Hanoi to Lao Cai

Hanoi to Lao Cai

Hanoi
Lao Cai
Mon, Jan 5
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Hanoi to Lao Cai Destination Reviews

LL
Very easy booking the train, and everything went smoothly
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Cabin 2x, NewLivitrans Express, Jan 1, 2026
LP
Train was clean. There was someone at the station to help us. Since I'm pregnant they even helped with luggage and cha ges our beds to bottom bunks. Staff on the train helped us arrange transport from the station to Sapa before we got there. All in all a world class experience.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Deluxe Cabin 4x, Fanxipan Express, Dec 20, 2025
SS
Sleeping was not comfortable. It was noisy. There should be some sound proofing or ways to cut down the noise. It impacts the next day of you haven’t slept well since we are on a holiday each day counts.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Cabin 2x, NewLivitrans Express, Dec 18, 2025
WL
Misunderstanding in booking Trip to Sapa: I got a whole 7-Seat Bus for me only! I expected one Seat in a 7 Seat Bus Btw: the trip took 2 hours because the driver did Not find the way in the First atempt
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Dec 18, 2025
SK
Overall, very good and safe service. The driver was competent and driving well. He knew the important basics in English. Car was in good condition. Pictures look more spacious and comfortable than reality though. For people with long legs, it can still become a strenous journey. All seats have plugins to charge your phone - except our two seats in the back row. Good and adecuate air conditioning. Regular breaks for toilet and snacks. We left Hanoi around 07:00 am and arrived to Sapa around 01:00 pm. No idea how you should be able to arrive at 12:00 already (as advertised) as traffic was fully okay and we always left on time. We were told two times to meet the driver at Hanoi Opera House. Still, it seems that the driver intended to pick us up at our hotel first - would have been much more convenient of course. All other passengers were also picked up at their hotel. We were also driven to our hotel in Sapa.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Van VIP 9, Eco Sapa Limousine (Eco Sapa Limousine), Dec 16, 2025
KS
Chapa express train is so comfortable, the vip lough is clean and we can relax while waiting for the train come and VIP cabin is decorated so beautiful and more comfortable to sleep well
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 VIP Cabin 2x + SUV 7seats, Chapa Express, Dec 15, 2025
RD
Booked on the incorrect train. The train was requested was for 10pm and the tickets issued were for 10:40 pm
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP3 Deluxe Sleeper 4x, Chapa Express, Dec 14, 2025
MS
A lot of snacks (potato chips, cookie, nuts), a coke, a water. + Wet tissue. We had 2 bed VIP class cabin. The upper beds were just lifted up. Since the floor under the bed was really dirty (dust, used water bottles, used earplugs) we had to put our luggage on one of the upper beds. The toilet room of our wagon was really small. You have to put one leg each on one side of WC in order to be able to close the door. But the toilets in neighbor wagons were bigger, if not that large that a shower cabin could fit into them. The wagon was quite shaky in comparison to the Demitrans train that we took in the other direction.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train #SP7 Cabin 2x, NewLivitrans Express, Dec 10, 2025
DJ
It was a good trip there. It was nice to have snacks and amenities in the cabin. The cabin and beds were nice and clean. The process of getting the tickets is a little confusing and can be improved.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train Cabin 4x, Damitrans, Dec 4, 2025
NR
The train ride in itself was good. The bathrooms could have used a quick clean halfway through though. We were lucky enough to only be two in a 4 people carriage and I feel like they are too small for 4 unless there are kids. The operator did a weird thing where I bought tickets for the later train and they gave me tickets for the earlier one. I then had to say I wanted to cancel for them to give me the tickets that I had chosen which was a bit weird.
Hanoi to Lao Cai, Train Cabin 4x, Damitrans, Dec 3, 2025
4.4
603 customer reviews
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Hanoi to Lao Cai Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Bus
Sapa Discovery Travel
VIP 20
00:00
04:00
€12.96
Bus
Sao Viet
Sleeper
00:19
05:04
€8.10
Bus
Futa Ha Son
Limousine 24
00:45
05:25
€11.67
Bus
Futa Ha Son
Limousine 24
04:30
11:25
€13.61
Bus
Sao Viet
VIP Cabin
05:00
10:00
€10.69
  2.0
Bus
Sao Viet
Sleeper
05:16
11:01
€8.10
  2.0
Bus
To Vietnam Travel
Cabin 22
05:45
11:45
€17.82
Bus
Sao Viet
VIP Cabin
06:01
11:01
€10.69
  2.0
Bus
King Express Bus
Sleeper
06:20
11:50
€4.99
Van
April Adventure
Van 9pax
06:36
12:06
€16.88
  4.8
Bus
HK Sapa Open Tour
Upper Single Cabin
07:00
12:45
€10.21
  4.5
Bus
Sao Viet
VIP Cabin
07:16
11:31
€10.05
Bus
Phuc Lam Limousine
Limousine 11
07:35
11:20
€12.96
Van
Phuc Lam Limousine
Van 9pax
07:55
11:40
€12.96
Bus
Techbus VN JSC
VIP 20
08:15
14:15
€12.96
  5.0
Bus
Sao Viet
Sleeper
08:31
14:01
€8.10
Bus
Phong Khanh
Limousine 34
08:47
14:57
€9.72
Bus
Sao Vang
Sleeper
09:10
13:40
€8.10
Bus
HK Sapa Open Tour
Upper Single Cabin
09:30
16:00
€10.21
  4.5
Bus
Sao Viet
Sleeper
09:50
14:35
€8.10

