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Sapa is a mountain town in Vietnam's far north, wrapped in terraced rice fields. Trekking between the hill-tribe villages is the main reason to come. The bus is the cheapest and quickest way to get from Cat Ba to Sapa. It costs $21 (542,000 VND) and takes 9h-12h. The train costs more and takes longer, and it breaks the journey into several legs.
Distance from CatBa to Sapa
CatBa and Sapa are about 377 km (234 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 460 km by road. The quickest way to get from CatBa to Sapa is by taking the bus, which takes around 9h-12h.
2 ways to travel from CatBa to Sapa
There are two ways to travel from CatBa to Sapa. You can choose between the bus and train. The journey takes 9h–12h 30m and the quickest way is by bus. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $21 (542,000 VND).
3 legs — see itinerary
- CatBa→Hanoi4h
- Hanoi→Sapa7h 55m
- Lao Cai→Sapa1h
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CatBa to Sapa by Bus
There are seven companies offering direct buses from CatBa to Sapa: Sapa Ethnic Travel, Techbus VN JSC, Duc Duong Bus, Ket Doan, Full Moon Party, TBus and Good Morning Cat Ba.
Ket Doan offers the cheapest fares from $21 (542,000 VND), already with free hotel drop-off. Good Morning Cat Ba gets better reviews, though — you can expect friendly staff and comfortable buses.
Both day and night buses are available from CatBa to Sapa. When you take the day bus, you will lose an entire day on the journey. But if you take the night bus, you will arrive in the middle of the night in Sapa, so you will still need accommodation for that night.
Schedule-wise, taking the indirect train is more convenient because you will travel overnight. That is, if you don’t mind all the transfers.
Departure and arrival station
Good Morning Cat Ba offers free hotel pick-up and drops off passengers at Sapa Bus Station, 1 km east of Sapa Lake in the town centre.
Ket Doan departs from the Parking Lot of CatBa Night Market in the town centre. It takes you straight to your hotel’s doorstep as long as it’s within Sapa town centre.
Bus schedule from CatBa to Sapa
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
CatBa to Sapa by Train
Travelling by train from CatBa to Sapa covers 3 steps and takes around 12h 27m - 13h 07m — a few hours longer than the bus.
The train offers one advantage though: the train leg from Hanoi to Lao Cai travels overnight and allows you to have a good night’s sleep as well as save a night on accommodation.
Step 1: CatBa to Hanoi
Option 1: CatBa to Hanoi by Ferry & Bus
Taking a combined bus & ferry from CatBa to Hanoi is more convenient. Your tour operator takes care of your transfers, which depart from CatBa centre and arrive at Hanoi city centre.
Ticket prices start from $11 (289,000 VND) for the combined bus & ferry journey that takes 3h - 5h 40m.
For more info, visit our page for CatBa to Hanoi.
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Option 2: CatBa to Hanoi by DIY Ferry + Taxi + Train
This 2nd option involves several steps that you will have to do and plan on your own. While we don’t recommend this, it’s worth knowing these steps as an alternative if the combined bus & ferry tickets are sold out.
From CatBa Pier, you can get to the mainland by ferry to Pha Binh Harbour. There are six ferries available daily, but we recommend taking the last ferry that departs at 15:50. A ticket costs $5.30 (140,000 VND) and you can buy them online through Baolau.
From the pier, you can get to Hai Phong Railway Station via a 20-minute walk or a 10-minute taxi. Rates start from $1.90 (50,000 VND).
From Hai Phong, Hanoi is 2.5 hours away by train. We recommend taking the last train, which departs at 18:40.
Train tickets are available on Bookaway.
Step 2: Hanoi to Lao Cai by Train
Vietnam Railways operates every night from Hanoi to Lao Cai. Train SP3 departs at 22:00 and arrives in Lao Cai at 05:55 the next day. Travel time is around 7h 55m - 8h 05m.
Ticket prices for a 4-berth sleeper start from $27 (708,000 VND) when you book online.More luxurious train choices are also available on BookAway, where you can book deluxe, luxury and private cabins.
Train tickets are available on Bookaway.
Step 3: Lao Cai to Sapa by Van or Bus
From Lao Cai Railway Station, you can reach Sapa via a van for 1 hour 02 minutes or bus for 1 hour. A ticket costs $3.70 (97,000 VND) and $1.10 (30,000 VND), respectively.
Vans are normally waiting for passengers just outside the train station. If you’re taking the bus, you can find them at the Parking area across the railway station.
Rounding it up
That's the Full picture for getting from CatBa to Sapa, roughly 377 kilometres (234 miles) apart. In all, there are 2 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $21 (542,000 VND). The quickest trip takes 9h.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from CatBa to Sapa?
The distance from CatBa to Sapa is 377 kilometres (234 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from CatBa to Sapa?
The fastest way to get from CatBa to Sapa is by bus and takes 9h-12h.
What is the cheapest way to get from CatBa to Sapa?
The cheapest way to get from CatBa to Sapa is by bus with ticket costs starting from 542,000 VND.
About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
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