Sapa, a small town on the plateau in northern Vietnam, is famous for its beautiful scenery of rice terraces and cultural diversity. The best way to get to Sapa is by taking a train from Hanoi to Lao Cai. If you are planning to take a Hanoi to Sapa train, you can choose one of 9 best luxury trains from Hanoi to Sapa.
Train from Hanoi to Sapa / Lao Cai
When taking a train to Sapa, you need to travel from Hanoi to Lao Cai Railway Station, which is located about 40 km from Sapa. After that, you need to travel from Lao Cai to Sapa by a local bus or taxi and the journey up the hill can take about 1 hour. Some of private train carriers offer shuttle bus service for this part of the trip.
As the route between Hanoi and Lao Cai is one of the most popular train routes in Vietnam, the train travel service on this route is offered not only by Vietnam Railways but also by private companies. Private companies have designed special carriages for tourists that are more luxurious and have higher standard than the ordinary train. Private cabins are provided for tourists where they can fully rest during the 7 to 9 hour journey from Hanoi to Sapa.
Best Trains from Hanoi to Sapa
The best luxury trains from Hanoi to Sapa are as follows:
1. Chapa Express Train
Chapa Express Train is considered to be one of the best trains going from Hanoi to Sapa and vice versa. The train was recently renovated and decorated with the inspiration of the landscape and people of Sapa.
Cabins and facilities
The train has two carriages with 3 types of cabins:
- Deluxe Cabin (4 berths)
- VIP Cabin (2 beds)
- Suite Cabin (2 berths)
The cabins are decorated with modern and luxurious furniture and have air conditioning, clean bathroom, cold and hot towels, reading lights and charger. The train provides other amenities such as earplugs, slippers, paper cups, mineral water, tooth kits, combs, and tissues for everyone. The deluxe 4-berth cabin can be set up into a 2-berth cabin according to customer needs. The VIP cabins are placed in the middle of the carriages to make sure a better comfort of VIP passengers. In addition, the passengers of this train can take a shower at Chapa Lounge inside Lao Cai train station for free.
Departure time
From Hanoi to Lao Cai (Train SP3): 22:00 – 05:55
From Lao Cai to Hanoi (Train SP4): 21:30 – 05:25
Train ticket price
Chapa Express Train ticket price starts at around 910,000 VND per person in shared cabin, around 4,500,000 VND for a private cabin (up to 2 pax) and around 5,200,000 VND for a private suite (up to 2 pax).
Train tickets can be booked online here: Chapa Express Train.
2. Sapaly Express Train
Sapaly Express Train is a train service company operating between Hanoi and Sapa. The highlights of this train are the service and cabins that match 3-star standard as per Sapaly Hotel.
Cabins and facilities
The train serves 2 special coaches on two trains, SP3 and SP4. There are 13 cabins in total of 2 types:
- Deluxe Cabin (4 berths) - popular choice for families or people traveling as a large group of 4 people.
- VIP Cabin (2 berths) - set up from 4-berth cabin by folding 2 upper berths and is suitable for couples or single people who want to enjoy privacy.
Each carriage has been specifically designed with only 6 cabinets instead of 7 cabins as usual. Therefore, each cabin has more space. The interior is beautifully decorated with natural wooden furniture, night lamps, reading lights, air conditioning, curtains. The mattresses, blankets and pillows are comfortable and clean.
Departure time
From Hanoi to Lao Cai (Train SP3): 22:00 – 05:55
From Lao Cai to Hanoi (Train SP4): 21:30 – 05:25
Train ticket price
Sapaly Express Train ticket price starts at around 780,000 VND per person in shared cabin and around 3,200,000 VND for a private cabin (up to 2 pax).
Train tickets can be booked here: Sapaly Express Train tickets.
3. New Livitrans Express Train
New Livitrans Express Train is one of the popular trains for traveling to Sapa from Hanoi.
Cabins and facilities
The train consists of 9 cabins that come in 3 types:
- Deluxe Cabins (4 berths)
- VIP Cabins (2 berths)
- Suite Cabin (double bed)
The interior is modernly designed with luxurious decoration. The space between the berths in each cabin is very spacious if compared to other trains, allowing passengers to have more space. All rooms have air conditioning, power sockets, personal reading lights, luggage storage and large windows. In addition, the train company also offers slippers, fruits, snacks, mineral water, refreshing wipes and large luggage storage for free.
Departure time
From Hanoi to Lao Cai (Train SP3): 22:00 – 05:55
From Lao Cai to Hanoi (Train SP4): 21:30 – 05:25
Train ticket price
New Livitrans Express Train ticket price starts at around 750,000 VND per person in shared cabin, around 2,800,000 VND for a private cabin (up to 2 pax) and around 3,500,000 VND for a private suite (up to 2 pax).
Train tickets can be booked online here: New Livitrans Express Train.
4. Fanxipan Express Train
Fanxipan Express Train is the famous company with modern and professional train services on the route Hanoi - Sapa.
