what's the quickest way to travel by train from hanoi to bangkok?

And how much does it roughly cost?

Sorry there isn't a direct train from Bangkok to HaNoi. It is easy to fly there and doesn't cost that much. You could take the train from HaNoi to SaiGon which is a beautiful ride. Good luck.

The trains in Vietnam run a north-south line connecting Hanoi with Saigon now know as HCMC.

There are no trains that connect from Vietnam to Laos or Cambodia, the two countries that separate Vietnam from Thailand.

If you want to travel quickly then fly. If you want to save money, take busses and spend alot of time in them before you hit Bkk.

A better place to get information is from the Thorn Thread formus.

Good luck

The north-south running Annamite mountain range which separate Vietnam and Laos have no train line crossing them. Also the Mekhong river which separates Laos from Thailand has no rail crossing.

How about this. Get a long distance bus from Hanoi to Vientiane in Laos about 30 USD. Cross the border here to Nong Khai in Thailand . From there you can get a sleeper train to Bangkok less than 20 USD in second class with bunk.

Fly Hanoi to Bangkok with www.airasia.com for about 40USD (plus VN departure tax 14USD and transfers). Takes 1hr 45mins.

Going overland just to save $$ doesn't make sense anymore with the new low cost carriers through out Asia.

I've done the bus trips in Cambodia and well, I'd be happy to fly the journey your suggesting!

Either way. have a great time!

NO TRAINS
Fly, take a bus, cycle or walk. If you are very lucky, maybe you can find a boat.