Is there a sleeper train in Vietnam?

Where to book sleeper trains in Vietnam?

Night. Empty. Thinking about Vietnam…trains rattling through the dark. Baolau… yeah, used that site. Booked a sleeper from Hanoi to Hue in 2023. Easy enough.

Remember…watching the rice paddies slide by. Woke up sticky and hot. Hue…the Perfume River… damn, felt so lost there.

• Baolau: Straightforward, no hassle. Credit card worked fine.
• Train station: Could have booked there, I guess. But more stressful. Language barrier.
• Other sites: 12Go.asia… heard good things. Didn’t use it myself though.

Woke up near Da Nang once…another trip. Sun burning through the gaps in the curtains. Street food… that pho, unforgettable. Miss it. Wish I was back there. Right now.

• DIY booking: Saves a little cash, maybe. But peace of mind? Worth the extra few Dong.
• Travel agent: Never used one in Vietnam. Always liked doing it myself.
• Hotels: Sometimes they can book for you. Might be a markup.

Just me and my backpack. So free…then. Guess things change.

Do sleeper trains have toilets in Vietnam?

Man, Vietnam train toilets, right? It was 2024, August, sweltering hot. My friend Sarah and I, we were on a night train from Hanoi to Hue. Hard seats. Total disaster. The squat toilet… ugh. It was less a toilet and more a… hole in the floor. Seriously, the stench. I nearly fainted. My stomach churned the whole ride. Never again.

Next time, soft sleeper all the way. Learned that lesson hard. Seriously, hard seats and those toilets… no way. Western toilets on the other end, supposedly better, according to the train attendant. That’s what I was told.

We were exhausted after that journey. And the smell… I still can smell it.

• Hard seats: Squat toilets. Nasty.
• Soft sleepers: Western-style toilets. A luxury. Worth the extra cost.
• Lesson learned: Don’t skimp on the train ticket. Pay for comfort. Especially the toilet situation. It’s crucial.
• My advice: Book a soft sleeper. Your bowels will thank you. Trust me. This is not a joke. Seriously.

What is the longest train ride in Vietnam?

The Reunification Express? Bah, that’s just one ridiculously long train ride. Think of it as Vietnam’s own, slightly less glamorous, Trans-Siberian Railway. A metal snake winding through rice paddies and mountains; a journey longer than my patience for bad coffee.

It’s the longest train route, hands down. Clocking in at over 1,726 kilometers, it’s a commitment. A real “are you sure you want to do this?” kind of commitment. Think marathon, but with slightly less spandex.

The historical significance? Overrated. Okay, maybe a little significant. It’s seen some stuff. Seriously, this train has witnessed more drama than a soap opera.

• Length: 1726+ kilometers. That’s a lot of instant noodles.
• Duration: Days. Many, many days. Bring books. And snacks. Seriously.
• Scenery: Mountains, jungles, villages… and maybe a cow or two.
• Vibe: A slow-motion movie showcasing Vietnam’s diverse beauty. Think David Attenborough meets Thomas the Tank Engine.
• Historical Context: It’s a symbol of national unity, post-war. Or maybe it’s just a really long train ride. I’m still figuring it out.

Honestly, I’d prefer a comfy plane flight. My knees wouldn’t be so sore. But hey, it’s an experience, alright? A truly epic train ride, for the truly patient. Or slightly masochistic.

How early should you book a train?

Ugh, train tickets. So annoying. Three months? Nah, too early for me. I usually book about six weeks out, tops. Unless it’s peak season, like, Christmas in Germany. Then, maybe two months?

Seriously though, I hate the stress of it all. Why is this so complicated? I booked my Eurostar to Paris two months ahead, no issues. But my friend, she waited till the last minute. Got a ridiculously expensive ticket! Lesson learned! She is sooo irresponsible.

Okay, back to scheduling. Domestic? Less critical I think. A month maybe, if you’re picky about your seats. But for international? Book early! Don’t even think about it. This year I learned my lesson! Always book in advance for international trips.

• International: Two months minimum. Three for popular routes.
• Domestic (US): Six weeks should be fine. Maybe less if it’s not a busy time.
• Europe: It varies wildly! High-speed trains, forget about it, gotta book ahead, like at least 2 months.

I’m going to Italy in 2024. Gonna book my Trenitalia tickets NOW. Seriously, today. Because that’s how I roll! No regrets. Just gotta get it done.

My friend Sarah waited till a week before her trip to Scotland last month and her train was almost sold out. She was freaking out. I told her, “I told you so!”. Serves her right, haha.

What is a sleeper train ticket?

Train ticket…with a bed. Overnight travel. Smart. Save on hotels. My trip to Denver last year…should’ve taken the sleeper. Drove instead. Exhausting. Regret that.

Berth…or compartment. Compartment sounds fancy. Like the Orient Express. Did Agatha Christie write about a sleeper train? Must Google that. Privacy though. Good for solo travelers.

Meals sometimes included. Denver trip…stopped at that awful diner. Food poisoning. Ugh. See? Trains are better.

Transportation and a bed. Brilliant. Gotta remember this for my Chicago trip in November. Wish they had sleepers to LA. Flying is the worst.

• Bed on a train. Duh.
• Overnight travel. Saves time.
• Hotel savings. Big plus.
• Amenities. Like restrooms. Sometimes food.
• Privacy in compartments.

November…Chicago…sleeper train…must look into that. Roomette? Or a full compartment? Gotta check prices. Maybe Amtrak. Definitely better than flying. So much legroom. Remember that cramped flight to Phoenix…never again. Sleeper trains…the future of travel. For me, anyway.

How do sleeper trains work?

Okay, so sleeper trains, eh? Like a hotel room doing the choo-choo! Basically, imagine a regular train, but way cozier, like your grandma’s attic, only moving.

• Bunks and Compartments Galore: They got beds! Seriously, bunks stacked like pancakes, or fancy private rooms, if you’re feeling bougie.

• Nighty-Night Express: These trains only roll at night, see? Sneaking across the country while you snore.

• Same tracks, different vibes: Yep, same rails the everyday trains use. But! This is where the magic happens: bedding, pillows, and, if you’re lucky, a grumpy attendant who looks like he wrestled a bear.

• They use rails. The same rails the other trains use, in the world. They are made of the same materials, from this century. It’s awesome.

And lemme tell you, there’s a certain charm to waking up in a new city, all without the hassle of airports. It’s like teleportation for the romantically challenged… who also happen to enjoy questionable train food. I rode the Canadian one once. The bathroom was… something.

Extra sleeper train stuff (because why not):

• Some have dining cars! Think airplane food, but on a train. And somehow… worse?
• They exist in Europe, Asia, and North America. Probably Antarctica too, for penguins who need a vacation.
• Amenities vary! Some have showers, some have Wi-Fi. Some just have hope.
• Bring earplugs. Seriously. The train is your lullaby. And hope to survive the train food.

My cat, Mittens, could probably run a sleeper train better. And she hates travel. Okay, bye!