trains to sapa

bellingen
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trains to sapa
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Hi everyone - quick question -

Picking which overnight train to sapa is interesting.......got onto seat61....its a good site but...........from your experience - is it really worth the money taking the Victoria Train or will a soft sleeper do just fine ?????

Anyone out there done both ???

Also is it worth booking through an agent via the net beforehand ?

Any comments on Aurora Travel? Are they dependable ??

Really looking forward to some feedback

Melbourne, Australia
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1. Re: trains to sapa
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Hey Jojo

this is such a difficult one to advise on -

It all depends on what type of traveller you are, and how fussy you are -

We were booked on the Tulico train sleeper- paid for the cabin for four (husband and self) and wooden cabin coming back -

I was not at all happy when I got on ..............

but, once it was all over, I looked back on it and thought "it's not sooooooooo bad" - it's just a means to an end. However--- luxury, it aint!

Close (fussy) friends were going up a couple of months after us and I strongly (very strongly) recommended them to go on the Victoria Express, which they absolutely loved.

Bear in mind, we didn't care about the lack of dining carriage, although it would have been nice. Only Victoria Express has a dining carriage (and not every day) so you can sit, eat, drink and socialize - otherwise, it's kinda, get into your cabin and zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

lastly, I have photos of the Tulico- both cabins and the 'gorgeous (NOT!) toilets if you send me your ordinary e-mail address, I will be happy to forward the photos (send it to me through the My Trip Advisor messages.

CRB-CXR/VVCR, Khanh...
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Selling-Nothing posted this on: 9:32 am, March 02, 2007

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You can save money by using the Tulico instead of the Victoria. The victoria is primarily for guests of the over-priced Victoria Hotel in Sa Pa.

RAIL: HA NOI - LAO CAI

The Ha Noi-Lao Cai tourist trains run nightly, departing from Ha Noi Train Station B (behind 120 Le Duan Street). The following trains from Ha Noi to Lao Cai (SP1, LC1, LC3; AM: LC5) and from Lao Cai to Ha Noi (PM: SP2, LC2, LC4; AM: LC 6) daily. The daytime trainsets offer only hard seats, whereas Travellers enjoy soft-sleepers, Air-conditioned, four-berth cabins on the night trains.

VICTORIA TRAIN

Victoria Express train is the best in terms of comfort and services from Ha Noi to Lao Cai, Victoria Hotel’s "Orient Express" train offers one restaurant and two luxury sleeping carriages, all with air-conditioning. This is part of the normal run (LC5 and LC6) between Ha Noi and Lao Cai.

TULICO TRAIN

Tulico train offers comfortable, air-conditioned soft sleepers. While this is not a luxurious train, it offers good alternative transportation to Sa Pa from Ha Noi. It has soft sleepers, A/C and four-berth cabins. You are provided with one bottle of water, a small snack and a napkin.

RATRACO TRAIN

In the LC5 and LC 6, there are Victoria Cabins, Tulico Cabins, Friendly Cabins, and Ratraco Cabins. All of these are alternatives for Travellers to Sa Pa from Ha Noi. Ratraco train is one of the best trains to Sa Pa with wooden cabins.

FRIENDLY TRAIN

Friendly train, like the Tulico train, is not a separate train, but offers soft sleepers, A/C and clean four-berth cabins in 2 carriages which go with local trains (LC5 and LC6) between Ha Noi and Lao Cai. . You are provided with one bottle of water, a small snack and a napkin.

ROYAL TRAIN

To serve tourist requirements, the Royal Train is also part of a regular train with 2 carriages in SP1 and SP2 which offers A/ C, soft-sleepers and clean four-berth cabins.

LAO CAI – SA PA TRANSFER

The Ha Noi - Lao Cai train stops at Lao Cai Station, some 40 kilometres from Sa Pa and stops at Sa Pa's main Post Office (Buu Dien). Each way cost about VND25,000-30,000.

