| Operator | Class | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fanxipan Express | Deluxe Cabin 4x | 22:00 | 05:55 | $24.07 | |
Chapa Express | Deluxe Sleeper 4x | 22:00 | 06:00 | $32.05 | |
ET Pumpkin | Deluxe Cabin 4x | 22:01 | 06:01 | $25.81 | |
Fanxipan Express | Deluxe Cabin 4x | 22:30 | 06:25 | $24.07 | |
Vietnam Railways | 1st Class Sleeper | 22:36 | 05:55 | $17.00 | |
Chapa Express | Deluxe Sleeper 4x | 22:40 | 06:40 | $32.05 | |
Damitrans | Cabin 4x | 22:40 | 06:40 | $24.67 | |
Vietnam Railways | 1st Class Sleeper | 22:58 | 05:55 | $20.78 |
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.
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.
Depending on the type of train, the length of your railway journey from Hanoi to Lao Cai may vary. The slowest train needs about 8h 5m to get to Lao Cai, and the fastest one brings you there in about 7h 22m. 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.
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.
| Cheapest Train | $22 |
| Fastest Train | 7h 22m |
| Earliest Train | 9:35 PM |
| Latest Train | 11:03 PM |
| Daily Train Routes | 42 |
| Distance | 234 kilometers |
| Train | Chapa Express, Damitrans, Family Express, Fanxipan Express, King Sapa Train, Laman Express, NewLivitrans Express, Sapaly Express Train, Tiim Group, Tonkin Heritage Express, Vietnam Rail, Violette Trains |