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Chapa Express Cabin Guide: Best Choices for Your Sapa Tour

If you’re arranging the Hanoi to Sapa train trip and fancy a bit more than just a seat, this is the golden ticket to comfort and class. This 4-star luxury locomotive features wood-paneled cabins, a plush ride, and VIP treatment as soon as you check in at the sumptuous Chapa Lounge in Lao Cai. Whether you are booking a snug bunk or a lavish suite cabin, this guide will help you select the right one for your next adventure on the Chapa Express Train.

Tour in Details

Overview of Cabin Types on Chapa Express Train

Take a ride on the Chapa Express Train, each cabin is the epitome of luxury, peace, and great taste. When you see that there are just 7 cabins in each carriage and a maximum of 28 people, you know you’re going to experience the Hanoi to Sapa train the way it was meant to be: a luxury hotel on wheels for the discerning traveler. Here’s what each cabin can do:

Cabin Type

No. of Beds

Privacy Level

Best For

Key Features

Superior

4

Shared

Budget travelers, groups

Cozy space, shared amenities

Deluxe

4

Shared

Families, small groups

Welcome drink, snacks, and better bedding

VIP

2 (Foldable)

Private

Couples, private travel

Earplugs, in-room refreshments, stylish wood décor

Suite Cabin

2 (Fixed)

Fully Private

Luxury travelers, honeymooners

Premium bedding, Chapa Lounge access, snacks, wine, or soft drinks

Chapa Express Train to Daily from Hanoi to Lao Cai with the same train, Vietnam Railway’s SP3 and SP4. Here’s the standard timetable:

  • From Hanoi to Lao Cai (SP3)
    • Departure: 22:00 from Tran Quy Cap train station
    • Arrival: 06:05 at Lao Cai station
  • From Lao Cai to Hanoi (SP4)
    • Departure: 21:40 from Lao Cai station
    • Arrival: 05:30 at Hanoi train station

Superior Cabin: Affordable & Comfortable Choice

Cabin Features and Layout

  • Total beds: 4 (in shared cabin)
  •  Interior: Wood-paneled, bright, curtain dividers
  •  Bedding: Fresh, new for every trip.
  •  Toilet: At carriage end, shared with other travelers
  •  Suitable for: Solo traveler, friends group of 3–4, or sociable guests
Superior Cabin at Chapa Express Train

Superior Cabin at Chapa Express Train (Source: 12go)

Pros of Choosing the Superior Cabin

  •  The most value for money option on the Chapa Express Train.  Shared cabin makes it more affordable for solo travelers
  •  Compact berths, fresh bedding, and bare necessities are given
  • Travel experience can be shared with other travelers 
  • Free Wi-Fi access, water, clean towels, slippers, and a toothbrush are included

Considerations Before Booking

  • Shared cabin, so it may not be possible to have too much privacy, unless the whole cabin is booked.
  • You shared the cabin, so you may not bid for the private country spot for a while – unless you bid very low.

Deluxe Cabin: Upgraded Experience for Peaceful Sleep

Cabin Layout and Features

  • Beds: 4 single (two upper, two lower)
  • Interior: Wooden walls with decorative finishes, curtain walls.
  • Facilities: clean bedding, your slippers, water, a towel, a toothbrush, free wi-fi
  • Toilet: Generous shared toilet at the end of the carriage
  • Welcome drink at Chapa Lounge before boarding
  • Light refreshments or fresh fruit are served during the ride
Deluxe Cabin at Chapa Express Train

Deluxe Cabin at Chapa Express Train (Source: sapanomad)

Why Choose the Deluxe Cabin?

  • Offers much more comfort than the Superior cabin without shattering VIP price points
  • Ideal for families, couples who don’t mind sharing, or travelers who prefer a smoother ride
  • Bonus Chapa Lounge station access — a serene and sophisticated space to relax before boarding
  • Better sleep quality due to superior soundproofing and improved bedding

How It Compares to Superior

Although Superior and Deluxe cabins are virtually identical (4 beds per cabin), the Deluxe Cabin is decidedly superior in terms of added comforts and amenities. The upgraded bedding itself makes a big difference, especially for sleep-conscious travelers. And with added perks like the welcome drink and snacks, the journey feels more special and catered.

If you’re the kind of person who likes a little more quiet and comfort on the overnight ride between Hanoi and Lao Cai, this upgrade is well worth the expense, especially considering that you’re still riding one of the most posh rail options available: the Chapa Express Train.

