How to travel from Sầm Sơn to Lao Cai, Vietnam

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.

5 routes found

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 CaiSầm Sơn if you're planning a return trip.

1
train
+
plane
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bus
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Train, Plane and Bus

Take the train to Vinh then fly from Vinh (VII) to Noi Bai International (HAN) then take the bus to Lao Cai.

  • Duration8h 25m
  • Flight time1h 10m
  • Typical cost
    ₫2,526,550($110)
Operated by

Multiple operators

2
3 x bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Ninh Binh then Rạp Xiếc Trung Ương and then to Lao Cai.

  • Duration9hrs
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    ₫935,760($40)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

💰 Cheapest
3
train
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train
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Train

Take the train to Ha Noi and then to Sapa Lao Cai.

  • Duration11h 60m
  • Departs4 times a week
  • Typical cost
    ₫701,820($30)
Operated by

Vietnam Railways

4
train
+
bus
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bus
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Train and Bus

Take the train to Ninh Binh then take the bus to Hanoi Airport and then to Lao Cai.

  • Duration8h 10m
  • Departstwice daily
  • Typical cost
    ₫1,193,095($51)
Operated by

Multiple operators

🚀 Fastest
5
car
+

Drive

Drive to Lào Cai.

  • Duration5h 10m
  • Distance454km (282 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Sầm Sơn and Lao Cai

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.

Train travel

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.

Bus travel

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.

Flights and Airlines

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.

Drive yourself

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).

How do I get from Sầm Sơn to Lao Cai

Compare travel optionsbetween Sầm Sơn and Lao Cai

Transport options from Sầm Sơn to Lao Cai
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train, Plane and Bus
8h 25m
₫2,526,550($110)
4 times a day708km (440 miles)
Bus
9hrs
₫935,760($40)
once daily467km (290 miles)
Train
11h 60m
₫701,820($30)
4 times a week487km (303 miles)
Train and Bus
8h 10m
₫1,193,095($51)
twice daily460km (286 miles)
Drive
5h 10m
₫1,239,880($53)
on demand454km (282 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Sầm Sơn and Lao Cai

Bus companies

Airlines

Train operators

Airports near Lao Cai

The following major airports near Lao Cai offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Vietnam and internationally.

DIN
Dien Bien Airport (DIN)
Domestic Airport
Distance
149km (93 miles) from Lao Cai
HAN
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)
International Airport
Distance
217km (135 miles) from Lao Cai
THD
Bai Thuong Airport (THD)
Domestic Airport
Distance
304km (189 miles) from Lao Cai