:30, 22:30, 22:45 → Double cabin 06:15, 07:15, 08:15, 09:15, 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15, 14:15, 15:15, 17:15, 21:45, 22:00, 22:30, 22:45 → VIP 9 Express 06:30, 06:45 → Sleeper 40 06:10, 06:30, 06:45, 21:10, 21:30, 21:45 → VIP 22 05:50, 06:00, 06:15, 06:30, 06:45, 07:00, 07:10, 07:15, 07:20, 07:30, 08:00, 08:15, 08:30, 09:00, 09:15, 09:30, 10:00, 10:15, 10:30, 11:00, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15, 13:30, 16:45, 17:15, 17:30, 20:15, 20:30, 21:00, 21:15, 21:30, 21:40, 21:45, 21:55, 22:15, 22:30
Taxi Hanoi - Lao Cai $ 167.81–194.56 5h 30m
→ VIP Van 9pax → Van 12pax
Van Hanoi - Lao Cai $ 16.28–20.92 5h 30m – 6h
→ Middle seats 06:00, 06:15, 06:30, 06:45, 13:45, 14:15, 14:30 → Front and Back seats 06:00, 06:15, 06:30, 06:45, 13:45, 14:15, 14:30 → Van 11pax 06:35, 06:55

Noi Bai Airport - Lao Cai More info / Tickets

Bus Noi Bai Airport - Lao Cai $ 12.52–17.29 5h
→ Sleeper 44 07:45, 13:45, 22:30 → VIP 22 07:45, 13:45, 22:30
Taxi Noi Bai Airport - Lao Cai $ 167.81 5h 30m
→ VIP Van 9pax
Van Noi Bai Airport - Lao Cai $ 194.56 5h 30m
→ Van 11pax 00:00

Gia Lam - Sapa More info / Tickets

Train Gia Lam - Sapa $ 21.61–27.75 7h 32m
→ VIP Sleeper 22:23 → Cabin 2x 22:23

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I book tickets from Hanoi to Lao Cai?

Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Hanoi to Lao Cai, including current prices and schedules.

What is the cheapest way to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai?

Booking platforms listed bus fares from about US$9 in October 2026. Vietnam's tourism board quotes the night train from about VND 900,000.

What is the fastest way to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai?

Buses, vans and private cars are listed at about 5 to 6 hours, while the overnight train takes about 8 hours.

How long does it take to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai?

The overnight train takes about 8 hours (22:00 to 05:50 on the Vietnam Railways timetable). Buses and vans are listed at about 5 to 6 hours and private cars at about 5 hours 30 minutes.

Is the overnight train better than the bus?

The train is slower but gives you a bed and saves a night of accommodation. The bus is faster and is available throughout the day.

Can I get to Lao Cai directly from Noi Bai Airport?

Yes. Booking platforms list buses from Noi Bai Airport to Lao Cai at about US$13 to US$17 in October 2026 with a journey time of about 5 hours.

Sources and background

Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.

[1] Vietnam Railways (Duong sat Viet Nam): Vietnam Railways timetable: Hanoi - Lao Cai. Retrieved October 17, 2026.
[2] Vietnam Tourism (Vietnam National Authority of Tourism): Sa Pa for sustainable travellers. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
[3] 12Go: 12Go timetable: Hanoi to Lao Cai. Retrieved October 17, 2026.

Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.