How to get from Sapa to Hanoi by train via Lao Cai

Sapa is the place visitors come to escape the crowds and reconnect with nature. The endless panoramic views across rice fields are a contrast to the chaotic excitement of Hanoi, 300km to the east. Sooner or later though, you’ll need to leave Sapa and most people travel back to Hanoi by train, refreshed and ready to continue their Vietnamese adventures.

Travelling the other way? Check out our guide for taking the train from Hanoi to Sapa.

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Route map and details

Sapa isn’t on the Vietnamese railway network itself, the closest station is at Lao Cai, a 45-60 minute journey from Sapa by bus or motorcycle.

Only a few kilometres from the Chinese border, Lao Cai is a functional administrative city, and most travellers only stay here long enough to make the onward connection to Hanoi.

Timetables

Travel from Sapa to Lao Cai is straightforward to arrange in town, either through an official bus company or arranging your own trip by minivan or motorcycle.

There are only two trains per day between Lao Cai and Hanoi, one during the day and one overnight. The choice is yours whether you’d prefer to enjoy the view out of the window on the day train, or just fall asleep and wake up in Hanoi.

SP8 does work better with hotel check-out and check-in times, and would be our recommended option.

How to buy tickets

The easiest way to buy train tickets in Vietnam is online rather than going to the station. You do pay a very small commission but the ease and convenience makes it worthwhile in our opinion.

Baolau is the best site to use for buying train tickets, they have access to the live Vietnam Railways booking engine, so you can easily see availability, timetables and prices.

Payment can be made using international credit card and PDF confirmation tickets are sent to your email address within a few minutes. This is the actual ticket you need to board the train, so there’s no need to exchange it at the station before travel. You may prefer to print the pdf out, but it’s also fine to show it on your mobile phone to the conductors and station staff.

Hanoi to Sapa train tickets

How much does it cost?

While there are only two trains per day, multiple companies operate on the route and each one leases a carriage from Vietnam Railways. The private operators charge double the standard Vietnam Railways fare and it’s debateable whether it’s worth paying the extra money.

If you want an extra sprinkle of luxury (e.g. flowers on the table, carriage attendants, free bottles of water and light refreshments), you might consider it but, in all honesty, the experience is almost identical to the ‘normal’ Vietnamese Railway compartments and they all follow the same timetable.

In the table below, each price is for one berth in a four-berth sleeper compartment.