Trains from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Trains from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Hanoi
Lao Cai
Sat, Mar 14
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Hanoi to Lao Cai Destination Reviews

GB
Gabrielle B
After booking got contacted by train company saying they couldn’t provide me my seats but that I could pay an upgrade. Try to negotiate but not enough. Asked to get refund and not surprised they couldn’t provide finally give me my seats. Not sure if it was spam or the real company but in both ways they tried to scam me. Got no help from 12Go. The train ride was fine. Comfortable beds but very noisy has you could expect. Barely got sleep on the night ride. Would do it again but during daytime.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Mar 11, 2026
JM
Jonathan M
Comfortable and punctual. Highly recommend
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Mar 10, 2026
V
Victoria
The train ride was great but I went to the bathroom at the very beginning and they were disgusting, urine all over the seat and floor... needless to say I refrained from going again the whole time
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Deluxe Cabin 4x, Fanxipan Express, Mar 10, 2026
JM
Jonathan M
Good comfort, punctual and well organized
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Mar 9, 2026
JF
Johanna F
Overall everything went well, check-in, punctuality and everything, but the Train Ride ist far from luxurious! When you tried to Switch off the AC it made an afwul squeaking noise and it was Not a comfirtable Night Of sleep, since those trains Are 50 yo and it is horrobly Loud at Night, Even With earplugs!
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 VIP Cabin 2x, Chapa Express, Mar 5, 2026
GA
Garth A
Vietnam trains are mostly average, mostly depart and arrive on-time. Boarding process poorly organized, there is no ticket desk or counter. Most passengers boarded 45-minutes prior, but, Fanxipan REP did not appear until later to hand-out boarding passes. VNR employees insisted that train would not depart with waiting passengers, but still, given language differences, was un-nerving and unnecessary.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 Deluxe Cabin 4x, Fanxipan Express, Feb 24, 2026
AS
Anuj S
Not sure why people complain about the noise. It is a train, for the love of God and everything holy, get over it. It was comfortable and clean. We would do it again.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Suite Twin Cabin, Chapa Express, Feb 21, 2026
NH
Neil H
Great. Comfortable 👍
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Laman Express, Feb 20, 2026
OP
Owen P
The Vicsapa staff and organisation was second to none, absolutely fantastic. The VIP Twin Cabin was comfortable, the toilets were clean, and the free drinks/snacks were appreciated. Despite the bed being very comfortable, the persistent hammering noise of the tracks was particularly mind numbing.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 VIP Twin Cabin + SUV, Vicsapa Train, Feb 16, 2026
NI
Nathan I
The train is noisy and bumpy but that has nothing to do with Chapa and is just how old trains are in Vietnam. But the cabin was comfortable, the link to the Sapa private transport was seamless and it was all relatively easy.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 VIP Cabin 2x, Chapa Express, Feb 8, 2026
4.4
479 customer reviews
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49%
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16%
2
8%
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Hanoi to Lao Cai Train Schedule

OperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Fanxipan Express
Deluxe Cabin 4x
22:00
05:55
$24.01
  3.9
Chapa Express
Deluxe Sleeper 4x
22:00
06:00
$31.98
  4.5
ET Pumpkin
Deluxe Cabin 4x
22:01
06:01
$25.81
  2.0
Fanxipan Express
Deluxe Cabin 4x
22:30
06:25
$24.01
  3.9
Vietnam Railways
1st Class Sleeper
22:36
05:55
$16.96
  3.5
Chapa Express
Deluxe Sleeper 4x
22:40
06:40
$31.98
  4.5
Damitrans
Cabin 4x
22:40
06:40
$24.67
  4.6
Vietnam Railways
1st Class Sleeper
22:58
05:55
$20.74

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 167 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 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$20
Fastest Train6h 42m
Earliest Train9:35 PM
Latest Train10:40 PM
Daily Train Routes22
Distance167 kilometers
TrainDamitrans, ET Pumpkin, Family Express, Fanxipan Express, Tiim Group, Vietnam Rail, Violette Trains