Sapa to Fansipan — Go by Train + Cable Car? ☀️
Discover the majesty of Fansipan Mountain, Vietnam’s highest peak, located in the scenic region of Sapa.
- Visit the highest mountain in Vietnam, Fansipan (Vietnamese: Phan Xi Păng), nestled in Northern Vietnam near the enchanting city of Sapa, Lai Chau province. Rising to an impressive height of 3,143 meters, Fansipan has emerged as a sought-after tourist destination, drawing visitors with its accessibility and breathtaking vistas. Since the inauguration of a modern cable car in 2016, travelers can easily ascend Fansipan from Sapa and relish panoramic views of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range and surrounding landscapes. Fansipan stands as a pinnacle attraction in Sapa, attracting a myriad of tourists to its slopes, making it one of the most frequented mountains in Northern Vietnam.
⭐⭐⭐ BOOK TICKETS / CAR to Sapa ➜ ⭐⭐⭐
Experience a thrilling mountain train ride from Sapa to Muong Hoa Station, soaking in stunning scenery.
- Since 2018, a mountain train departs from Sapa town to transport travelers directly to Fansipan Mountain via the Sun World Fansipan Legend cable car station, also known as Muong Hoa Station. Enjoy a captivating 6.3 km cable car ride through Hoang Lien Son National Park, offering breathtaking views on the way to Fansipan Mountain. At the peak, discover a vibrant tourist hub featuring a café-restaurant with stunning panoramas, a grand seated Buddha, a pagoda, and a secondary cable car to the summit, all drawing visitors seeking an unforgettable experience.
You can go to the Fansipan Mountain by train + cable car or go with a tourist guide.
- So there are 2 ways to get to Fansipan from Sapa. Either you get your own private guide and go on your own or you take a cable car from Fansipan Legend station. The trek certainly has its charms too, but most tourists will still choose to take the train + cable car from Sapa town via Muong Hoa station. The mountain train leaves from the city centre, the station is at the main square in the Sunplaza commercial centre (next door is the BB Hotel Sapa). You can buy your ticket here, it is possible to buy a ticket just to the Fansipan Legend cable car station (Muong Hoa station) or a combo ticket for the train + cable car up the mountain together.
⭐⭐⭐ BOOK your HOTEL / STAY in Sapa ➜ ⭐⭐⭐
- The ride to the cable car station is short, the length of the route is about 2.6 km and the ride time is about 10 minutes. From here you can also see a piece of the Muong Hoa Valley and Hoang Lien Son mountain range near Sapa town. Then you get off at the Fansipan Legend station and just change to the cable car which will take you to Fansipan Mountain (it takes approx. 20 minutes).
- At Fansipan Legend station (Muong Hoa station) there is also a restaurant, cafe and even shops, it’s kind of a small commercial centre. The journey from Sapa to Fansipan Mountain by train + cable car will definitely take about 1 hour, unless you get stuck somewhere. Tickets for adults cost about 100,000 VND (4 USD) for the mountain train and about 750,000 VND for the cable car to Fansipan mountain. Please note that prices can vary over time and by season.
What attractions and amenities are available on the journey to Mount Fansipan?
Traveling to Fansipan mountain via train and cable car offers breathtaking mountain views as the initial highlight. However, the journey offers more than just scenery. Sapa has evolved significantly over the years, with the Sunplaza serving as the departure point for the mountain train. This modern commercial center boasts impressive architectural design and hosts various shops offering souvenirs, clothing, and more. If you’re in need of shoes, this could be a convenient shopping stop. Additionally, the train journey provides views of the renowned Muong Hoa valley, a popular destination for tourists exploring ethnic minority villages and opting for homestay accommodations, particularly with the Black Hmong community.
⭐⭐⭐ 10 LUXURY TRAINS to LAO CAI — SAPA (+Tickets) ➜
The Fansipan Legend cable car station doubles as a popular tourist attraction, boasting a restaurant for visitors to enjoy.