Cabins and facilities
The train consists of 4 coaches with 14 cabins of 2 types:
- Deluxe Cabin (4 berths)
- VIP Cabin (2 berths) - set up from 4 berths cabin by folding 2 upper berths
The interior of the carriage is spacious if compared to other trains that run on the same route. Inside the cabin, there are various facilities that allow passengers to sleep comfortably such as comfortable bed, air conditioner, reading lights and clean bathroom. In addition, there is a small mini-bar counter serving fast food and beverages to passengers.
Departure time
From Hanoi to Lao Cai (Train SP3): 22:00 – 05:55
From Lao Cai to Hanoi (Train SP4): 21:30 – 05:25
Train ticket price
Fanxipan Express Train ticket price starts at around 800,000 VND per person in shared cabin and around 3,400,000 VND for a private cabin (up to 2 pax).
Train tickets can be booked online here: Fanxipan Express Train.
5. VicSapa Train
VicSapa train is the newest luxury train from Hanoi to Sapa. Vic Sapa train is full of enchanting convenience and comfort facilities such as the wood-panelling cabins, air-conditioning, comfortable beds and Sapa-inspired décor.
Cabins and facilities
VicSapa Train has 2 types of cabins:
- Deluxe cabin (4 berths)
- VIP cabin (2 berths)
The cabins are beautifully designed with natural wood. Every cabin has air conditioning, personal reading lights, luggage storage, bathroom, oversized windows and other amenities.
Departure time
From Hanoi to Lao Cai (Train SP3): 22:00 – 05:55
From Lao Cai to Hanoi (Train SP4): 21:30 – 05:25
Train ticket price
VicSapa Train ticket price starts at around 800,000 VND per person in shared cabin and around 3,400,000 VND for a private cabin (up to 2 pax).
Train tickets can be booked online here: VicSapa Train.
6. Laman Express Train
Laman Express Train - the train with airlines-services and hotel-bed on Hanoi-Sapa route in Vietnam.
Cabins and facilities
Laman Express Train has 2 types of cabins:
- Deluxe cabin (4 berths)
- VIP cabin (2 berths)
The service includes Laman bed set up and a welcome set consisting of refreshing towelette, Hanoi beer, coke, mineral water, and sweet pastry.
Departure time
From Hanoi to Lao Cai (Train SP3): 22:00 – 05:55
From Lao Cai to Hanoi (Train SP4): 21:30 – 05:25
Train ticket price
Laman Express Train ticket price starts at around 800,000 VND per person in shared cabin and around 3,400,000 VND for a private cabin (up to 2 pax).
Train tickets can be booked online here: Laman Express Train.
7. Damitrans Train
Damitrans is a new train on journey from Hanoi to Sapa and Sapa to Hanoi. Damitrans launched in 2022 with slogan "Simple is the best".
Cabins and facilities
Damitrans Train has 2 types of cabins:
- Deluxe cabin (4 berths)
- VIP cabin (2 berths)
Cabins on the train are designed by wood with cosy light inside.
Departure time
From Hanoi to Lao Cai (Train SP3): 22:00 – 05:55
From Lao Cai to Hanoi (Train SP4): 21:30 – 05:25
Train ticket price
Damitrans Train ticket price starts at around 800,000 VND per person in shared cabin and around 3,400,000 VND for a private cabin (up to 2 pax).
Train tickets can be booked online here: Damitrans Train.
8. Violette Express Train
Violette Express Train is one of the most recommended night trains from Hanoi to Lao Cai. It is also one of the most affordable private trains operating on this route.
Cabins and facilities
Violette Express Train has only 2 type of cabins: Deluxe cabin (4 berths).
The cabins are well equipped with soft sleeping berths, Air-conditioning, complimentary coffee, snacks and wet tissue.
Departure time
From Hanoi to Lao Cai (Train SP3): 22:00 – 05:55
From Lao Cai to Hanoi (Train SP4): 21:30 – 05:25
Train ticket price
Violette Express Train ticket price starts at around 680,000 VND per person in shared cabin.
Train tickets can be booked online here: Violette Express Train.
9. Vietnam Railways
If you don't care much about luxury, you can choose to travel on the standard carriage of Vietnam Railways as it will be cheaper than taking a private train.
Cabins and facilities
The train has cabins of 3 types:
- 2nd Class sleeper (6 berths)
- 1st Class sleeper (4 berths)
- VIP Cabin (2 berths)
On Vietnam Railways, 1st Class Sleepers are 'soft' beds with four (4) berths per cabin. Recently Vietnam Railways has begun operating a small number of 2-berth VIP cabins that get booked out very quickly.
Departure time
From Hanoi to Lao Cai (Train SP3): 22:00 – 05:55
From Lao Cai to Hanoi (Train SP4): 21:30 – 05:25
Train ticket price
Vietnam Railways Train ticket price starts at around 470,000 VND per person.
Train tickets can be booked online here: Vietnam Railways Train.
Other Transportation
If taking a train from Hanoi to Sapa doesn’t look attractive, you can choose another mean of transportation for getting there. Detailed information about various ways of traveling between Hanoi and Sapa can be found here: How to travel from Hanoi to Sapa.
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