Hanoi
Hanoi airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs
Take a metered taxi or Grab from Nội Bài (HAN) for 35–60 minutes door to door to the Old Quarter, roughly ₫350,000–500,000 (about US$14–20). Choose the airport bus if you are solo and on a budget, or a pre-booked transfer if you land after midnight. There is no useful train from the airport.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
GuideHanoi
Key facts
- Airport
- Nội Bài International (HAN), about 30 km north of the Old Quarter
- Car or taxi time
- 35–60 min to the Old Quarter, longer at peak
- Taxi or Grab cost
- ₫350,000–500,000 (2026 estimate)
- Airport bus
- ₫50,000–150,000 depending on route (2026 estimate)
- Train from airport
- No direct rail link; nearest station is Ga Hà Nội in the city
- Cheapest reliable option
- Public bus or shared airport bus, if you travel light
- Late-night arrival
- Buses thin out; pre-book a transfer or use the official taxi rank
Options at a glance
Four workable ways cover almost every arrival: metered taxi, ride-hailing app, airport bus, or a pre-booked private transfer. Pick by arrival hour and luggage, not by saving the last ₫50,000.
| Option | Time to Old Quarter | Cost (2026 estimate) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metered taxi (official rank) | 35–60 min | ₫350,000–500,000 | Two or more with bags |
| Grab or ride-hailing app | 35–60 min | ₫300,000–450,000 | Price shown before you ride |
| Airport bus (route 86 or similar) | 50–70 min | ₫50,000–150,000 | Solo, light luggage, daytime |
| Public city bus | 60–90 min | ₫8,000–15,000 | Very tight budgets, daytime only |
| Pre-booked private transfer | 35–60 min | ₫400,000–700,000 | Families, late landings, fixed price |
Times assume normal traffic; rain and Friday evenings add 15–30 minutes.
Taxi and ride-hailing
Use the official taxi rank outside the terminal, or order through a ride-hailing app once you have data. Both give a metered or fixed price, which removes the main risk at Nội Bài: a driver quoting a flat rate far above the meter.
If you take a taxi from the rank, agree that the meter runs before you get in, and keep small notes for the fare. Ride-hailing apps show the price up front, which is why many travellers now default to them; the pickup point is signposted outside the arrivals hall.
Ignore anyone inside the terminal who approaches you offering a car. Walk out and choose from the rank or the app.
- Have the address of your hotel written in Vietnamese.
- Count your bags before the boot closes.
- Pay in đồng; cards are not accepted in most taxis.
Airport and city buses
The airport express bus runs between Nội Bài and the city centre through the day, with stops near the Old Quarter and around Hoàn Kiếm Lake. It is the cheapest comfortable option if you have one bag and arrive in daylight. Tickets are bought on board; exact change helps.
Public city buses also serve the airport on some routes. They are slower, stop often, and are not a good choice with large luggage or after dark. Schedules thin out in the evening, so do not count on a bus for a late landing.
| Bus type | Runs | Cost (2026 estimate) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport express | Daytime into evening | ₫50,000–150,000 | Stops may not be at your hotel door |
| Public city bus | Daytime | ₫8,000–15,000 | Slow, crowded, limited luggage space |
Fares and last departures change; confirm at the airport information desk (check).
Is there a train from the airport?
No. Nội Bài has no rail link to the city centre. Hanoi's main station, Ga Hà Nội, sits in the city itself and is where you catch trains onward to Huế, Đà Nẵng, Ninh Bình and Ho Chi Minh City.
If your plan is to leave Hanoi by rail the same day, build in a transfer from the airport to Ga Hà Nội first, then allow at least an hour before departure. For onward rail planning, see getting around Vietnam.
What it costs
Prices below are 2026 estimates for one journey to the Old Quarter. Tolls on the airport road are usually included in taxi and app fares; confirm if a driver asks for extra.
- Carry some đồng before you land; airport exchange rates are poor.
- An ATM in the arrivals hall is a backup, not a plan.
| Item | Cost (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Taxi or Grab, airport to Old Quarter | ₫350,000–500,000 |
| Airport express bus | ₫50,000–150,000 |
| Public city bus | ₫8,000–15,000 |
| Private transfer, pre-booked | ₫400,000–700,000 |
| Airport surcharge or toll | Usually included; confirm (check) |
Practical tips
Traffic in Hanoi is heavy from about 07:00–09:00 and 16:30–19:00. A 35-minute run can become an hour, so leave slack if you have a train or a tour booked.
If you land after midnight, buses have stopped and the taxi rank is quieter. A pre-booked transfer with a fixed price is the least stressful option, especially with children or after a long flight.
Buy a local eSIM or activate roaming before you leave the terminal so your ride-hailing app works on arrival.
- Keep your hotel's address and phone number offline.
- Agree the price or start the meter before the wheels move.
- Allow 2.5–3 hours before an international departure on the way back.
Questions people ask
How do I get from Hanoi airport to the city centre?
Take a metered taxi or a ride-hailing app for 35–60 minutes to the Old Quarter, roughly ₫350,000–500,000 (2026 estimate). The airport express bus is cheaper if you travel light and arrive in daylight. There is no train from the airport.
How much is a taxi from Hanoi airport?
Expect about ₫350,000–500,000 to the Old Quarter in 2026, including the airport road toll. Ride-hailing apps usually land in the same band and show the price before you accept. Ignore drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
Is there a train from Hanoi airport?
No. Nội Bài has no rail link. Hanoi's main station, Ga Hà Nội, is in the city centre and is where onward trains to Huế, Đà Nẵng and Ho Chi Minh City depart. Allow an hour between arriving at the station and your train.
What is the cheapest way from Hanoi airport to the city?
Public city buses cost the least, around ₫8,000–15,000, but are slow and awkward with luggage. The airport express bus at ₫50,000–150,000 is the better cheap option for most visitors.
Can I get from Nội Bài to the Old Quarter at night?
Yes, but buses stop running. Use the official taxi rank or a pre-booked private transfer with a fixed price. Ride-hailing apps still work if you have data; the pickup point is signposted outside arrivals.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialVietnam National Authority of Tourism
- officialNội Bài International Airport (HAN)
- officialVietnam Railways (Đường sắt Việt Nam)
- secondaryWikivoyage – Hanoi