Hanoi Lao Cai Train

Looking for information about the Hanoi Lao Cai train? Are you seeking details about this route during your circuit in North Vietnam? Currently, it is one of the most widely used train lines in Vietnam. The history of this line dates back to the French Indochina period, after a hill station was built in Sapa to welcome the French fleeing the tropical heat. Thus, the history of tourism to the Sapa destination also originated in that period.

The Current Hanoi Lao Cai Train?

For about twenty years, many tourists have been traveling to Sapa, so Vietnamese Railways, with the very active participation of private companies, have taken many initiatives to modernize the train cars.

As a result, the hosting capacity of the Hanoi-Lao Cai and Lao Cai-Hanoi trains has improved significantly, with the comfort of the cabins increasingly approaching European standards. Only the speed remains the same, very slow! but for many, this mix between a satisfactory level of comfort and an authentic feel makes all the charm of this journey.

From a practical point of view, for an independent traveler it will be important to distinguish that there are different types of trains that make the journey from Hanoi to Lao Cai. Indeed, Vietnamese Railways but also many private companies have rented train cars from Vietnamese Railways and modernized them.

It is the night trains that welcome the most foreign tourists, since their level of comfort is close to European standards. Travel agencies also very often recommend to their tourists to take night trains for greater safety and a more restful journey. The prices are also very affordable.

It is very important to know that there are several trains every evening heading to Lao Cai and vice versa, between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., and that they arrive at the terminal early the next morning, between 4:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

We present to you in the list below the schedules and prices of the Hanoi – Lao Cai trains and vice versa (Regarding obtaining a ticket, you will read our article “How to Get a Hanoi-Lao Cai and Lao Cai-Hanoi Train Ticket):

Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi Train Schedules

Hanoi – Lao Cai

Lao Cai – Hanoi

Finally, here is the list of the main companies participating in the transport of tourists from Hanoi-Lao Cai and Lao Cai-Hanoi as well as some useful information for your choice and your possible journey. It is important to know that if these companies propose more comfortable cars and cabins closer to international standards, their departure times are the same as those of other cars of lower categories:

Livitrans

The Livitrans cars are composed of 9 carriages with different classes: seats; cabins with 4 berths, very high-class cabins with 2 berths. In all cases, the cabins are equipped with air conditioning, with large windows. There is also a restaurant. But it is recommended that tourists bring their own food or eat elsewhere.

Victoria Sapa

Victoria Express Train

The Victoria Sapa cars operate 6 days a week. They are composed of 2 carriages with berth-equipped cabins (12 cabins in total with a capacity of 2 to 4 people each). There is also a dining car and a shared bathroom in the hallway. It is important to know that booking seats in the Victoria Sapa cars is subject to booking their rooms at their hotel located in Sapa.

Tulico

Compared to other cars qualified as close to the “European standard”, Tulico presents itself as less luxurious, but more economical. On these cars there are both cabins with 4 berths and others with two berths (only 2 cabins with 2 berths). There is also air conditioning and a shared bathroom.

Royale Sapa

The Royal Sapa cars have cabins with two berths and four berths, all equipped with air conditioning. The bathroom is shared.

ET Pumpkin express

The Pumpkin Express cars have wooden interior furnishings. They also have cabins with berths (two categories: standard and luxury)

Fanxipan

The Fanxipan cars have good quality cabins with a high level of comfort. Their host capacity is large: 56 berths in different cabins. The interior is furnished in wood. The bathrooms are also shared.

Ratraco

The Ratraco Train cars are classified in the luxury category in Sapa. The cabins are furnished in wood. There are only cabins for 4 people, with two categories: standard and luxury. The cabins are air-conditioned, with shared bathrooms at the two ends of each car.

Hara express

The Hara Express Train cars also have wood-furnished cabins with air conditioning. In total there are 48 berths distributed in different cabins from 2 to 4 people. There are 3 categories: VIP, luxury, and economical (there are only two cabins classified in the VIP and luxury classes). As in other cars, the bathrooms are shared.

Sapaly express

Sapaly Express has set up its cars so that they welcome fewer tourists compared to cars from other railway companies, but with more spacious cabins. Therefore, Sapaly Express cars have only six cabins each in total. They are also cabins with 2 or 4 berths, with air conditioning and shared bathrooms.

Orient Express

The Orient Express cars have a host capacity of 38 berths. There are also cabins for 2, 4, and 6 berths. They are also furnished in wood.