Hanoi Train Street: Our Guide to the Train Street in Hanoi

What is Train Street?

Train Street is a narrow road with railroad tracks running right through it. Several times a day, a train passes through the alley. You’re standing right next to the tracks and get a solid adrenaline rush. That’s why Hanoi Train Street is hands down our favorite highlight in Hanoi. Don’t miss it!

The colorful houses along the street are built so close to the tracks that the train barely squeezes through. Small cafés have opened up in these little buildings where you can sit when the train goes by — and just like that, you’ve got the perfect attraction.

The alley is great for photos, and when the train comes, you get a little adrenaline kick. Depending on the day of the week, that happens 2–8 times a day.

Where do you find Hanoi’s Train Street?

The well-known section of Hanoi’s Train Street with its many cafés sits on the edge of the Old Quarter, near the train station.

You’ll find the entrance at a railroad crossing. You can walk into Train Street on either side of it. In both directions, the houses are built right up to the tracks for about 200 meters.

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How do you get to Train Street?

At the railroad crossing, you head either right or left into Train Street. It doesn’t matter which side you choose — both sides are equally great.

Recently, though, Hanoi’s Train Street has been partially blocked off at the railroad crossing. A man in uniform stands at the entrance and whistles all tourists back.

But don’t worry — you can always get in. The café owners from Train Street stand at the barrier and chat up the tourists. If you go with one of them, you’re allowed past the man.

Our tip: Ask the café owner beforehand where their café is located. If it’s right at the railroad crossing and the train comes from the direction of the crossing, the photos won’t turn out as nice as they would from the middle of the street. There are no houses right next to the tracks at the crossing, so you won’t get that narrow-alley effect.

By the way, we’re not sure whether the man is actually a police officer or whether he’s just playing the role for the café owners to make sure that only tourists who are actually going to order something come in.

If the train isn’t running for the next few hours, often only one side is blocked off. In that case, just head into the other section of Train Street and you don’t have to tag along with a café owner.

When does the train pass through Hanoi’s Train Street?

Your best bet is to visit on a weekend. That’s when the train currently passes through the Hanoi railway street eight times. On top of that, a lone locomotive comes through four more times. You can also check the times on the official ticket website.

Weekend Schedule

• 6:00 AM – Eastbound
• 7:05 AM – Eastbound (locomotive)
• 7:55 AM – Westbound (locomotive)
• 8:49 AM – Westbound
• 9:20 AM – Eastbound
• 11:52 AM – Westbound
• 3:15 PM – Eastbound
• 4:20 PM – Eastbound (locomotive)
• 7:15 PM – Westbound (locomotive)
• 9:15 PM​​ – Westbound

On weekdays, the full train only runs twice a day — once very early in the morning and once at night. The locomotive runs at the same times as on weekends.

Weekday Schedule

• 6:00 AM – Eastbound
• 7:05 AM – Eastbound (locomotive)
• 7:55 AM – Westbound (locomotive)
• 4:20 PM – Eastbound (locomotive)
• 7:15 PM – Westbound (locomotive)
• 9:15 PM – Westbound

Note: The schedule isn’t followed strictly. The train might come a little early or run slightly late. It’s best to head out from your accommodation in Hanoi a few minutes ahead of time.

Our Tips for Train Street Hanoi

• Visit on a weekend. More trains run on weekends than on weekdays.
• If you want fewer tourists in your photos, come early in the morning. We’ve had great experiences at that time of day — it was so much less crowded than in the afternoon or evening.
• In the evening, the lanterns along the street glow beautifully — which looks seriously stunning in photos.
• Arrive about 20–30 minutes before the train. That gives you time to order your drink and take photos at a relaxed pace.
• After the train passes, you can wander around for as long as you like. Nobody will stop you at that point.
• We asked the café owner who approached us where their café was located before going with them. Do the same if you don’t want to end up sitting right at the railroad crossing, where the photos don’t turn out as nicely.
• Walk a bit further into the street. There are fewer tourists there — most people don’t want to walk far, and there are fewer cafés in that stretch, which means better photos for you.
• If you’re on a trip with kids, watch them very carefully. There’s no barrier between the seating area and the passing train. For the little ones, though, the whole thing is an incredible experience.