Timetable checked on October 21, 2026
Hanoi to Sapa by train
Every evening, sleeper trains leave Hanoi for Lao Cai, the station 38 km below Sapa. You sleep on board, then finish the trip by road.
- Journey time
- 7h 35m to 7h 50m
- Departures
- 3 a day
- First / last
- 21:45 / 22:40
- From
- ₫610,000
- Distance
- 294 km
Hanoi Station (Ga Hà Nội) → Lao Cai Station (Ga Lào Cai)
The short answer
Take an evening train from Hanoi Station: the official timetable lists 3 departures between 21:45 and 22:40, arriving at Lao Cai early in the morning after 7h 35m to 7h 50m. The cheapest beds are Vietnam Railways' own 4-berth soft sleepers; private carriages coupled to the same trains cost more for newer cabins. From Lao Cai, buses, shared minibuses and taxis cover the last 38 km to Sapa in about 50 minutes.
- FastestSP15 at 21:45, arrives 05:20 (7h 35m)
- CheapestSoft sleeper, 4 berths from ₫610,000 (≈ $24)
- Best night trainSP7 at 22:40, arrives 06:27: a full night on board, no hotel needed
Timetable Hanoi → Sapa
Timetable Sapa → Hanoi
Official Vietnam Railways (VNR) times for Thursday, November 12, 2026, checked on October 21, 2026; 12Go fares checked the same day. Times change at Tết and during engineering works: the booking page always shows the live timetable.
Fares by class
| Class | VNR fare | 12Go, from |
|---|---|---|
| Soft sleeper, 4 berths | ₫440,000 – ₫460,000≈ $17 | ₫610,000≈ $24 |
| VIP cabin, 2 berths | — | ₫800,000≈ $31 |
VNR fares: best carriages, compiled from dsvn.vn by seat61 (June 10, 2026); a lower berth costs a little more than an upper one. 12Go prices include its service fee and were checked on October 21, 2026. Amounts in other currencies are indicative.
Private carriages
Private companies attach their own sleeping cars to the Vietnam Railways trains: same times, newer cabins, water and snacks, and a higher price. The ratings below are 12Go customer ratings for each operator.
| Carriage | On train | From | 12Go rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charmy Express | SP3, SP7 | ₫1,150,000≈ $45 | 3.9/5 (46 reviews) |
| Damitrans | SP3, SP7 | ₫920,000≈ $36 | 4.5/5 (13 reviews) |
| Family Express | SP7 | ₫870,000≈ $34 | 4.6/5 (40 reviews) |
| Fanxipan Express | SP3, SP7 | ₫920,000≈ $36 | 4.1/5 (124 reviews) |
| Hana Train | SP3, SP7 | ₫1,060,000≈ $42 | — |
| King Sapa Train | SP7 | ₫860,000≈ $34 | 4.4/5 (33 reviews) |
| Laman Express | SP3 | ₫1,200,000≈ $47 | 4.4/5 (1,263 reviews) |
| Sapaly Express Train | SP3 | ₫990,000≈ $39 | 4.2/5 (25 reviews) |
| Vicsapa Train | SP3 | ₫2,830,000≈ $111 | 4/5 (31 reviews) |
Stations and connections
In Hanoi, the Lao Cai trains leave from Hanoi Station (Ga Hà Nội). The station has two buildings, A on Lê Duẩn street and B on Trần Quý Cáp street, on either side of the tracks, and each private carriage company checks in at one or the other: the right one is on your voucher, so show it to your taxi driver (seat61).
Lao Cai station is 38 km from Sapa, about 50 minutes up a winding road. The regular bus leaves from the car park outside the station for around 50,000 ₫, a seat in a shared minibus costs 40,000 to 100,000 ₫ and a private car about US$30 (seat61, June 2026). Many Sapa hotels also arrange a pick-up.
On the way back, 3 trains leave Lao Cai between 12:05 and 21:50 (see the timetable below): allow an hour of margin for the road down from Sapa.
Train or bus?
Sleeper buses and limousine vans run straight to Sapa town on the expressway in roughly 5 to 7 hours depending on traffic and stops, often for less and without the Lao Cai transfer. The train is the more comfortable way to sleep and keeps you off the mountain road at night; the bus wins on price and on daytime departures.
Booking tips
- Outside the holidays, a soft sleeper is usually easy to find a few days ahead; book one to two weeks ahead for a weekend, and as soon as sales open for Tết (late January or February) and the 30 April – 1 May holiday.
- Tickets are e-tickets: keep the PDF or the QR code on your phone with your passport, which staff can ask to see.
- Children aged 0 to 4 travel free, children aged 5 to 9 get 25% off and children from 10 pay the full fare (seat61, from the Vietnam Railways rules).
- Luggage goes under the lower berths or in the space above the compartment door; keep valuables with you at night.
Where to buy
- 12Go: English interface, foreign cards, Vietnam Railways seats and private carriages in one search; a service fee is included in the price.
- Trip.com also sells Vietnam Railways tickets (and fewer private carriages than 12Go), with a discount code for a first booking. Trip.com train code (TRIPTRAIN5P, −5 %)
- dsvn.vn, the official Vietnam Railways site: the cheapest, but less easy to use from abroad.
- At the station ticket office: cash in dong, often no English; fine a few days ahead outside the holidays.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Hanoi to Sapa?
Between 7h 35m and 7h 50m, depending on the train. The fastest is SP15, which leaves Hanoi Station at 21:45 and arrives at 05:20.
How much is a train ticket from Hanoi to Sapa?
On 12Go, prices start at ₫610,000 (≈ $24) for soft sleeper, 4 berths (fee included, checked on October 21, 2026). A private carriage on the same trains costs more.
Is there a night train from Hanoi to Sapa?
Yes: every train on this line runs overnight. SP7 leaves Hanoi at 22:40 and reaches Lao Cai at 06:27, which leaves time for the road up to Sapa and breakfast.
Can I book the Hanoi to Sapa train online?
Yes. 12Go and Trip.com accept foreign cards and send an e-ticket; the official site dsvn.vn is cheaper but less easy to use from abroad. Book early for weekends and holidays.
Does the train go all the way to Sapa?
No. The railway ends at Lao Cai, on the Chinese border, 38 km below Sapa. From the station, allow about 50 minutes by bus, shared minibus or taxi.
Vietnam Railways berth or private carriage?
Both travel on the same trains at the same times. A Vietnam Railways 4-berth soft sleeper is the cheapest bed; private carriages such as Laman, Chapa Express or Fanxipan add newer cabins, water and snacks, and 2-berth cabins for couples, at a higher price.
How far ahead should I book the Sapa train?
On weekdays outside the holidays, a few days ahead is usually enough. For Friday and Saturday nights, Tết and the summer holidays, book one to two weeks ahead, earlier for 2-berth cabins.
How we compile these timetables
Times come from the official Vietnam Railways timetable (giotaugiave.dsvn.vn) for one travel date, cross-checked with the 12Go booking engine; private carriages, ratings and "from" prices were read on 12Go the same day. We update the page after each new check and show the date at the top. We do not copy reviews: ratings are 12Go's, dated.
- Vietnam Railways official timetable, giotaugiave.dsvn.vn (travel date Thursday, November 12, 2026, checked on October 21, 2026)
- 12Go booking engine, train results (travel date Thursday, November 12, 2026, checked on October 21, 2026)
- seat61.com, Vietnam page, fares compiled from dsvn.vn (updated June 10, 2026)
Booking links go to our partner 12Go; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes the times or prices shown.
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