Travel to Sapa
Travel to ETHOS in Sapa: Your Guide to Getting Here Comfortably
How to Get to Sapa: Travel Guide 2025
Our Address:
ETHOS - Spirit of the Community
79 Nguyễn Chí Thanh
Tổ Dân Phố Fan Si Phang 4
Sa Pa
Lào Cai, Việt Nam
The nearest international airport to Sa Pa is in Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport. From there, travellers have several options for reaching the mountains, with the most popular being overnight sleeper buses and trains.
Travel from Hanoi to Sapa
For comfort and convenience, the Hanoi to Sa Pa VIP limousine is an excellent choice. The journey takes around five and a half to six hours, with spacious reclining seats, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and refreshments provided. Limousines carry fewer passengers than buses, ensuring a quieter, more personal experience. Pick-up and drop-off services are often included, saving the need to arrange transfers at either end.
VIP Limousine
Those seeking flexibility and privacy may opt for a private car. The journey takes roughly five and a half hours each way, with the added advantage of turning the trip into a road adventure by stopping at scenic or cultural sites along the route.
Private Car
For a smoother ride and a longer night’s rest, the night train is an excellent alternative. Several companies operate cabins on the same service, so although you may book with a different company, you will still travel on the same train. Premium cabins, offer an enhanced experience. Trains depart Hanoi at 10pm, arriving Lào Cai at approximately 6am, followed by a connecting shuttle bus that brings you to Sa Pa town by about 7am. Many travellers opt to commence their ETHOS experience on the same day.
Night Train
Many visitors choose a sleeper bus from Hanoi to Sa Pa. The journey takes about six hours. These buses are generally comfortable, although some are more reputable than others. Many offer reclining seats designed for sleeping or fully reclined beds. Buses depart frequently during both the day and night. The morning / day / evening options are preferable.
Sleeper Bus
A new daytime train service now runs from Lào Cai to Hanoi, offering a refreshing alternative to the usual overnight options. The train departs around midday (typically between 12.05pm and 1.30pm and completes the journey in approximately 7 to 7.5 hours, arriving in Hanoi in the early evening
Day Train
Best way to get to Sapa Vietnam by train / bus / limousine / private car
FAQ’s:
“Is there a train from Hanoi to Sapa?”
“How long is the bus from Hanoi to Sapa?”
“What is the cheapest way to get to Sapa?”
“What is the fastest way to get to Sapa?”
If you need any assitance in booking transportaion to or from Sapa, please send us an email.
Once in Sapa
Getting to ETHOS
Our ETHOS Community Centre is located in a quiet suburban street approximately 1.1 km from the centre of Sapa town. We strongly recommend NOT following Google Maps and this will lead you on a path through back gardens with dogs and over walls. Instead, use the following directions.
Walking (20 minutes)
From the town square, head up the staircase adjacent to Cau May Street. At the top of the stairs, you will see “The Herbalist” on your left hand side.
Continue up the hill along Thac Bac road for about 350 metres. You will pass Pistachio and the Lestar Hotel on your left. The road turns sharply to the right after Maison De Sapa on your right.
Continue for a further 50 metres and you will see a set of stairs on your left. Walk up the stairs and at the top, turn left onto Nguyen Chi Thanh Street. Continue up the hill for 350 metres. You will pass a wooden stilt house on the right hand side.
Continue for a further 50 metres. When you see the ETHOS sign, turn left into the small alley. Continue for 20 metres. ETHOS are located at number 79 on the left hand side.
By Taxi:
Alternatively, the same journey from the centre of town takes about 5 minutes and should cost approximately 60,000 VND (2.5 USD).
