Chapa Express

3.9
37 customer reviews
  • About
  • Popular Routes
  • Stations
  • Reviews

About Chapa Express

Company Information

Chapa Express is one of the newest operators on the Hanoi – Sapa route, beginning operations in just 2013. The Chapa Express carriages are attached to the Vietnam Railways train that connects Hanoi and Lao Cai, from where you can visit Sapa by hopping on a bus.

The Chapa Express carriages offer seven separate four-berth or two-berth cabins so you have some choice depending on your group size and budget.

Routes served by Chapa Express Train

The journey between Hanoi and Lao Cai lasts for around 8 ¼ hours, with a daily departure from Hanoi at 22.00, scheduled to arrive in Lao Cai at 06.20.

If you are looking to head back to the capital then there is also one train each day, leaving at 21.10, which will have you back in Hanoi for 05.25 the next morning. The price is the same for both trips, VND870,000 for a spot in a four-berth cabin and VND2,160,000 per person for a more private two-berth compartment.

Pros

Travelling with Chapa Express allows you to experience one of the newest and most comfortable carriages along this hugely popular route. You'll enjoy all the benefits that you get from similar private operators on this route, but with the added bonus of a few additional perks such as an early morning breakfast in Peter Chef Restaurant in Lao Cai to energise you once you arrive!

Also when you're waiting for your train to head back to Hanoi you can enjoy complimentary access to the Chapa Lounge where you can relax and help yourself to snacks and refreshments.

Cons

Although the cost of a four-berth carriage is on a par with what is offered by other private operators, Chapa Express does charge a higher price for the two-berth cabins than many of its competitors. As is the case with all the private operators along this route, you will be paying a premium to book with these companies rather than travelling in the standard Vietnam Railways carriages further down the train.

Keep in mind

When selecting tickets with Chapa Express, families will be pleased to know that children under four years old can travel for free. However, it is worth bearing in mind that this does not necessarily mean that they will be counted towards the occupancy of the cabin and it may be the case that if you book a four-berth compartment then you may be joined by other passengers. If you're concerned about privacy or safety and you're travelling in a group of two adults and one child, then you might prefer to book a private two-berth cabin instead.

Travellers reviews

Visitors who used Chapa Express to travel to Sapa were pleased with several of the complimentary perks they received. After an overnight train, a tasty breakfast in a restaurant in Lao Cai is very welcome and preferable to immediately jumping aboard a bus for the next leg of the journey.

Similarly, access to the Chapa Lounge is a useful extra if you have some time in Lao Cai whilst you wait for your train and is a good spot to relax before you begin your journey back to Hanoi.

The main issue travellers have when selecting Chapa Express is usually the cost. If you have a very limited budget then you may want to consider purchasing a standard Vietnam Railways ticket or even travelling via bus. However, if you would prefer to book with a private operator such as Chapa Express then you'll have to accept that you'll pay a little more. The cost of a space in a four-berth cabin with Chapa Express is actually less than if you picked some of their competitors, although the two-berth compartments tend to be pricier than normal.

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Chapa Express Popular Routes

Hanoi - Sapa
Train 1st Class Single Sleeper
22:00
Train 1st Class Sleeper
22:00
Train VIP Sleeper 4x
22:00
Sapa - Hanoi
Train 1st Class Single Sleeper
21:40
Train 1st Class Sleeper
21:40
Train VIP Sleeper 4x
21:40
NaN Passengers

