How early should I arrive for the Vietnam train?

Do you get food on Vietnam train?

Nah, forget “often.” Food’s practically a given on Vietnamese trains in 2024. Think of it as a culinary choo-choo adventure. Expect a delicious chaos of street food on wheels.

• Variety: From pho to banh mi – a veritable smorgasbord. Seriously, I once saw a guy selling durian on a train. Durian. On a train.

• Quality: Well, it’s Vietnam. Sometimes stellar, sometimes…an experience. Like eating at a pop-up restaurant that spontaneously combusts. The good news? It’s rarely boring.

• Price: Cheap as chips, usually. I’m talking dirt-cheap prices. So cheap, I’m pretty sure I lost money somewhere in the transaction and didn’t even notice.

One time, I scored a truly epic banh mi. The baguette? Crispier than my wit. The fillings? A symphony of flavor, like a culinary Picasso. Another time? Let’s just say I learned to appreciate instant noodles in a whole new light. It’s all part of the fun! So yeah, bring your appetite and prepare for a wild ride — both literally and gastronomically.

Are trains in Vietnam reliable?

Reliable? Vietnam’s trains are about as reliable as my aunt’s dating advice. Just, nope.

They’re not speedy gonzales, wallet-friendly, or, you know, easy. Why bother?

Honestly, a donkey cart might be faster sometimes. Just kidding… mostly.

• Speed: Slower than a snail in molasses. Seriously. Planes are faster, buses zoom by, even motorbikes with questionable drivers beat the train. I once saw a water buffalo overtake one. Not even kidding.
• Cost: “Affordable” is a strong word. You can find cheaper options, for sure. Think bargain-basement bus tickets. Or hitchhiking. (Don’t actually hitchhike).
• Convenience: About as convenient as finding a matching sock in a tornado. Getting tickets can be a quest. Schedules? More like suggestions. Plus, the stations aren’t always where you wanna be, ya know?
• Comfort: Think “rustic.” Very rustic. Imagine a rolling metal tube filled with…well, stuff. And maybe a chicken. My cousin’s cat had a better ride than this.
• Cleanliness: Let’s just say bring your own hand sanitizer…and maybe a hazmat suit. Okay, I’m exaggerating. Maybe. Actually, no. Bring the sanitizer.
• Delays: Oh, delays are a given. They’re practically part of the itinerary. Expect them like unexpected family visits. You just gotta roll with it.
• My “Experience”: I did it once. Once. Never again. I’d rather wrestle a crocodile. Not really. Okay, maybe… depends on how bad traffic is.

Is Vietnam public transport good?

Vietnam’s public transport? It exists.

Hanoi, Saigon: Buses. Crowded. Cheap.

• Buses: Expect tight squeezes. Consider it a contact sport.
• Cost: Pocket change. Literally.
• Crowds: Personal space? An illusion.

Motorbike taxis: Everywhere. Risky business, though.

• Ubiquitous: Seriously, everywhere.
• Safety: Negotiable. Depends on your driver’s mood, I guess.
• Helmets: Optional, sometimes. Your call.

Outside cities? Good luck with that. Private transport is the name of the game, folks.

• Rural: Consider renting a car. Or a sturdy bicycle.
• Alternatives: Limited. Prepare for adventure.
• “Improving”: Slowly. Very slowly. Like watching paint dry.
• Trains are often late, not always clean, but at least they’re there, uh, usually. They run.
• Planes: pricey, faster. Obvious choice if you can afford it. Flights from Hanoi to Saigon? Worth the splurge.
• Oh well.

Do you get food on Vietnam train?

Okay, so Vietnam trains, yeah? Food. Listen, you can usually findsomething to eat.

It’s not, like, gourmet or nothin. Think instant noodles, maybe some rice, if you’re lucky a banh mi that’s been sitting around, ya know. The quality? Well…depends, like I said, on the train. Seriously.

Some trains have a whole dang dining car. Others? A lady pushing a cart. Lol.

