Tips · Vietnam
Hanoi Noi Bai Airport (HAN) to the Old Quarter: Car, Taxi or Bus 86
Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport (HAN) to the Old Quarter by ride-hailing app, metered taxi or airport bus 86: times, fares, area tips and an arrival checklist.
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Three ways from Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) into the city
There are three ways from Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) into the city: a car booked in a ride-hailing app, a metered taxi and the airport bus (route 86 and others). A ride-hailing app car or a metered taxi takes about 40-60 minutes to the Old Quarter; the airport bus takes about 60-80 minutes.
Fares are about 250,000-400,000 VND for a ride-hailing app car, about 300,000-450,000 VND for a metered taxi and about 30,000-50,000 VND for the airport bus. These are approximate ranges. When you buy your ticket, first check that the arrival airport on it is Noi Bai International Airport (HAN).
Ride-hailing app car: the fare is fixed upfront
Book a car in a ride-hailing app at the airport and the fare is fixed in advance, so there is no haggling. Follow the airport signs to the pick-up area. It takes about 40-60 minutes to the Old Quarter and costs about 250,000-400,000 VND.
Ride-hailing apps are also the default way to get around Hanoi. The app sets the fare, so there is no haggling with street drivers; book a motorbike for short Old Quarter hops, or a car if you have family or luggage with you.
Metered taxi: use the official rank
If you take a taxi, get a well-known company's taxi from the official taxi rank at the airport and make sure the meter is on. Ignore touts.
It takes about 40-60 minutes to the Old Quarter and costs about 300,000-450,000 VND, the same time range as a ride-hailing app car.
Airport bus (route 86 and others): the lowest fare
The airport bus is a cheap bus linking the airport with the Old Quarter and Hanoi Station. Route 86 and others run, the ride takes about 60-80 minutes, and the fare of about 30,000-50,000 VND is the lowest range of the three options.
Routes and timetables can change. When you land, check the stop locations, first and last bus times, routes and timetable at the airport first.
What to know by hotel area
All airport-to-city times here are to the Old Quarter. The airport bus goes to the Old Quarter and Hanoi Station. If you stay elsewhere, use the area's position relative to the Old Quarter as your guide.
- Old Quarter (north of Hoan Kiem): good for a first visit, food and evening walks. Lanes are packed with eateries, cafes and guesthouses, but it can stay noisy late at night
- French Quarter (south of Hoan Kiem): good for quieter hotels and strolling. It is within walking distance of the Old Quarter but calmer, and the Gothic-style St. Joseph's Cathedral stands next to the Old Quarter
- West Lake (Tay Ho): good for relaxed stays, cafes and longer visits. You'll need a ride to the main sights
- Ba Dinh: good for historic sights. It is close to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature, and quieter at night than the Old Quarter
- My Dinh (western new town): good for Korean food and business trips. It can take 30+ minutes by car to the Old Quarter
Arrival-day checklist
Once you have dropped your bags, the Old Quarter and the area around Hoan Kiem Lake are best on foot. Parked motorbikes often block the pavement, though, so you'll walk in the road at times. Stay alert.
Many streets have no lights. Walk slowly at a steady pace even as motorbikes keep coming, and they will flow around you. Running, stopping suddenly or stepping back is more dangerous.
- Check that the arrival airport on your ticket is Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)
- If you plan to take the airport bus, check the routes and timetable at the airport
- Have cash ready for markets, stalls and local eateries
- Green electric taxis can be booked in an app or hailed on the street, with transparent fares
- For a cyclo, agree on the price and duration before you ride, ideally booking through your hotel
- Entry and visa rules can change, so check official sources before you travel
At a glance
All times and fares below are approximate.
- Ride-hailing app car: about 40-60 min to the Old Quarter, about 250,000-400,000 VND, fare fixed in the app with no haggling, follow airport signs to the pick-up area
- Metered taxi: about 40-60 min to the Old Quarter, about 300,000-450,000 VND, a well-known company's taxi from the official rank, check the meter is on
- Airport bus (route 86 and others): about 60-80 min to the Old Quarter and Hanoi Station, about 30,000-50,000 VND, routes and timetables can change, so check at the airport
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FAQ
How long does it take from Noi Bai Airport to the Old Quarter?
About 40-60 minutes by ride-hailing app car or metered taxi, and about 60-80 minutes by airport bus (route 86 and others).
What is the cheapest option?
The airport bus (route 86 and others), at about 30,000-50,000 VND. It links the airport with the Old Quarter and Hanoi Station; routes and timetables can change, so check at the airport.
What should I watch for when taking a taxi at the airport?
Take a well-known company's taxi from the official rank and make sure the meter is on. Ignore touts. It costs about 300,000-450,000 VND to the Old Quarter.
Where should I check entry and visa rules?
Entry and visa rules can change, so check official sources before you travel.
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ⓘ Photo credits
- Airport rail platform (Hong Kong Airport Station) · MNXANL / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sung Sot Cave · Adam Jones (adamjones.freeservers.com) / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) · Suicasmo / CC BY-SA 4.0