Taking the Train from Hanoi to Sapa, Vietnam
Updated december 2025. A practical guide to taking the overnight sleeper train from Hanoi to Sapa, including train options, booking tips, prices, and what to expect on arrival in the mountains.
Sapa offers one of the most memorable travel experiences in northern Vietnam — a highland region of rice-terrace landscapes, mountain villages, misty viewpoints and slow-paced life far removed from the lowlands. From scenic treks and local markets to herbal baths and authentic homestays, we’ve shared our hand-picked selection of the best things to do in and around Sapa in a dedicated guide.
To reach Sapa, the journey itself becomes part of the experience. Rather than a long daytime road trip, we chose to travel overnight by sleeper train from Hanoi to Lao Cai — a comfortable, atmospheric way to arrive in the mountains at dawn and start the adventure already immersed in the destination.
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Booking Hanoi to Sapa Train Tickets at Hanoi Train Station
After a few wonderful days spent exploring the fantastic capital city of Hanoi and living like a local, it was time for a change of scene.
Kristina
As we were living a few minutes walk away, we decided to go and book our train tickets in person at the main train station in Hanoi, Ga Ha Noi. The main building is located on Le Duan Street and this is known as station A but there's also a confusing station B around the corner on Tran Quy Cap.
Unless you are taking a train north towards the Chinese border (or beyond to Moscow or London) you'll be using Station A which is easy to spot with its imposing part Soviet-style frontage.
The original prettier building is hiding still behind it somewhere but suffered bomb damage during the American (Vietnam) War in 1972.
You enter through the main door and turn left for the advance ticket booking desks. There's a special desk for tourists to buy tickets and the staff were very helpful and booked us onto the train we wanted.
TOP TIP: Use the local travel website 12Go.Asia to check availability, times, ticket classes, numbers and prices first. That way you'll know you are getting the correct train and price as they might try and sell you a more expensive 'tourist' carriage ticket at the station. Or you can buy the tickets directly via that site to save you time.
Google map of Hanoi Train Station (Ga Ha Noi):
The sleeper train tickets cost around 400,000–450,000 VND per person (approx. $16–18 USD as of 2025) for a bed in a 4-person carriage.
We took the Violette Trains #SP3 service which left Hanoi at 10 pm and arrived at Lao Cai at 6.20 am the next morning. That's where we jumped onto the bus for Sapa.
The cheapest option for this journey would be a Hard Seat at around 150,000 VND overnight (approx. $6 USD as of 2025). A Soft Seat costs from around 200,000 VND per person (approx. $8 USD as of 2025).
There are also various kinds of Sleeper Carriages available starting from 400,000 VND per person for a basic bed in a 4-person carriage (our choice). They scale up to around 3,500,000–3,700,000 VND per person for a 2-bed deluxe carriage (approx. $140–150 USD as of 2025). We just hope that includes breakfast and a massage!
TOP TIP: To find the best prices for all train, air or bus travel in Vietnam we would recommend using the locally-based travel website called 12Go.Asia.
We used this site to book most of our journeys in Vietnam. Best of all, you can just show any ticket on your smartphone when boarding your train. That saves any running around to find a place to print your vouchers!
Try their site via the search box here. Simply pick your travel date for a full page of travel options in Vietnam and beyond!
Our Sleeper Train from Hanoi to Sapa Experience
We found our 4 person compartment to be comfortable and clean. It was a nice change from the open carriages that we had experienced on our sleeper train journey in Thailand.
Kristina
We were also blessed with two lovely travel companions, Aveen and Dorina, and we were soon chatting away as the train pulled out of Ga Ha Noi spot on 10 pm.
It was soon time for some shut-eye so we climbed into our top bunk positions and settled in for the night. Towards the early hours of the morning, the carriage did begin to clunk around quite a lot and there were some loud banging noises from underneath as we climbed higher into the northern hills of Vietnam.
But overall we much preferred this to journey over a long daytime train ride to Sapa and did manage to get some sleep overnight.
The guard came to wake us up in good time before we pulled into Lao Cai around 6.20 am and offered us tea and coffee. Not being fully awake we took it, only for him to return a few minutes later asking for 10,000 VND each for the hot beverages, the cheeky bugger!
We really liked the fact that they played a gentle local folk song over the cabin speaker as we approached our final destination. It was a lovely way to arrive and we'd totally recommend a sleeper train from Hanoi.
The Onward Bus from Lao Cai to Sapa
Getting to Sapa itself is a 2 part journey as the train line runs up to the northwest border town of Lao Cai. From there you will take a bus or taxi to Sapa town itself.
Unless you book a tour package your train tickets won't include the final 1-hour road journey to Sapa but it's easy to grab the local bus from the train station in Lao Cai.
Be aware that the local touts for taxis and buses will come into the train carriages once it stops and ask if you need help to get to Sapa. Just tell them clearly that you have both transport and a hotel in Sapa booked or they will follow you around trying to get you into their rip off taxi or bus.
As you exit the station in Lao Cai turn left and look for the local minibus parked up in the corner of the parking area. It clearly says Lao Cai ⇔ Sapa on the front and side despite what the local taxi touts tell you.
It departs every hour on the hour and costs around 30,000 VND (approx. $1.20 USD as of 2025) per person, much cheaper than a taxi unless there is a group of you. There are a few stalls close by to grab an early morning coffee or snack while you wait.
Once the bus set off it quickly filled up with locals, stopping many times as we got to the edge of Lao Cai and began the climb up to Sapa town. Just make sure you wedge yourself in and sit on your own bags otherwise the locals will!
Where to stay in Sapa
For some great accommodation options in Sapa, check out on Trip.com
Sapa hotels
Arriving in Sapa: Cold, Misty, and Completely Different
If like us you have been travelling in South East Asia for a few weeks, wearing shorts and enjoying the sun, then prepare yourself for a shock.
Sapa is around 1,500 meters above sea level and is often shrouded in a chilly mountain mist which sometimes won't clear all day.
Wondering what to do in Sa Pa? From scenic hikes through rice terraces to cultural village visits and Fansipan viewpoints, these are the most popular experiences to plan your stay.
If you do just one thing in Sa Pa, make it a guided trek through the rice terraces and ethnic villages — it’s the most immersive way to experience the region.