Hanoi to Lao Cai night train
Everything you need to plan the Hanoi–Lao Cai sleeper: operators, cabins, times, prices and rail-pass rules.
From €16 We link to the operator — we never mark up the fare.
Cabins & typical prices
Why take this train
The classic overnight gateway to Sapa's rice terraces and hill-tribe villages- A cluster of private tourist operators (Chapa Express, Victoria Express, Fanxipan Express and others) run branded luxury sleeper carriages on the same train
- Lao Cai station requires a further ~1 hour road transfer to reach Sapa town itself
- Standard Vietnam Railways soft sleeper berths are among the cheapest in this dataset
- One of Southeast Asia's most storied backpacker night-train routes
Rail passes & reservations
No regional rail pass covers Vietnam. Several privately branded sleeper carriages (Chapa Express, Victoria Express and others) are attached to the same Vietnam Railways train and price and book separately from the standard soft-sleeper berths.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Hanoi to Lao Cai night train take?
The journey takes about ~8h, travelling overnight so you arrive the next morning.
How much does the Hanoi–Lao Cai sleeper cost?
Fares start from around €16 and rise with demand and cabin type. Booking early gets the lowest prices.
Is the Hanoi to Lao Cai train covered by Eurail or Interrail?
No — this operator does not accept Eurail or Interrail; buy a ticket directly.
What cabin types are available?
You can choose from Sleeper Cabin, Private Cabin. A reservation for your berth is reservation required.
Da Nang 
~16h
Vietnam Railways
