5 Ways To Get From Hanoi Airport To City Centre
Getting From Hanoi Airport To The Old Quarter
Getting from Hanoi Airport to city centre is a common challenge for travellers landing in Vietnam’s capital.
Just like navigating a new metro system, understanding your transport options can feel overwhelming at first, but with the right knowledge, it’s actually quite straightforward.
When I landed at Hanoi airport, my luggage unfortunately arrived in Paris instead, leaving me without my bags for two days. Despite this setback, finding my way to the city was surprisingly easy, and I quickly learned which options offer the best value and convenience.
Whether you’re looking for the most economical journey via public bus, the convenience of a shuttle service, or the comfort of a private taxi, this comprehensive guide will help you choose the best transport option for your needs.
I’ll cover all the essential details, including costs, journey times, and practical tips based on my own experiences navigating this route multiple times.
Let’s explore all your options so you can start your Vietnamese adventure with confidence rather than confusion.
When you’re done, make sure to check out my posts about where to stay in Hanoi and the best things to do in Hanoi to plan your trip effectively.
Plan a trip with my 2-week Vietnam itinerary and consider Thailand Vs Vietnam as an alternative before booking your trip!
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Map Of Hanoi Airport
Private Transfer
This is exactly how I went from Hanoi Airport to the city centre by private transfer.
Thanks to websites like Booking.com, 12Go and WelcomePickups, you can easily arrange a taxi to take you right to the door of your accommodation. Absolute life saver!
The best thing about this option is privacy.
You don’t have to worry about other passengers, and you’ll enjoy a nice air-conditioned car for the journey, which can take up to an hour if the traffic is as bad as it was when I arrived!
Because of the Booking.com Genius programme, I actually got the taxi for free. If you’re a frequent user of the platform, you can get great discounts on accommodation and taxi services.
If not, you can still get a reliable service for a good price.
When I landed at Terminal 2, I got a WhatsApp message from my driver. He had a photo of himself with my name on a piece of paper and mentioned he was waiting outside for me.
Book your transport from Hanoi Noi Bai Airport to the city centre below:
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Taxi Transfer
Traditional Taxi
As you would expect, you can always just arrive at the airport, hop in a taxi and be on your way.
If that’s what you prefer, then by all means go for it. You can throw your bags into the boot and be on your merry way. This mode of transport can be more expensive as it will be metered.
So if traffic is bad (or good) at that time, you will pay more or less depending on conditions. This is great if you are a person who doesn’t have many budget restrictions or time worries. Once you exit the airport, there will be plenty of taxi drivers approaching you asking if you need a ride.
When I landed in Hanoi, I was sick and the airline had lost my checked bag, so I wasn’t in the best mood for fielding all these questions. Nonetheless, you’ll have loads of options if you want to take a taxi to the city centre.
A regular taxi fitting four people costs around 400,000 Vietnamese Dong. Again, the journey can take between 45 minutes to one and a half hours, depending on traffic.
If you are travelling with a group, realise that four large suitcases will likely not fit in the boot of one car. The map shows both terminals, and the yellow marker is where all the taxis will be waiting.
PS – check out my guide to the best things to do in Hanoi at night.
Read My Hanoi Weekend Night Market Guide To Plan Your Trip Effectively
Grab Taxi
Grab is the best way to travel in Thailand, Vietnam or Indonesia in my opinion.
Thankfully, you can order a Grab taxi from Hanoi Noi Bai Airport to the city centre. You can choose the type of car too, so if you have a number of people or extra luggage, you can ensure you get the right car for more cost, of course.
For example, this means of transport is cheaper, costing 266,000 Vietnamese dong at the time of writing. That’s about 134,000 Vietnamese Dong cheaper (€3.62/$4.42£3.08) than a traditional taxi.
Bear in mind that costs will depend on the time of day and availability of drivers, so prices can vary.
It’s not a life-changing difference, obviously, but it’s good to know when planning your trip!
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Public Bus
Another option to get from Hanoi Noi Bai Airport to the city centre is to take a public bus.
The bus service is generally very trustworthy and offers a good alternative means of getting to the city.
There are two good options:
Bus 86 and Bus 17.
