Quick answer
Grab: motorbike ~15–40k VND, car ~40–120k for 3–8 km. Taxis: Mai Linh, G7; insist on meter. Buses incl. Airport Bus 86 (45k). Metro (8–15k). Pay in-app with intl. card or cash. Private car for groups/late. Step‑free walks: Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem, West Lake. Water and raincoat.
Why this guide
About this guide
Hanoi offers several practical ways to get around, from app-based ride-hailing to a growing metro network. Grab has operated in Vietnam since 2014 and remains the most straightforward option for international visitors, accepting foreign Visa and Mastercard credit cards with upfront fares displayed before confirmation. A GrabCar from Noi Bai International Airport to Hoan Kiem district — roughly 25 km — runs approximately 300,000–375,000 VND ($12–$15 USD), with a surcharge of 15,000–25,000 VND for airport pickups shown clearly in the app. Xanh SM, Vingroup's all-electric VinFast taxi fleet launched in 2023, captured 44.68% of Vietnam's ride-hailing market by Q2 2025, surpassing Grab in overall share, but its payment system does not yet support foreign-issued credit cards, making Grab the more workable choice for most overseas travellers.
Hanoi's public bus network spans 158 total lines and 4,509 stops city-wide, operated primarily by state-owned Transerco alongside private companies. Standard single-journey fares start at 7,000 VND (around $0.28 USD), and from September 2025 a unified distance-based formula — 3,000 + 450 × km travelled (VND) — aligns bus and metro pricing. Twelve electric bus routes (E01–E12) run a combined 160 km of city roads using a VinBus fleet of 526 vehicles, generally operating from approximately 4:30 AM to 10:30 PM with selected weekend extensions to 11:30 PM. The BRT line covers 14.7 km from Kim Ma to Yen Nghia in a dedicated lane, while Bus 86 connects Noi Bai Airport to the city centre. The HanoiBus and BusMap apps, available in English, Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese, provide real-time tracking across all routes.
Hanoi's metro system now has two operational lines. Line 2A (Cát Linh – Hà Đông), a 13 km elevated railway, opened on 6 November 2021 as the country's first rapid transit line. Line 3 (Nhổn – Cầu Giấy) followed with its elevated section of eight stations covering roughly 8.5 km, inaugurated on 9 November 2024 with financial support from AFD, the European Investment Bank, and the Asian Development Bank; it runs from 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM with six-minute peak headways. Once its underground extension to Hanoi Railway Station opens — targeted for 2027 — Line 3 will reach 12.5 km across 12 stations serving an estimated 20% of the city's population across six districts. As of February 2026, Line 2A accepts contactless Visa cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and VietQR in an ongoing trial launched September 2025, with tickets also available at station counters or via the Hanoi Metro app using QR codes. Long-term plans project expansion to 15 lines and 617 km by 2045.
Key facts & good to know
How do I get from Noi Bai Airport to the Old Quarter?
Bus 86 costs VND 45,000 and takes about 60 minutes. Grab or Be costs VND 250,000–375,000 with a VND 15,000–25,000 airport toll and takes roughly 45 minutes. Pre-booked DMC transfers offer fixed pricing and a named driver.
Bus 86 departs from outside both terminals and stops at several city-centre points, ending near Hoan Kiem Lake. Fares are collected on board in cash — have small VND notes ready. Journey time runs 45–90 minutes depending on traffic, and seats fill quickly on weekday mornings. The bus runs approximately every 30 minutes between around 5:05 AM and 11:00 PM.
For Grab or Be, open the app before you exit arrivals. At Terminal T2 (international), the designated ride-hailing pickup zone is on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park across from the arrivals hall — not at the kerb. At Terminal T1 (domestic), pickups are at the far end of the drop-off lane. The app displays the VND 15,000–25,000 airport toll as a separate line item before you confirm, so the total is visible upfront. Journey time to Hoan Kiem is roughly 45 minutes outside rush hour.
