Hanoi to Sapa: Chapa Express Sleeping Train Review 2026

When figuring out how to get from Hanoi to Sapa,

I really debated whether to take a

sleeping bus

or a

train.

(And with so many train options, I did a *ton* of comparing!)

In the end, we decided to take the

Chapa Express sleeping train on the way there

and a sleeping bus for the return trip.

After trying both,

the bus was definitely more comfortable, but

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the train was one of the most memorable

parts of this trip for me.

(You can see my mom waving enthusiastically, right..?)

I'll break down everything from the cabin experience

and noise levels to the price, based on my personal journey.

Chapa Express: Actual Boarding Information

Times / Cabin / Passengers I Used

Why We Chose the Chapa Express Train

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✅ Plenty of great reviews

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✅ Better facilities than other trains

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✅ And just look at the beautiful cabin interiors!

💕

But the biggest reason of all?

Since I was traveling with my parents,

who are in their 60s,

I really wanted us to experience

a really nice sleeping train.

If you're just thinking about getting straight to Sapa,

a sleeping bus is definitely much simpler.

And honestly, the bus is cheaper too.

Plus, there's the extra step of transferring to a car

at Lao Cai station, which can be a bit of a hassle.

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But there's a certain romance to it

that you just won't experience anywhere else!

When I looked at photos, the train's interior was beautiful,

and the unique ambiance of a night train

just looked so inviting.

I love that analog charm, and I especially thought my mom would enjoy it.

Among the various tourist trains,

even though it was a bit pricier,

since I was traveling with my parents,

I chose the Chapa Express

because of its excellent reviews.

Looking back, it was definitely a choice I don't regret!

Hanoi to Sapa Sleeper Train Journey: Times and How to Board

✅ Departs Hanoi Station at 22:40

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✅ Arrives at Lao Cai Station around 06:30

(Next Day)

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✅ Chapa Express Passenger Lounge Available 🅾️

Originally, I planned to arrive about 40 minutes early

and check out the lounge,

but after exploring Hanoi city

and heading back to the accommodation to wash up and get ready,

the time I arrived at the station

was already around 10:15 PM...

With only 25 minutes left until departure,

it was straight to the train!

After taking the escalator up from the station

to the second floor, there was a staff member near the club lounge.

I told them my name and showed them my reservation details,

which I had screenshotted in advance.

In other reviews, people mentioned staff helping with their luggage,

but maybe I arrived too late...

I ended up carrying my own suitcase down the stairs, haha.

Ultimately, I boarded the train around 10:25 PM,

and we departed at 10:40 PM!

We arrived at Lao Cai Station the next day

around 6:30 AM.

(Almost perfectly on time!)

Chapa Express Timetable

The timetable is subject to change,

so it's always best to check

before your trip.

The Chapa Express is especially popular,

so it's a good idea to check availability and book in advance.

Cabin Introduction & Welcome Service/Wi-Fi

✅ Water, bananas, snacks, and amenities provided

✅ The twin cabins had a slightly wider selection of beverages.

✅ Power Outlet Available 🅾️ Wi-Fi Available 🅾️

My parents used a twin cabin,

and including myself,

three of us used a quad cabin.

Quad Cabin

The moment I saw it, I felt that

it was as narrow as I expected,

but also, it was SO pretty!!! I'm glad we took it.

Sleeper train, woohoo~~

In the 4-person room, there were 4 bottles of mineral water and bananas,

traditional Vietnamese snacks

(That green box in the middle isn't soap... haha)

disposable comb, toothbrush, earplugs,

and other amenities were provided.

Luggage can be stored under the bed,

both carry-on and checked sizes

fit perfectly.

2-person room

The much-anticipated 2-person room!! Ah, as expected,

it's spacious!!

In the 2-person room my parents used,

there were extra beers and beverages.

I lost count of how many photos I took, haha!

The 2-person and 4-person room prices differ,

so make sure to check the prices first.

Especially the 2-person rooms, they tend to sell out surprisingly fast.

Wi-Fi

And what turned out to be surprisingly important was the Wi-Fi!

It turned out my parents were actually

more inconvenienced if the internet didn't work

than I was, haha!

When I looked up reviews for other tourist trains,

there were stories about Wi-Fi not connecting well even when available,

but

Chapa's Wi-Fi connected flawlessly.

Restrooms / Showers? / Noise: Real Review

✅ No shower facilities 🥲

✅ Shared restrooms and sinks available

✅ Expect some noise and shaking

Since it's an overnight train,

and the restrooms are shared, I boarded prepared for certain conditions,

but I was actually surprised by how much cleaner it was than I expected.

Staff members regularly emptied trash bins

and were visibly maintaining the facilities.

However, no matter how nice the cabin you book,

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⚠️

there are no shower facilities on the train.

Still, there are sinks located in front of the restrooms,

so you can at least brush your teeth or do a quick wash-up.

Knowing this beforehand,

we booked a budget-friendly hotel near Hanoi Station

for a 0.5-night stay and got all freshened up before boarding!

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📌 The place we used for luggage storage and showering before boarding the train ❗

A review of solving shower and luggage storage before taking the sleeping train: My 0.5-night stay in Hanoi, Vietnamblog.naver.com

And since it's a train,

naturally, it shakes to some extent,

and you can hear the sound of the rails.

I found it better than I expected,

but if you're a really light sleeper,

you might want to use the earplugs in the cabin

or get your AirPods ready!

My Personal Review of the Chapa Express

✅ An overload of analog charm and romance!

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✅ For ease of travel, the sleeping bus was more comfortable.

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✅ The Chapa Express,

while a bit pricey, offers high satisfaction.

One of the things I was most looking forward to

was experiencing the Hanoi Train Street from inside the train.

The train passes right next to the shops,

and people outside even waved at us,

that moment was truly wonderful.

However, perhaps because we rode at a later hour,

more shops than I expected were closed.

Also, the scenic part was shorter than I thought.

I wish it had been a little longer, haha!

(This was my only regret.)

After taking photos with my parents, we returned to our 4-person cabin,

and my travel companions and I lay on our beds,

talking until we fell asleep later than expected.

I mean, maybe it was the atmosphere,

but the conversations just flowed easily, haha!

Price Comparison

Chapa Express Prices

Chapa Express

※ Prices may vary depending on the season/date, so please use this as a reference only.

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※ The prices listed below

are after applying discount coupons.

These codes can only be applied via

👉Check Current Prices Here

link in the table above!

Even though there were three of us using the 4-person cabin,

we paid for the full 4-person fare.

(This was to ensure no one else would occupy the remaining spots.)

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So, in reality,

it ended up being about ~$55 per person,

but sharing such a cramped space

with strangers would have been too tight...

No regrets here, it was money well spent!

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This trip is perfect if...

you love train travel and a charming,

analog atmosphere,

and want to truly savor the journey itself

as part of your adventure.

Conversely, if getting straight to Sapa town

is your top priority, or if you're

sensitive to noise and motion,

a sleeping bus might be more comfortable.

As for me, if I ever find myself heading to Sapa again,

you can bet I'll be hopping on that sleeping train once more!

Even my mom raved about how much she loved the train ride,

which made me one very proud daughter! 😊

If you're embarking on a sleeping train journey,

here's what you should prepare!

📌 Heads Up! My Review of the Mini-van from Lao Cai Station to Sapa ❗

How to Get from Lao Cai Station to Sapa Town: Recommended Private Car for Family Trips (Prices & Booking Review)blog.naver.com

©TABIYA