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Sapa is a mountain town 320 kilometres (199 miles) northwest of Ninh Binh. Rice terraces stair-step down its valleys, and Fansipan, Vietnam's highest peak, rises nearby. Private transport gets you from Ninh Binh to Sapa in 8h. The bus is the cheapest at $14 (371,000 VND). The train costs more and involves changes along the way.
Distance from Ninh Binh to Sapa
Ninh Binh and Sapa are about 320 km (199 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 398 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 6h 45m and 12h.
3 ways to travel from Ninh Binh to Sapa
There are three ways to travel from Ninh Binh to Sapa. You can choose between the bus, train, and private transport. The journey takes 6h 45m–10h 30m and the quickest way is by bus. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $14 (371,000 VND).
3 legs — see itinerary
- Ninh Binh→Hanoi3h
- Hanoi→Lao Cai7h 20m
- Lao Cai→Sapa55m
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Ninh Binh to Sapa by Bus
When you want to travel direct and on a budget, take the bus from Ninh Binh to Sapa. Bus fares start from $14 (371,000 VND).
Ket Doan, The Long Travel, Techbus VN JSC, Ha Son, Full Moon Party, Duc Duong Bus, Grouptour and TBus operate nightly buses for this route. The advertised travel time is 6h 45m - 9h 50m. However, both companies are known for late bus departures.
Some buses leave at least an hour later than the promised time. Drivers and staff for both Ket Doan, The Long Travel, Techbus VN JSC, Ha Son, Full Moon Party, Duc Duong Bus, Grouptour and TBus can also be rude to passengers.
For these reasons, you can consider just travelling from Ninh Binh to Sapa by train, where you can expect a comfortable ride.
Departure and arrival station
The Long Travel departs from The Long Hotel in Tam Coc and arrives at Sapa Bus Station.
Sapa Grouptour departs from its headquarters in Tam Coc town centre. It parks at its office in Sapa city centre.
Bus schedule from Ninh Binh to Sapa
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Ninh Binh to Sapa by Train
Travelling by train from Ninh Binh to Sapa involves 3 steps: 2 trains and then a van or bus.
Despite all these transfers, train travel in Vietnam is generally comfortable and come with good customer service. The same thing cannot be said for the bus companies operating on this route.
Step 1: Ninh Binh to Hanoi by Train
There are several trains operating daily from Ninh Binh to Hanoi.
We recommend taking the last one, SE8, which departs at 16:30 and arrives at 19:12. With this train, you will arrive in Hanoi in time for dinner. You’ll have more than enough time to find a nice resto in the city and get back to the train station before 22:00.
Ticket prices start from $4.40 (114,000 VND) for a soft seat.
Check out our page on Ninh Binh to Hanoi for more train options.
Train tickets are available on Bookaway.
Step 2: Hanoi to Lao Cai by Train
Starting October 2022, Vietnam Railways is back to its nightly operations from Hanoi to Lao Cai. This route previously operated with fewer weekly departures because of the pandemic.
Vietnam Railways train SP3 departs from Hanoi Railway Station at 22:00 every night. Travel time to Lao Cai is around 7h 20m - 8h 5m.
A ticket costs $19 (505,000 VND) for a 4-berth sleeper. You can also get a cheaper bunk in a 6-berth sleeper, but it is less spacious.
For more train choices, you can find deluxe, luxury and private cabins on BookAway.
Train tickets are available on Bookaway.
Step 3: Lao Cai to Sapa by Van
From Lao Cai Railway Station, you can get to Sapa by van or bus.
Vans are faster because they don’t make a lot of stops. A seat costs $8.40 (221,000 VND) for the journey that takes 55m.
The bus is a good way to travel like a local — just don’t expect a lot of space for your bags. A ticket costs $1.10 (30,000 VND) and travel time is around 1 hour.
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Ninh Binh to Sapa by Private Transport
Looking to travel door-to-door in a private car?
You can book a 5-seater taxi to get you from Ninh Binh to Sapa for $200 (5,316,000 VND).
You can also save money when travelling in a larger group. A private minivan that can fit up to 10 people costs $245 (6,468,000 VND).
Private Transport tickets are available on Bookaway.
Rounding it up
That's the Full picture for getting from Ninh Binh to Sapa, roughly 320 kilometres (199 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $14 (371,000 VND). The quickest trip takes 6h 45m.
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 Ninh Binh to Sapa?
The distance from Ninh Binh to Sapa is 320 kilometres (199 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Ninh Binh to Sapa?
Journey times from Ninh Binh to Sapa overlap: bus 6h 45m - 9h 50m, train 10h 30m - 12h, private transport 8h. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
What is the cheapest way to get from Ninh Binh to Sapa?
The cheapest way to get from Ninh Binh to Sapa is by bus with ticket costs starting from 371,000 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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