How to Get from Noi Bai Airport to Hanoi Old Quarter

Noi Bai International Airport sits north of Hanoi, on the far side of the Red River, so getting to the Old Quarter is a proper road journey rather than a quick hop. Traffic matters more than distance: the same trip can feel very different at rush hour and late at night. The good news is that you have several reliable options, and the right one depends on when you land and how much you are carrying.

Which terminal are you arriving at?

International flights use Terminal 2 (T2) and domestic flights use Terminal 1 (T1). A free electric shuttle runs between the two terminals if you need to change. Most of the options below pick up at both, but the exact spot differs, so note your terminal before you leave the plane.

Airport bus 86: simple and low-cost

Bus 86 is the dedicated airport express service run by Hanoi’s public transport operator. It links the airport with Hanoi Railway Station, passing the Long Biên area, the Old Quarter and the Opera House on the way, so it suits most hotels in the centre.

• Tickets are booked online as a QR e-ticket. If you plan to pay any other way, check the operator’s website first.
• Timetable: official pages currently list different first and last departure times, so look at the operator’s own timetable for the day you arrive rather than relying on a number from a blog.
• Good for: a backpack or a single suitcase, and a daytime arrival when you are not in a rush.

For the return trip, the operator lists pickup points in the Old Quarter; its website shows the current stops.

City buses: only one reaches the centre

Several ordinary city buses serve the airport, but only route 17 ends near the Old Quarter, at Long Biên on its northern side. Routes 07, 90 and 109 go to other parts of the city. City buses are the cheapest choice but slower, with more stops. Route 17 leaves from the Terminal 1 bus area, which is less convenient if you land at T2.

Airport taxis

Taxis waiting at the airport must belong to one of the companies authorised to pick up there (listed in the table above). Under the airport’s rules, their meters are calibrated and sealed, a complaints hotline is displayed in the car, and other taxi companies may only drop passengers off.

• Go to the official taxi area outside arrivals rather than accepting offers from drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
• Make sure the meter is running when you set off, and ask at the start whether tolls are included.
• Taxis are the easiest choice for late-night arrivals, groups and heavy luggage.

Ride-hailing apps

Apps such as Grab show the fare before you confirm, which removes any negotiation. A few things to know at Noi Bai:

• The airport changed its pick-up layout on 3 August 2026. Follow the app and the signs to the designated ride-hailing area for your terminal (see the table above).
• Fares shown do not include road tolls or the airport’s entry fee, which are added to the trip.
• Drivers may only stop for a few minutes, so be at the pickup point with your bags before you request the car.
• You need mobile data to book and to message your driver. Sorting out an eSIM before you fly saves time on arrival.

Pre-booked transfers

Having a driver waiting with your name is the least stressful start, especially after a long-haul flight, with children, or if you land in the middle of the night. Many hotels can arrange one; confirm the meeting point and the price in writing before you travel.

Before you leave the airport

• Both terminals have money exchange counters and ATMs on floor 1, so you can get some cash for the first evening.
• Save your hotel’s address in Vietnamese, with accents, as a screenshot. Drivers find it faster than an English hotel name.
• Keep small notes handy; drivers may not have change for large ones.