Trains from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Trains from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Hanoi
Lao Cai
Mon, May 4
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Hanoi to Lao Cai Destination Reviews

NG
Nikhil G
Overall experience was really good! The cleanliness was good and Train timing is just perfect!
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train Private Cabin for 2, Family Express, Apr 30, 2026
K
Kathrin
A train journey in a sleeper carriage could be a wonderful experience. Unfortunately, the value for money is terrible. The train was in very poor technical condition. The bathroom and toilets were not clean. Only the sleeper compartment was nicely appointed, and the staff were extremely friendly and well organised.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train Private Cabin for 2, Family Express, Apr 23, 2026
AG
Anahita G
It was a great experience to go on the sleepertrain. Really a recommendation. Funny to see the trainstreet from the train’s pov. However the bed is not super comfortable and the trainride can be bumpy/wiggly at times. So not the best quality of sleep.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Cabin 2x, NewLivitrans Express, Apr 20, 2026
NS
Nicole S
Great train ride, but at the train station they scammed us wirh a shuttle bus from Lao Cau to Sapa. We paid way to much for a shared bus ride, where the bus driver even redused ro drive us to our homestay.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Cabin 2x, NewLivitrans Express, Apr 17, 2026
KK
Kathrin K
Very good value for money. Picked up our tickets at the station 1h before the train left without any issues. The train was very clean and the stuff friendly. Only issue is, that the mattresses are really hard, but for one night it’s ok.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train Cabin 4x, Damitrans, Apr 17, 2026
SD
Sanjana D
The train was too noisy, loud bangs from the train kept us awake half the time.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train Cabin 4x, Damitrans, Apr 6, 2026
SB
Shaun B
I found the train temperature hot even with aircon but it was as expected and arrived in time
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train Cabin 4x, Damitrans, Apr 4, 2026
ED
Euan D
Train was on time and very clean. Staff at the station really friendly and helpful. Cabin was comfortable. Vietnamese rail staff on the train try to sell you extras, so be careful. Overall great experience.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 VIP Cabin 2x, Chapa Express, Mar 23, 2026
AD
Annika D
A nice cabin for 2 people. A bit of snacks wairing for us. The train left on time and we arrived on time. The ride itself was surprisingly smoth.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Cabin 2x, NewLivitrans Express, Mar 23, 2026
KP
Kara P
Overall this was a fine experience. We were booked on Chapa but notified the day before that we would be on a different train line as they had overbooked. There were not a lot of other trains available at that time so we agreed. We were placed in a Vietnam rail car attached to the chapa train. Chapa had tried really hard to make it look nice and in their style but if it looks like a duck, acts like and duck and quacks like duck it’s a duck. I look forward to trying the Chapa train on the return trip because their train looks really cool. The staff at check in and in the VIP lounge were FANTASTIC!!!!
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Deluxe Sleeper 4x + Shuttle Bus, Chapa Express, Mar 22, 2026
4.4
562 customer reviews
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7%
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Hanoi to Lao Cai Train Schedule

OperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Fanxipan Express
Deluxe Cabin 4x
22:00
05:55
$23.90
  3.9
Chapa Express
Deluxe Sleeper 4x
22:00
06:00
$31.83
  4.5
ET Pumpkin
Deluxe Cabin 4x
22:01
06:01
$25.81
  2.0
Fanxipan Express
Deluxe Cabin 4x
22:30
06:25
$23.90
  3.9
Vietnam Railways
1st Class Sleeper
22:36
05:55
$16.88
  3.5
Chapa Express
Deluxe Sleeper 4x
22:40
06:40
$31.83
  4.5
Damitrans
Cabin 4x
22:40
06:40
$24.67
  4.6
Vietnam Railways
1st Class Sleeper
22:58
05:55
$20.64

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 200 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 8h 5m to get to Lao Cai, and the fastest one brings you there in about 6h 42m. 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$22
Fastest Train6h 42m
Earliest Train9:35 PM
Latest Train11:03 PM
Daily Train Routes56
Distance200 kilometers
TrainChapa Express, Damitrans, Family Express, Fanxipan Express, King Sapa Train, Laman Express, NewLivitrans Express, Sapaly Express Train, Tiim Group, Vietnam Rail, Violette Trains