Chapa Express Stations

HanoiSapa Lao Cai

Chapa Express Company Reviews

L B
Super nice night train, but very bumpy. However, the experience is worth it. Punctual arrival
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Train#SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Aug 21, 2023
J W
Took the Chapa Express Train. It was clean, on time and if you get used to the rocking of the train you can even get some good sleep. Bring earplugs and a sleeping mask if you are sensitive to noise and light.
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Train#SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Oct 26, 2019
D L
We booked two bottom bunks but still ended with one top. Very difficult to get up there for older people.
Train#SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Jul 27, 2019
S M
Nice experience
Train#SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Jul 14, 2019
L D
Cabin and beds clean, confortable an tidy. Some difficulties to read the number of the coach and to find the right cabin
Train#SP4 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, May 8, 2019
D S
Lower bunkbed is too warm, while the upper is too cold. The bed is a bit too small for someone taller than 185.
Train#SP4 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Apr 16, 2019
P M
Awesome experience. Love to travel again.
Train#SP4 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Apr 15, 2019
I G
Great train. Comfortable mattresses, good toilet facilities. Each passenger is given a toothbrush and toothpaste, a comb, water and a bag of peanuts. At the conductor you can buy drinks, including local wine, chips and other snacks
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Train#SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Apr 9, 2019
R E
Pretty good on a rickety train but comfortable. One minor gripe is that as you arrive at Hanoi a member of staff offers tea and coffee. You presume it’s free but it isn’t and not explained so avoid As it is expensive. Otherwise a good service
Train#SP4 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Mar 19, 2019
K A
It would be nice if it would be possible to chose women bedrooms
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Train#SP4 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Feb 10, 2019
S B
Very good trip and a very nice assistant on our arrival
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Train#SP3 1st Class Sleeper, Chapa Express, Jan 12, 2019
P H
Very disorganized. The company booth is at the other side of the train station (Google map it before you go). They don't have offices, instead tickets are sold in a small snack shop by two bored teenage girls. The train is a bit crappy but is ok, sometimes smells like cigarette. Toilets are very clean. The beds are quite ok and the staff inside is helpful.
Train#SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Nov 6, 2018
M D
El tren muy pintoresco y cómodo. El baño sucio. El viaje tranquilo y en hora. El personal de la estación no fue muy competente pero el del tren muy amable. En general fue una experiencia divertida.
Train#SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Jul 22, 2018
F T
Good trip. Very good reception. Arrival on time. Less noisy train than the Hanoi-Hue and cleaner toilet. Remark : before entering the train, a smart guy who is not part of the staff comes to carry your suitcase and then asks you 100000vnd for 30 m walk, leaving you at the wrong place. So refuse. The railway company has competent staff to direct you if necessary.
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Train#SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Apr 26, 2018
C S
The train is ok but the carriages are different, so the cabin we were in was much less pretty than those in the first carriages, even though the fare is the same. We were able to change with the manager. The bunks are comfortable, with comforters. Toilets and washbasins of an ordinary train, not cleaned as we went along.
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Train#SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Apr 1, 2018
N F
We booked Fansipan and were given chapa as the other was fully booked. They said it is equal but in fact the other compartment looked much nicer with decoration and Nice atmosphere and cleaner toilet. Our room was very spartanic, but it was clean. Mattress was hard but i slept ok.
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Train#SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Apr 1, 2018
L D
Comforter/quilt was quite short. Coach construction/design was better on journey the other way on Kings Express.
Train#SP4 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Dec 18, 2017
J
Much more comfortable on the Chapa train than Livitrans - the mattress was much softer which helped on the very bumpy and noisy train and the aircon was not freezing. But I had very specifically booked a lower berth as I cannot climb and was given a top berth. However the train staff managed to find me another cabin. Otherwise a good service.
Train#SP4 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Oct 29, 2017
A G
The bed was clean and enjoyed theamenities . I did not try the washroom. Also, lost a star because the train left 30 minutes early which is not ideal if you purchased ticket expecting it to leave at 10pm. As well, I had to exchange my voucher for ticket which was burdensome and no one would explain to me.
Train#SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Sep 22, 2017
E F
Nice train compacte to other trips we made by nighttrain. Airco not too cold, complimentary water and cookies, Goes on time. Beds bit hard
Train#SP4 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Aug 27, 2017
C G
Dome minor complaints like temperature changing through the night, but generally speaking a good experience.
Train#SP4 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Aug 24, 2017
W F
Prijs kwaliteit benaming VIP sleeper onwaardig!
Train#SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Apr 21, 2017
W F
prijs kwaliteit verhouding VIP benaming onwaardig
Train#SP4 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Apr 21, 2017
L W
Chapa Train was OK, but 160 dollars for 2 persons was a bit too much for just two berths.
Train#SP4 1st Class Sleeper, Chapa Express, Aug 4, 2016
R
Helpful staff, clean cabins and bathroom. No issues with either the booking service or the journey - can not ask for anything better!
Train#SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Jun 5, 2016
G
It departed and arrived on time, we slept for most of it and cannot comment on the staff but everything seemed to be fine. Would highly recommend to others.), (
Train#SP3 1st Class Sleeper, Chapa Express, May 26, 2016
S S
Train#SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Jul 1, 2023
E G
Train#SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, May 28, 2019
K T
Train#SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Apr 12, 2019
H P
Train#SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Dec 7, 2018
S K
Train#SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Oct 22, 2018
3.9
37 customer reviews
5
27%
4
43%
3
22%
2
8%
1
0%
91.9% of 37 travelers were presumably happy with Chapa Express as they left good or no review