Hanoi to Lao Cai

Hanoi to Lao Cai

Hanoi
Lao Cai
Sat, Sep 13
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Hanoi to Lao Cai Destination Reviews

JK
The cabin was great however the sound over and above expected train noise, sounded like someone banging continually under our beds. We could not hear each other talking and have recorded evidence
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Cabin 2x, NewLivitrans Express, Sep 10, 2025
J
We booked three berths in a cabin. We were not informed that a stranger would have the fourth berth had we known we would have paid for it.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Sep 7, 2025
E
The noise and overall stability in the train makes it difficult to sleep and also the cabins are very small. The train had a 40 minutes delay as well. The gate was not the one on the ticket and the staff there were telling us to go up then down, then up again. This was a mess. We book a taxi at the station and were almost scammed. We paid 800 000 vnd to go to Ta Van in a private car and a van full of people came and it was a hassle to tell them to refund us our money.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 Deluxe Cabin 4x, Fanxipan Express, Sep 4, 2025
TH
Great experience! Clean train wagons. Reliable service.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Sep 4, 2025
JP
First of all, the original station where we should have embarked was not possible anymore, instead we should go to another station 5km’s further due to the Independence Day. However, we only came to know this on our own initiative, we were not contacted by someone of the organization which we found disrespectful, and it gave us a lot of stress. In addition, on the ticket it clearly indicated that wifi was available, even though there wasn’t. As we did not have our e-sim yet this lead us to use our European sim to contact our hostel to pick us up, which costed us a lot of money.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train Cabin 4x, Damitrans, Sep 3, 2025
SC
The train journey went smoothly overall. We'd like to extend a special thanks to Dean, who assisted us with the issues caused by the Independence Day parade rehearsal. Due to street closures, we missed our original train, but Dean kindly helped us switch to the next one and even supported us until we boarded. On the downside, one of the train staff sold us a private taxi ride to Sapa, which turned out to be a shared van with multiple passengers from the same train. This was misleading and disappointing.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 Suite Queen Cabin, Chapa Express, Aug 28, 2025
SR
Good experience with Chapa, but bad booking experience via 12go
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Aug 28, 2025
PM
Managed to get an upgrade. Very nice of the conductor.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 Premium Cabin 2x, Chapa Express, Aug 28, 2025
JV
We saw a mouse in the cabin, stains on bed sheeting, airco wasnt working properly. Beds were rockhard although we booked deluxe VIP
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Cabin 2x, NewLivitrans Express, Aug 23, 2025
MD
The mattresses were very hard and the A/C was very cold and even when they listen to us and turned it down, it was not enough, so we couldn’t sleep very good because of the cold, specially on the beds on the top. 20 minutes before the arrival a man (staff) opened our cabin without o asking before to say “wake up”, it felt so intrusive
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 Deluxe Cabin 4x, Fanxipan Express, Aug 22, 2025
4.4
428 customer reviews
5
49%
4
27%
3
15%
2
9%
1
0%

Hanoi to Lao Cai Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Bus
Sapa Discovery Travel
VIP 20
00:00
04:00
$15.16
Bus
Sao Viet
Sleeper
00:19
05:04
$9.47
Bus
Futa Ha Son
Limousine 24
00:45
05:25
$13.64
Bus
Futa Ha Son
Limousine 24
04:30
11:25
$15.92
Bus
Sao Viet
VIP Cabin
05:00
10:00
$12.51
  2.0
Bus
Sao Viet
Sleeper
05:16
11:01
$9.47
  2.0
Bus
To Vietnam Travel
Cabin 22
05:45
11:45
$20.84
Bus
Sao Viet
VIP Cabin
06:01
11:01
$12.51
  2.0
Bus
King Express Bus
Sleeper
06:20
11:50
$5.84
Van
April Adventure
Van 9pax
06:36
12:06
$19.80
  4.8
Bus
HK Sapa Open Tour
Upper Single Cabin
07:00
12:45
$11.94
  4.5
Bus
Sao Viet
VIP Cabin
07:16
11:31
$11.75
Bus
Phuc Lam Limousine
Limousine 11
07:35
11:20
$15.16
Van
Phuc Lam Limousine
Van 9pax
07:55
11:40
$15.16
Bus
Techbus VN JSC
VIP 20
08:15
14:15
$15.16
  5.0
Bus
Sao Viet
Sleeper
08:31
14:01
$9.47
Bus
Phong Khanh
Limousine 34
08:47
14:57
$11.37
Bus
Sao Vang
Sleeper
09:10
13:40
$9.47
Bus
HK Sapa Open Tour
Upper Single Cabin
09:30
16:00
$11.94
  4.5
Bus
Sao Viet
Sleeper
09:50
14:35
$9.47

