“All roads lead to Rome” – there can be many different routes that lead to the same goal. Whatever goal, place or destination it may be, it is of great importance that you should choose the rightest and the most suitable route for yourself. And the same goes with when you decide to pack your back to Sapa.

Motorcycle Road Trip

This maybe the most common choice for every backpacker or solo traveler since the price is considerably cheap. Besides, it is also a great opportunity for sightseeing, exploring the wonderful scenic areas as well as saving your own memorable moments. In addition, travelers can also be more active in time management and planning.  From Hanoi, there are many different routes to get to Sapa but these three main routes are recommended by most motorcycle road-trip travelers.

Hà Nội – Lào Cai route: For this route, there will be two ways that you can choose from
The first one is: Hà Nội – Vĩnh Phúc – Việt Trì – Phong Châu – Đoan Hùng – Yên Bái – Lào Cai – Sapa (360km). This is an easy and fast way to get to Sapa. With just 2 times of filling up your fuel (about 150.000vnd), you can go for a distance of approximately 400km.
The second one is: Hà Nội – Hòa Lạc – Sơn Tây – Trung Hòa Bridge – Phong Châu Bridge – Đoan Hùng – Highway 70 – Lào Cai – Sapa (370km).

Hà Nội – Yên Bái route: Hà Nội – Hòa Lạc – Sơn Tây – Thanh Sơn – Highway 32 – Sapa (420km). If you desire to conquer the longer, harder roads and want to be a part of an extremely adventurous journey, this is just the route that you should take in consideration. On your way, you will get the chance to conquer two of the Four Great Mountain Passes: Khau Phạ (30km) and Ô Quy Hồ (50km). Also on this route, when getting near to Sapa, you will pass through the beautiful Mù Căng Chải suburban district located in Yên Bái province and the great Hoàng Liên Sơn National Park. Beside the two mountain passes waiting for you to conquer, you can also take a chance to visit the Love and Silver Waterfall.

Notes
For motorcycle travelers, there are a few important notes that you should write down before you can officially start your journey. Below are some notes arranged by priority from high to low.

Weather: This is the most important factor that you must consider before deciding to start your trip. Weather can excessively and directly affect your choice of routes or your itinerary. Therefore, for your own safety as well as the trip’s success, check the weather forecast carefully before you make your plan. You should also avoid going around July or August since it is the rainy season and is very dangerous to travel.

Transport: “Every rider has that special horse” and so do you. In the long run, a good motorbike means a good companion. Get your motorbike fixed, give it refreshing look, a strong engine and get ready for the ride. In case any problems with your motorbike might suddenly happen during your trip, remember to bring along spare tyre, tube and some fixing tools. Extra cans of fuel are also needed in case there is no gas station on the way when you are in need.

Money: After planning your trip, make a calculation of the amount of money that you will spend and remember to always bring more than what you have planned.

Blue Card and License: Driving license and the blue card must always be in your pocket as you can be requested to hand it in at anytime. ID/Passport is also needed for room booking.

Map: For road trip travelers, map is something that you can never forget to bring along. With a map, you can know exactly about the route that you take as well as the whole itinerary. It is also important in case you get lost and have difficulty in finding the right way.

Belongings: When you make your trip’s plan, note down how many days you will stay then prepare a list of outfits that you will wear for each day. You should also bring other belongings that you need during the trip but remember to consider how many you will take in order of priority for convenience.

Sunglasses, face mask and gloves: These are needed to protect your own health when you travel the long way.
Camera: If you want to save such beautiful photos of the great mountain that you will go through, do not forget to bring your camera.

Train

This used to be a common transport for traveling  because of its reasonable price and convenience. Since the new expressway’s establishment, this is less in favor than before and you will have to catch a bus or a coach to keep traveling to Sapa after getting off at Lào Cai Station. Hà Nội Train Station is the main station in Hà Nội.

These are the train codes of Hà Nội Train Station: SP3, SP7, SP1, LC3, YB1/YB2.

SP3, SP7, SP1 and LC3 trains will take you straight to Lào Cai. From Lào Cai Station, you can catch a bus (50.00vnd/guest) to continue going to Sapa.

