Vietnam forum

Buying train tickets at the station last minute... risky?

qaq01

newbie
Posts: 2

my friend and I are planning on taking a sleeper train from Hanoi to Danang this jan, and i have read that it is much better to purchase tickets at the train station itself.

However, we are on a tight schedule, and plan to be leaving for Danang the evening of the DAY OF our arrival in Vietnam/Hanoi. That doesn't give us time to go to the station and reserve tickets two days in advance.

If we show up at the station at around 1pm to buy tickets, what are the odds that there won't be any more room in the 7pm sleeper train to Danang?

#1 Posted: 16/12/2008 - 04:50
somtam2000

admin
mahout
Posts: 5884
Located in:

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Ah it's a bit of a gamble -- January is pretty busy tourist wise. If you don't have flexibility in when you travel, perhaps look into either buying through a travel agent, or just fly -- Jetstar is cheap and flies that route.

#2 Posted: 16/12/2008 - 10:13

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Flo76

longtail driver
Posts: 5

Posted from within Vietnam.

My boyfriend and I have been hopping on and off trains at the last minute all the way up the coast of Vietnam for the last month. The Open Tour buses are cramped and a bit touristy, so we opted for the trains. It's a little more expensive but really rewarding. We have had to get hard sleepers with our last minute bookings but they are very comfortable. You get a thin mattress, undersheet, duvet and pillow and unlike the tourist night buses you can stretch out and walk around going tot he bathroom at will. The views along the coast are also excellent.

#3 Posted: 17/12/2008 - 17:59
daawgon

som tam seller
Posts: 552

Jan is Tet month and many trains are already sold out - suggest you book online ASAP.

#4 Posted: 18/12/2008 - 10:35
EmjayReet

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 156
Located in:

How do you book online?

#5 Posted: 16/1/2009 - 05:06

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pvhaa

longtail driver
Posts: 7

Posted from within Vietnam.

Better book through an agent in Hanoi or HCMC. They generally agree to book you a train ticket with a hotel booking only. Recommend vietnamstay.com for their efficiency

#6 Posted: 16/1/2009 - 16:12
lizzie267

newbie
Posts: 3

Posted from within Vietnam.

You should book asap, trains ticket always sold out before one month, particularly in some major destination such as Sapa, Nha Trang, etc
Book through discovermekong.com is recommended

#7 Posted: 17/1/2009 - 23:58