Victoria Express train Hanoi to Sapa - Shared cabin service
The Victoria Express train Hanoi to Sapa - Shared cabin service is a Ha Noi–Sa Pa transfer, journey time about 8 hours 30 min. Book online with LuxuryTourVN, fares from 94 USD one way. Departures at 22:00.
Departure times
Ha Noi → Sa Pa
Sa Pa → Ha Noi
The Victoria Express train from Hanoi to Sapa is the most characterful way to make the overnight journey up to the north-west highlands. It is one of the newest tourist trains on the Hanoi – Lao Cai line, with 14 private cabins finished in carved wood, air conditioning and individual reading lights. This page covers the shared cabin service: you book a berth in a 4-berth cabin and share with other travellers.
What to expect on board
Default booking is a berth in a 4-berth cabin, with 2-berth cabins available as an option at the booking form
Cabins finished in carved wood, widely considered the best-appointed on the Hanoi – Lao Cai route
Air conditioning and a reading light at every berth
Access to the Victoria lounge at the station while you wait for departure
Bedding provided; the journey is roughly 8 hours 30 minutes, so you sleep through most of it
Hanoi to Lao Cai timetable and check-in
The train leaves Hanoi Train Station at No. 7 Tran Quy Cap Street.
— arrive at the station for check-in. Your online booking is exchanged for a paper ticket here, so do not go straight to the platform.
— depart for Lao Cai.
— arrive at Lao Cai Train Station.
Lao Cai to Hanoi timetable
The return service leaves from Lao Cai Train Station at No. 337 Quang Truong ga Lao Cai Street.
— arrive for check-in and ticket exchange.
— depart for Hanoi.
— arrive at Hanoi Train Station.
Booking the opposite direction? Use the Victoria Express Sapa to Hanoi service.
Getting from Lao Cai station to Sapa town
This is the part travellers most often miss: the train does not go to Sapa. Lao Cai station is about 40 km from Sapa town and the transfer up the mountain takes roughly an hour, so you need onward transport once you step off. Shuttle buses and shared minivans meet every arriving train, and a private car can be arranged in advance if you would rather not queue at 06:00. Plan on reaching your Sapa hotel around 07:15, and remember that most hotels there do not check in until early afternoon.
Good to know
The ticket price does not include meals — have dinner before you check in.
Bring a light layer for the cabin; the air conditioning can run cold overnight.
Keep the paper ticket you receive at check-in, as it is what the conductor scans.
Sapa is roughly 1,500 m above sea level and much cooler than Hanoi, whatever the season.
Cancellation policy
More than 30 days before departure — refundable, less a handling fee of 10% of the total price.
30 to 10 days before departure — 50% of the total price is refunded.
Within 10 days of departure — no refund.
Other Hanoi to Sapa train and transfer options
Victoria Express private cabin — the same train with the whole cabin to yourselves
Chapa Express, Orient Express and King Express — other tourist cabins on the same line
Hanoi to Sapa limousine van — a 5.5-hour daytime run straight to Sapa town, no Lao Cai transfer needed
For a side-by-side comparison of every train on this route, see our Hanoi to Sapa train schedule and prices guide.