Hanoi to Lào Cai train with Vietnam Railways

Thu 26 Feb
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Great Western Rail
Avanti West Coast
West Midlands Trains
Deutsche Bahn
1,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Hanoi to Lào Cai

Showing times and prices for 26 Feb

Cheapest price

£51

Average price

£51

Fastest journey

8 h 42 m

Average duration

8 h 42 m

Trains per day

2

Distance

254 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Hanoi to Lào Cai is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Hanoi to Lào Cai will cost around £51 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £51.

Fast trains

Of the 2 trains that leave Hanoi for Lào Cai every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

These direct trains cover the 254 km distance in an average of 8 h 42 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 8 h 42 m .

The slowest trains will take 8 h 42 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

ESBT_7175Ha Noi - Lao Cai - SP3
22:008h42
Hanoi Railway Station
06:42Lao Cai Railway Station
£511One-way
0 changes
ESBT_7175Ha Noi - Lao Cai - SP7
22:408h42
Hanoi Railway Station
07:22Lao Cai Railway Station
£511One-way
0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Hanoi to Lào Cai

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Hanoi to Lào Cai among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £7. For those with little time consider booking a coach which can get you there in 5h 28m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £7, and a train costs an average of £24.

Distance: 254 km

Compare train with

Train
Most popular
Coach

£33

Average Price

£8

Average Price

Cheapest

9h 12m

Average total duration

8h 42m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 58m

Average total duration

Fastest

5h 28m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

Direct Options

Direct Options

Live departures

Hanoi to Lào Cai train times

The table below shows live departures for Hanoi to Lào Cai trains for tomorrow, Thursday 26 February. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at 17:33
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
ESBT_7175Ha Noi - Lao Cai - SP315:00 Hanoi Railway Station
8h42
23:42 Lao Cai Railway Station0 changesdirect
ESBT_7175Ha Noi - Lao Cai - SP715:40 Hanoi Railway Station
8h42
00:22 Lao Cai Railway Station0 changesdirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Hanoi to Lào Cai by train or coach

Compare train and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

Thu
26 Feb
Fri
27 Feb
Sat
28 Feb
Sun
01 Mar
Mon
02 Mar
Fri
06 Mar
Sat
07 Mar
Sun
08 Mar
Tue
10 Mar
Wed
11 Mar
Thu
12 Mar
Sat
14 Mar
Tue
17 Mar
Wed
18 Mar

Journey information

Overview: Train from Hanoi to Lào Cai

VietnamVietnam
VietnamVietnam
Icon of train

Trains from Hanoi to Lào Cai run on average 9 times per day, taking around 8h 42m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £24 but you can travel from only £7 by coach.

There are 9 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 09:30, the last at 23:03. The fastest train covers the 254 km distance in 8h 42m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £7
Distance
254 km
Average train duration
8h 42m
Cheapest ticket price
£24
Trains per day
9
Direct trains
9
Fastest train
8h 42m
First train
09:30
Last train
23:03
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £7

Train companies: Vietnam Railways from Hanoi to Lào Cai trainsVietnam Railways trains will get you between Hanoi and Lào Cai from £7. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Vietnam Railways

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
7h 22m
Cheapest Price
£19
Vietnam Railways frequency
2 a day

FAQs: Hanoi to Lào Cai train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Hanoi to Lào Cai by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Lào Cai, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Hanoi to Lào Cai can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £24, while the average price tends to be around £27.
The train journey from Hanoi to Lào Cai covers a distance of 254 km and takes approximately 8h 42m. Trains run 9 per day.
The train distance from Hanoi to Lào Cai is 254 km.
The first train from Hanoi to Lào Cai leaves at 9:30.
The last train from Hanoi to Lào Cai departs at 23:03.
Trains from Hanoi to Lào Cai run approximately 9 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Hanoi to Lào Cai.
Yes, there is a direct train between Hanoi and Lào Cai. The service operates 9 times per day, provided by Vietnam Railways.
To get from Hanoi to Lào Cai, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
There is no night train service from Hanoi to Lào Cai.
The train station in Hanoi that goes to Lào Cai is Hanoi Railway Station, and it arrives at Lao Cai Railway Station.
The cheapest way to get from Hanoi to Lào Cai is by coach, costing approximately £7.
Booking trains from Hanoi to Lào Cai in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
Yes, the train journey from Hanoi to Lào Cai is considered scenic, offering views of the Red River, lush rice paddies, and mountainous landscapes.
A day trip from Hanoi to Lào Cai is not feasible as the journey takes 8h 42m. There are 9 trips per day for trains. The distance is 254 km.
Spending two to three days in Lào Cai is generally enough to explore the main attractions, including the scenic landscapes around Sapa, the vibrant local markets, and cultural experiences in nearby ethnic villages.
Yes, you can take the train from Hanoi to Lào Cai.

Most popular train connections from Hanoi

Hanoi to Da Nang train

More options for your journey from Hanoi to Lào Cai

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

Return trains from Lào Cai to Hanoi
HomeTrainsHanoi to Lào Cai train

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