Train from Hanoi to Sapa

Getting to Sapa by Train 

Best way to head for Sapa is taking night train from Hanoi center. Sapa has no railway station. The nearest train station is Lao Cai which is 38 km (24 miles) away from Sapa.

Train schedule from Hanoi to Sapa (Lao Cai Train Station)

Fansipan Express Train

Fanxipan Train carriages, en route Hanoi- Laocai reflect the charm of colonial traveling style in northern Vietnam. They offer an inspirational experience onboard as well the time to enjoy the beauty of evocative destinations.

Train Schedule

Train Route	Train number	Departure time	Arrival time
Hanoi - Lao Cai	SP1	21:10	05:15
Lao Cai - Hanoi	SP2	20:05	04:30

Ticket grade	Deluxe two berth	Four berth
Cost	128	58

Green Express Train

Green Express Train ( Green Train) is a part connected to the tourist train between Hanoi and Lao Cai. The Green Express train is attracted by offering soft sleeper carriages, A/C clean four-berth cabins which create cozy comforts for travelers during their trip. 

Route	Train number	Departure time	Arrival time
Hanoi - Lao Cai	SP3	21:50	06:15
Lao Cai - Hanoi	SP4	20:45	05:15

Ticket grade	Deluxe four berth	Economic berth
Cost	55	48

Hara Express Train

Hara Express Train (or Hara Tour Train) has just been introduced two carriages connected to the SP1 for Sapa dirrection and SP2 for return to Hanoi, the train offers passengers 2 soft sleeper A.C cabins and 4 soft berth cabins and two western toilets at either ends. Each berth is equipped with individual reading lamps, baggage storage and spacious trunk for suite case and hand luggage. A bottle of water and cold napkin are included for travelling by this train.

Cost in US Dollars/ ticket for round trip

Route	Train number	Departure time	Arrival time
Hanoi - Lao Cai	SP1	21:10	05:15
Lao Cai - Hanoi	SP2	20:05	04:30

Cost in US Dollars/ ticket for round trip

Ticket grade	Deluxe two berth	Four berth
Cost	112	55

Some useful phrase about train in Vietnam

• There are four classes of train travel offered in Hanoi - Lao Cai train route: hard-seat, soft-seat, hard-berth, soft-berth. 

• Hard-seat is tolerable for day travel, but it can be even less comfortable than the bus overnight. 

• Hard-berth has three tiers of beds (it means six beds per compartment). The upper berth is cheapest and the lower berth is most expensive. 

• Soft-seat includes vinyl-covered seats, more comfortable than benches of hard-seat, but rather hot if without air-conditioner in the summer. 

• Soft-berth has two tiers of beds (four beds per compartment), the price for each bunks are the same. These compartments have a door...

How to get to Sapa from Hanoi

Transportation from Hanoi to Sapa

Sapa is 380 kilometres from Hanoi which is famous for both its fine, rugged scenery and also its rich cultural diversity. You can get in to Sapa by train or bus. It is long journey, time-consuming exercise whichever route you take, so choose carefully.

Getting to Sapa by Train 

Best way to head for Sapa is taking night train from Hanoi center. Sapa has no railway station. The nearest train station is Lao Cai which is 38 km (24 miles) away from Sapa.

Train schedule from Hanoi to Sapa (Lao Cai Train Station)

Fansipan Express Train 

Fanxipan Train carriages, en route Hanoi- Laocai reflect the charm of colonial traveling style in northern Vietnam. They offer an inspirational experience onboard as well the time to enjoy the beauty of evocative destinations.




Train Schedule

Train Route	Train number	Departure time	Arrival time
Hanoi - Lao Cai	SP1	21:10	05:15
Lao Cai - Hanoi	SP2	20:05	04:30

Cost in US Dollars/ ticket for round trip

Ticket grade	Deluxe two berth	Four berth
Cost	128	58

Green Express Train

Green Express Train ( Green Train) is a part connected to the tourist train between Hanoi and Lao Cai. The Green Express train is attracted by offering soft sleeper carriages, A/C clean four-berth cabins which create cozy comforts for travelers during their trip.

Route	Train number	Departure time	Arrival time
Hanoi - Lao Cai	SP3	21:50	06:15
Lao Cai - Hanoi	SP4	20:45	05:15

Cost in US Dollars/ ticket for round trip

Ticket grade	Deluxe four berth	Economic berth
Cost	55	48

Hara Express Train

Hara Express Train (or Hara Tour Train) has just been introduced two carriages connected to the SP1 for Sapa dirrection and SP2 for return to Hanoi, the train offers passengers 2 soft sleeper A.C cabins and 4 soft berth cabins and two western toilets at either ends. Each berth is equipped with individual reading lamps, baggage storage and spacious trunk for suite case and hand luggage. A bottle of water and cold napkin are included for travelling by this train.

