I am travelling a number of trips by train and want to know how many hours each one takes:
1. From Saigon to Nha Trang.
2. From Nha Trang to Danang.
3. From Danang to Hue.
Also, can someone please give me the website for the Vietnam Railways where I can get train timetables and fare costs in english?
The real answer is it varies due to weather conditions, traffic and things that I totally do not understand.
Check out this web site for all things that have to do with trains.
http://www.seat61.com/
Its one of the better sites on the net for travelers.
here is the link to the Vietnam section
http://www.seat61.com/Vietnam.htm
here is a blurb.
Why you should travel by train in Vietnam…
You’d be crazy not to. Vietnam’s air-conditioned trains are safe, comfortable & inexpensive, the ideal way for independent travellers to get around and see Vietnam at ground level. The train journeys are an experience in themselves, and become an integral part of your visit to Vietnam. You might even meet some Vietnamese people. Inexperienced travellers often mistakenly think they’ll save time by using internal flights – in fact, an overnight train ride from Hanoi to Hué or Danang is not only far more of an experience (and cheaper) than a flight, the train actually saves time compared to flying, because the train leaves Hanoi city centre in the evening and arrives in Hué city centre next morning. Flying takes 4 or 5 hours out of your sightseeing day in getting to a remote airport, checking in, taking the flight itself, collecting your bags and getting back into the city centre. And the sleeper trains saves a hotel bill, too. And what’s the rush anyway?
Air-conditioned trains with sleepers and on-board catering link Hanoi, Hué, Danang, Nha Trang, and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Hoi An has no station, but it’s just 30km by bus or taxi from Danang. There are also trains from Hanoi to Halong & Haiphong (for Halong Bay) and Hanoi to Lao Cai (for Sapa).
that should give you and idea about the site.
By Oz M on Feb 4, 2010 | Reply
I love rail travel in Vietnam, however, they are notoriously unreliable.
Saigon to Nha Trang,advertised at 12 hours, but expect as much as 20 hours, or even more. I have traveled from Saigon to Phan Thiet, advertised at 4 hours, but have never got there less than 5 hours for the 200klm journey.
When looking at rail journeys, add at least 25% to the advertised travel time. You can expect delays in departure, and subsequently expect lay times at rail heads adding to the journey. Notwithstanding that, rail travel is a very rewarding experience. I have loved every rail journey I had even though the arrival time was sometimes hours after the advertised time.
References :
By John P on Feb 4, 2010 | Reply
It takes any where from 8 hours to 16 hours from Saigon to Nha Trang depending on the train you take.
Takes about 7 hours from Nha Trang to Danang.
Takes about 3-4 hours from Danang to Hue.
You should be able to get the timetable from the website, but everything is in Vietnamese.
References :
http://www.travelcompass.org/trains.htm
By PARADISO on Feb 4, 2010 | Reply
You can check Train time table and prices here (in english).
http://www.danviettravel.com/travel-services/train-ticket/
The fastest is SE4, lowest is TN2. Travel by train in Vietnam is very interesting. Landscapes are so beautiful. You should choose seat ticket with air conditioner.
References :
Vietnam tourism department
http://www.vietnamtourism.com/e_pages/news/index.asp
By Traveler on Feb 4, 2010 | Reply
The real answer is it varies due to weather conditions, traffic and things that I totally do not understand.
Check out this web site for all things that have to do with trains.
http://www.seat61.com/
Its one of the better sites on the net for travelers.
here is the link to the Vietnam section
http://www.seat61.com/Vietnam.htm
here is a blurb.
Why you should travel by train in Vietnam…
You’d be crazy not to. Vietnam’s air-conditioned trains are safe, comfortable & inexpensive, the ideal way for independent travellers to get around and see Vietnam at ground level. The train journeys are an experience in themselves, and become an integral part of your visit to Vietnam. You might even meet some Vietnamese people. Inexperienced travellers often mistakenly think they’ll save time by using internal flights – in fact, an overnight train ride from Hanoi to Hué or Danang is not only far more of an experience (and cheaper) than a flight, the train actually saves time compared to flying, because the train leaves Hanoi city centre in the evening and arrives in Hué city centre next morning. Flying takes 4 or 5 hours out of your sightseeing day in getting to a remote airport, checking in, taking the flight itself, collecting your bags and getting back into the city centre. And the sleeper trains saves a hotel bill, too. And what’s the rush anyway?
Air-conditioned trains with sleepers and on-board catering link Hanoi, Hué, Danang, Nha Trang, and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Hoi An has no station, but it’s just 30km by bus or taxi from Danang. There are also trains from Hanoi to Halong & Haiphong (for Halong Bay) and Hanoi to Lao Cai (for Sapa).
that should give you and idea about the site.
References :