- Around the Fansipan Legend cable car station, where the cable cars leave from, various tourist photo corners and selfie spots and often rather kitschy imitations of everything possible (e.g. the Eiffel Tower, etc.) have been created. It’s a place where more tourists congregate. There are also restaurants, cafes and even smaller shops near the station. The length of the cable car route to Fansipan is about 6.3 km and from here you can again see the Muong Hoa valley, Hoang Lien National Park and another huge number of mountains and mountain ranges around Sapa town, with good visibility you can see all the way to China or at least the border. It is also possible to see Tram Ton Pass (O Quy Ho), it is located north of Fansipan mountain.
What’s the ideal time to explore Fansipan Mountain?
- Sapa also has, of course, recommended periods for visiting, like other places in Vietnam. However, since it is a high mountain place, and you will go to the mountain, you have to take into account that even outside the recommended periods there can be rapid changes in the weather, e.g. sun in the morning — rain in the afternoon, fog… So it’s important to choose the right day if you want to see something, and watch the weather in advance if you don’t want to see just fog and rain. The recommended periods to visit Sapa and Mount Fansipan are from March to May and from September to October. September and October can be ideal as it is also a good time to see and visit northern Vietnam. Read this article: Weather in Sapa or this article: Weather in Fansipan.
⭐⭐⭐ BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Sapa ➜ ⭐⭐⭐
- Fansipan Mountain experiences its heaviest rainfall during the summer months, while winter is characterized by dense fog and cold weather. Autumn offers a reprieve from the extremes, but visitors should still be prepared with warm and waterproof clothing, as temperatures can drop significantly. On average, temperatures hover around 10°C, with occasional frosts and even snowfall, especially in the fall.
- Despite the allure of autumn, weather conditions on Fansipan Mountain can be unpredictable. Therefore, it’s advisable to spend a few days in Sapa town beforehand, monitoring the local weather forecast before purchasing tickets and embarking on your journey. The monsoon season in northern Vietnam should be avoided, with autumn being the preferred time for visits.
- However, it’s important to note that even during recommended seasons, there’s no guarantee of clear skies and rain-free conditions on Fansipan Mountain. This unpredictability underscores the need for flexibility in planning your trip.
- Additionally, individuals with cardiovascular or respiratory health problems are advised against ascending the mountain due to the altitude and potential challenges associated with the journey. Taking necessary precautions and being mindful of personal health considerations is paramount for a safe and enjoyable experience on Fansipan Mountain.
Stay in Sapa town center or in the village for accommodation options.
- Sapa has grown quite a lot with more hotels and is very wide. So you will find there various hotels, guesthouses, hostels, but in the surrounding villages also homestays with minorities. I would also recommend trying a homestay somewhere in the countryside further away from the city. Accommodation here you can find cheap (homestay and hotels) but also very expensive for example luxury 5-star hotels and resorts even with swimming pool. It’s also good to know how you will move around here, some accommodation, e.g. homestay are even a few kilometers away from the city center, e.g. in the villages of Tavan, Thanh Kim, Ban Ho.
A selection of the best rated accommodation:
⭐ 15 Best Local Authentic Homestays in Sapa
⭐ 15 Best Cheap Hotels / Resorts in Sapa
⭐ 15 Best Luxury Hotels / Resorts in Sapa
❓ FAQs and Travel Tips: Taking the Train and Cable Car from Sapa to Fansipan.
1. Where can you find Vietnam’s tallest peak, Fansipan Mountain?
The highest mountain of Vietnam — Fansipan (3143 m) is located near the town of Sapa in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range (it is a part of Lai Chau province).
2. How to get to Mount Fansipan from Sapa?
The most convenient and popular option is to travel by mountain train from the downtown station (Ga cáp treo Sun World Fansipan Legend) and the cable car via the Fansipan Legend — Muong Hoa station (Cáp treo Fansipan). Another option is to use a guide and take some private trek. Most tourists already use the train + cable car route to the Fansipan mountain via Muong Hoa station. The train + cable car trip takes a total of just over 1 hour with a transfer at Fansipan Legend Station.
