How much does it cost to travel to Sapa?
You should plan to spend around $36 (d893,200) per day on your vacation in Sapa. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $16 (d406,166) on meals
- $9.41 (d235,647) on local transportation
- $24 (d605,878) on hotels
A one week trip to Sapa for two people costs, on average, $499 (d12,504,801). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Sapa has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Sapa expensive to visit?
Sapa is a very affordable place to visit. Located in Vietnam, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the lower prices of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its affordability. Budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring Sapa in depth.
Within Asia, Sapa is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Luang Prabang, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Taipei.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Sapa Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Sapa?
The average Sapa trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Sapa travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
d605,878
($24)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
d235,647
($9)
|
|
Food 2
|
d406,166
($16)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
d153,448
($6)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
d26,406 -
79,218
($1 - 3)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
d102,418 -
307,255
($4 - 12)
|
Accommodation Budget in Sapa
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Sapa is $12 (d302,939). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Sapa is $24 (d605,878). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Sapa? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Sapa
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Sapa is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $9.41 (d235,647) per person, per day, on local transportation in Sapa.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$9.41
d235,647
How much does it cost to go to Sapa? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Sapa will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Sapa are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Sapa, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Short Motorbike Ride
d30,000
Food Budget in Sapa
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Sapa can vary, the average cost of food in Sapa is $16 (d406,166) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Sapa should cost around $6.49 (d162,466) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Sapa is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$16
d406,166
Typical prices for Food in Sapa are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Sapa, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Entertainment Budget in Sapa
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Sapa typically cost an average of $6.13 (d153,448) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$6.13
d153,448
Typical prices for Entertainment in Sapa are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Sapa, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Tips and Handouts Budget in Sapa
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Sapa is $2.11 (d52,812) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Sapa is 5% - 15%.
-
Tips and Handouts1
For guides or service providers
$2.11
d52,812
Alcohol Budget in Sapa
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $8.18 (d204,836) on alcoholic beverages in Sapa per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$8.18
d204,836
Typical prices for Alcohol in Sapa are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Sapa, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Water Budget in Sapa
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.74 (d18,461) on bottled water in Sapa per day. The public water in Sapa is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.74
d18,461
Sapa On a Budget
The rice fields near Sapa, Vietnam
Sapa is a beautiful town in the northern mountains of Vietnam by the border with China. Many travelers pass through the area on their way from China into Hanoi. Alternatively, some travelers head north from Hanoi to spend a few days in the beautiful mountains where tribal cultures are still alive and well. There are a good number of ethnic minorities that populate the area. The eight populations in the area include H'mong, Dao, Tay, Giay, Muong, Thai, Hoa, and Xa Pho, but the vast majority in the area are H'mong. Within the town of Sapa itself, there are about 7,000 people. The rest of the population lives in the surrounding countryside and are peasant farmers.
The climate in the area is very seasonal. Summers have a subtropical climate while winters have a temperate climate. The town is located at 1500 meters and highs can climb to the mid 80s Fahrenheit while lows drop to the mid 30s Fahrenheit. July and August are the hottest months and December and January are the coldest. The wet season is from May to September with July and August being the wettest months.
Sights
People travel to Sapa because it is a charming mountain town with an interesting character and beautiful surrounding areas. It's absolutely one of the
top places to visit in Vietnam. There are many beautiful viewpoints in the area, but the weather can often limit the views themselves. There are a handful of interesting sights around the town. One popular sight is the
Sa Pa Culture Museum, that highlights the history and culture of the area. There are also some lingering French colonial buildings in the area including the church and the Town Hall building. Ham Rong Resort offers good views of the area and has a beautiful garden.
Neighborhoods
Sapa is a small mountain town with a diverse population of ethnic minorities. There are about 36,000 people who live in the small communities throughout the district, and 7,000 who live in Sapa proper. It's possible to trek to some of the hill tribe communities, as there are trails that connect most areas. Sapa is a perfect base for exploring the area.
Activities
Many people spend their time doing one of the most popular activities of the area:
hill trekking in Sapa. There are organized trekking trips, or it's possible to go it alone.
Homestays are also a common option and can be combined with hill trekking. The surrounding landscape and scenery is unique here, as the rolling hills and mountains around Sapa are covered with terraced rice fields, quaint local villages, picturesque streams, and plenty of easy walking trails which the local H'mong people use to get around.
Cooking classes are also a popular activity. The Hill Station Restaurant offers a class that can be arranged a day in advance. The chefs are H'mong and speak excellent English. They take you to the market where you buy the ingredients to make five local dishes. You dine on your prepared food in the restaurant when the class is over.
Several of the nearby villages have impressive markets as well. The easiest way to visit them is on a tour, but there is some public transportation available, too. You may have to spend the night in the town if you choose to take public transportation, though. The markets are colorful and impressive and should not be missed if you're in the area. The
Bac Ha market is one of the most popular.
If you're looking for souvenirs, there is no shortage of tourist trinkets for sell around town. The H'mong are known for their colorful fabrics from which they make clothing and purses. The style does not translate easily into western culture, but it is fun to look at the options.
Food and Dining
There is no shortage of restaurants in Sapa, but most have similar menus. Italian and French food are surprisingly common in the area, as is traditional Vietnamese. European cuisine is usually more expensive and highly variable in quality. Baguettes are also available around town and several places offer interesting dessert pastries. In the market you can pick up a cheap bowl of noodle soup. It's usually quite good and offers a more authentic experience than most of the sit down restaurants. There's also a local grocery store to the east of the lake with reasonable prices.
Transportation
If you're not traveling to the area from China, it's easy to catch a train from Hanoi and spend a few days in Sapa. The trip is about 9 hours and there is a wide range of comfort level between cars. Some train cars are run by Vietnam Rail while others are operated by private companies.
Once you're in the town you can walk almost anywhere and the best way to explore the nearby villages is to do a trek. Come prepared for mud though, as rain is quite common and the area is filled with rice terraces, which gather water. It can also be challenging to find the trail, but it is easy to ask a local for directions. Alternatively, you can book a tour in town with a guide who can show you the way, but this is not necessary.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.