Sapa Vietnam - Transportation

Sapa Vietnam - Transportation

1. Getting there & away: Hanoi - Lao Cai - Sapa Travel by Land: Bus, minibus & motorbike - Hanoi to Lao Cai, Sapa: Sapa’s proximity to the border region makes it a possible first or last stop for travellers crossing between Vietnam and China. 380km from Hanoi. Everyday you can take the tourist bus ( overnight bus ) from Hanoi to Lao Cai or to Sapa - The gateway to Sapa is Lao Cai, 38km away on the Chinese border. Buses to points west such as Lai Chau and Dien Bien Phu pass through a few times a day from Lao Cai, the main transport hub. Sapa’s bus station (for minibuses in this case) is in the north of town. - Minibuses make the trip from Lao Cai regularly between 5am and 5pm (25, 000d, 1½ hours). In Sapa, minibuses wait in front of the church but do not run to any particular schedule. However, in Lao Cai minibuses wait for the train that arrives from Hanoi. If you are arriving from China, you can pick one up at Lao Cai bus station. - Sapa to Bac Ha Market: The advertised rate of hotel minibus services to Bac Ha (110km) for the Sunday market is around US$18 per person; departure from Sapa is at 6am and from Bac Ha at 1pm. It’s cheaper to go to Bac Ha by public minibus, changing buses in Lao Cai. - Driving a motorbike from Hanoi to Sapa is feasible, but it’s a very long trip, so start early. The total distance between Hanoi and Sapa is 380km. The last 38km are straight uphill – unless you’ve been training for the Olympics, it’s hell on a bicycle Travel to Lao Cai, Sapa by Train: The train trip between Lao Cai (gateway station to Sapa) and Hanoi has become much more comfortable with the advent of a soft-sleeper class and private rail carriages hitching a ride on the main train. Currently, a sleeper ticket between Hanoi and Sapa can be booked only through hotels and agencies in Sapa, but in Hanoi you can book at the station or travel agent: Sapa Vietnam Team. Ticket prices start at 79, 000d for a hard seat (bad choice!) to 323, 000d for an air-conditioned soft sleeper, and rise by about 10% at weekends. There are also several companies operating special private carriages with comfortable sleepers, including the affordable: Victoria train, ET pumpkin train, ratraco train, .... for booking the more luxurious and expensive train you should contact us Sapa Vietnam Team. Our staff will help you. 2. Getting arround Sapa The best way to get around Sapa is to walk, and almost everywhere it’s steep! Anyone training for the Tour de France can rent a bicycle for the day, but you might spend half the time pushing it up steep, steep hills. For excursions further afield you can hire a self-drive motorbike, or take one with a driver. Cars, 4WDs and minibuses are also available for hire through hotels, guesthouses and travel agents. Rates vary widely depending on the destination and the distance. For any further information, please kindly contact Sapa Vietnam Team. You are welcomed Sapa Vietnam Team  Add: 102 Ma May street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam Tel: +844 39382195 - +844 39938638 - Fax: +844 39382194 Email: sapavietnamtours@gmail.com  Website: http://www.sapavietnam-tours.com