YB1/YB2 train will drop you off at Yên Bái Station, from there you will have to continue traveling on another train, bus or coach to Sapa. On normal days, the train will depart at Long Biên Train Station. On holidays, Saturdays and Sundays, the train will leave at Hà Nội Train Station.

Most of these trains leave in the afternoon and in the evening; the others leave in the morning.

Here is the recent train journey
SP1: 9:40 pm to 5:35 am (about 8 hours – passes through 6 stations)
SP3: 10:00 pm to 6:20 am (8 hours 20 minutes – passes through 10 stations)
SP7: 8:30 pm to 4:45 am (8 hours 15 minutes – passes through 14 stations)
LC3: 6:10 am to 3:46 pm (9 hours 36 minutes – passes through 24 stations – meals are not included in the train fare).
YB1: 1:15pm to 6:10pm (5 hours)

Train fare: 50.000 – 170.000vnd (YB1)
                      100.000 – 600.000vnd (other trains)

Hà Nội Train Station
Address: #120 Lê Duẩn Street, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84) 439 423 697
        (+84) 439 423 949 (online booking)
Website: 

https://dsvn.vn/
http://gahanoi.com.vn

Long Biên Train Station
Address: At the end of Long Biên Bridge, Trần Nhật Duật Road, Đồng Xuân Ward, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hà Nội

Tourists can also check this website for more high-class trains
Green Train Express
Address: 3^rd Floor, #52 Xã Đàn Street, Đống Đa District, Hà Nội (Hanoi Office)
Tel: (+84) 435 162 898
        (+84) 919 473 360 (Hotline)
Website: http://greentrains.net

Bus and Coach

Since the establishment of the new Nội Bài – Lào Cai Expressway, this is considered to be the fastest and the most convenient way to travel from Hanoi to Sapa (4 – 5 hours). Tourists can either book for a coach or a bus with the travel agents or hire your own coach but the price might be considerably higher. Since motorbikes are not allowed to travel on this route, buses and coaches (or cars) are the only transports that can take you from Hanoi to Sapa.

You can book your Sapa tickets with Sleeping Bus from us. Send your inquiry to mazevietnam.info@gmail.com

Green Bus Schedule:

Arrival – Departure

Hanoi – Sapa

7:00 – 13:00
14:00 – 19:45
22:00 – 3:30

Sapa – Hanoi

08:00 – 13:30
13:30 – 19:30
16:00 – 21:30
22:00 – 03:30

Price:

VND 240.000 / way (Random seat)

VND 300.000 / way (Front seat and 1st-floor bed guaranteed)

Good morning Sapa Schedule:

Arrival – Departure

Hanoi – Sapa

6:45 – 12:30

Sapa – Hanoi

15:30 – 21:30

Price:

VND 240.000 / way (Random seat)

Taxi

Traveling for quite a long distance by taxi is not a popular choice for some travelers but it is still possible. Usually, taxi will also take the Nội Bài – Lào Cai Expressway so the average journey time can be 4-5 hours (sometimes longer).

Dichung Taxi
Address: P221, 2^nd Floor, Tower B, Hồng River Parkview Building, #165 Thái Hà Street, Đống Đa District, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84) 432 002 566
        (+84) 934 531 266
Website: http://dichungtaxi.com
Fare: 200.000vnd / guest (Travel in group / Hà Nội – Lào Cai)
           2.700.000vnd (Not travel in group / Hà Nội – Lào Cai)

Taxi Vip
Address: #47, Alleyway 16, Hoàng Cầu Street, Đống Đa District, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84) 473 02 02 02
Website: http://taxivip.vn
Fare: 2.500.000 – 3.400.000vnd

Bicycle

It might sound impossible but it is totally possible. It is exactly the same when you travel by motorbike but the traveling time will be much longer. For bicycle road trip, it is important that you carry as light as possible to save energy, and the notes for motorbike road trip traveling can also be applied for bicycle traveling.

Here comes my favorite quote: “When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.” Susan Heller
Good luck and have fun in Sapa!