Is renting a car in Lao Cai a good idea?

Renting a car in Lao Cai can be convenient for exploring the surrounding areas, such as Sapa or Bac Ha. However, road conditions can be challenging, especially in mountainous regions. It is essential to have experience driving in similar environments. Car rental costs typically range from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 VND per day ($40-$60), excluding fuel.

Hiring a car with a driver is a popular alternative, offering local knowledge and navigation aid. Public transportation options, like buses and trains, are also available and often more economical. Always ensure you have the correct driving permits if you choose to drive yourself.

What do you wear to a night out in Lao Cai?

For a night out in Lao Cai, dress casually yet suitably for the local climate and venues. Temperatures can be cooler in the evening, especially if you're heading to Sapa or higher altitudes, so consider bringing a light jacket.

Most local bars and restaurants are laid-back, so comfortable attire like jeans and a nice shirt or blouse is appropriate. If you plan to visit more upscale venues or events, business casual attire is a safe choice. Footwear should be practical, as you might encounter uneven surfaces or hills.

Overall, prioritize comfort while being mindful of the cooler nighttime temperatures.

How clean is Lao Cai?

Tap water in Lao Cai is generally not safe for drinking without treatment. Travelers are advised to use bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth. Bottled water is widely available at convenience stores and supermarkets.

For dining, Lao Cai offers a variety of local and Vietnamese cuisine, with many restaurants observing good hygiene standards. It is recommended to eat at busy places where food turnover is high to ensure freshness.

The streets and public areas are reasonably clean, though like many places, you may encounter some litter in less frequented areas. Recycling and waste management initiatives are gradually improving. Public restrooms may vary in cleanliness, so it is advisable to carry hand sanitizer and tissues.

Overall, practicing general hygiene measures will help ensure a comfortable visit.

Transportation from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Facts about the transport from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Cheapest Transport$9
Fastest Transport3h 45m
Earliest Departure12:00 AM
Latest Departure11:35 PM
Departures per day148
Distance188 kilometers
Transport CompaniesApril Adventure, Asian Bus Travel, Chapa Express, Charmy Express, Daiichi Travel, Daily Limousine, Damitrans, Dichung, Et Pumpkin, Family Express, Fanxipan Express, Futa Ha Son, Grouptour, Ha Son Ha Tinh Sapa, Hanoi VIP Transfer, Inter Bus Lines, King Express Bus, King Sapa Train, Laman Express, Linh Chau Transport, Muine Express, NewLivitrans Express, OUROS Travel, Saigon DMC, Sao Vang, Sapa Dragon Express, Sapaking Limousine, Taxigo vn, Tiim Group, Truly Hagiang, Vicsapa Train, Viet Technologies Travel, Vietnam Rail, Vietnam Tourist, Violette Trains

How to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai

When you want to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai, you have a few options to consider. Traveling between these destinations is possible by different means of transport:

  • Bus
  • Train
  • Van
  • Taxi

If you’re looking for a quick trip, it’s recommended that you use Bus. However, if you’d rather take your time with a slower, more affordable travel option, you can book a Taxi+train ticket.

The cost of travel will depend on the means of transport you choose for your trip. A Train ticket is the most expensive option - it will cost you about USD 177.36. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as USD 8.40.

How far is Hanoi from Lao Cai?

