Fansipan at a glance
Fansipan rises above Sapa and is often called the roof of Indochina. Its height is quoted two ways. The cable car operator gives 3,143 m (10,312 ft), a figure that goes back to a French measurement of 1909. A survey by the Vietnamese mapping authority, reported by the government in 2019, gives 3,147.3 m (10,326 ft). Both numbers are in use, so do not be surprised to see either one.
There are two ways up: a cable car with connecting railways, or a hike of one to three days. The hike is a serious undertaking and a different thing from the cable car day. Prices below are the operator's published guide prices in 2026 and can change.
How the trip is put together
A basic ticket does not automatically cover every part of the journey.
Muong Hoa railway
A small railway links the town centre and Sun Plaza with the lower cable car station. If you do not want to walk or take a taxi, this is the connection.
The cable car
The ride to the upper station takes about 15–20 minutes, according to the operator. Expect queues at busy times.
Stairs or funicular
From the upper station you climb the stairs to the summit or take the separate funicular. The funicular is a different ticket.
Our picks: Fansipan tours
Two half-day trips from Sapa, one with the cable car ticket included and one without.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Fansipan by cable car with a guide
Hotel transfer, a return cable car ticket, an English-speaking guide and water are included. The extra mountain train ride to the summit is not.
Check availability →
Half-day Fansipan trip from Sapa
Hotel transfer in Sapa, a guide and water are included. The return cable car ticket is not: it costs 850,000 VND (about $33) on site.
Check availability →Fansipan tours and tickets
Cable car excursions and guided trips from Sapa, including options with transfers, with live prices and availability.
Ticket prices in 2026
Published guide prices by the operator. They are not quotes for a specific travel day.
| Ticket | Adult / from 1.40 m | Child 1.00 m to under 1.40 m | Under 1.00 m |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cable car, return | VND 850,000 | VND 550,000 | Free |
| Combo: cable car, Muong Hoa railway and funicular | VND 1,370,000 | VND 1,070,000 | – |
| Muong Hoa railway, return | About VND 200,000 | – | – |
| Funicular, per direction | VND 120,000–150,000 | – | – |
Children are priced by height, not by age. The operator does not publish a full child tariff for the railway and funicular. A third-party price list shows different funicular figures (VND 170,000 up, VND 150,000 down, VND 320,000 return), so confirm at the counter. A separate landscape fee reported from 1 January 2025 may or may not be in your ticket, so ask.
Opening hours and booking
The operator's site shows 07:30–17:00 and says operating hours can change. A "closed" label seen outside those hours does not mean a permanent closure. Check the day before you go.
You can buy online or at the counter. The operator advises booking 1–3 days ahead when demand is high, which is advice and not a rule. Special sunrise rides from 05:00 were offered on 31 August and 1 September 2026 with limited tickets, but do not count on an early ride on other days.
Views depend on cloud, and no ticket guarantees a clear summit. Dress warmer than in town and read Sapa weather before you decide on a day.
The summit hike
The park's own offer from Tram Ton is about 10.5 km (6.5 mi) to the top, as a one-day trip or two days and one night with a stay at 2,800 m. A route from Cat Cat of over 12 km (7.5 mi) is listed as 3 days and 2 nights. A third-party guide describes Tram Ton as about 11.2 km each way, so the figures do not match. The reason for the difference is unclear.
Permit rules and guide requirements differ by route, and the status of individual summit trails changes. Book through a local provider that can name the exact route and the rules for it, and do not assume you can go alone. The safety points on the trekking page apply here too: insurance, weather checks and the limits of rescue in remote terrain.
Getting to Sapa first
Read Hanoi to Sapa for buses, vans and the night train, which stops at Lao Cai and not in Sapa. If you stay in town, see where to stay. Fansipan is not the only cable car in Vietnam: Phu Quoc has its own, on an island off the south coast.
Fansipan: frequently asked questions
How high is Fansipan?
The cable car operator gives 3,143 m. A survey reported by the government in 2019 gives 3,147.3 m. Both appear in guides.
Does the cable car ticket include everything?
No. The base ticket covers the cable car. The Muong Hoa railway and the funicular are separate tickets, unless you buy a combo.
How much is a child ticket?
Children from 1.00 m to under 1.40 m pay VND 550,000 for the cable car return in 2026. Under 1.00 m is free. The operator uses height, not age.
Should I book in advance?
The operator suggests 1–3 days ahead when demand is high. Tickets can also be bought at the counter.
Can I hike Fansipan without a guide?
Do not assume so. Rules and permits for summit trails are not confirmed for every route, so ask a local provider before you commit.
Is it worth going in cloudy weather?
Cloud can hide the view, and nobody can promise a clear summit. Check the forecast and have a backup plan for the day.