Sapa is the premier hill station in northern Vietnam and an incredible place for trekking lovers. It has been a crossroads for millennia for Vietnamese, Chinese, and a diverse array of minority groups, all of whom have left their cultures' stamps. The scenery of the imposing mountains and rice terraces gives this area a great combination of nature and culture and is a place for adventurers. With the development of infrastructure, the highway from Hanoi to Sapa seems to be an excellent way to travel. However, taking a train is also an experience you'll want to try. Let's read the following information on the guide for the overnight express train from Hanoi to Sapa.

Through this blog post, you will find these pieces of information below.

Why should you take a train from Hanoi to Sapa?

While you can save time when traveling by bus, taking a train from Hanoi to Sapa can be safer. Instead of sitting on a bus running through winding and meandering roads with many dangers, your trip to Sapa will be much more secure as the train runs extremely smoothly on a separate road. When you choose the train, you will have more time to relax and sleep, which helps to reduce fatigue and maintain your health and energy for your upcoming trip. So, what you need to do is just stay on your seat or berth, experience traveling by train, and don’t worry about safety issues. 

Traveling by train from Hanoi to Sapa

The guide for taking a train from Hanoi to Sapa

From Hanoi Railway Station, it takes you 8 hours to Lao Cai Railway Station, which is about 35 kilometers from Sapa town’s center. There are day and night trains to get to Lao Cai; however, Handspan recommends you take the night trains for a faster journey as you will have fewer stops than taking the day train. You can choose the SP1 departing at 09.35 p.m., or the SP3 train departing at 10.00 p.m. The price for a turn is from VND 150,000 per person depending on the type of seat. You can choose from hard seats and soft seats to hard or soft berths. Nevertheless, you may want to pick a cabin with soft or hard berths for more convenience. 

You can buy the train ticket from Hanoi to Sapa directly at Hanoi Railway Station. However, to save time, you can book online at the Vietnam Railway company’s homepage here: https://dsvn.vn/#/. You just need to fill in the departure and arrival stations, choose a one-way or round trip, your departure and return time, search, and choose your favorable seats or berths, and then make online payment according to the instructions.

Hanoi Railway Station

It is advised that you book your ticket in advance, especially in the holiday times of Vietnam, to ensure that the tickets are not sold out and you can choose a convenient berth. Usually, you are given a voucher via email, so you will need to exchange it for a real train ticket at the ticket desk. Please make sure you do not give the voucher to anyone who offers to help you because that person will later ask for some money.

Luxurious train carriages from Hanoi to Sapa

If you take a train from Hanoi to Sapa, besides the standard trains, you can also choose the VIP train carriages for high-quality services. Although they are attached to the train operated by national railways, they are luxurious cabins with many utilities. These night trains to Sapa have wooden cabins with four berths each, two uppers, and two lowers. Each berth has a thin mattress, soft pillow, light blanket, electrical socket, and reading light. A small bottle of water and some seasonal fruits are offered for each passenger in the cabin. Here are some of the choices.

King Express

• Office: 09 Van Mieu, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
• Contact:  (+84) 24 3926 3316/ +84  974 27 00 27 
• Ticket price: from VND 550,000
• Departure time: 09.35 p.m. & 10.00 p.m.

King Express train cabin

ET Pumpkin Train

• Office: 89 Ma May, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Contact: (+84) 912 281 883
• Ticket price: from VND 550,000
• Departure time: 09.35 p.m.

Sapaly Express

• Contact: 094 325 61 88
• Ticket price: from VND 650,000
• Departure time: 10.00 p.m.

Sapaly Express Train

Sapaly Express train cabin

Chapa Express Train

• Office: 120 Le Duan Street, Van Mieu, Dong Da, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Contact: 091 339 68 00
• Ticket price: from VND 650,000
• Departure time: 10.00 p.m.

Chapa Express train cabin

Other notes while traveling by train from Hanoi to Sapa

Besides those above guides for the train from Hanoi to Sapa, there are many other things you may want to notice. Let’s refer to some notes below for a complete experience.

Transferring from Lao Cai Railway Station to Sapa

As the train does not take you directly from Hanoi to Sapa, you will have to transfer from Lao Cai Railway Station to Sapa Town’s center. From the station, you can choose the public bus, coach, or taxi to reach Sapa. Otherwise, you can contact us and book our private car service. Among these choices, the public bus is the most economical way. However, if you are unfamiliar with public transportation in Vietnam, it’s better to use a coach, call a taxi, or private car. 

Luggage

As the corridors inside the train and the cabin itself are quite narrow, so make sure you travel with not-too-large luggage to store it under the lower berth easily.

Meals on board

They sell food and beverages onboard and you will mainly find instant noodles popular meals. Beverages are mostly cold soft drinks and local beers.

Toilet on the train

There is one toilet at the end of each carriage. You need to bring along toilet paper as it's not provided. Please also note that the toilets are only open about 5 minutes after the trains leave the station. If you choose the luxurious train from Hanoi to Sapa, you will find a more spacious and cleaner toilet. 

Handspan’s Sapa tour packages

Handspan has designed many tours that could bring you a chance to experience the night train from Hanoi to Sapa while offering a good glimpse of the beautiful mountainous area. Below are some featured Sapa tour packages.

Sapa leisure and trek

Joining this trip, you will have a chance to admire a breathtaking view of Muong Hoa and Ta Phin Valley. Through your journey, you can experience a great trekking tour through village settings and learn about the fascinating cultures of the locals.

Sapa leisure and trek

Sapa Valley Trek and Village Stay

An opportunity for an overnight stay at a local home will give you a better understanding of the Dzay ethnic minority. You will have a chance to join trekking on the foothill of Mount Fan Si Pan to the Golden Stream Valley, Lao Chai, and Ta Van. 

Trekking in Ta Van Sapa

Enchanted pathways to Sapa

Discover the allure of Sapa mountain rage on our "Enchanted Pathways to Sapa" tour. Embark on a journey that uncovers the hidden gems of Y Ty and Sapa, where nature and culture intertwine seamlessly. Engage with the unique Ha Nhi community, traverse the scenic Muong Hum route to Sapa, and discover the Golden Stream Valley's mesmerizing landscapes, including rice terraces and the Fan Si Pan mountain range.

Rice terraces in Sapa

In conclusion, traveling by train from Hanoi to Sapa is no doubt an exciting experience during your trip. If you want to have more information, book luxurious train tickets, or a Sapa tour package, or want to tailor your tour, please do not hesitate to contact our team.