Hanoi to Lao Cai

Hanoi to Lao Cai

Hanoi
Lao Cai
Thu, Mar 19
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Hanoi to Lao Cai Destination Reviews

HH
Hari H
Ok. Not so super. Cleanliness is good. The noise of announcement and songs makes irritation. So they give ear plug: don’t forget to put, even though heard it louder.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Mar 15, 2026
LR
Lisa R
Great trip, super speedy
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP1 Deluxe Sleeper 4x + Shuttle Bus, Chapa Express, Mar 14, 2026
GB
Gabrielle B
After booking got contacted by train company saying they couldn’t provide me my seats but that I could pay an upgrade. Try to negotiate but not enough. Asked to get refund and not surprised they couldn’t provide finally give me my seats. Not sure if it was spam or the real company but in both ways they tried to scam me. Got no help from 12Go. The train ride was fine. Comfortable beds but very noisy has you could expect. Barely got sleep on the night ride. Would do it again but during daytime.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Mar 11, 2026
JM
Jonathan M
Comfortable and punctual. Highly recommend
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Mar 10, 2026
V
Victoria
The train ride was great but I went to the bathroom at the very beginning and they were disgusting, urine all over the seat and floor... needless to say I refrained from going again the whole time
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Deluxe Cabin 4x, Fanxipan Express, Mar 10, 2026
JM
Jonathan M
Good comfort, punctual and well organized
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Mar 9, 2026
JF
Johanna F
Overall everything went well, check-in, punctuality and everything, but the Train Ride ist far from luxurious! When you tried to Switch off the AC it made an afwul squeaking noise and it was Not a comfirtable Night Of sleep, since those trains Are 50 yo and it is horrobly Loud at Night, Even With earplugs!
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 VIP Cabin 2x, Chapa Express, Mar 5, 2026
GA
Garth A
Vietnam trains are mostly average, mostly depart and arrive on-time. Boarding process poorly organized, there is no ticket desk or counter. Most passengers boarded 45-minutes prior, but, Fanxipan REP did not appear until later to hand-out boarding passes. VNR employees insisted that train would not depart with waiting passengers, but still, given language differences, was un-nerving and unnecessary.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 Deluxe Cabin 4x, Fanxipan Express, Feb 24, 2026
AS
Anuj S
Not sure why people complain about the noise. It is a train, for the love of God and everything holy, get over it. It was comfortable and clean. We would do it again.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Suite Twin Cabin, Chapa Express, Feb 21, 2026
NH
Neil H
Great. Comfortable 👍
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 VIP Sleeper 4x, Laman Express, Feb 20, 2026
4.4
690 customer reviews
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Hanoi to Lao Cai Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Bus
Sapa Discovery Travel
VIP 20
00:00
04:00
$15.21
Bus
Sao Viet
Sleeper
00:19
05:04
$9.51
Bus
Futa Ha Son
Limousine 24
00:45
05:25
$13.69
Bus
Futa Ha Son
Limousine 24
04:30
11:25
$15.98
Bus
Sao Viet
VIP Cabin
05:00
10:00
$12.55
  2.0
Bus
Sao Viet
Sleeper
05:16
11:01
$9.51
  2.0
Bus
To Vietnam Travel
Cabin 22
05:45
11:45
$20.92
Bus
Sao Viet
VIP Cabin
06:01
11:01
$12.55
  2.0
Bus
King Express Bus
Sleeper
06:20
11:50
$5.86
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
$11.98
  4.5
Bus
Sao Viet
VIP Cabin
07:16
11:31
$11.79
Bus
Phuc Lam Limousine
Limousine 11
07:35
11:20
$15.21
Van
Phuc Lam Limousine
Van 9pax
07:55
11:40
$15.21
Bus
Techbus VN JSC
VIP 20
08:15
14:15
$15.21
  5.0
Bus
Sao Viet
Sleeper
08:31
14:01
$9.51
Bus
Phong Khanh
Limousine 34
08:47
14:57
$11.41
Bus
Sao Vang
Sleeper
09:10
13:40
$9.51
Bus
HK Sapa Open Tour
Upper Single Cabin
09:30
16:00
$11.98
  4.5
Bus
Sao Viet
Sleeper
09:50
14:35
$9.51

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.

