Sapa train tickets

Any day a journey by train to Sapa is the most comfortable of all, which is not only economic and but also covers a lot of breathtaking beauty for travelers to enjoy. The purpose of travelling could vary from business to pleasure but the areas covered on each journey remains immensely beautiful for all travelers. You have the pleasure of meeting very intellectual and enthusiastic passengers who could become your good friend by the end of the journey. Or, if you have booked train tickets for a group of passengers it would be extremely interesting to have fun along the way, playing simple games and relaxing while you travel.

Best Sapa trains for 2012

There are three night trains and one day train every day between Hanoi and Lao Cai. The vast majority of guests book the night train because it saves on the cost of a night of accommodation. The day train offers only hard and soft seats for domestic passengers. Soft sleeper is the most comfortable class and comes with surprisingly soft beds in a four-bed configuration, with or without air-con. Unlike hard sleepers, these compartments do have a door so are considerably more secure. At the present time, there are 14 different private train carriages on the night trains run to Lao Cai. All these privatised carriages provide comfortable, air conditioned sleeping berths and clean Western toilets.

Prices are various according to both the type of seat purchased and the season during which you are travelling. The times around Vietnamese holidays are very expensive and tickets cannot be assumed available for same day travel, so book ahead if possible. Travellers are highly recommended to purchase a berth in a soft or hard sleeper car, though the trip in soft seat class is not too bad. For a bed, expect to pay in the area of 430,000VND ($20,5)-525,000VND($25)(one-way). For a soft seat, expect to pay 220,000VND ($10,5) for one-way (May 2012). There is usually a dining car serving good, surprisingly affordable noodles about 10,000 VND ($0,5) and rice porridge about 10,000 VND ($0,5), but it's always wise to bring your own snacks and drinks as well.

These are some highly- recommended train carriages from Hanoi to Sapa and back for tourists to choose. Here are some of them.

The Victoria Express: is a good deal above any of the others which can accommodate 48 passengers with comfortable seating, a dining carriage and two luxurious sleeping carriages. Each sleeping carriage has 6 superior cabins (4 berths) and 2 deluxe cabins (2 berths), all are air-conditioned, wood panelled, with individual reading lights, baggage storage, toilets and oversized windows. The Victoria Express Train is exclusively reserved for Victoria Sapa Resort's in-house guests only.

Tulico Train offers comfortable, air-conditioned soft sleepers. While this is not a luxurious train, it offers good alternative transportation to Sapa from Hanoi. It has soft sleepers, A/C and clean four-berth cabins. You will be provided with one bottle of water, a small snack and a napkin.

Sapa Royal Train is operated by Viet Hung Company.  To serve tourist requirements, the Royal Train is also part of a regular train with 2 carriages in SP1 and SP2 which offers A/C, soft-sleepers and clean two- berth and four-berth cabins.

Pumpkin Train, like the Tulico train, is not a separate train, but offers soft sleepers, A/C and clean four-berth cabins in 2 carriages which go with local trains (LC5 and LC6) between Hanoi and Lao Cai. Pumpkin train is one of the best choices for tourists to Sapa.

Fansipan Express Train has air-conditioned wood paneled, individual reading lights, baggage storage, toilets and over side window. Each passenger will be served with food and drink such as fruit juice, tea and snack. Fansipan Express has a tool providing cold and hot water. Fansipan Express has a mini bar on the corner of each carriage offering Vietnamese and western delights, snack and drinks. If need, please press the ring in the cabin.

King Express Deluxe Cabin features with 26 berths including 2 berths and 4 berths cabin, accompanied by the hospitality of King express train staff. The enchanting luxury, the comfort facilities of the wood-paneled cabins will make your stay in these carriages memorable. The King Express train name the firm aim at "Serving you as serving the King & the Queen on board".

Livitrans Deluxe Train is considered one of the most luxurious trains in Vietnam with its equipment equivalent to a high-class hotel. The train is a joint venture between Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industry Corporation and Vietnam Railway Corporation which officially starts its operation on 1st September 2007. Livitrans Express Train, which comprises of 9 wooden carriages and one electricity generation compartment, is expected to expand to 15 carriages to be able to accommodate 420 passengers in the near future. The train will feature sleeping carriage with 2 berths, 4 berths and 6 berths, a bar, toilets, LCD television sets on board, etc of aviation standards. Passengers will be also offered drinks, confectionery and newspapers for free.

Frequently asked questions
What is the name of the train from Hanoi to Sapa and back to Hanoi?
We trust in The Victoria Express Train, Tulico train, Sapa Royal Train, Pumpkin Train, Fansipan Express Train, King Express Deluxe Cabin, Livitrans Deluxe Train. These are ones of the best trains in Vietnam.
What is the type of the train cabin?
The train cabins we offer are 4 berth cabins. The facilities:
4 berths
Air conditioner
Wooden wall
Magazine and soft drinks are included
How is a 4-berth-cabin used?
There’re 4 passenger stay in a 4 berth shared cabin. If you are a group of 4 persons is great. But if not, you or some of you will stay in a shared cabin with other passengers.
I want a private cabin, how much does it cost?
The train ticket for a 4 berth cabin is $40. Two ways ticket costs $80. Almost our tour packages include 1 two-way-ticket. So if you would like to charter a cabin, just pay the extra total cost of the total other berth.
How do I buy tickets for my Children?
After you choose your route, you will have to fill the number of adults and children (if any). Children prices of children's ticket follow these rules:
Under 2 years: free.
From 2 to under 5 years old (and shorter than 1.3m): 50% of adult price for the North - South routes and vice versa. But on Hanoi - Sapa routes and vice versa, the children will have to pay full price like adults.
Over 5 years old: 100% of adult price.
I purchased your train tickets, but I can’t get the train at my booking date. What are the refund regulations for train in Vietnam?
Cancellation policies depend on the type of the ticket booking, the time of the year, and the reason for cancellation. The rules for cancellation, amendment & refund after the tickets have been issued below:
20% cost of ticket will be charged in case of cancellation or amendment after 30 days departure.
25% cost of ticket will be charged in case of cancellation or amendment from 15 – 30 days before departure.
35% cost of ticket will be charged in case of cancellation or amendment from 7 – 14 days before departure.
50% cost of ticket will be charged in case of cancellation or amendment from 2 – 6 days before departure.
100% cost of ticket will be charged in case of cancellation or amendment within 24 hours before departure.