Hanoi – Sapa by Train

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Traveling from Hanoi to Sapa by train give you a better rest in the long ride. It is a unique and safer experience.  Below are some tips and more information, schedule and ticket prices refer to some of our favorite trains to Sapa.

Does it worth to take a train ride from Hanoi to Sapa?

In terms of safety, the train is the safest means of transportation from Hanoi to Sapa. However, traveling from Hanoi to Sapa by train will take more time because the trains only go from Hanoi Railways Stations to Lao Cai Railways Station. When arriving at Lao Cai Station, passengers will have to travel an additional 30km to reach Sapa town.

Therefore, the choice between taking a train or other types of transportation depends on the traveler’s preferences and needs.

Hanoi to Sapa route by train

• Route: Hanoi Railway station – Lao Cai Railway station

• Distance: ~ 290 km

• Duration: ~ 8,0 hours

• Passenger’s seats: 2 – 4 soft beds per cabin

• Bed size: W:600mm/ L:1800mm

• Toilets – Each train carriage has one sharing restroom

The railway line connecting from Hanoi to Lao Cai has a history of hundreds of years, facilitating the connection of the midland provinces and the northwest mountainous region, promoting convenient trade. The journey from Hanoi to Lao Cai passes through various provinces and cities with the following route: Hanoi – Vinh Phuc – Yen Bai – Lao Cai.

The departure station for the Hanoi – Lao Cai train is Hanoi Railway Station, Entrance Gate on Tran Quy Cap street, Hanoi.

The final destination of the train journey is Lao Cai Station, in Lao Cai City. The travel distance from Hanoi to Lao Cai is 296 km, characterized by long winding curves. Additionally, this railway line connects with the Kunming – Hekou railway line in China.

The schedule of the Hanoi-Sapa train essentially extends only up to Lao Cai City. If you want to travel to Sapa, you will need to cover an additional 30km by other means of transportation. Therefore, to accurately calculate the travel time of the train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, it takes about 8 hours, plus an additional hour to travel to Sapa.

To take the train in Hanoi, you have to make it from your hotel to Hanoi Railways Station about 1 hour before train departure.

Here is the updated schedule and price for train Hanoi – Sapa in 2024

Currently, there are two train trips to Lao Cai in one day and one train trip from Lao Cai to Hanoi, only departing in the evening. The nighttime train schedule is quite reasonable, as passengers can sleep on the train and arrive in Lao Cai in the morning for breakfast before comfortably taking a car to Sapa.

On the Hanoi – Sapa – Hanoi train route, there are a few high-quality, luxurious train cabins ranging from 3 to 5 stars invested by various train companies.

These train cabins are specially designed with beautiful, luxurious, and elegant wooden interiors. The hygiene system is very clean, and the sleeping compartments are well soundproofed, providing a peaceful sleep environment. The train cabins are equipped with amenities such as drinking water, cold towels, fruits, and the staff provides excellent service. Additionally, the cabins are equipped with an excellent shock-absorption system, ensuring a smoother ride.

Schedule and ticket costs

Train tickets for the Hanoi – Sapa route are often in high demand. Therefore, passengers should book tickets in advance to ensure availability and have a choice of preferred seats.

Included and Excluded