SaPa to CatBa

Want to know how to get from Sa Pa to CatBa? In this post, we’ll share a summary of the two ways to get there and compare each option on duration, costs and level of comfort. For each option, we go into more detail to help you decide which transport provider to book with and where to buy your tickets.

What to expect when visiting CatBa

Cat Ba is a biodiverse island along Vietnam’s northeast coast. The largest of the islands in Halong Bay, Cat Ba boasts a rugged karst landscape dotted with spectacular limestone cliffs, sandy beaches, lakes, grottoes, and waterfalls.

Popular activities include kayaking and rock climbing, but you can also just lounge by the beach and wait for the sunset at Cannon Fort. The island rose in popularity in recent years, but we love that most areas remain untouched in Cat Ba.

2 ways to get from Sa Pa to CatBa

There are two ways to travel the distance of 370 km (230 miles) from Sa Pa to CatBa: by bus (10-11 hours) and train (8h45m). The journey takes between 8h45m - 11h and the quickest way is by train. The lowest priced tickets start from 335,000 VND ($13.50) for the train.

Sa Pa to CatBa by Train

Duration: 8h45m

Starts from: 335,000 VND ($13.50)

Duration: 8h45m

Cost: 335,000 VND ($13.50)

Travelling from SaPa to CatBa by train includes 3 steps and takes around 12.5 hours — but 8 hours of that will be spent on an overnight train where you can get a good night’s sleep.

Is it worth making all these transfers when you can just take a direct bus? It’s really up to your preference. Trains are an exciting way to travel in Vietnam, and they’re generally safer and more comfortable than buses.

Step 1: Sapa to Lao Cai by Bus/Van

Duration: 45 minutes

Costs: 40,000 VND ($1.60)

Duration: 45 minutes

Costs: 40,000 VND ($1.60)

From SaPa, you can take a 45-minute van or a 1-hour bus to Lao Cai. Because you will be taking a night train, we recommend catching the last trip from SaPa so you can still make the most of your last day here.

The last van or bus leaves SaPa around 17:00 to 18:30. Confirm this schedule with your hotel so that you don’t miss it and end up paying for a more expensive taxi.

Ticket prices start from 40,000 VND ($1.60) for a van and 30,000 VND ($1.20) for a bus.

Step 2: Lao Cai to Hanoi by Train

Duration: 8 hours

Costs: 295,000 VND ($12.00)

Duration: 8 hours

Costs: 295,000 VND ($12.00)

Starting October 2022, Vietnam Railways is back to its nightly operations from Lao Cai to Hanoi. This route previously operated with fewer weekly departures because of the pandemic.

Vietnam Railways SP4 departs every night from Lao Cai at 21:30. This arrives in Hanoi at 05:25 after an 8-hour journey.

You can get a 4-berth sleeper for 295,000 VND ($12.00). Skip the queues at the train station and buy your tickets online beforehand through Baolau.

Check out our page for SaPa to Hanoi for more train options.

Step 3: Hanoi to CatBa

When travelling from Hanoi to CatBa, you have 2 options: you can take a combined bus & ferry (3.5 hours) or a DIY train + taxi + ferry (4 hours). We break down both routes below.

Option 1: Hanoi to CatBa by Bus & Ferry

Duration: 3.5 hours

Costs: 275,000 VND ($11.00)

Duration: 3.5 hours

Costs: 275,000 VND ($11.00)

We recommend taking a combined bus & ferry from Hanoi to CatBa for convenience. Your tour operator takes care of your transfers so you won’t have to worry about anything.

Ticket prices start from 275,000 VND ($11.00) and travel time takes around 3.5 hours.

For more info, check out our guide on how to get from Hanoi to CatBa.

Option 2: Hanoi to CatBa by Train + Taxi + Ferry

Duration: 4 hours

Costs: 275,000 VND ($11.00)

Duration: 4 hours

Costs: 275,000 VND ($11.00)

This 2nd option involves several transfers that you will have to schedule on your own. This is why we think you should take this route only if the tickets for the combined bus & ferry are already sold out.

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you’ll have around 30 minutes to spare before the first train departs for Hai Phong at 06:00. A train ticket costs 85,000 VND ($3.40) for the 2.5-hour journey.

You are to get off at Hai Phong Railway Station. From here, you can take a 10-minute taxi with fares from 50,000 VND ($2.00) to Pha Binh Harbour.

IMPORTANT: Make sure the driver understands that you want to go to Pha Binh Harbour, NOT Dinh Vu Port. Some drivers may try to scam you by taking you to Dinh Vu, which is 30 minutes away by taxi. There are no direct ferries from Dinh Vu to CatBa.

From Pha Binh Harbour, there are six direct ferries departing for CatBa daily. The ferry journey takes around 1.5 hours. A ticket costs 140,000 VND ($5.50) and you can buy them online on Baolau.

Ferries dock at CatBa Pier in CatBa town centre. From here, many hotels in town are just within walking distance.

Sa Pa to CatBa by Bus

Duration: 10-11 hours

Starts from: 625,000 VND ($25.50)

Duration: 10-11 hours

Cost: 625,000 VND ($25.50)

There are three main companies offering nightly bus trips from SaPa to CatBa: Good Morning Cat Ba, Ken Doan and SaPa Grouptour.

Ken Doan offers the cheapest fares from 625,000 VND ($25.50) — this already includes free hotel pick-up in SaPa.

If you prefer to travel with the company with the best reviews, go for Good Morning Cat Ba, which is known for its friendly staff and nice buses.

Departure and arrival station

Good Morning Cat Ba departs from SaPa Bus Station, 1 km east of Sapa Lake. It offers free hotel drop-off in CatBa town centre.

Ken Doan picks up passengers from any hotel in SaPa town centre. Its last stop is at the parking lot of CatBa Night Market.

SaPa Grouptour departs from its office in Sapa town centre and arrives at its headquarters in CatBa town centre.

Bus Schedule from SaPa to CatBa