Sapa is in the far northwest of Vietnam, about 380 km from Hanoi. The journey is the classic highland approach: overnight train to Lao Cai, then an hour by road up the mountain.
By train: Overnight trains from Hanoi to Lao Cai run nightly, departing around 9–10 pm and arriving around 5–6 am. Several operators run services; the standard soft sleeper is comfortable enough and the timing is efficient. Book tickets well in advance for weekends and the September–October peak season.
Lao Cai to Sapa: From Lao Cai station, shared minibuses and private taxis run the 38 km up the mountain road. The minibus is cheap and easy; the ride takes about an hour. Taxis are faster and useful for early arrivals when buses are scarce.
By bus: Direct buses from Hanoi's My Dinh station run the full 8–9 hour journey to Sapa, avoiding the train change. These are comfortable sleeper buses and cheaper than the train, though the road is winding and can be slow behind trucks.
By car or motorbike: A rented motorbike from Hanoi is possible for experienced riders — the road is largely good but the last section into Sapa is steep and can be very foggy. Allow two days from Hanoi.