Sapa Train Services
THE OVER NIGHT TRAIN TO SAPA
Train to Sapa.One of the most frequently asked questions I receive is advice on the overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai as well as the bus ride from Lao Cai to Sapa town.
If you could fly to Sapa then it wouldn’t be half as fun, in fact it would be too easy and one of the thrilling feelings all travellers have when they finally arrive in Sapa is “WOW that was worth the effort to just get here.”
So you have your hotel booked, hopefully with us, the next step you need to do is purchase your train tickets. We try to make this very easy for our guests by arranging train tickets for more then 95% of our staying guests. Once you read these hints and tips you will understand why it is better to leave it to us the professionals to take the guess work out and leave you to have a smooth stress free journey to Sapa.
The trains to Lao Cai depart Hanoi everynight of the week at 8:35pm and 9:10pm. We choose to book our guests on the Livitrans or King Express or Fanxipang train carriages as we believe these to be the best. These carriages are VIP with 4 beds in each room. There is a toilet at the end of the carriage. We strongly advise our guests to book a private 4 berth cabin even if there are only one of two guests travelling, this ensures privacy, security and a better night sleep. The train line was build in 1906 and you can feel every piece of history in the track as you take the journey 320kms to Sapa. It certainly is a wonderful way to travel and makes coming to Sapa all that more exciting.
Hanoi to Lao Cai -Departs Hanoi 8:35pm or 9:10pm – arrives Lao Cai 5:00am – 6:00am the next morning.
Lao Cai to Hanoi: -Departs Lao Cai 7:30pm or 8:10pm arrive Hanoi 5:00am.
Free transfers Included in your train fare when you book your train tickets with our organisation.
Transfers included are – From our hotel in Hanoi to the Hanoi train station, from Lao Cai to Sapa and from Sapa back to the Lao Cai train station
Bus transfer from Lao Cai to Sapa:
After 9 fairly sleepless hours on the night train you want to make sure your bus transfer from Lao Cai train station to Sapa has been organised by your hotel in Sapa, because at 5:00am when your train pulls into Lao Cai the last thing you want to do is to be left standing around having to negotiate for a seat to Sapa. I have heard crazy stories where travlers paid more then US$ 30 for a single ticket from Lao Cai to Sapa in a mini van. Please don’t let this happen to you.
Here are some tips:
The journey is 37km from Lao Cai to Sapa
The journey will take up to 1 hour depending on the weather
When you arrive it will be too early to check into most hotels.
Find a good cafe or restaurant for breakfast – The Village Noshery serves a great breakfast opening at 6:30am
Store your luggage and then have a good walk around Sapa until your room is ready
If you negotiate a bus ride yourself, do not pay until you arrive in Sapa
Try to negotiate your bus transfer for free if you purchase their train tickets, this should be included
Ear plugs and eye masks are a must!!!
Make it easy for yourself, the train station is not the place for an adventure!!!
Top 10 things to do in Sapa Train Services
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Tulico Train
Duration: 10 hours
Languages:
EnglishLocations: Hanoi, Vietnam; Lao Cai, Vietnam
(per person)
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Victoria Train
Duration: 9 hours
Languages:
EnglishLocations: Hanoi, Vietnam
(per person)
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Green Train
Duration: 10 hours
Languages:
EnglishLocations: Hanoi, Vietnam
(per person)
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King Express Train
Duration: 10 hours
Languages:
EnglishLocations: Hanoi, Vietnam
(per person)
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Orient Train
Duration: 10 hours
Languages:
EnglishLocations: Hanoi, Vietnam
(per person)
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Sapaly Express
Duration: 10 hours
Languages:
EnglishLocations: Hanoi, Vietnam
(per person)
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Livitrans Train
Duration: 10 hours
Languages:
EnglishLocations: Hanoi, Vietnam
(per person)
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Fansipan Train
Duration: 10 hours
Languages:
EnglishLocations: Hanoi, Vietnam
(per person)
