Trains from Lao Cai to Hanoi

Trains from Lao Cai to Hanoi

Lao Cai
Hanoi
Thu, Oct 22
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2 Travelers
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Lao Cai to Hanoi Destination Reviews

MC
Michaeli C
Organised, easy to find and board. Offered an upgrade as it was available. Journey was smooth, however the matrresses could do with a little more padding. Everything else was great.
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train #SP4 VIP Sleeper 4x, Laman Express, Oct 18, 2026
WM
Williehada M
It was my first time on a sleeper train.
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train Cabin 4x, Damitrans, Oct 14, 2026
MB
Monika B
Very clean trains, there is a sink and a toilet - which were also clean. I found the lower bed very comfortable - and they even provided snacks, water and wet wipes
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train #SP4 VIP Sleeper 4x, Laman Express, Oct 11, 2026
KB
Katherine B
Really loved the train ride and our private room!
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train #SP8 Cabin 2x, NewLivitrans Express, Oct 9, 2026
KG
Katrin G
The train to Sapa was to old. I couldn’t sleep. The train to Hanoi back was ok
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train Cabin 4x, Damitrans, Sep 27, 2026
CN
Chi N
A good experience. Give it a try.
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train #SP4 1st Class Sleeper, Laman Express, Sep 23, 2026
JV
John V
Comfortable private Room if you book the 2x cabin. The snacks are not enough for the 6h. No toiletpaper, no soap. You have to bring your own food, becouse the menu on the train is very limited (instant noodles shrimp flavor was the only non snack food . The rest was chips and cookies). Still better and safer than the Sleeperbus.
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train #SP8 Cabin 2x, NewLivitrans Express, Sep 22, 2026
MA
Miriam A
There were no temperature dials or plugs in the top bunks but we managed a good nights sleep, the beds were relatively comfortable and there wasn't too many jolts on the tracks. We also got free drinks and snacks!
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train #SP4 VIP Sleeper 4x, Laman Express, Sep 17, 2026
VC
Vivian C
Nice stay on demitran train, clean cabin, fresh beddings and clean bathroom. Small passage or hallway but quite good. Passengers with big luggages have difficulty in carrying it inside the train as there is no staff or laborer to carry and besides it has no ramp for luggages to pass on. We love the taxi because it was like a coaster so comfortable and the driver is friendly. I believe vietnamese people has to learn basic English for better communication like drivers, attendants, hotel workers.
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train Cabin 4x, Damitrans, Sep 11, 2026
ZA
Zul A
Easy on all aspects
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train #SP8 VIP Sleeper 4x, Charmy Express, Sep 7, 2026
4.4
402 customer reviews
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Lao Cai to Hanoi Train Schedule

OperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Chapa Express
Deluxe Sleeper 4x
12:05
20:05
$34.72
  4.2
Damitrans
Cabin 4x
12:05
20:05
$24.67
  4.6
Fanxipan Express
Deluxe Cabin 4x
21:30
05:25
$25.55
  4.0
Laman Express
VIP Sleeper 4x
21:30
05:25
$31.67
  4.4

How to get from Lao Cai to Hanoi by train

Train from Lao Cai to Hanoi is a decent alternative to bus or air travel. Travelling from Lao Cai to Hanoi 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 Lao Cai from Hanoi?

The distance from Lao Cai to Hanoi is 217 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 Lao Cai to Hanoi by train?

Depending on the type of train, the length of your railway journey from Lao Cai to Hanoi may vary. The slowest train needs about 20h 40m to get to Hanoi, and the fastest one brings you there in about 6h 59m. 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 Hanoi.

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 Lao Cai to Hanoi 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 Lao Cai – Hanoi 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 Lao Cai to Hanoi

Facts about the train from Lao Cai to Hanoi

Cheapest Train$12
Fastest Train6h 59m
Earliest Train12:05 PM
Latest Train9:50 PM
Daily Train Routes0
Distance217 kilometers
TrainChapa Express, Family Express, Fanxipan Express, Hana Train, King Sapa Train, Laman Express, NewLivitrans Express, Sapaly Express Train, Tonkin Heritage Express, Vietnam Rail