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 Taxi. However, if you’d rather take your time with a slower, more affordable travel option, you can book a Train+van ticket.

The cost of travel will depend on the means of transport you choose for your trip. A taxi ticket is the most expensive option - it will cost you about USD 380.37. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as USD 8.08.

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 125 miles (200 km). The flying distance is 125 miles (200 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 Inter Bus Lines (Công Ty Cổ Phần Inter Bus Lines): travelling by bus expect to pay as low as USD 8.08 for your ticket.

However, if you’re after more upscale travel . The most expensive variant is to opt for a taxi - a one-way taxi ticket can cost as much as USD 380.37.

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

  • Bus tickets - USD 8.08 to USD 37.09;
  • Bus+taxi price: USD 10.46. From Hanoi to Lao Cai starting from 07:00 Hoan Kiem until 22:00 Hoan Kiem
  • Van price : USD 14.64 - USD 21.68;
  • Train tickets - USD 22.62 to USD 209.32;
  • Bus+Van price: USD 27.90. From Hanoi to Lao Cai starting from 06:35 Hanoi Opera House until 14:45 Hanoi Opera House
  • Train+Van price: USD 34.96 - USD 175.01. From Hanoi to Lao Cai starting from 22:00 Hanoi until 22:40 Hanoi
  • taxi+Train price: USD 60.82 - USD 95.31. From Hanoi to Lao Cai starting from 21:35 Hanoi until 22:00 Hanoi
  • Train+taxi price: USD 60.82 - USD 95.31. 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 91.29 to USD 380.37.

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 00:00 - you can also take a bus as late as 23:58. There are 683 available bus trips every day.
  • Vans from Hanoi to Lao Cai depart during the day - there are approximately 42 departures a day.
  • 14 by Bus+Van from Hanoi to Lao Cai starting from 06:35 Hanoi Opera House until 14:45 Hanoi Opera House
  • Taxis are a good option to consider for this route, too. Book a cab to take you from Hanoi to Lao Cai any time of the 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 91.29.

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:

  • 62% decided to go for a bus.
  • 22% decided to catch a taxi.
  • 9% users enjoyed a train ride.
  • 2% opted for a van.
  • 1% Other

Transportation from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Facts about the transport from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Cheapest Transport$9
Fastest Transport4h
Earliest Departure12:00 AM
Latest Departure11:58 PM
Departures per day798
Distance200 kilometers
Transport CompaniesApril Adventure, Arirang Travel, Asian Bus Travel, Cat Ba Panorama, Cuong Phat Limousine, Daiichi Travel, Daily Limousine, Damitrans, Dichung, Duc Duong, Eco Sapa Limousine, ET Pumpkin, Fanxipan Express, Full Moon Travel Asia, Futa Ha Son, G8 Sapa Open Tour, GreenLion Bus, Group Bus, Grouptour, Halong Transportation, Hanoi VIP Transfer, HK Buslines, Inter Bus Lines, King Express Bus, King Sapa Train, Laman Express, Linh Chau Transport, Mui Ne Private Car, Muine Express, Ninh Binh Interbus, OUROS Travel, Phuc Lam Limousine, President Limousine by HK Buslines, Saigon DMC, Sao Vang, Sao Viet, Sapa Dragon Express, Sapa Ethnic Travel, Sapa Explore, Sapa Express, Sapaking Limousine, Sapaly Express Train, Taxigo vn, Tbus, Thang Long Ha Noi Limousine, Tiim Group, Tonkin Heritage Express, Viet Technologies Travel, Vietnam Rail, VietNam Travel Bus, Violette Trains