Vietnam By Train?

[jingjingna]

Is there a train route to Vietnam and has anyone tried it? I am planning a trip in October and would prefer to go by train if that option is available.

I'm hoping to spend a few days in HCMC and Hanoi. If anyone can recommend decent hotels in both locations please let me know.

Cheers!

[ovenman]

Is there a train route to Vietnam and has anyone tried it?

Sorry but the rail tracks only run as far as the Thai/Cambodian border at Aranyaprathet.

[Rinrada]

Bit of info from T Cooks

Used to be able to travel on the first carriage (in front of engine)out of P.P.to S.R-B.B. and it was free ...target pratice for the boys... mostly NADK and Kapath

Since the war in Cambodia, the railway line between Bangkok and Phnom Penh has only been running between Bangkok and Aranyaprathet on the Thai side of the Thai/Cambodian border, and between Battambang and Phnom Penh within Cambodia.

Train service across the border between Aranyaprathet and Battambang has been suspended for some years, although there is talk of restoring the complete Phnom Penh-Bangkok rail link sometime in the future.

In the meantime, a trip from Bangkok to Phnom Penh can be made in two days as follows:

Bangkok ► Phnom Penh or Siem Reap:

Take a train from Bangkok (Hualamphong station) to Aranyaprathet, which is a few kilometres from the Cambodian frontier.

Two trains run daily.

To reach Siem Reap or Battambang the same day, take the 05:55 from Bangkok arriving in Aranyaprathet at 11:20. There's also a 13:05 train from Bangkok which arrives in Aranyaprathet at 18:05, but this is too late to move on from the frontier and you will have to spend the night at Poiphet.

These trains are 3rd class only (pictured, right), but they are clean, spacious and it's a pleasant and enjoyable ride, clickety clacking along with a breeze blowing through the open window. The fare is only about 50 baht (70p/$1).

At Aranyaprathet, take a tuk-tuk (about 40-60 baht) or wait for the bus (about 10 baht), from the station to the Cambodian border at Poiphet (15km).

The border is open 07:00-20:00. Be careful with your valuables when crossing the border, as there may be pickpockets around.

For Siem Reap, take a share taxi from Poiphet to Siem Reap.

The journey usually takes under 3 hours, and it costs about $25/1000 baht for the whole car or $8/300 baht for the front seat.

For Phnom Penh, take a Cambodian taxi, bus or pick up truck from Poiphet to Sisophon (48 km) or Battambang (112 km).

A train may be running from Sisophon at 14:00 arriving at Battambang at 18:00. Check this locally as this train may no longer be running - if it isn't, use road transport all the way to Battambang.

You will need to spend the night in Battambang.

Every second day (reported as Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays by one correspondent, but shown in the Thomas Cook Overseas Timetable as odd dates - i.e. 1st, 3rd, 5th etc. of each month), a train leaves Battambang at around 06:30 arriving in Pursat around 12:00 and Phnom Penh at around 19:30. Check times locally..!

Only one very basic class of accommodation is provided - see the photos and traveller's report below.

Another useful resource for this trip is www.talesofasia.com/cambodia-overland-bkksr-self.htm.

[Rinrada]

Meant to add this one ....need a bit more time

London to Hanoi overland ..

If you have the time - about two weeks - you can reach Vietnam by train all the way from London.

First, travel from London to Moscow (48 hours).

From there you can travel from Moscow to Beijing on one of the two weekly Trans-Siberian trains shown on the Trans-Siberian page (6 days).

Finally, travel from Beijing to Hanoi on the twice-weekly train service (48 hours).

From Hanoi jump on the Unifi. Express and enjoy a quiet journey down to Saigon......express is might suggestive

Then a case of "sing chow"...and away...

[jingjingna]

The London to Hanoi route sounds far better and easier than travelling fromBangkok! Thanks alot Rinrada for all the info, most appreciated!

[sonong1]

Meant to add this one ....need a bit more time

London to Hanoi overland ..

If you have the time - about two weeks - you can reach Vietnam by train all the way from London. 

First, travel from London to Moscow  (48 hours). 

From there you can travel from Moscow to Beijing on one of the two weekly Trans-Siberian trains shown on the Trans-Siberian page (6 days). 

Finally, travel from Beijing to Hanoi on the twice-weekly train service  (48 hours).

From Hanoi jump on the Unifi. Express and enjoy a quiet journey down to Saigon......express is might suggestive  

Then a case of "sing chow"...and away...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rinrada Someone reponded to a post on another forum indicating the reason for Thai Visa Forum was to air gievances etc - I only wish this response had ben around then,

I have no intention of travelling to Vietnam by train but your response was excellent and allowed thr OP to make a well informed choice

[jingjingna]

I second that Sonong1 !