| |
Located 300km from Hanoi, Lao Cai can be reached by car or train. There is National Highway No.70, 279, 4D linking Lao Cai to Yen Bai, Lai Chau and Ha Giang, China in turn. There are two trains depart from Hanoi daily to Lao Cai.
Train
The Hanoi to Sapa train runs daily leaving Hanoi from the main station on Le Duan Street at 22:00. The Sapa to Hanoi train runs daily leaving at 19:00, 20:30 and 21:00. There are many different types of carriage to choose from but essentially you are either paying for a seat or a bed with either no padding or a mattress. Considering that it is an overnight trip and can get bumpy, few opt for the hard seat if they can avoid it.
The Sapa hotel has its own carriage which can only be taken by those staying at the hotel -- it travels Hanoi- Sapa on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and Lao Cai - on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Other travellers will want to take either the Royal, Tullico or Ratraco carriages. All have air-con and 4 berth cabins. The Tulico has some 2-berth cabins and both it and the Ratraco are wood panelled. The trains arrive early in the morning in Hanoi and taxis will be lined up to take you back to your hotel.
Those who have ridden up to Sapa will be able to take their motorbike back with them at a cost of $10, note however that they will drain most of the petrol from the tank before loading so don't fill up on the way to the station.
Bus
Minibuses leave from Lao Cai station to Sapa after every train with plenty of room for everyone, they cost upward of 25,000 dong. The return trip is easily organised with your hotel.
|
|
983994952 