Pre-booked DMC or hotel transfers cost more but eliminate the pickup-zone hunt after a long flight, include a named driver holding a sign, and carry a fixed price regardless of tolls or traffic delays. Official airport taxis (yellow metered cabs licensed at the terminal) are a middle option: confirm the meter is running before departure and expect to pay a toll on top of the metered fare. Avoid any driver who approaches you inside the arrivals hall before you reach the official taxi desk or app pickup zone.
Noi Bai Airport to Old Quarter: Transport Options Compared
| Option | Approx. Cost (VND) | Typical Duration | Payment | Pickup Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus 86 | 45,000 | 60–90 min | Cash on board | Outside T1 and T2 arrivals |
| Grab / Be (GrabCar) | 250,000–375,000 + 15,000–25,000 toll | 45–60 min | App (card or cash) | T2: car park ground floor; T1: far end of drop-off lane |
| Official Airport Taxi (metered) | 300,000–400,000 + toll | 45–60 min | Cash or card (varies) | Licensed taxi desk outside arrivals |
| Pre-booked DMC Transfer | 400,000–600,000 (fixed) | 45–60 min | Pre-paid or invoice | Named driver in arrivals hall |
All durations assume normal traffic. Rush hours (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM) can add 20–40 minutes. Grab fare range reflects the fact sheet figure of VND 300,000–375,000 for the 25 km Noi Bai–Hoan Kiem route.
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Which taxi apps and metered cabs are reliable in Hanoi?
Grab is the most practical app for international visitors — it accepts foreign Visa and Mastercard, has an English interface, and shows upfront fares. Mai Linh and G7 are the most trusted metered fleets. Xanh SM has the largest market share but does not yet support foreign cards.
Grab has operated in Vietnam since 2014. Its GrabBike tier starts at roughly VND 8,000 base fare; GrabCar (4-seat sedan) starts at around VND 15,000 base fare. Both show a fixed total before you confirm, which removes fare negotiation entirely. To use Grab, you need a working data connection — an eSIM purchased before arrival or a local SIM bought at the airport covers this. Foreign Visa and Mastercard credit cards link without issue in the Grab app.
Xanh SM, Vingroup's all-electric VinFast fleet, reached 44.68% ride-hailing market share in Vietnam by Q2 2025, making it the largest single operator. However, its payment system does not yet accept foreign-issued cards, so international visitors must either pay cash or use Grab instead. For metered cabs flagged on the street, Mai Linh (green vehicles) and G7 are consistently recommended. Always confirm the meter is running before the car moves — tampered or conveniently 'broken' meters are the most common scam involving unlicensed or unbranded cabs.
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from approximately 6 PM to midnight, the Old Quarter Night Market pedestrian zone closes Hang Dao and surrounding streets to vehicles. Grab and Be drivers cannot drop off inside this perimeter during those hours; the app will route your driver to the nearest open street on the boundary. Plan for a short walk of 200–400 metres if you book a ride to that area on weekend evenings.
Hanoi Ride-Hailing and Taxi Options: Key Specs
| Service | Type | Base Fare (VND) | Foreign Card | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grab (GrabBike) | App — motorbike | ~8,000 | Yes (Visa/MC) | Upfront fare, English app |
| Grab (GrabCar) | App — 4-seat sedan | ~15,000 | Yes (Visa/MC) | Upfront fare, real-time tracking |
| Xanh SM | App — electric VinFast | Varies | No | 44.68% market share Q2 2025; cash or local card only |
| Be | App — car and bike | ~15,000 | Limited | Check card acceptance on setup |
| Mai Linh (metered) | Street-hail taxi | ~15,000–20,000 | Varies by vehicle | Green cars; confirm meter before moving |
| G7 (metered) | Street-hail taxi | ~15,000–20,000 | Varies by vehicle | Reliable metered fleet; same meter rule applies |
Base fare figures are typical starting charges and do not include per-km rates, tolls, or surcharges. Airport surcharges for Grab are VND 15,000–25,000, shown in-app before confirmation.
Before any metered cab moves, visually confirm the meter display is active and showing the starting rate. Unlicensed drivers operating around tourist areas sometimes use rigged meters or quote 'flat rates' that are several times the normal fare. If a driver approaches you inside an airport or hotel lobby without being called, decline and use an app or the official licensed taxi desk instead.