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 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 EUR 130.77. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as EUR 7.19.

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 104 miles (167 km). The flying distance is 104 miles (167 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 EUR 7.19 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 EUR 130.77.

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

  • Bus tickets - EUR 7.19 to EUR 19.96;
  • Bus+taxi price: EUR 8.91. From Hanoi to Lao Cai starting from 07:00 Hoan Kiem until 22:00 Hoan Kiem
  • Van price : EUR 12.48 - EUR 16.85;
  • Train tickets - EUR 17.52 to EUR 130.77;
  • Bus+Van price: EUR 23.82. From Hanoi to Lao Cai starting from 06:35 Hanoi Opera House until 14:45 Hanoi Opera House
  • taxi+Train price: EUR 51.82 - EUR 81.21. From Hanoi to Lao Cai starting from 21:35 Hanoi until 22:00 Hanoi
  • Train+taxi price: EUR 51.82 - EUR 81.21. From Hanoi to Lao Cai starting from 21:35 Hanoi until 22:00 Hanoi
  • Train+Van price: EUR 110.70. From Hanoi to Lao Cai starting from 22:00 Hanoi until 22:40 Hanoi

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from EUR 77.55 to EUR 324.08.

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 23:40. There are 121 available bus trips every day.
  • Trains always run on a set schedule - there are 59 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 EUR 77.55.

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:

  • 77% users enjoyed a train ride.
  • 9% chosen Train+Van
  • 5% chosen taxi+Train
  • 5% chosen Train+taxi
  • 1% Other

Transportation from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Facts about the transport from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Cheapest Transport€8
Fastest Transport3h 20m
Earliest Departure12:15 AM
Latest Departure11:40 PM
Departures per day180
Distance167 kilometers
Transport CompaniesApril Adventure, Asian Bus Travel, Cat Ba Luxury, Chapa Express, Daiichi Travel, Daily Limousine, Damitrans, Dichung, Eco Sapa Limousine, Family Express, Fanxipan Express, Futa Ha Son, GreenLion Bus, Ha Son Ha Tinh Sapa, Halong Transportation, Hanoi VIP Transfer, Inter Bus Lines, King Express Bus, King Sapa Train, Laman Express, Linh Chau Transport, Mui Ne Private Car, Muine Express, NewLivitrans Express, OUROS Travel, President Limousine by HK Buslines, Saigon DMC, Sao Vang, Sapa Dragon Express, Sapa Express, Sapaking Limousine, Sapaly Express Train, Taxigo vn, Tiim Group, Truly Hagiang, Trung Kien, Vicsapa Train, Viet Technologies Travel, Vietnam Rail, Violette Trains