One of the options for passengers for getting from Hanoi to Sapa is to take the train from Hanoi to Lao Cai station, then take the bus or taxi from Lao Cai to Sapa town. 340 km is not a short distance and I’m sure people would prefer to travel on a safer option. In this article, I will tell you about the train (with updated timetable and price) from Hanoi to Lao Cai as my personal experience.
The first time I went from Hanoi to Sapa, and as I asked for a local train from Hanoi to Sapa town, everyone was laughing. Actually, there is no direct train between two places, so it needed the combination between train and bus as I mentioned above.
Train Types from Hanoi to Sapa
Many trains connect Hanoi to Sapa. You can find express trains that start with SP, others are slower trains. If you are a tourist, just take an SP train (SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, SP7, SP8), which takes you around 8 hours for the journey from Hanoi to Lao Cai.
Local train: The local train offers the basic facility and you are mixed with the local people. There are several options for these cases such as hard seat, soft seat, hard sleeper, soft sleeper with air conditioning. SP express trains depart at 9:35 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Night train: For an 8-hour journey from Hanoi to Sapa, the hard seat or even the soft seat will exhaust you because they are only suitable for a short distance. The soft sleeper or hard sleeper is much more comfortable and when traveling at night it saves you time if you sleep well.
Tourist train: specially designed for tourists to help customers enjoy better service and comfort during travel. The tourist trains are all equipped with air conditioning, soft sleepers, reading lights. Private companies rent cars from a train and convert them into luxury sleeping cars for tourists.
- SP1/SP2 carry a variety of private sleeping cars for tourists, including Fansipan Express, Orient Express, etc.
- SP3/SP4 includes Sapaly, Victoria Express train, Orient Express and you can also find King Express and others on SP7/SP8.
True, it costs more in tourist trains, but it is worth the money for its services.
Train for Sapa from Hanoi timetables and prices
Express trains from Hanoi to Lao Cai depart daily twice a day (which are SP1 and SP3) and it takes you approx. 8 hours to go from Hanoi Station to Lao Cai Station.
| Trains | Departure time and arrival | Duration | Price |
| SP1 | 9:35 p.m. – 5:15 a.m. | 7:40 a.m. | 370,000 vnd |
| SP3 | 10 p.m. – 5:55 a.m. | 8:05 a.m. | 340,000 vnd |
Train ticket prices from Hanoi to Sapa vary from brand to brand due to its facilities and services. The most expensive is the Victoria Express train.
In the tourist train, they offer guests 2 options which are a shared berth cabin and a private 2 berth cabin. Obviously, in a 4 berth cabin, the ticket price is per person whereas in a private 2 berth cabin, you have to pay for the entire cabin to stay there. In some cases, if you are traveling alone and want to stay in a 2-bed cabin, it will cost you.
However, for some airlines, they would like to accommodate more and more guests so they only charge a small fee + your single ticket to stay in a 2 berth VIP cabin.
The 6 best night trains from Hanoi to Sapa
Five best night train brands are collected and presented here for your convenient travel. Let’s take a look at their facilities, train schedule and ticket price
1. Victoria Express Train *****
The Victoria Express train is one of the most luxurious trains on the Hanoi – Sapa line, accommodating 48 passengers with 13 luxury cabins, a bar and a restaurant.
- Facilities: AC, reading light (private), luggage storage, large bay window and bathroom, and waiting room at the station
- Train timetable: SP3 Dep. 10:00 p.m., Arr. 5:55 a.m.
| Cabin type | 4 berth cabin | 2 berth cabin | 2 berth cabin (1 person) |
| Ticket price | €83 | €250 | €225 |
Benefits:
- It is the best service for train travel from Hanoi to Sapa. And it has received many reviews from customers who have traveled that way.
- It provides high quality services and it is the best option for people who want to use professional and luxury service.
- The 2 berth private cabin is very clean, the mattress is very comfortable and the view is magnificent.
2. Orient Express ****
- Facilities: All cabins are equipped with superior facilities such as air conditioning, clean bathroom, ample luggage storage and comfortable berths.
- Train timetable: SP1: Dep. Hanoi at 9:35 p.m., Arr. Lao Cai at 5:15 a.m.
| Cabin type | 4 berth cabin | 2 berth cabin | 2 berth cabin (1 person) |
| Ticket price | €31 per person | €130 per cabin | €130 |
Benefits:
- They also have a large guest bathroom and have received many positive comments from passengers for the comfort of using the services here.
- The staff is well trained and ready to help customers in any case.
3. King Express ****
The King express train has 25 cabins in total, spread across several carriages and able to accommodate almost 100 passengers.
- Amenities: Air conditioning, blankets, cushions, towels and private toilets per cabin
- Train Schedule: SP3: Dept. Hanoi at 22:00, Arr. Lao Cai at 05:55
| Cabin Type | 4-berth cabin | 2-berth cabin | 2-berth cabin (1 person) |
| Ticket Price | €33 per person | €140 per cabin | €140 |
Pros:
- As the name suggests, this company would like to treat guests like kings and queens, therefore, they have a very nice team of staff, always smiling and helpful.
- For some reviews, people who have traveled on King Express have highlighted the clean and spacious cabin of this company.
4. Fansipan Express Train ****
This is one of the most luxurious tourist trains from Hanoi to Lao Cai, serving 112 passengers in 4 superior sleeping cars.
- Facilities: AC, reading lights, water, snack and towel and the waiting room at the station
- Train Schedule: SP1: Dept. Hanoi at 21:40, Arr. Lao Cai at 05:15
| Cabin Type | 4-berth cabin | 2-berth cabin | 2-berth cabin (1 person) |
| Ticket Price | €27 per person | €140 per cabin | €140 |
Advantages:
- Well, Fansipan Express is appreciated for its professional staff and services, as well as its well-equipped facilities.
- Fansipan Express is the company that offers one of the most reasonable prices for customers
5. Sapaly Express Train ****
Sapaly Express train runs SP3 on the way from Hanoi to Sapa, which is fully decorated with high-quality soft sleepers with air-conditioned wooden cabins. It offers 2 options as customers’ favors, namely 4 soft sleeper cabins and 2 Vip sleeper cabins.
- Facilities: AC, reading lights, water, snack and towel.
- Train Schedule: SP3: Dept. Hanoi at 22:00, Arr. Lao Cai at 05:55
| Cabin Type | 4-berth cabin | 2-berth cabin | 2-berth cabin (1 person) |
| Ticket Price | €30 per person | €140 per cabin | 140 € |
Pros
- The decoration of each cabin makes you feel warm and the air conditioning is quite strong in summer.
- Hot water is provided, so it is a plus for this company
- The staff is well trained and attentive
6. Chapa Express *****
This is one of the newest trains in the system and it offers a luxurious and comfortable journey to its customers. The facilities are exceptional in the train system in Vietnam.
- Facilities: AC, reading lights, water, snack and waiting room at the station
- Train schedule: SP3: Dep. Hanoi at 22:00, Arr. Lao Cai at 5:55
| Cabin Type | 4 berth cabin | 2 berth cabin | 2 berth cabin (1 person) |
| Ticket Price | 42€ per person | 160€ per cabin | 160€ |
Advantages
- They have the waiting room, where guests can relax to wait for the train or change clothes and take a shower.
- The cabin is very big and the window is big too.
- They provide snacks, water and also fruits for all guests
- Almost all guests tell the staff that they were the best on the road from Hanoi to Sapa.
