Trains from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Trains from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Hanoi
Lao Cai
Sat, Sep 19
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Hanoi to Lao Cai Destination Reviews

K
Kerryanne
It was a good experience
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Cabin 2x, NewLivitrans Express, Sep 10, 2026
TH
Thi H
Nice train, clean and nice atmosphere inside. Snacks and water prepared. Bathroom was always clean. Staff at Hà Nội station were super friendly and helpful. When fall asleep fast (like me) and staff came for service, you'll maybe get startled (even with earplugs) and are awake again.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Sep 8, 2026
SU
Sylvie U
Everything went smoothly, we had the compartment to ourselves and it was clean, the toilets were also clean. After checking in at the hotel, the steward took us to the compartment. The journey went smoothly, there was even a small snack in the compartment.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Laman Express, Sep 6, 2026
JS
Jelena S
The cabin was quite tight and the AC was too strong all night, the toilets were not very clean.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train Cabin 4x, Damitrans, Sep 6, 2026
RJ
Robert J
The service was outstanding. It was easy to book and the communication was superb. We also slept well
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Sep 6, 2026
IN
Isabella N
It was a great experience. We stayed in the indigo cabin. Not much space but as we were 3, we had an extra bed for our luggage.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Sep 3, 2026
YY
Yaron Y
Excellent, courteous and welcoming service from start to finish. Luxurious cabins, comfortable mattresses, delicious refreshments - a wonderful experience!!!
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Aug 30, 2026
LB
Louise B
Very comfortable journey.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Cabin 2x, NewLivitrans Express, Aug 30, 2026
L
Louise
Highly disappointing. This is a very cheap and unorganised company. No ticket office, no waiting room, nothing. The service was very bad with no one speaking English. They don’t include the drive to your final destination if you go to sapa. No one is helping you with the luggage or welcoming you in the train and showing you your room. You just have to guess everything. Then a lady comes up asking if you want coffee in the morning without mentioning you have to pay for it and when you tell her that the next day she answers yes with a big smile as she knows what scam she is doing. Very cheap company for an expensive price it’s not worth it. And it’s not comfortable.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Cabin 2x, NewLivitrans Express, Aug 29, 2026
CS
Cynthia S
Not as advertised - you can not adjust temperatures in your cabin and there was no WiFi working - I expected it to be loud and not super comfortable so that wasn’t a surprise but the cabin was very warm and no WiFi prevented us from communicating with our driver - take the bus!
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train Cabin 4x, Damitrans, Aug 28, 2026
4.4
730 customer reviews
5
52%
4
28%
3
14%
2
6%
1
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Hanoi to Lao Cai Train Schedule

OperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Fanxipan Express
Deluxe Cabin 4x
22:00
05:55
$24.23
  3.9
Chapa Express
Deluxe Sleeper 4x
22:00
06:00
$32.27
  4.5
ET Pumpkin
Deluxe Cabin 4x
22:01
06:01
$25.81
  2.0
Fanxipan Express
Deluxe Cabin 4x
22:30
06:25
$24.23
  3.9
Vietnam Railways
1st Class Sleeper
22:36
05:55
$17.12
  3.5
Chapa Express
Deluxe Sleeper 4x
22:40
06:40
$32.27
  4.5
Damitrans
Cabin 4x
22:40
06:40
$24.67
  4.6
Vietnam Railways
1st Class Sleeper
22:58
05:55
$20.92

How to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai by train

Train from Hanoi to Lao Cai is a decent alternative to bus or air travel. Travelling from Hanoi to Lao Cai by train is easy, safe, and convenient. There is a direct railway link between the two destinations, which makes your trip smooth and hassle-free. Tickets are available for online booking and it is a good idea to buy them in advance to secure your seat. To get the most out of your train journey, check the schedule and choose the most convenient departure. As a rule, trains and ticket classes are available for every taste and budget.

How far is Hanoi from Lao Cai?

The distance from Hanoi to Lao Cai is 234 km. Railways link the two destinations so that you can travel direct without connections. If there are connections, they will be indicated in your ticket.

How long does it take to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai by train?