Route	Train number	Departure time	Arrival time
Hanoi - Lao Cai	SP1	21:10	05:15
Lao Cai - Hanoi	SP2	20:05	04:30

Cost in US Dollars/ ticket for round trip

Ticket grade	Deluxe two berth	Four berth
Cost	112	55

Type of Sapa Train

The SP1, SP2, SP3 and SP4 mainly comprise privately run sleeper cabins. All run daily, recommended trains with very few stops. Air-conditioned soft sleepers, air-con hard sleepers, hard sleepers, air-con soft seats, soft seats, hard seats,

SP1/SP2 also convey a whole series of privately-run sleeping-cars for tourists, including Fansipan Express ( Recommended ), Ratraco Express, Orient Express, Royal Express, TSC Express, Tulico Express , Green Express and Hara Express

SP3/SP4 also conveys several private sleeping-cars including the Hara Express, Orient Express, Green Express, Sapaly Express Train ( Recommended ) and Victoria Express Train, ( Recommended )
SP7, SP8: Daily. Recommended train. Also conveys privately-run 'Livitrans' sleeping-cars for tourists, Livitrans Express ( Recommended ) and King Express

Getting to Sapa by B US

The train arrives around 6 or 7AM at Lao Cai station. You need to take a bus which should not cost you more than 50,000 Dong ($2.5) for an hour ride to Sapa (38 km).
Some trains arrive at 4.30 AM so you should arrange private transfer in advance with your hotel or agencies in Sapa.

Regular intercity buses run by local travel agents connect Sapa with Hanoi, either directly through Lao Cai, or through Hoa Binh, Dien Bien Phu and Lai Chau. The cost is around 15 USD one way for the cheapest direct option.

 Buses from Hanoi to Sapa- Hai Van Express Bus Time Table

Intineraries	Departure and Arival Time
	Day Bus	Night Bus1	Night Bus2
My Dinh	8h40	20h30	21h00
Phuc Yen	9h40	21h30	22h00
Vinh Yen	9h55	21h45	22h15
Viet Tri	10h40	22h30	23h00
Phong Chau	11h00	22h50	23h20
Doan Hung	11h40	23h30	24h00
Yen Binh	12h40	0h30	1h00
Khanh Hoa	15h00	2h50	3h20
Pho Rang	15h40	3h30	4h00
Bac Ngam	16h00	4h10	4h40
Lao Cai	17h00	5h10	5h40
Sapa	18h30	6h40	7h10

Hung Thanh is one of private operation run bus from Hanoi to Lao Cai. They have Hung Thanh that depart at 7.00 PM and 8.00 PM. Bus departs at Gia Lam Station (in Hanoi) and arrive Lao Cai Train Station. Bus tickets cost around 15 usd/ 1 pax.

The disadvantage is that it’s still going to take nine hours or so and of course there are no beds on board. 

Hoi An to Hue by Train

Train from Hoi An to Hue

The train ride to Hue is one of the best in the country which is is the world-class scenic section.  The railway line is cut into the side of the mountains and overlooks the sea. The train runs along the South China Sea, snaking from cliff to jungle-covered cliff past beaches and islands, then heads through the lush green mountains via the Hai Van Pass to reach Danang.

Train schedule from Hoi An to Hue

Train	Depart Danang	Arrive Hue	Solf Seat	Hard Sleeper (6 berths)	Solf Sleeper (4 berths)
SE2	12:06 PM day 1	14:43 PM day 1	10	12	17
SE4	14:42 PM day 1	17:06 PM day 1	10	12	17
SE6	10:34 AM day 1	13:21 PM day 1	9.5	11.5	N/A
SE8	23:27 PM day 1	15:28 PM day 1	10	12	17

Where to by train ticket from Hoi An to Hue

Hoi An doesn’t have a train station, so you’ll have to take the train to Danang and then get a taxi from there.
Da Nang Train station (Hai Phong St). The ticket office is open daily, 03:00 to 19:30. T: (0511) 3823 810.
You can book the train ticket at the station, which is the cheapest way but not the most convenience way. Da Nang is 30 km away from Hoi An centre so if you add cost of travelling from hoi an to da nang, it is not worth. It’s a good idea to book in advance, as some trains will be fully booked. The ticket office is open daily, 03:00 to 19:30. T: (0511) 3823 810.

You can ask your hotel to book train ticket for you or you can book train ticket from da nang to hue online at www.yourlocalbooking.com 

Advantage of taking train

- Best view ever

Disadvantage of taking train

- Cost more as you need to travel to Da Nang (30 km away from hoian)
- Train sometimes delays
- Train is booked very quickly during festival
- Online booking only available 1 month in advance

If cost cutting is a requirement, get the local bus to Da Nang Station (2 usd) then take the train to Hue. Hue train station is located in center of Hue. You can take a taxi to go to your hotel.

Hoi An to Hue by Bus

Bus from Hoi An to Hue

There are many local bus companies like Sinh café, An Phu, Hanh Café that run this route Hoi An to Hue.  Price: 7 usd.

Bus schedule from Hoi An to Hue

Sinh café: 8.00 AM and 1.30 AM. Duration: 3.30 hours
An Phu: 8.00 AM and 1.30 AM. Duration: 3.30 hours

Advantage of taking bus

- Direct transfer from hoi an center to hue center.
- Save money and time.
- Convenience because bus station is near hotels

Disadvantage of taking bus 

- Boring trip as bus goes over the new expressway
- Miss out on all the most scenic bits at Hai Van Pass. it's absolutely stunning scenery and views for miles if you take the 'high road' over the pass.
- Sleeping bus is not suitable for tall people

If you bring large luggage, don’t worry. Bus has a luggage department underneath the bus. Bus drop you off a hotel at Hue so you need to find your own way to your hotels. Many “xe om” drivers are waiting for you. Always bargain!

How does the bus look like?

The lay-out of the bus is 3 rows - one on each side with windows, and a middle row. You have a little alcove whereby you are supposed to be able to lie down & sleep. Bus has toilet inside

If you travel during festival or peak season, booking ahead 1 month is good idea. You can book bus ticket from Hoi An to Hue online at www.yourlocalbooking.com. They will send you and e-code and you only need to bring your passport to check in with Sinh café staff.