How to get there
There are several ways to get to Sa Pa, minibus, train, private car is the most frequently used.
Minibus
The cost of this transportation is about US$18, and departure is at 5am. 8% of the people going to Sa Pa goes with this alternative.
Train
Departing from the Hanoi Train Station (120 Le Duan Street) at 9:30pm, arriving at Lao Cai the next morning around 5:30am. The return train departs Lao Cai at 8:20pm, arriving in Hanoi the following morning at 4:25am. (Customers aboard the Victoria Sapa carriages can elect to remain on board until 7 a.m. to catch a little more sleep!) The fare is US$15 one way. 56% of the people that goes to Sa Pa travels to Lao Cai with the state train. To go with the Victoria carriage, you have to reserve a room at the Victoria resort in Sa Pa, otherwise you have to go with the state train, as the Victoria carriage is only acquired in packages.
Private Car
This option is only for people who actually live in Vietnam, as it is hard to have your own car in Vietnam if you don't live there. Only 4% of the people going to Sa Pa goes with their own private car.
Motorbike
The total distance between Hanoi and Sa Pa is 380km and the last 38km is straight uphill. You can rent motorbikes in Hanoi almost everywhere and it will not cost you a great amount of money, security deposit is although needed.
Four-Day-Bus
Many cafe's in Hanoi offers a bus trip that will take four days, from Hanoi to Sa Pa and same on the way back. The costs is approximately US$40. About 6% of the tourists uses this kind of bus trip.
To move around inside the town is easy. Either you walk, as it's not a bi town, or you just take a Xe Om (motorbike taxi).