The distance between Tam Cốc and Sa Pa is around 415km (258 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 4h 35m.
We've found 4 different ways to get from Tam Cốc to Sa Pa by 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 → Tam Cốc if you're planning a return trip.
Take the bus to Hanoi Airport 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 Tam Cốc to Sa Pa by bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around ₫561,455 ($24) and will take around 11h 25m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 4h 35m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ₫748,610 ($32).
The distance between Tam Cốc and Sa Pa is around 415km (258 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 320km (199 miles)
It takes around 7h 25m to get from Tam Cốc and Sa Pa by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 4h 35m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Tam Cốc to Sa Pa is to drive which takes around 4h 35m and will set you back approx ₫748,610 ($32).
The cheapest way to travel between Tam Cốc and Sa Pa, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around ₫561,455 ($24) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Tam Cốc and Sa Pa. It typically takes around 11h 25m and departs twice a week.
There are no direct train services that runs from Tam Cốc to Sa Pa. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Ninh Binh, Ha Noi and Sapa Lao Cai. These services run twice a week and will take a minimum of 11h 25m.
Vietnam Railways run train services between Tam Cốc and Sa Pa. Trains depart twice a week and will take around 11h 25m, 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 Tam Cốc and Sa Pa. It typically takes around 7h 25m and departs every 4 hours.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Tam Cốc to Sa Pa. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Tam Coc and Hanoi Airport. These services run every 4 hours and will take a minimum of 7h 25m.
Ninh Binh Excursion Transport, Sao Viet, Inter Bus Lines, Trang An Limousine, BinhMinh Limousine and Sapa Express run regular bus services between Tam Cốc and Sa Pa. Buses run every 4 hours and take around 7h 25m on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Tam Cốc to Sa Pa. We recommend that you take the bus to Hanoi Airport and then to Sapa. instead which will take 7h 25m.
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 Tam Cốc and Sa Pa. The distance is around 415km (258 miles) by road and it will take around 4h 35m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Tam Cốc to Sa Pa is to take the bus which takes, on average, 7h 25m and will usually cost around ₫748,610 ($32).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bus + 1 similar | 7h 25m | ₫748,610($32) | every 4 hours | 422km (262 miles) |
Bus via Rạp Xiếc Trung Ương | 9h 40m | ₫725,215($31) | every 20 mins | 474km (295 miles) |
Train | 11h 25m | ₫561,455($24) | twice a week | 451km (280 miles) |
Drive | 4h 35m | ₫748,610($32) | on demand | 415km (258 miles) |
Ninh Binh Excursion Transport
Sao Viet
Inter Bus Lines
Trang An Limousine
BinhMinh Limousine
Bamboo Airways
Vietnam Airlines
Vietnam Railways
The following major airports near Sa Pa offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Vietnam and internationally.