Just landed in Hanoi? No idea how to reach the city center? Don’t worry — here’s a short guide so you have zero trouble organizing your transport to Hanoi’s old quarter.
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About Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport
Hanoi’s international airport (HAN), also known as Noi Bai, sits about 30 kilometers from Vietnam’s capital.
It has two terminals about a kilometer apart: one for domestic flights and one for international flights.
There’s free Wi-Fi, and on arrival you’ll find currency exchange offices — but their rate is somewhat worse than what you’ll get in the city center, so we recommend changing just enough to get through the day and saving the rest to exchange once you reach the center.
From the airport to central Hanoi by bus
The express public bus 86
The best speed-to-price option for getting from Hanoi’s airport to the city center is, without doubt, the express bus.
Right outside the terminal, across the road, you’ll find the stop. The one that takes you to the old quarter is bus No. 86.
The stop is marked with a sign, and the same pillar shows the timetable — but it normally runs every 20 minutes, from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm.
The fare is 45,000 VND (~US$1.70), and in about 45 minutes (depending on traffic) you’ll be in Hanoi’s old quarter, where most accommodations are located.
Airline shuttle buses
Some airlines like Vietjet and Vietnam Airlines offer free or paid minibus transport from the airport to Hanoi’s old quarter if you’ve flown with them.
You’ll find them in the departures area, next to bus 86.
Many of these airlines will also let you board their bus to the center for the same price as the regular bus, as long as they have seats available.
Taking a taxi at Noi Bai airport
Like most airports in the world, Hanoi’s has a taxi rank at the arrivals terminal.
About 14 different taxi companies operate at the airport, so choosing one isn’t simple — but one of the most reliable is Mai Linh Taxi, with its green cars. That said, we haven’t heard of thefts or problems with any of the others.
Fares to and from the old quarter run between 250,000 and 400,000 VND (~US$10–15.50), with the final price depending mostly on traffic.
Using Grab to reach central Hanoi
If there’s one country where this app reigns supreme, it’s Vietnam.
A fast option, generally a bit cheaper than the airport taxis, is calling a car to pick you up at the arrivals terminal. Waiting times are usually around 5 minutes, and the fare to the old quarter is roughly 250,000 VND (~US$10).
Private transfer to Hanoi’s old quarter
Hanoi’s airport offers a private transfer service, which you can also book in advance through this link.
Another option is arranging an airport pickup with your accommodation, as most places in Hanoi offer this service.
Prices vary by accommodation but usually range between US$17 and US$27.
Shared van to the center
These are vans you share with other travelers, setting off for the city once they fill up.
The price is similar to — or slightly above — the bus, and they normally drop you at your accommodation or very close to it.
You can see them and book here.
It sounds like a great option on paper, but we don’t recommend it unless you’re in no hurry: the van stops at each passenger’s accommodation, and it’s pure luck whether yours comes first — you could spend a long while circling Hanoi before your stop arrives.
This transport is, however, ideal for groups of around 8 friends: you’ll have the van practically to yourselves and go straight to your accommodation.
