Trains from Lao Cai to Hanoi

Trains from Lao Cai to Hanoi

Lao Cai
Hanoi
Mon, Jun 15
+ Add return
2 Passengers
Finding the best routes for you — almost ready!
Sort by
Recommended
Filters
Departure time
Transport type
Departure station
Arrival station
Booking Facilities
Price
Arrival time
Operators
 
 
 
 
 

Lao Cai to Hanoi Destination Reviews

SM
Santosh M
The cabin was vintage styled and beds were comfortable. Only bad part was the wash basin in the bathroom was leaking. Otherwise the experience was good
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train #SP4 VIP Sleeper 4x, Laman Express, May 14, 2026
SI
Sonia I
Someone offered us the option to pay an extra $60 for a private cabin. I thought it would be a great idea to get a good night’s sleep, so I paid for it. What a mistake!!! Yes, the cabin was very nice, but it was absolutely impossible to sleep, not even for 10 minutes. The train was creaking as if it were going to break apart, and it was shaking like an 8-degree Richter scale earthquake. On the train to Sapa, even though we had a shared cabin, we slept very well. I don’t know why this trip was so awful. So, I do not recommend paying extra for a private cabin.
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train #SP4 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, May 11, 2026
RA
Rebecca A
The train, the cabin, and the bathroom you could access was nice & clean. However, being a luxury train (and please note, I am comparing it to another train doing the same route), it was way too noisy (which I didn’t face in the other one). During the whole ride, the noise didn’t stop. The ear buds provided dont help. And you really can’t sleep.
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train #SP4 Indigo Berth 4x, Chapa Express, May 11, 2026
MR
Martinus R
Comfortable and good experience
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train 4 beds cabin lower berth, Vietnam Rail, May 1, 2026
AS
Anna S
The bus made me very nauseous — not really the bus’s fault but it did make the experience unpleasant. WiFi did not work despite the bus having signs saying there was wifi. Finally the bus operator gave me a hard time about switching seats with someone so she could sit next to her husband.
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train #SP4 VIP Sleeper 4x, Vicsapa Train, May 1, 2026
KH
Ko H
This is very first time trying this website and really satisfying.
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train Cabin 4x, Damitrans, Apr 27, 2026
AH
Anthony H
Very safe and helpful staff on board
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train 4 beds cabin upper berth, Vietnam Rail, Apr 24, 2026
HD
Harshit D
The experience in the train was pretty average. There are better more luxurious coaches available.
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train Cabin 4x, Damitrans, Apr 11, 2026
S
Samantha
Uncomfortable experience. The luxury bus was better. We paid for a VIP experience and in was small hard beds and just not worth what people have said
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train VIP Cabin with twin beds, Damitrans, Apr 10, 2026
PF
Paolo F
Bed too short and top cold
Lao Cai to Hanoi, Train Cabin 4x, Damitrans, Apr 9, 2026
4.4
316 customer reviews
5
46%
4
31%
3
13%
2
10%
1
0%

Lao Cai to Hanoi Train Schedule

OperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Chapa Express
Deluxe Sleeper 4x
12:05
20:05
$34.15
  4.2
Damitrans
Cabin 4x
12:05
20:05
$24.67
  4.6
Fanxipan Express
Deluxe Cabin 4x
21:30
05:25
$25.13
  4.0
Laman Express
VIP Sleeper 4x
21:30
05:25
$31.15
  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 196 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 8h 5m to get to Hanoi, and the fastest one brings you there in about 7h 5m. 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$10
Fastest Train7h 5m
Earliest Train12:05 PM
Latest Train9:30 PM
Daily Train Routes42
Distance196 kilometers
TrainChapa Express, Charmy Express, Damitrans, Family Express, Fanxipan Express, King Sapa Train, Laman Express, NewLivitrans Express, Sapaly Express Train, Tonkin Heritage Express, Vicsapa Train, Vietnam Rail, Violette Trains