Sapa Tours & Activities
Shared cabin – 4 berths
Max occupancy: 4 adults
Quick answer: Sapaly Express runs nightly sleeper carriages on the Hanoi–Sapa route: a berth in a shared 4-berth Deluxe cabin is $55, a private twin VIP cabin $198. The train leaves Hanoi at 22:00 and reaches Lao Cai at 05:55; a 1-hour road transfer takes you up to Sapa. No payment fees.
Overview
Sapaly Express attaches two of its own renovated sleeper carriages to the nightly SP3 train from Hanoi. Cabins come in two shapes: a shared 4-berth Deluxe at $55 a berth, or a private VIP twin at $198 per cabin. Split two ways that’s about $99 a person, with more space and a foldable second berth.
You board at Hanoi Station (120 Le Duan) at night, sleep through the ride, and wake at Lao Cai at 05:55. Sapa is one more hour up the mountain by van — we can add it when you book. Berths are 70 × 185 cm with bedding, water, snacks and slippers; each carriage has wash basins and a hot-water dispenser for tea or coffee.
Train Cabin Option & Details
Deluxe Cabin
Berth size
70 cm × 185 cm
70 cm × 185 cm
Amenity on Board
- Bottled mineral water
- Light snack (cookies)
- Tissue
- Dental kit & comb
- Comfortable slippers
Vip Cabin – Twin Bed
Private cabin – 2 foldable twin berths
Max occupancy: 2 adults
Max occupancy: 2 adults
Berth size
70 cm × 185 cm
70 cm × 185 cm
Amenity on Board
- Bottled mineral water
- Light snack (cookies)
- Tissue
- Dental kit & comb
- Comfortable slippers
- Soft drink or Beer
- Cold towel
Solo or on a budget, take a Deluxe berth — you share with up to three others, like a European couchette. Couples: the VIP twin at $198 is $99 each for a lockable cabin to yourselves. Family of four: book all four Deluxe berths and the cabin is private too ($220).
Schedule & Departures
| Direction | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi → Lao Cai (SP3) | 22:00 nightly | 05:55 |
| Lao Cai → Hanoi (SP4) | 21:30 nightly | 05:35 |
Be at the station about 45 minutes early to collect tickets and find your carriage. From Lao Cai it is a 35 km road transfer to Sapa, about an hour — add it in the booking form or arrange your own.
Itinerary
Way from Hanoi to Sapa
Pick-up Location:
Train Arrival:
Final Drop-off (if transfer is booked):
Way from Sapa to Hanoi
Pick-up Location (if transfer is booked):
Train Departure:
Final Arrival:
Why Choose Sapaly Express Train?
Sapaly sits in the middle of the Hanoi–Sapa train range: newer carriages than the budget operators, $30–40 less than the luxury cabins.
- Private Cabins with Full Amenities:
Each cabin is well-equipped with soft beds, mineral water, dental kit, slippers, and cozy lighting — perfect for a relaxing night journey. - Clean, Quiet & Comfortable:
Renovated carriages, air-conditioning, and noise reduction ensure a peaceful and pleasant 8-hour ride to Sapa. - Friendly & Supportive Staff:
Sapaly is known for its professional and attentive service. From check-in to arrival, staff are always ready to assist and ensure a smooth, smooth travel experience — even for first-time visitors to Vietnam.
Comparing trains? All 8 Hanoi–Sapa trains side by side — or our Sapaly Express review and Sapaly vs VIC head-to-head.
Confirmation
- You will receive confirmation of your booking’s availability within 1 business day
- If you do not receive an email from us, please check your Spam folder or notify us via Email / WhatsApp number.
- Please notify us via WhatsApp number after make the reservation.
Additional Info
Luggage Allowance
- One large suitcase and one bag per person is fine — there is rack space and room under the berths in every cabin.
Children Policy
- Children ≤ 4 years old and under 112 cm in height can share a bed with a parent for free (1 child per cabin).
- Children > 4 years old or ≥ 112 cm must purchase a full ticket.
Other
- Trains run nightly year-round; book two or three days ahead for Friday and Saturday nights in high season.
- Food and drinks are allowed for consumption inside the vehicle, with consideration to maintaining cleanliness during the trip
FAQs
How long is the train ride from Hanoi to Sapa?
About 8 hours to Lao Cai: the SP3 train leaves Hanoi at 22:00 and arrives at 05:55. From Lao Cai it is another hour by road up to Sapa town.
Can I travel with luggage on Sapaly Express?
Yes. There is enough space under the beds or on the luggage rack inside your cabin for standard-sized suitcases and backpacks. However, it’s advisable to keep your valuables with you.
Is there a toilet or bathroom on board?
Yes, each carriage has shared Western-style toilets located at the end of the cabin. Toilets are cleaned regularly throughout the journey.
What types of cabins are available?
Two: a shared 4-berth Deluxe cabin at $55 a berth, and a private VIP twin at $198 per cabin (about $99 a person). Berths in both are 70 × 185 cm.
Can I charge my phone or laptop on the train?
Yes, each cabin is equipped with power outlets for charging electronic devices during the journey.
Does Sapaly Express have an official website?
Sapaly sells through agencies rather than its own booking site — that’s why searches for an official site come up empty. We confirm cabins directly with Sapaly and send your ticket by email; no payment fees.
Is the transfer from Lao Cai to Sapa included?
Not automatically — add the shared or private van in the booking form, or arrange your own outside the station. The ride up to Sapa takes about an hour.
Review
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Hanoi – Sapa Sleeper Train by Sapaly Express
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Sabrinaa –
One of the best organisers around, hands down will travel with them again. The website is so easy to navigate around and it is a one stop centre. Post booking- one of the staff contacted me to confirm my bookings, provided assistance and ensured we got there safely. Throughout the trip till we left Vietnam they checked if we had all our accommodations and travels sorted. Super happy!!!