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Hanoi to Lao Cai. Your trip will be a total of 117 miles (188 km). The flying distance is 117 miles (188 km).

How long does it take to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai?

The travel time from Hanoi to Lao Cai can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 4 to 10 hours.

How much does it cost to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai?

The cost of the trip from Hanoi to Lao Cai varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is King Express Bus: travelling by bus expect to pay as low as USD 8.40 for your ticket.

However, if you’re after more upscale travel . The most expensive variant is to opt for a Train - a one-way Train ticket can cost as much as USD 177.36.

Here is a chart of the average ticket prices and transportation options available from Hanoi to Lao Cai:

  • Bus tickets - USD 8.40 to USD 27.13;
  • Bus+taxi price: USD 10.42. From Hanoi to Lao Cai starting from 07:00 Hoan Kiem until 22:00 Hoan Kiem
  • Van price : USD 16.67 - USD 18.75;
  • Train tickets - USD 20.23 to USD 177.36;
  • Bus+Van price: USD 27.59 - USD 142.47. From Hanoi to Lao Cai starting from 00:00 Hanoi Old Quarter Transfer until 14:45 Hanoi Opera House
  • taxi+Train price: USD 60.60 - USD 94.96. From Hanoi to Lao Cai starting from 21:35 Hanoi until 22:00 Hanoi
  • Train+taxi price: USD 60.60 - USD 94.96. From Hanoi to Lao Cai starting from 21:35 Hanoi until 22:00 Hanoi

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 90.95 to USD 378.97.

How many trips per day are there between Hanoi and Lao Cai?

Depending on your choice of transportation, the number of daily trips varies.

  • Buses start plying the route from 00:15 - you can also take a bus as late as 23:35. There are 92 available bus trips every day.
  • Trains always run on a set schedule - there are 56 trains per day.

Which means of transport is the best for the route?

Buses

Taking a bus from Hanoi to Lao Cai is cheaper than flying. Quite often, a long-distance bus is the cheapest transportation option. Buses normally make bathroom and/or lunch stops along the way.

Things to remember before opting for a bus ride:

  • If possible, make sure to choose higher-class buses for a more comfortable travel experience. Such buses often have an air conditioning system, soft reclining seats, Wi-Fi, bathrooms, etc.
  • As with plane tickets, buses are better booked in advance so that you can secure a good seat.
  • While booking a bus, keep in mind that delays are possible. Yet it still pays to get to the bus station at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.

Taxi

Catching a cab is the easiest way to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai. It allows you to tailor-make your trip, plan all the detours and see all the places you want. You can choose the type and the size of your car as well to be as comfortable as you'd like to.

Depending on the route, it might cost as much as USD 90.95.

Things to remember: It's a good idea to follow the route on Google Maps or any other GPS navigator.

Trains

Things to remember while choosing a train ticket:
Consider everything carefully while choosing the class of your train travel. In most cases, the second class is comfortable enough – it features 2 or 4 berths in each compartment and is often air-conditioned.

If you’re in for a premium experience, consider getting a first class ticket. The price of first class tickets may include Wifi, and a choice of snacks and drinks.

Vans

A shared van is another means of transport for traveling from Hanoi to Lao Cai. As far as travel time is concerned, it’s basically equal to a taxi ride, while price-wise it’s way more affordable. The majority of tourists book a van online in advance.

Sometimes, when trains or buses aren’t available, a van is your only way to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai.

Things to remember: while traveling by van, you might not have as much space for luggage as you would on a train or a plane. It’s a good idea to pack only the most useful things for a van trip and put them in a backpack that will be easy to carry around..

The most popular transport from Hanoi to Lao Cai

How to choose the most convenient way of travel from Hanoi to Lao Cai? In order to make your choice of transportation easier, we asked 1000 users to range their preferences for this route. Here are the results of the poll:

  • 82% users enjoyed a train ride.
  • 7% chosen taxi+Train
  • 7% chosen Train+taxi
  • 2% decided to catch a taxi.
  • 1% Other