If you want to get off at Hanoi Central Railway Station, choose Bus 86. This is a modern route that takes travellers to a very central location where you can then travel by train if needed, or simply walk to your hotel or take a Grab taxi for the last part of your trip.
This bus runs every 45 minutes between 7 am and 10 pm, so if you arrive during these hours, it’s a convenient option. The journey time on the bus is typically about half an hour.
If the traffic is light, you can expect to reach the station in about 45 minutes, but in heavy traffic, be prepared to possibly double that time.
The ticket costs 45,000 Vietnamese dong (€1.80/£1.50/$2.20).
If you arrive at Terminal 1, you can take Bus 17.
While it may not be as fancy or up-to-date as Bus 86, it arrives at Long Bien Bus Station, which is 2.5 kilometres north of Hanoi Central Railway Station.
So, depending on where your hotel is, choose the best one to take you closer.
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Shuttle Bus
Throughout Southeast Asia, shuttle buses are a great way to move around, and Hanoi airport is no different.
They can be faster as they move directly to the city rather than stopping off at random places along the way. For the most part, these buses are in good condition with air conditioning, but they can become cramped quickly, from my experience.
When I flew to Hanoi, I was unaware that my airline, Vietnam Airlines (as well as VietJet Air and Jetstar Pacific), offers shuttle buses to the city centre. While I already had my taxi driver waiting for me, it would have been a great option to choose.
When I exited the airport, I saw these shuttle buses waiting outside with the airline company names on the sides.
Below is a list of the times and destinations of these buses:
Vietnam Airlines Shuttle
- Route: From T1 Terminal Gate to 1 Quang Trung Street, Hanoi.
- Schedule: Runs every 40 minutes between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.
- Cost: 40,000 Vietnamese dong (€1.60 EUR/£1.35 GBP/$1.70 USD).
VietjetAir Shuttle
- Route: Departs T1 Terminal Gate and heads to 69 Tran Nhan Tong Street, near the National Circus in Hanoi.
- Operating Hours: Every 40 minutes, from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Fare: 36,000 Vietnamese dong.
Jetstar Pacific Shuttle
- Route: Connects T1 Terminal Gate to two stops: Ngoc Khanh Bus Station (29 Ngoc Khanh Street) and Quang Trung Bus Station (37 Quang Trung Street), Hanoi.
- Frequency: Every 40 minutes, from 4 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Price: 40,000 Vietnamese dong.
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Final Thoughts/Conclusion
Hanoi is incredible and worth visiting in my view.
Getting from Hanoi Airport to the Old Quarter or any part of Hanoi is a breeze if you plan ahead.
If you don’t, that’s where unnecessary headaches will come from.
Why not book a few days in advance and make sure you have a private taxi waiting for you with your name on a sign?
If that doesn’t work, you can opt for a shuttle bus, public bus or get a regular taxi when you arrive at the airport. However, be aware that the cost will typically be higher!
Check out my Southeast Asia packing list to make sure you bring everything you need! I also have a detailed guide on the best egg coffee in Hanoi, the best vegan food in Hanoi and a list of all the amazing things to eat.
Any questions? Just drop me a message.
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
How Do I Get From Hanoi Airport To The City?
You can take a taxi, private transfer, Grab Taxi, public bus or a shuttle bus from Hanoi Airport to the city centre. All of these options are good choices, but depending on what type of traveller you are, your priorities will affect this decision. For me, private transfer is the best option as it’s comfortable, private and offers great air conditioning. But this will totally depend on what you want.
How Much Is A Taxi From Hanoi Airport To The City?
A taxi from Hanoi Airport to the centre costs around 400,000 Vietnamese dong (€16.10/£13.64/$19.65). If you want to save a little money, you can order a Grab taxi. If you’re travelling with more people, you can split the cost for a more economical trip, but remember the boot is limited and may not fit four suitcases. Be prepared to get cramped or order another taxi.
How Do I Get From Hanoi Centre To The Airport?
You can take bus 7, 17 or express bus 86 to get to the airport in Hanoi. The same way you go from the Hanoi airport to the city centre, just in reverse. Traditional taxis, Grab and shuttle buses are all options too. A great way to save stress and time is to ask your hotel to arrange a ticket for you.
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