Depending on the type of train, the length of your railway journey from Hanoi to Lao Cai may vary. The slowest train needs about 8hours 25m to get to Lao Cai, and the fastest one brings you there in about 6hours 57m. We recommend opting for the fastest service to save you time, especially if you travel by day. With overnight service, the difference of a couple of hours seems not so crucial and may prove even convenient.

Note that trains normally depart on time from their station of origin but sometimes come later than scheduled to their terminus. It is better not to plan short connections if you are going to continue your journey immediately after arrival to Lao Cai.

In many destinations, train stations are located very centrally and have good transport connections with the rest of the city, bus stations, and airports. It mostly concerns the older and well-established railway stations. The newer and bigger ones tend to appear in the outskirts of towns and cities, first of all, due to the reason of limited space in the central locations. Getting to and from there may be challenging even by taxi, as restrictions may apply on taxi operators allowed to serve the passengers. Hence, we highly recommend double-checking the location of the station you will depart from and arrive at as some destinations have several train stations.

How much does it cost to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai by train?

There may be carriages of a different class on one and the same train on one and the same route. The price of your ticket will vary accordingly – from a dirt-cheap tag for hard seats to high numbers for super comfy overnight sleeper berths on luxury trains. For the Hanoi – Lao Cai route, the cheapest ticket costs while if you want to travel with more comfort, expect to pay for the most expensive option.

Travelling by train essentials

  • Train tickets often sell out well before the date of departure. Book them in advance even if your travel does not fall onto high-season dates. Travelling during peak periods which also include public and national holidays, and long or bank weekends, advanced booking is a must if you do not want to remake your travel plans on the spot. It is unnecessary to go to the train station to book – buy your ticket online in a few clicks.
  • Advanced booking ensures you get the seats and berths you want. For example, the lower berths are always the first to sell out, while upper berths may be available even on the departure date. Similarly, for longer distances, it is the night trips that enjoy the highest demand, while you may be able to grab a ticket for the same route an hour before departure if it is an inconvenient day ride that eats a huge part of your time.
  • There may be different carriages within one and the same train: fan-only and air-conditioned; hard seats and soft seats; second class berths and private compartments. Before buying your ticket, make sure you understand what type of seat you are paying for. Prices may differ greatly, but sometimes it is a good idea to pay more not to spend 20 hours on a hard seat in a fan-only carriage. In general, second-class berths are a good choice for longer overnight trips, while for shorter 4-6-hour day journeys, a soft seat is a great option.
  • Air-conditioning on trains can be excessive – as well as heating during the cold season. Make sure to pack layers not to get cold or hot during your trip. In hot countries, fan-only carriages are a cheaper and acceptable alternative to air-conditioned carriages.
  • There are toilets on board a train. Depending on the type of train, some carriages can be equipped with simple squat-type toilets or normal Western toilets. Regardless of your ticket's price, the train toilets' cleanness is not often up to the standard, alas. It especially concerns cheaper classes, though even in first-class carriages, complaints are not unheard of.
  • There is normally a dining carriage on long-distance trains, but on some routes, dining carriages have become extinct due to covid-19 restrictions. Check in advance if food is available on board or simply pack some snacks to be on the safe side. On many trains, you will also see hawkers patrolling the aisles during the journey and selling soft beverages and snacks. Alcohol drinks are prohibited on trains.
  • Smoking is prohibited, too, if, of course, you are not travelling by a common class somewhere in China or Indonesia!
  • Arrive at the train station at least half an hour before departure to allow enough time to find your platform and go through check-in formalities. A passport or other ID which you use for buying your train ticket is almost always needed, so keep it at hand to produce when asked at check-in or boarding.
  • Trains may arrive at their destination later than scheduled. These delays are not uncommon, especially for long-haul routes. Be ready and plan accordingly. Yet compared to buses, trains are less weather and traffic dependent hence more reliable schedule-wise.

Transportation from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Facts about the train from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Cheapest Train$21
Fastest Train6hours 57m
Earliest Train9:35 PM
Latest Train11:03 PM
Daily Train Routes0
Distance234 kilometers
TrainChapa Express, Charmy Express, Damitrans, Family Express, Fanxipan Express, King Sapa Train, Laman Express, Sapaly Express Train, Tiim Group, Tonkin Heritage Express, Vietnam Rail, Violette Trains