Noi Bai International Airport to Downtown Hanoi
Noi Bai International Airport, the second biggest transport hub in Vietnam, is located about 30km by road from the center of Hanoi. When it comes to arriving at the airport, as we all know, transportation to and from airports is immensely pricey, the cab drivers at the airport create a bad reputation for trying to scam tourists. So how to pick the right options to get into downtown may confuse a lot of travelers, especially the first-timers in Hanoi. If you are planning a trip to the Vietnamese capital, here is a complete guide on how to get to the city centre of Hanoi, starting from the arrival at the airport without complications.
1. How to navigate Noi Bai International Airport once you arrive?
Here is the standard airport procedure on the day of arrival in Vietnam: Arrival – flight landing – visa (if required) – quarantine and immigration – baggage claim – customs check– exit the arrival hall.
When travelling from other countries to Vietnam you will arrive at the International T2 Terminal. Upon arrival at the T2, you will first receive the Vietnam visa-on-arrival if necessary. If a Vietnam visa is required, you must queue at the Immigration Counter to get the actual visa stamped in your passport. If you are a citizen of the country which is not required to obtain a Vietnam visa, start moving to the quarantine and immigration inspection zone and show your passport here for Vietnam entry. Prior to arrival, kindly advise you to check the countries whose citizens do not need a Vietnam visa. Quickly check it here!
If transferring from one terminal to the other, ride the Shuttle Bus operating every 10-15 minutes
2. Noi Bai International Airport – City Center: Public Bus
The bus as always is the most convenient way to reach the city center from the airport. All buses are easily found just outside the airport, walking a few meters to the right. You can download an app called busmap to keep track of bus locations.
LINE 17: Noi Bai Airport – Long Bien Bridge – Dong Xuan Market
This line bus connects the airport with the Long Bien bus station, a few meters from the famous Dong Xuan Market in the heart of the Hanoi Old Quarter.
- Duration: 40-60 minutes
- Fare (Price in 10/2019): 9,000 VND (0.3 USD)
- Operating time: every 20 minutes from 5:00 to 20:30
LINE 7: Noi Bai Airport – Hanoi Museum of Ethnology – Thang Long Metro
- Duration: 40-60 minutes
- Fare (Price in 10/2019): 9,000 VND (0.3 USD)
- Operating time: every 20 minutes from 5:00 to 21:30
BUS EXPRESS 86: Noi Bai Airport – Hoan Kiem Lake – Long Bien Station – Hanoi Central Railway Station
It is one of the best options to arrive at Hanoi Old Quarter. This bus connects the airport with Hanoi railway station. It is designed specifically for passengers with luggage and has a special space for suitcases.
- Duration: 50-60 minutes
- Fare: 30,000 VND (1.3 USD)
- Operating time: every 20 minutes from 5:00 to 22:00
3. Noi Bai International Airport – City Center: Airport Shuttle Bus
A slightly more expensive alternative are the shuttles organized directly by the 3 different airlines. The shuttles of the following companies are currently available: Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar. But you don’t need to ride the bus of the same airline that you use in your flight, you can choose whichever is available you arrive there. However, there is a problem with this type of transfer as it usually departs only when it is full of passengers so you may have to wait a while.
VIETJET SHUTTLE BUS: Noi Bai Airport – Thang Long Bridge – Hoang Quoc Viet – Đao Tan – Nguyen Thai Hoc – Quang Trung – Tran Nhan Tong.
Vietjet uses a 45-seat bus to pick up and drop off passengers. At Noi Bai airport, the car parked in front of the domestic terminal T1.
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Fare: 40,000 VND (1.7 USD)
- Operating time: every 30-45 minutes
On the scheduled route of the Vietjet Shuttle bus, you can ask to be dropped anywhere. The final point is on Tran Nhan Tong street. If you book a hotel around the Old Quarter, you’d better ask to be dropped off on Nguyen Thai Hoc or Quang Trung Street and then take a taxi or a grab to the hotel.
VIETNAM AIRLINES SHUTTLE BUS: Last stop is at No 1 Quang Trung Street.
Vietnam Airlines uses a 16-seat minivan service to pick up and drop off passengers. At Noi Bai airport, the car parked in front of the domestic terminal T1.
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Fare: 40,000 VND (1.7 USD)
- Operating time: every 30-45 minutes from 5:00 to 22:00
JETSTAR SHUTTLE BUS: Noi Bai Airport – Thăng Long Bridge – Hoang Quoc Viet – Nguyen Van Huyen – Đao Tan – Ngoc Khanh Station – Quang Trung Station.
Jetstar uses a 45-seat bus service to pick-up and drop-off. At Noi Bai airport, the car parked in front of the domestic terminal T1.
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Fare: 40,000 VND (1.7 USD)
- Operating time: every 30-45 minutes from 4:00 to 19:00
4. Taxi, a little recommended option to go from Hanoi airport to downtown
For some reasons, this is a quite popular option for some people: firstly, there are many cab drivers in front of the terminal, even at midnight, secondly, you don’t have to wait or stop along the way and you will eventually get to the hotel without getting a ride in other vehicles.
Taxi Scams Warning: However, it is an option that we do not recommend if you are not good at haggling the price. Be careful with the taxi metre clock because some taxi drivers of some companies change the rate of the meter during the journey, raising the actual price exponentially. If this happens to you and you notice it, refuse to pay the requested sum and give the taxi driver a rate that you think is acceptable based on the kilometers you have done.
The most reliable companies are: Mailinh (green), Vinasun (white) or Xanh SM (green)
Another tip is that you should have the exact address of the hotel ready (and if it can be the location on Google Maps) to show the driver. There are hotels with similar names and taxi drivers can be confused.
5. Noi Bai Airport – City Center: Grab Car for more convenience and safety
Grab, the solution for the ones who are afraid of driving or do not want to be ripped off during the Vietnam trip (Vietnamese SIM card required)
Let me go you through some simple instructions:
1. Run the application (Download for Android | iPhone/iPad)
2. Input your phone number to register
3. Choose a car or motorbike service
4. Check your pick-up and your drop-off points
5. Set it or select it on the map
6. Get price, tap on “book” and wait for your ride.