The distance between Phong Nha and Sa Pa is around 750km (466 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 5h 20m.
We've found 5 different ways to get from Phong Nha to Sa Pa by plane, bus, train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Sa Pa → Phong Nha if you're planning a return trip.
Fly from Dong Hoi (VDH) to Noi Bai International (HAN) then take the bus to Sapa.
Multiple operators
Take the bus to Hanoi and then to Sapa.
Multiple bus operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the train to Ha Noi and then to Sapa Lao Cai.
Vietnam Railways
There are several options for getting from Phong Nha to Sa Pa by plane, bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around ₫608,245 ($26) and will take around 13h 35m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and then take the bus and arrive in approximately 5h 20m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ₫1,988,490 ($85).
The distance between Phong Nha and Sa Pa is around 750km (466 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 585km (364 miles)
It takes around 5h 20m to get from Phong Nha and Sa Pa by plane and bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 10h 5m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Phong Nha to Sa Pa is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 5h 20m and will set you back approx ₫1,988,490 ($85).
The cheapest way to travel between Phong Nha and Sa Pa, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around ₫608,245 ($26) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Phong Nha and Sa Pa. It typically takes around 21hrs and departs 4 times a week.
There are no direct train services that runs from Phong Nha to Sa Pa. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Minh Le, Ha Noi and Sapa Lao Cai. These services run 4 times a week and will take a minimum of 21hrs.
Vietnam Railways run train services between Phong Nha and Sa Pa. Trains depart 4 times a week and will take around 21hrs, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Phong Nha and Sa Pa. It typically takes around 13h 35m and departs once daily.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Phong Nha to Sa Pa. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Phong Nha Ke Bang and Hanoi. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 13h 35m.
Hung Thanh, Inter Bus Lines, Local Bus Vietnam and Sao Viet run regular bus services between Phong Nha and Sa Pa. Buses run once daily and take around 13h 35m on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Phong Nha to Sa Pa. We recommend that you fly from Dong Hoi (VDH) to Noi Bai International (HAN) then take the bus to Sapa. instead which will take 5h 20m.
The closest major airport to Sa Pa is Dien Bien Airport (DIN) (DIN) which is approximately 137km (85 miles) from Sa Pa. Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) (HAN) and Bai Thuong Airport (THD) (THD) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Yes it is possible to drive from Phong Nha and Sa Pa. The distance is around 793km (493 miles) by road and it will take around 10h 5m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Phong Nha to Sa Pa is to fly and then take the bus which takes, on average, 5h 20m and will usually cost around ₫1,988,490 ($85).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Plane and Bus | 5h 20m | ₫1,988,490($85) | every 4 hours | 750km (466 miles) |
Bus + 1 similar | 13h 35m | ₫608,245($26) | once daily | 793km (493 miles) |
Bus via Hanoi Queen Cafe | 15h 45m | ₫772,000($33) | once daily | 808km (502 miles) |
Train | 21hrs | ₫1,356,850($58) | 4 times a week | 855km (531 miles) |
Drive | 10h 5m | ₫2,152,250($90) | on demand | 793km (493 miles) |
Inter Bus Lines
Sao Viet
Hung Thanh
Local Bus Vietnam
Bamboo Airways
Vietnam Airlines
Vietnam Railways
The following major airports near Sa Pa offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Vietnam and internationally.