Sapa is a one of Vietnam’s most popular destinations, but with no nearby airport the only option for getting there is to travel by road or rail. Currently there are many options to travel from Hanoi to Sapa, in which Sapa express bus from Hanoi is the most popular choice for travelers < See detail at here>. However, if you want to have more train experience in Vietnam on this trip, OK! It's not a bad choice.
Taking the overnight train to Sapa is a unique experience. Here is all you need to know about train to Sapa from Hanoi!
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| Photo by Vietnam Typical Tours |
Should I take a train from Hanoi to Sapa?
You should first determine that going to Sapa by train will take more time than buses, and the train only reaches Lao Cai city station, wanting to go to Sapa you need to move nearly 40km by car, taxi or motobkie. But experiencing Vietnam train is also very interesting, if you have time, this is also one of the experiences you should try.
The Positives of the Overnight Train to Sapa:
It is a great way to save ‘time’ as you travel overnight.
If you choose to go with the train from Hanoi to Sapa option, it is important to choose the ‘soft-sleeper’ option. You either have the option on this train of sharing your cabin with other people (4 pax) or alternatively to purchase all 4 tickets for you and your partner/friend which means you now have what they call a VIP private cabin.
We thought the cabins were beautifully decorated, soft pillows and mattresses, slippers under the bed. There were also free water, snacks, toothbrushes in each cabin.
We were grateful for the electrical points as well so that we could charge up our electronics before hitting Bac Ha markets upon arrival in the Sapa region.
The train also has some western style toilets for those of you who would be concerned about that! They stayed fairly clean for our train trip and had toilet paper for the whole duration of the night – although I still suggest you take some of your own just for in case!
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| Photo by Vietnam Typical Tours |
Train fares for all trains departing from Sapa to Hanoi
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Train No
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Class
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Include
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Price for one ticket in a shared cabin
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Dream Train
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Deluxe 4
berths
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Mineral waters
Biscuits
Fruit
Paper cup
Wet towels
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From $ 32
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VIP 2 berths
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Mineral waters
Biscuits
Fruit
Paper cup
Wet towels
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King Express Train SP4
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Deluxe class with wooden cabin – 4 berths sharing
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1 mineral water, tissue, plastic cup, tea &
coke
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From $ 30
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Private 4-berth cabin, 2 upper bunks are foldable
& set up similar VIP cabin
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1 mineral water, tissue, plastic cup, tea, coke
soft drink or can of beer
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VIP Class – 2 berths (only 1 VIP available)
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1 mineral water, tissue, plastic cup, tea, coke.
soft drink or can of beer
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Sapaly Express Train
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First class with wooden cabin – 4 berths sharing
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1 mineral water, cookies
indoor slippers, comb, toothbrush & paste
hot water
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From $ 40
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Private 4-berth cabin, 2 upper bunks are foldable
& set up similar VIP cabin
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1 mineral water, cookies
indoor slippers, comb, toothbrush & paste
hot water
1 small cake & soft drink or can of beer
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Chapa Express Train
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First class with wooden cabin – 4 berths sharing
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Welcome drink, bathroom at Chapa Lounge, 1
cookies/snack or fruit, mineral water
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From $ 37
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Private 4-berth cabin, 2 upper bunks are foldable
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Welcome drink, bathroom at Chapa Lounge, earbuds,
1 cookies/snack or fruit, mineral water & soft drink or can of beer
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Where to buy train tickets to Sapa?
There are 3 ways to book seat on a train in Vietnam.
1: Book online on the Vietnamese railway website dsvn.vn. After you choose your seat, date and time, you will have to go yourself to the nearest train station with the e-mail confirmation in order to pay for your ticket in VND cash (unless you have a Vietnamese credit card to proceed with payment online, foreign cards are not accepted).
2: Book online on amt.12go.asia or book on baolau.vn both very nice and clear websites which allow you to use all the main global credit cards. Prices are fair, same as on the Vietnamese one, you will only have to pay a processing fee (around 2$). You will receive your e-tickets straight to your e-mail, and you will have to show it when you board the train.
3: Just head to the train station and buy the ticket that suits you. Most of the employees can speak a basic English which is enough to make the job.
In addition, for the best support you can book tickets on Sapa Tours From Hanoi, we have selected the best types and provide all the best services for you.
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| Photo by Vietnam Typical Tours |
Train schedule from Hanoi to Lao Cai
SP3/SP4 also conveys several private sleeping-cars including the Orient Express, Sapaly Express Train ( Recommended ) and Victoria Express Train, Dream Train ( Recommended )
SP7, SP8: Daily. Recommended train. Also conveys privately-run 'Livitrans' sleeping-cars for tourists, Livitrans Express and King Express
Hanoi to Lao Cai (for Sapa) timetable
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Hanoi to Lao Cai (For Sapa)
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Station
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Hanoi
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Yen Bai
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Bao Ha
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Pho Lu
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Lao Cai
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SP3
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21:50
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01:52
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04:16
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05:02
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06:15
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Lao Cai (for Sapa) to Hanoi timetable
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Lao Cai (For Sapa) to Hanoi
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Station
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Lao Cai
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Pho Lu
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Bao Ha
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Yen Bai
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Hanoi
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SP4
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21:00
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22:07
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22:53
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01:09
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05:15
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| Photo by Vietnam Typical Tours |
Travelling with children in the train
For trains operated by Vietnam Railways:
- passengers under 6 years old don't need to buy train ticket if they seat with their parents, or else benefit from 25% discount in all fares when they book a separate ticket. If you don't wish to take this passenger into account when making the booking, please select a smaller number of passengers.
- passengers from 6 to 9 years old need to buy train ticket but benefit from 25% discount in all fares.
- passengers with 10 years old or over are not eligible for children discount, need to book train ticket as adults.
For trains operated by Victoria Express, Fansipan Express, King Express, Orient Express, Sapaly Express, Chapa Express, Livitrans Express, Violette Train or Saigon Golden Train:
- passengers under 3 years old don't nees to buy ticket if they seat with their parents. If you don't wish to take this passengers into account when making the booking, please select a smaller number of passengers.
Here are some of the basic information we provide for you to take a closer look at the train to Sapa from Hanoi, we know there are still many problems that you wonder so we are here. ready to support you all the time. If you need any information about Vietnam travel, please share with us to get the fastest and most accurate answer.
Vietnam Typical Tours
Hotline: 0084 974 861 652
Email: info@vietnamtypicaltours.com
Website: vietnamtypicaltours.com
