HAN — Hanoi (Noi Bai) — Taxi Fare Guide
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) has a reputation for aggressive taxi touts, so stick to the official taxi stands outside the arrival halls, marked with clear signs and staffed by drivers in company uniforms. The trusted licensed operators are Noi Bai Taxi, Mai Linh Taxi (green cabs) and Viet Thanh Taxi. A metered or fixed-price ride to the Old Quarter typically costs VND 350,000–500,000 (about USD 14–21) for a 4-seat car (slightly more, VND 400,000–500,000, for a 7-seat), covering the 27–30 km in 35–60 minutes depending on traffic. Expect a small airport road toll to be added.
Do not accept rides from people who approach you inside or just outside arrivals — many work for unlicensed firms using tampered meters that can charge 5–10 times the real fare. Always agree the fare or confirm the meter before departure, and if a driver tries to raise the price on arrival, refuse. Keep your hotel address written down and, ideally, prebook a fixed-price airport transfer so the rate is locked in.
Grab is the safest and most transparent option: it is the leading ride-hailing app in Vietnam, shows the fare up front, and lets you track the trip. A GrabCar to the Old Quarter is usually VND 250,000–400,000, often cheaper than a walk-up taxi. At Noi Bai, Grab and Be use a designated pickup zone (check the app for the current pillar/lane number), so match the plate and driver before getting in. Airport shuttle minibuses run by the airlines are another cheap, reliable choice.
| Destination | Approx. fare | Time |
| Old Quarter — official taxi (4-seat) | VND 350,000–500,000 | 35–60 min |
| Old Quarter — Grab / Be | VND 250,000–400,000 | 35–60 min |
| Old Quarter — airline shuttle minibus | VND 40,000–50,000 (per person) | 60–75 min |
| Old Quarter — public bus 86 | VND 45,000 | 50–70 min |
Practical tips: Use an official taxi stand or Grab, never a tout; confirm the price before you get in; carry small VND notes and a little cash for the airport toll; and screenshot your hotel address in Vietnamese to show the driver.
Other ways to the city
Noi Bai has cheap public bus and minibus options that are reliable if you do not mind extra time.
- Bus 86 (airport express bus) is the most popular budget route: it runs from Noi Bai straight to the Old Quarter and Hanoi Railway Station, costs about VND 45,000 (USD 2), and takes 50–70 minutes with several city stops. Buses run roughly every 20–30 minutes during the day.
- Airline shuttle minibuses (run by Vietnam Airlines / Vietjet) cost around VND 40,000–50,000 per person and drop passengers near the airline offices in the centre; convenient but they wait to fill up.
- Cheaper public buses 07 and 17 cost only VND 8,000–9,000 but are slow, crowded and stop far from most hotels — not ideal with luggage.
- There is no metro or train line directly from the airport; for the Old Quarter, bus 86 is the best value public option.
Fares are researched from official and public sources and are approximate — always confirm the meter or fixed fare before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
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