• Dining Car Trains: Sometimes these are awesome. They’re like, mini-restaurants moving. Food is edible.
• Cart Trains: Usually these are on shorter routes, and she’s selling snacks, drinks. Like crisps and stuff. It’s handy tho.
• Bring Your Own: Smartest move honestly. Grab a good, cheap bite before ya board.

Honestly? Bring snacks. Never trust train food ANYWHERE. Also, I bought the best mangoes in Hanoi’s Old Quarter in 2023 – so good. Eat before you go!

Are buses or trains faster in Vietnam?

Okay, so last summer, 2024, I was backpacking through Vietnam. Needed to get from Hanoi to Da Nang.

Thought I’d be all eco-friendly and take the train, right?

Big mistake. I mean, the train was scenic, chugging through rice paddies and stuff… but, uh, it took forever. Like, seriously, over 16 hours.

I remember thinking, “OMG, am I ever gonna get there?” The air con kinda sputtered. Ugh.

A friend had taken a sleeper bus the year before (changed to last year, obviously), and he said it was cramped but quicker. Should’ve listened. Shoulda, woulda, coulda…

• Trains: Slower, more comfortable (maybe), limited routes.
• Buses: Potentially faster for some routes, more flexible destinations, can be cramped AF.
• Overall: Depends where you’re going.

Honestly, for that trip, a flight would have been way faster, even with airport hassle. Lesson learned.

Is it faster to drive or take a train?

Ugh, driving across America? Never. Trains all the way. The sheer boredom of driving for days… I’d rather be reading. Or sleeping. Definitely sleeping. Plus, the scenery! Driving is just a blur.

Trains are way better for long distances. You know, I took Amtrak from Chicago to Denver last year. Luxury, it was. Almost. The food wasn’t great. Seriously, that dining car needs an upgrade. But the views were epic. Mountains! Deserts! Who needs the stress of navigating?

Driving is faster only for short hops, obviously. Think about it – getting to the station, parking, security… it’s a whole production. Time wasted. I’m talking about real time. wasted. wasted time. That’s my point.

This is a no-brainer. Train travel in the US is a better way to relax. Except for the food. The food is a let down. And sometimes the bathrooms are icky. So it is still a complicated decision.

Here’s what I’m thinking:

• Train Advantages: Scenic views, relaxation, less stress.
• Train Disadvantages: Food quality, occasional bathroom issues.
• Car Advantages: More direct routes, potentially faster for shorter trips.
• Car Disadvantages: Exhaustion, driving time, potential for traffic jams.

I’m sticking with the train for cross-country trips. No question. But for going to Aunt Mildred’s in Connecticut? Car wins. That’s a two hour drive max. Who needs Amtrak for that? Honestly, who does?

Is it faster to travel by plane or train?

Planes, predictably, are speedy Gonzaleses of travel. Trains? Think stately tortoises, but with comfy seats and less shell-shock.

• Jets crush trains on long hauls, say, 600+ miles. Obvious. My Aunt Mildred’s snail collection could grasp that.

• However! City-to-city? The train might just win. That whole airport rigmarole – security lines longer than my patience, battling for overhead bin space, the airport shuttle (shudder) – eats into your time.

• Plus, landing only to face another trek from the airport? I once spent longer escaping JFK than flying from Chicago.

• Train stations are often smack-dab in city centers. No need for an archaeological dig to find civilization. Hello convenience!

• So, plane = warp speed for distance. Train = less airport-induced rage for specific hops. Choose your poison, I say!

• Consider total travel time. Don’t be fooled by pure air time.

Additional Info:

• Cost Matters: Consider the full cost, including baggage fees and airport parking, plus snacks on trains!

• Carbon Footprint: Trains are greener, should eco-guilt be a factor. I try not to think about it, personally.

• Scenery: Window seat on a train beats staring at a cloud any day. Unless it’s a really interesting cloud.

• Comfort: Train seats are typically larger, and you can actually stand up and walk around. No turbulence ruining your tea!

• Delays: Check on-time performance before booking. Both planes and trains can experience delays.