3. How to buy train + cable car tickets to Fansipan Mountain?
You have 2 options: buy tickets on the spot (recommended) or online at the official website of the train and cable car company: Sunworld or you can book them with KLOOK. Tickets to Fansipan Mountain are also offered by various travel agencies or other resellers. The ticket (magnetic card purchased officially on the spot) is valid for the day you bought it, the ticket cannot be used for another day.
4. What are the costs for train and cable car tickets to Fansipan Mountain?
A round-trip ticket to Mount Fansipan is approximately 750,000 VND for adults, 550,000 VND for children, and free for children up to 1 meter in height. The train ticket from Sapa town to Fansipan Legend station (Muong Hoa station) is about 100,000 VND. Additionally, a ticket from the station on Fansipan Mountain to the mountain’s summit costs around 70,000 VND. Visitors from Lao Cai province enjoy discounted ticket prices.
5. How long does it take to reach Mount Fansipan via train and cable car?
It’s approximately a 10-minute ride on the mountain train from Sapa town to the Fansipan Legend Cable Car station. From there, the cable car journey to Mount Fansipan takes about 20 minutes. Assuming no significant delays, the entire trip could take around 1 hour. It’s advisable to allocate at least half a day for this excursion.
6. What is the length of the cable car route to Mount Fansipan?
The cable car route from Sun World Fansipan Legend Station in Muong Hoa Valley to Fansipan Mountain spans 6292.5 meters. This route holds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the longest cable car routes globally.
7. Are food and drinks available on Mount Fansipan?
Yes, there are dining options including restaurants and cafes, as well as a shop on Fansipan Mountain. While the quality is reasonable, anticipate higher prices. Additionally, food can be purchased at the Fansipan Legend cable car station and the commercial center in Sun Plaza.
8. What is the best time to visit Fansipan mountain?
The best time for visit Fansipan mountain is autumn and spring, September — October or March — May. It is better to avoid the monsoon season (summer months). Be aware that the weather can change quickly on the mountain, it can be very cold and even foggy in winter, so be prepared with warm waterproof clothing. As far as visitors go, yes it is a top tourist spot and lots of tourists come. The most visited days are weekend days.
9. How to get and travel to the peak of Mount Fansipan?
After you arrive by cable car to Fansipan, you have to climb another 600 steps to the peak of the mountain. You can also use the high altitude small train that takes you there from Do Quyen station (Ga tàu hoả leo núi), a ticket can be bought on the spot.
10. What are the operating hours for the train and cable car to Mount Fansipan?
The train service from Sapa town to Fansipan Legend Station operates from 8 am to 5 pm, while the cable car to Fansipan Mountain runs from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm daily. Please note that these timings have undergone changes in the past and may vary in the future, including on public holidays. It’s advisable to visit during daylight hours.
11. What sights can you expect to see on the journey to Mount Fansipan?
Traveling by train and cable car offers views of the picturesque Muong Hoa Valley and Hoang Lien Son National Park, showcasing the stunning mountain scenery surrounding Sapa. On clear days, it’s even possible to catch sight of China from the mountain. Near the Fansipan Legend cable car station, various photo spots and attractions have been developed, offering additional sights to enjoy.
12. Can you hire a tour guide and trek up Fansipan Mountain?
Certainly, trekking with a tour guide is another option for reaching Fansipan, offering a unique experience. Private tour guides from Sapa can arrange treks of varying durations, ranging from 1 to 3 days, through Hoang Lien Park and up to Fansipan Mountain.
13. How you can travel to Sapa from Hanoi?
There are various travel options how to reach Sapa from Hanoi. There are sleeper trains to Lao Cai (about 30 km from Sapa town), tourist buses or minivans and also various private cars / taxi. Sapa has no airport, it is not possible to travel by plane. Read this article: How to reach Sapa from Hanoi?
14 How to travel solo in Vietnam?
Discover the wonders of solo travel in Vietnam as you explore ancient temples, cruise through scenic landscapes or karst sceneries, hike various national parks and ethnic villages and connect with the warm-hearted locals, creating a personalized journey of cultural immersion and breathtaking experiences.
Transfer by mountain train + cable car from Sapa to Fansipan Peak — Photos:
