Hanoi is usually the first stop on many itineraries (at least the most advisable) and as soon as you arrive in the city of chaos, making the journey from the airport to the center of Hanoi can be a headache. However, it is much simpler than it may seem. In addition, there are several options and quite cheap.
Noi Bai Airport is about 30 kilometers from downtown Hanoi. Hanoi airport taxi drivers often rip off tourists. Therefore, in this article I tell you the best options to go from Hanoi airport to the center.
HOW TO GO FROM HANOI AIRPORT TO THE CENTER
Book the transfer by car in advance, the smartest and most comfortable option
Vietnam is a safe city, however, you always have to be smart and avoid depending on what situations. Not because anything serious can happen to you, but because they can take advantage of the innocence of a new tourist. And although I have practically not found myself in this situation in any of my trips to the country, from time to time a clever one appears.
Airport taxi drivers are the first to try to inflate their fee. Therefore, whenever you can, try to avoid airport taxis, whether in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang...
Therefore, the safest and most comfortable way to go from Hanoi airport to the center is with a private transport, reserved in advance.
We always opt for this option to make the journeys between airports and centers in Vietnam. In Hanoi, the price of a 4-person minivan came to around 22 euros. (at 5.50 euros per person). They were waiting for us at the airport, in arrivals. And they took us directly to the door of the hotel.
You can see all the information about the transfer service from the airport to the center of Hanoi and vice versa in this link, you can book it directly and you have several free cancellation options, practically until the time of your arrival.
Another option is to contact your accommodation directly and request the same service. The price is usually the same, the only drawback is that if you are one of the suspicious ones, normally the accommodations do not usually send you any reservation receipt. But don't worry, they always deliver!
Obviously, this private transport service option has an additional cost, due to its comfort and exclusivity. And therefore, it is the most expensive option.
By taxi, as long as you agree on a price in advance
Taking a taxi as soon as you land is not a bad option either, huh! However, you must have a bit of ease when it comes to haggling and sometimes as soon as you arrive in Vietnam (or any other country) it is difficult to take this step. Especially if you come across locals who don't speak English. (Fairly common in Vietnam).
I have used the taxi option on occasion and what you have to do is, as soon as you leave the exits and have picked up your suitcase, go to the taxi rank outside (don't pay attention to several that call your attention along the way , because they are locals who use their private car to do this transport service) go to the taxi rank. Once there, ask the taxi driver to give you the cost (without carrying luggage in the car) and haggle. They know the costs of private cars, which are around 20-22 euros. But forget about paying that. Haggle as much as possible, say that you have been offered a transport offer for about 300,000 VND (about 11 euros) a few steps back. Play with the fact that you have a better option. The most you should pay for a taxi service for 4 people (in a normal car) is 350,000 VND (about 12.70 euros).
Never agree to take a taxi from the airport to the center, with the excuse that they put the meter on you. Normally, they are rigged and also, once in the city they make the excuse of not knowing where your hotel is, to go around more.
There are taxis to move around the city, which do not deceive you on the journeys. Especially if they are to make journeys within the center, I will tell you everything about how to get around Vietnam; Practical tips.
Tip: You should always have your hotel address written in Vietnamese by hand. Either in a photo in the Mobile or that you have it written down on some paper, in the printed reservation... Most taxi drivers or drivers do not know English, or only four words. With which no one knows the streets of the city in English.
Minibuses, an economical alternative to go from Hanoi airport to the center
A fairly cheap option are the minibuses that have several airlines. They all cost 40,000 VND (about 1.50 euros). They all depart from terminal 1 (domestic flights). It is not necessary to have flown with the same airline that manages the transport, anyone can use it. Normally every half hour there are transfers available.
Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar have the most central stops. Vietjet stops a little further south, away from the main tourist attractions. But it can help you if you stay nearby.
Bus 86, an option not so comfortable but very practical and economical
This is the cheapest option. It is not as comfortable, but it is very practical, especially if you stay near a stop.
Express bus 86 is intended for tourists who want to go from Hanoi airport to downtown. It makes several stops along the way. The most central are the Hanoi Opera House.
It has space for luggage and stop signs in English. The trip takes about an hour depending on traffic. It runs every day from 6:25 a.m. to 11:05 p.m. every half hour.
They leave from the international terminal, in column 2. The buses are painted orange. The ticket costs 35,000 VND (about 1.30 euros). You can only pay in local currency or by credit card to the driver.
The only bad thing is that if your hotel is far from the station where you got off, you will have to walk with your suitcases or backpack on top. However, there are several stops in the center, do not worry.
Public buses, the cheapest way to go from Hanoi airport to the center
Going by public bus from the airport to the center of Hanoi is the cheapest option without a doubt. It costs between 7,000 VND and 10,000 VND. These buses do not have space for luggage, so if you travel with only a backpack, it will not be a problem. But if you travel with a lot of luggage, a baby stroller... it's practically impossible and it's not worth it.
They work normally from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Lines NB01, NB02 and NB03 stop in front of the two airport terminals. On the other hand, to take lines 7 and 17 you have to leave the terminal, turn right and walk about 100 meters.
The journey to the center of Hanoi can take about 90 minutes.
If you decide on this option, better go to the information desk to request information and do not get the wrong bus.
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I hope you enjoy your trip to Hanoi/Vietnam very much and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
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A hug and see you soon!
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