Hanoi Airport, also called Noi Bai International Airport, is the second busiest airport in Vietnam. It is divided into two terminals that cater to over 40 airlines, the biggest of which are Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air. For an overview of all flights leaving from Hanoi Airport see this Hanoi flight map.
How to travel from Hanoi Airport (Noi Bai) to Hanoi City centre (Old Quarter)
4 ways to get from Hanoi Airport to Old Quarter
We recommend taking Express Bus 86 when travelling to/from Hanoi Airport to the Old Quarter. These express buses have the most convenient bus stops near the Old Quarter. They are also the fastest buses with a travel time of only around 45 minutes. You can get a ticket for [price 45,000 VND].
Another good option to travel from Hanoi Airport to the city centre is with the shuttle buses offered by various airlines. Their departure times are aligned with flight schedules so you can be sure to find a shuttle bus at the airport if you fly with Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines, and Jetstar. A ticket costs [price 40,000 VND].
The cheapest way to get to/from Hanoi Airport is the public buses with fares from [price 10,000 VND]. They are a great way to travel like a local but note that they are often fully packed with locals. Also, these buses make a lot of stops, but none close to the Old Quarter. Travel time may take up to 1.5 hours.
If you don't want the hassle of finding your way to/from bus stations or navigating the busy Hanoi streets to find your hotel, you can simply take a taxi. You can flag a taxi at the airport, hail one via Grab, or book a private transfer online with BookAway. Taxi rates start from [price 230,000 VND].
Where to stay in Hanoi?
Still looking for accommodation? Don’t forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Hanoi at the bottom of this page.
TIP: After you spend a few days in Hanoi, it's time to explore Vietnam's beautful nature. Visit our page from Hanoi to Sapa to find the ultimate tip on how you can save a lot of time travelling to this northern hill tribe village.
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| Transport | Duration | Price | Best For | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private TransportFastest | 45m | ($11) | -- | |
| Express Bus | 45m | ($45) | -- | |
| Public BusBudget | 1h | ($9) | -- | |
| Airport Shuttle | 1h | ($50) | -- |
Route Overview
HanoiHanoi30 km
Via "airport"Via "any hotel"
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Public Bus
1hFrom ~$9
There are a couple of public buses operating between Hanoi Airport and the city centre. Travel time with these buses is around . But because their bus stops in Hanoi are located a bit far from the Old Quarter, you’ll probably need an additional 30 minutes to find your way to your hotel.
Public buses from and to Hanoi Airport depart every 20 minutes from 05:00-20:00.
You will find the public bus stop on the right side of the airport terminal exit. You can take either Bus 7, which parks at Kim Ma Bus Station or Bus 17, which stops at Long Bien Bus Terminal.
Ready to book your public bus?
From ~$9 · 1h
Private Transport
45mFrom ~$11
Regular taxis are easily available outside the arrivals hall of Hanoi Airport. Make sure to get a metered taxi though, and don’t be swayed if the driver says you’ll pay less for a fixed price!
It’s best to just go to the taxi queue and take the first taxi in line. Disregard everyone else offering a ride. For reference, among the most trusted taxi operators in Hanoi are Mai Linh Group, G7, and Taxi Group.
Expect to pay fares from [price 300,000 VND] for a taxi from Hanoi to Hanoi.
Travelling from the centre to the airport is cheaper as you don’t have to pay extra for airport surcharges. Fares start from [price 200,000 VND].
Booking with Grab
Even better, book your ride with Grab for the best rates. Fares start from $11 from Hanoi Airport to the Old Quarter of Hanoi. When I arrived with my flight around 1:00 in the morning, I managed to take an Uber to the Old Quarter (Jan 2017). As of May 2018 though, after an agreement with Uber, you can only use Grab in Vietnam. To book a Grab taxi, you will need an internet connection. One option is to use the free airport wi-fi to order your Grab, but this connection does not always reach as far as the pick-up point of the taxi. A better option is to buy a local SIM card at the airport. The savings of taking a Grab taxi already make up for the costs of the SIM card and you can use it for your entire stay! Be aware that local taxi drivers are not big fans of these services. For this reason, ignore or don’t tell other taxi drivers at the airport that you ordered a Grab ride. But if you’re coming from the city centre, there should be no issue if you book a Grab to the airport.Pre-book a Private Transfer with BookAway
You can also book your ride in advance through BookAway. BookAway offers comfortable cars with professional drivers, who will be waiting for you at the airport as soon as you arrive. Rates start from $11 for a -seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about per person.KEY LOCATIONS
Departure & Arrival Stations
Via "airport"
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Hanoi?
Hanoi is Vietnam’s bustling capital, where heritage and modernity collide. At its heart is the iconic Old Quarter bustling with cosy hotels, old residential buildings and neighbourhood cafes. Composed of 36 streets, just walking around this area will reward you with many amazing discoveries.
Must-visit sites include the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the 19th-century gothic St. Joseph’s Cathedral. We recommend munching on as much street food as you can, strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake, and our favourite: watching the world go by from one of the many coffee shops in Hanoi.
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Carbon Footprint
This 30 km journey produces approximately 3 g CO2 by bus. Taking public transport is one of the lowest-emission ways to travel this route.
Traveller Reviews
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Used the Songserm ferry from Koh Samui. Cheaper than Lomprayah but takes a bit longer. Still a perfectly fine crossing. The views approaching Koh Tao are stunning either way.
OOliver S.November 2025Ferry
Train via Surat Thani was our pick. More scenic than Chumphon route and the Lomprayah catamaran from Tapee Pier is very comfortable. Book the special express train for the quickest ride.
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Jenny L.Jan 2026
TrainThe overnight bus with Montanatip was okay but not great. The bus was older and the seats didn't recline much. Ferry portion was fine though. If you're on a tight budget it works.
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Carlos V.Oct 2025
BusTook the sleeper train to Chumphon — magical! Woke up to palm trees and transferred to the Lomprayah catamaran. Whole journey felt like an adventure.
M
Maya R.Dec 2025
TrainLomprayah bus+ferry combo from Khao San Road was seamless. Departed at 6am, arrived Koh Tao by 3pm. Well organized.
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David H.Feb 2026
BusFlew to Koh Samui and took Lomprayah catamaran. More expensive but saved a full day. Worth it if your holiday is short.
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Sophie K.Jan 2026
Flight
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