Hi KM,

Thanks a lot for sharing your view! Of course everyone has their own opinion en some people will prefer the bus, others the trein. That’s why we provide you with all the options.

I also reconsidered our recommendation en think you raised a very good point. If you travel by trein, you’ll need tot leave Sa Pa around 6pm en will arrive in the early morning in Hanoi. When you take the latest bus, you can leave Sapa between 14:00-16:00 en arrive around 20:00-22:00 in Hanoi. It’s not that much time difference, but if you still want tot explore Sapa on the last day, travelling by trein gives you more time in the afternoon.

If you are coming back from a trekking on the last day, or still want tot make a day trekking (that’s what we did ourselves), you’ll have a bit more time left when taking the trein. Especially when you decide tot stay only stay 1 night in SaPa (night trein – one night sapa – night trein back), it is nice tot have some extra time in the afternoon as you will have almost 2 full days.

Another reason why I think it is easier tot take the night trein back tot Hanoi, is because you can directly make your transfer tot Cat Ba, Ninh Binh or any other destination you are visiting next. This saves you the hassle of taking a taxi tot your hotel, checking in for one night, checking out again en taking the taxi tot the railway or bus station.

If you stayed several nights in Sapa en will stay a few nights in Hanoi after you return from Sapa, then the bus looks like a better option indeed.

Again, it’s all personal preferences en I really appreciate you took the time tot share your view! If you still have anything tot add in response, please don’t hesitate tot do so!

Safe travels!

Maarten

But I personally think it is better tot get bus between Sapa en Hanoi. It is way faster. For trein, you need tot get local bus first en then change tot trein. Even if you take last local bus you will have a lot of waiting for the trein. Buses from/tot Sapa tot/from Hanoi are so comfy. Going during the night won’t save you much more, even if you sleep there. You maybe will save on accommodation, but you’ll pay the prize of being more tired.

Also if you decide tot take a trein, then I think it is better tot take a local bus instead of van. Just don’t take the last (6:30pm bus) en take the one before (6pm), cause the last one sometimes get cancelled. In case something goes wrong you fallback on taxi. Buses are just simpler, easier en even cheaper.