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.
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].
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) | -- |
From ~$9 · 1h
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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.
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.
The 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.
Took the sleeper train to Chumphon — magical! Woke up to palm trees and transferred to the Lomprayah catamaran. Whole journey felt like an adventure.
Lomprayah bus+ferry combo from Khao San Road was seamless. Departed at 6am, arrived Koh Tao by 3pm. Well organized.
Flew to Koh Samui and took Lomprayah catamaran. More expensive but saved a full day. Worth it if your holiday is short.
From ~$45 · 45 minutes
From ~$50 · 1 hour
Most travelers base themselves near the main beach for easy access to transport, restaurants, and activities.
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