Taking the Train from Hanoi to Sapa, Vietnam

The train from Hanoi to Sapa is the easiest way to reach the lush green rice terraces of Sapa. So we decided to take the overnight sleeper train from Hanoi to Sapa in Northwest Vietnam to explore the area further.

Here's our guide on how to travel from central Hanoi to Sapa via Lao Cai on a Vietnamese sleeper train and bus.

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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.

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 us around 400,000 VND ($19 USD) per person 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 (yes, just a wooden bench) at around 145,000 VND overnight. If your bottom demands comfort try a Soft Seat (padded reclining chair) on the same train costs from 190,000 VND per person.

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 3,540,000 VND per person for a 2-bed deluxe carriage. 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.

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 just 28,000 VND ($1.25 USD) 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!

For some great accommodation options in Sapa, check out this helpful where to stay in Sapa post.

Arriving in the Cold and Misty Sapa Town

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.

After grabbing a filling breakfast and drinking several hot chocolates to keep warm we eventually grabbed a taxi to our homestay in Ta Van village.