Hanoi Railway Station Guide | Tickets, Timetable & Tips

Hanoi Railway Station (Ga Ha Noi), situated at 120 Lê Duẩn Street in the Hoàn Kiếm District, is Vietnam's historic rail gateway, linking the capital to over 700 routes and 34+ destinations nationwide. Divided into Station A for southbound trains (tracks 1-6) and Station B for northbound services to Sapa and beyond, the station blends Soviet‐era architecture with modern traveler conveniences.
Whether you're going on a soft‐seat journey from Hanoi to Ninh Bình or a sleeper cabin north to Lao Cai, you'll find ticket counters, waiting halls, restrooms, ATMs, luggage lockers (50k VND/4 h), fast‐food outlets like Lotteria, and local vendor stalls to fuel your trip. Below is your friendly, insider's guide-packed with practical tips, hidden gems, and everything you need for a smooth passage through this bustling hub in Hanoi.

Getting to Hanoi Railway Station

From the Old Quarter: It's just under 2 km-about a 20-minute walk-but with luggage, hail a taxi or Grab for ~$2-4 USD; expect a 10-minute ride depending on traffic.

By Public Bus: Routes 1, 32, and 34 serve the station; alternatively, bus 86 operates between the airport and station, charging around $2 USD and running every 45 minutes (7 AM-10 PM).

From the Airport: A taxi costs about $25-28 USD and takes 45-60 minutes; booking through Grab often avoids meter‐running scams and most of the times is way cheaper.
Also, you will find many grab ‘attendants’ asking to book directly with them meanwhile avoiding the app booking. DO NOT DO THAT! Not only is it risky, they might overcharge you.
Just say ‘no thanks’ and move on while going towards Grab Pick Up point at the Hanoi airport.

Station Layout: Station A & B

Station A (Le Duẩn Street entrance) handles southbound services to Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City, with platforms 1-6 dedicated to national night trains.

Station B (Trần Quý Cáp Street entrance) is a smaller annex for northbound tourist and local trains to Lao Cai/Sapa; cross the level crossing north of Le Duẩn and follow the signage to the entrance.

Ticketing: Buying Tickets & Office Hours

At the Station: Station A has multiple ticket windows, including an international window (#2) where staff speak English-peak hours: 7:30 AM-12 PM & 1:30 PM-7:30 PM.

Voucher Exchange: If you booked through an agent for a tourist train, swap your voucher at the desk just inside the waiting area, near the ticket office or at the huts out back.

Online/Agents: Secure your preferred class in advance via 12go.asia or Baolau to avoid sold-out trains-especially for sleeper cabins on the Lao Cai line.

Facilities & Services

Waiting Areas: You'll find large screens showing departure times; access to platforms opens only shortly before boarding.

Food & Drink: Inside Station A, Lotteria burgers sit alongside platform snack carts; outside, street vendors hawk bánh mì and cà phê đá.

Luggage Storage: Automatic lockers on the ground floor cost 50k VND per 4 hours-ideal for day trips-though long-term storage at hotels or specialist services is better for multi-day stays.

ATMs & Wi-Fi: Multiple ATMs are scattered through the station, and complimentary Wi-Fi is available in waiting rooms.

Trains & Destinations from Hanoi

Getting to the Hanoi Old Quarter & Beyond

Bus 86: From the station to Tran Quang Khai (near Hoàn Kiếm Lake) in ~17 minutes for $1-2 USD, departing every 30 minutes.

On Foot: A 1.9 km, 20-minute stroll south on Lê Duẩn turns into the maze of 36 Old Quarter streets-great for stretching legs if you're light on luggage.

Taxi/Grab: Always insist the meter starts at zero; dodgy meters run too fast, so look for reputable companies like Mai Linh or hail via Grab to avoid scams.

Insider Tips & Hidden Spots

Arrive Early: Hanoi traffic is unpredictable-give yourself 30-45 minutes extra before train departure.

Snack Hack: Bring bottled water and instant noodles; platform vendors have limited choices.

Quiet Corner: Station B's small waiting shed near Tran Quý Cáp street has fewer crowds if A feels hectic.

Local Etiquette: Buy a coffee from a platform vendor to support locals and smooth relations before boarding.

Exploring Nearby Gems

Hanoi Train Street: Just outside Station A, this narrow alley offers café terraces inches from roaring trains-a free spectacle best viewed from local cafés 30-60 minutes before scheduled pass-bys.

Bạch Ma Temple: A tranquil 8th-century shrine at 76 Hàng Bồ (Old Quarter), open 8 AM-11 AM & 2 PM-8 PM Tue-Sun, free entry-ideal for a quick cultural pitstop.

Hoa Lò Prison ("Hanoi Hilton"): 15 minutes' walk away, this somber museum charges 30 000 VND and offers deep insight into Vietnam's modern history.

Final Tips

Currency: Have small VND notes (10k-20k) for snacks and lockers.

Apps: Download Grab, Google Translate, and offline Google Maps.

Comfort: Earplugs, a travel pillow, and hand sanitizer make long journeys cozier.

Safety: Keep an eye on your bags; major stations see pickpockets no matter where you travel in the world.