Booking Tips for the Deluxe Cabin

  • Book early, especially on weekends or holidays, as the class is popular with families and return travelers
  • If you’re traveling with three other individuals, reserve the whole cabin for increased privacy
  • Ensure that you arrive at least 45 minutes early at the Chapa Lounge so that you can have an easy and hassle-free boarding experience

VIP Cabin: Hotel-Like Privacy on Rails

Premium Cabin Features

  • Two comfortable, foldable beds with excellent linens and pillows
  • Luxurious wood-panelled interior with personal reading lights and drapes
  • Enhanced sound insulation for maximum relaxation
  • Free access to the fashionable Chapa Lounge in the station
  • Amenities consist of bottled water, slippers, bathroom amenities, and noise-cancelling earplugs
  • Refreshments: fresh fruit, snacks, and a selection of drinks such as beer, juice, or soft wine
  • Free onboard Wi-Fi and individual attention throughout your journey
VIP Cabin

VIP Cabin (Source: sapanomad)

Who Is the VIP Cabin Perfect For?

  • A couple wanting an intimate, peaceful retreat
  • Honeymooners spoiling themselves with a special holiday treat
  • Business travelers who need a room and peace
  • Anyone wanting the luxury and privacy of top-of-the-line rail travel

Suite Cabin: The Highest Level of Comfort

Features of the Suite Cabin on the Chapa Express Train

  • Two permanent beds with high-thread-count linens, deluxe mattresses, and plush pillows
  • Roomy private layout for total comfort
  • Soundproof walls are specifically designed to provide the quietest possible ride on the train
  • Luxurious wood interior finishes and ambient lighting
  • Private shower and lounge access at the elegant Chapa Lounge
  • Personal amenities: bottled water, soft drinks or wine, gourmet snack items, earplugs, in-room amenity items, slippers
  • High-speed internet access and individualized service by expertly trained personnel
Suite Cabin

Suite Cabin (Source: namthangtravelpro)

Who Is This Cabin Best For on the Chapa Express Train?

The Suite Cabin is perfect for luxury tourists, honeymooners, and anniversaries, or anyone else who’d like their Sapa journey to start and finish in style. It’s also an excellent option for people looking for more space and a quiet, uninterrupted night before arriving at Lao Cai.

Onboard Experience: What All Cabins Share on the Chapa Express Train

Thoughtful Interior Design on the Chapa Express Train

Step into any cabin and you’ll immediately notice the cozy, wood-paneled interiors that give each room a warm, upscale feel. Every bed, whether in a shared or private space, comes with soft bedding, fresh linens, and curtain partitions for added personal comfort. The lighting is ambient and soothing — perfect for winding down as the train rolls gently toward Lao Cai.

Included Essentials for Every Passenger on the Chapa Express Train

Regardless of cabin class, each passenger is given a full amenity kit including:

  • 500ml purified water bottle
  • Soft indoor slippers
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste set
  • Fresh towels and wet wipes
  • High-speed Wi-Fi Internet access onboard

These small touches help you feel refreshed onboard and upon arrival.

Friendly, Bilingual Staff and Cabin Attendants on the Chapa Express Train

What truly sets the Chapa Express Train apart is its service. Each carriage has dedicated attendants who are well-trained, professional, and available throughout the trip to assist you. From check-in at the train station to arrival in Lao Cai, they provide smooth and courteous service, and they speak both Vietnamese and English fluently. Whether it’s helping with luggage or answering your travel questions, you’ll be well cared for.

Cleanliness and Maintenance on the Chapa Express Train

Cleanliness is given utmost priority on every journey of the Chapa Express Train. Cabins are thoroughly cleaned before every journey, and chan ga goi dem (bedding sets) are replaced with 100% new ones for every new passenger. Toilets at the rear section of every carriage are well-maintained and equipped with modern fittings and ventilation.

The Chapa Lounge, both at departure and arrival terminals, also maintains high standards of hygiene, offering a clean and noise-free waiting area for commuters to wait before or after disembarking.

Conclusion

No matter how you choose to travel or how much money you have, the Chapa Express Train has a cabin just right for you. From Superior bunks for your comfort to Suite Cabin at its most extravagant, every one of them is engineered to give you an effortless and elegant Hanoi to Sapa Train experience. So why not choose your cabin, reserve your seat, and get ready for Vietnam’s trendiest trip to Lao Cai? Your journey begins as soon as you step aboard.

Ranana

You feel like organized tour, but you are in a privet tour. Impress Travel make the different.

We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.

Ebrahim

Tour of Vietnam

Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!

Solly Pochee

The tour was fantastic

I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee

Bernard Lim

Great value for money with 4 stars hotel

Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.

Derek.Schooling

We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel

This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.

My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .

We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress

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