The tourist bus back to Lao Cai leaves from outside Sa Pa's church, but it usually will pick you up at your hotel - inquire with the hotel staff for getting a bus ticket back to Lao Cai Station.

Class of Service / Fare

Royal

[AC soft sleeper - 4 berths] _ USD$21

Friendly

[AC soft sleeper - 4 berths] _ USD$21

Ratraco

[AC soft sleeper - 4 berths] _ USD$23

Tulico

[AC soft sleeper - 2 berths – 1 cabin only] _ USD$50

[First class with wooden cabin- 4 berths] _ USD$25

[Second class cabin - 4 berths] _ USD$21

Fares: As of 2006JAN01

(Sources: VirtuallyTher.ca/VietNam and Duong Sat)

BUY TICKETS DIRECTLY - AVOIDS OVERCHARGING AND ENSURES BETTER SELECTION. Ga Ha Noi Railway Station, 120 La Duan.

Melbourne, Australia
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3. Re: trains to sapa
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PLEASE don't tell me we're starting this all over again~Selling-Nothing and/or Darlek2 --

I so strongly disagree with the notion of waiting until in Hanoi to book the train

unless you have unlimited time to wait for the right day and the right ticket - or if you don't care which cabin you take.

if you don't want to use an agent that's fine- if you don't want to be tied down ahead- also fine, but be aware you may not get on the train you want.

If saving 10% or whatever the commission might be is a priority, just check all your costs up ahead -

but going on those prices that person has quoted in the post above:

<<BUY TICKETS DIRECTLY - AVOIDS OVERCHARGING AND ENSURES BETTER SELECTION. Ga Ha Noi Railway Station, 120 La Duan.>> <<<First class with wooden cabin- 4 berths] _ USD$25

[Second class cabin - 4 berths] _ USD$21>>>

we paid US$90 return for our cabin - as I said, First Class or Second Class (not sure) going- VIP wooden cabin returning - seems to me the agent made the "outrageous" commission of $2 -

we purchased the whole 4 berth cabin for that cost.

hope this helps you somewhat.

Singapore
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I saw that you booked your tickets through Tonkin - pardon the ignorance, but who/what's that? - We're planning a trip to Sapa in November, and I'm really keen to book the train tickets upfront as well, since we certainly don't have the luxury of unlimited time.

Gold Coast...
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5. Re: trains to sapa
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Hi jojo

I went on the Friendly carriage VIP, booked carriage for 2 people. Absolutely fine. Clean, tidy western toilet and open bathroom. Supply you with drink, serviette and snack - bananas. Wasd quite pleasantly surprised by condition. Booked mine thru Hanoi Elegance 2 hotel. Would have no hesitation on travelling on this carriage again.

Cheers Heather

Melbourne, Australia
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www.tonkintravel.com

Adelaide, Australia
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7. Re: trains to sapa
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Just go the soft sleeper, found it to be fine. Book in advance. We booked as soon as we lobbed in HCMC with TNK 7 days prior and could not get the train we wanted. Had to put it back a day. Avoid the weekend trains as more seam to travel then.

Tip: If you like cold beer, buy a few prior to boarding the train. What they sell on the train is at outside temperature. Found rice wine for the trip back helps get you to sleep & and stay asleep.

Do not be scared of the locals and thier hard sell, smile, laugh and have fun with them! Make it an enjoyable part of the trip.

Have a good trip.

Da Lat, Vietnam
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I'm thinking about booking the Royal Train, but I'd like to have the option of changing the date of my return to Hanoi. Is this possible since I'm forced to buy a return ticket? I wanted to wait until I landed in country before I purchased the ticket, but understand that I might not be able to get the exact train I want for that particular date. I also don't know which hotel I'll be staying at in Hanoi, and how to handle ticket delivery? I will be going to Sapa on a weekday.

Melbourne, Australia
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why are you forced to buy a return ticket?

Da Lat, Vietnam
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10. Re: trains to sapa
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I'm buying online since I want that particular train, and every agency that I've been to only sells return tickets for the Royal. The Victoria is the only one where you can purchase a one way.

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