The distance between Sầm Sơn and Lao Cai is around 454km (282 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 5h 10m.
We've found 5 different ways to get from Sầm Sơn to Lao Cai by train, bus, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Lao Cai → Sầm Sơn if you're planning a return trip.
Take the train to Vinh then fly from Vinh (VII) to Noi Bai International (HAN) then take the bus to Lao Cai.
Multiple operators
Take the bus to Ninh Binh then Rạp Xiếc Trung Ương and then to Lao Cai.
Multiple bus operators
Take the train to Ha Noi and then to Sapa Lao Cai.
Vietnam Railways
Take the train to Ninh Binh then take the bus to Hanoi Airport and then to Lao Cai.
Multiple operators
There are several options for getting from Sầm Sơn to Lao Cai by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around ₫701,820 ($30) and will take around 11h 60m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 5h 10m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ₫1,239,880 ($53).
The distance between Sầm Sơn and Lao Cai is around 454km (282 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 343km (213 miles)
It takes around 8h 10m to get from Sầm Sơn and Lao Cai by train and bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 5h 10m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Sầm Sơn to Lao Cai is to drive which takes around 5h 10m and will set you back approx ₫1,239,880 ($53).
The cheapest way to travel between Sầm Sơn and Lao Cai, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around ₫701,820 ($30) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Sầm Sơn and Lao Cai. It typically takes around 11h 60m and departs 4 times a week.
There are no direct train services that runs from Sầm Sơn to Lao Cai. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Thanh Hoa and Ha Noi. These services run 4 times a week and will take a minimum of 11h 60m.
Vietnam Railways run train services between Sầm Sơn and Lao Cai. Trains depart 4 times a week and will take around 11h 60m, 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 Sầm Sơn and Lao Cai. It typically takes around 9hrs and departs once daily.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Sầm Sơn to Lao Cai. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Thanh Hoa, Ninh Binh, Rạp Xiếc Trung Ương, Tran Hung Dao and Noi Bai Airport T1. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 9hrs.
Hoang Long, Trang An Limousine and Sao Viet run regular bus services between Sầm Sơn and Lao Cai. Buses run once daily and take around 9hrs on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Sầm Sơn to Lao Cai. We recommend that you take the train to Vinh then fly from Vinh (VII) to Noi Bai International (HAN) then take the bus to Lao Cai. instead which will take 8h 25m.
The closest major airport to Lao Cai is Dien Bien Airport (DIN) (DIN) which is approximately 149km (93 miles) from Lao Cai. 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 Sầm Sơn and Lao Cai. The distance is around 454km (282 miles) by road and it will take around 5h 10m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Sầm Sơn to Lao Cai is to take the train and then take the bus which takes, on average, 8h 10m and will usually cost around ₫1,193,095 ($51).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Train, Plane and Bus | 8h 25m | ₫2,526,550($110) | 4 times a day | 708km (440 miles) |
Bus | 9hrs | ₫935,760($40) | once daily | 467km (290 miles) |
Train | 11h 60m | ₫701,820($30) | 4 times a week | 487km (303 miles) |
Train and Bus | 8h 10m | ₫1,193,095($51) | twice daily | 460km (286 miles) |
Drive | 5h 10m | ₫1,239,880($53) | on demand | 454km (282 miles) |
Ninh Binh Excursion Transport
Sao Viet
Hoang Long
Trang An Limousine
Vietnam Airlines
Bamboo Airways
Vietjet Air
Vietnam Railways
The following major airports near Lao Cai offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Vietnam and internationally.