How do Hanoi's city buses and the metro system work for getting around?
Standard city buses cost VND 7,000–9,000 per ride, paid in cash on board. The Cat Linh–Ha Dong metro (Line 2A) and Nhon–Cau Giay metro (Line 3) charge VND 8,000–15,000 per trip. Neither line serves the Old Quarter directly, but both connect outer districts efficiently.
On standard Transerco buses, board at any marked stop, tell the conductor your destination, and pay in cash — have small notes ready as change is not always available. To signal your stop, press the button on the handrail or call out to the conductor a stop or two before you need to exit. From September 2025, a unified distance-based fare formula applies across buses and metro: VND 3,000 plus VND 450 per kilometre travelled. For short urban hops this keeps fares under VND 10,000; longer cross-city routes cost proportionally more. The HanoiBus and BusMap apps (available in English, Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese) show real-time bus locations, route maps, and stop-by-stop instructions — download one before you travel.
Bus 86 is the dedicated airport express linking Noi Bai to the city centre, running approximately every 30 minutes. Hanoi also operates 12 electric bus routes (E01–E12) using a VinBus fleet of 526 vehicles across 160 km of road, with service from around 4:30 AM to 10:30 PM on most days. The BRT corridor runs 14.7 km from Kim Ma to Yen Nghia in a dedicated lane, making it faster than standard buses on that corridor during peak hours.
Metro Line 2A (Cat Linh–Ha Dong) is a 13 km elevated railway opened in November 2021, running southwest from Cat Linh station. Metro Line 3 (Nhon–Cau Giay) opened its elevated section of 8 stations across roughly 8.5 km in August 2024; its underground extension to Hanoi Railway Station is targeted for 2027. Neither current metro line stops inside the Old Quarter or near Hoan Kiem Lake, which limits their direct utility for tourists based in that area. They are, however, useful for reaching the Ha Dong district, Cau Giay tech corridor, or transferring between southwest and northwest districts without navigating road traffic. Tickets are purchased at station counters or via the Hanoi Metro app using QR codes; a contactless payment trial accepting Visa, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and VietQR is ongoing on Line 2A as of early 2026. Line 3 operates from 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM with 6-minute peak headways.
How do pedestrians safely cross streets and navigate the Old Quarter on foot?
Walk at a slow, steady pace, make eye contact with approaching drivers, and never step backward. Motorbike traffic flows around predictable pedestrians; sudden stops or reversals are what cause collisions. Sidewalks are regularly occupied by parked motorbikes and food stalls, so expect to walk on the road shoulder.
The standard crossing method in Hanoi: step off the kerb, maintain a slow and constant pace, and use eye contact to signal your path to drivers. Motorbike riders anticipate pedestrian movement and steer around you — this only works if your trajectory is predictable. The critical mistake is stopping suddenly or stepping back, which removes the predictability drivers rely on. Crossings with traffic lights exist at major intersections; use them when available, but be aware that some vehicles treat amber as an acceleration signal rather than a warning.
The Old Quarter covers roughly one square kilometre. Within it, sidewalks routinely serve as motorbike parking areas and seating for street food vendors, particularly on Hang Gai, Hang Bac, and Ta Hien streets. On these blocks, walking single-file along the road shoulder is normal and expected. Drainage kerbs and uneven paving are common trip hazards — watch the ground as well as the traffic.
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from approximately 6 PM to midnight, streets from Hang Dao to Dong Xuan Market become pedestrian-only for the Old Quarter Night Market. On weekends, Hoan Kiem Lake itself is closed to vehicles, creating a vehicle-free promenade. These windows are the most straightforward times for walking without needing to share space with motorbikes on those specific routes. Outside those hours and zones, the road-shoulder approach applies throughout most of the Old Quarter.
Do not assume a clear sidewalk is available for most Old Quarter walking. Motorbikes park on footpaths routinely, and vendors occupy remaining space. Wear closed-toe shoes with grip, keep bags on your front or inner side when walking on the road shoulder, and maintain awareness of motorbikes coming from behind — they often use the shoulder to pass stationary traffic.
Should travellers rent motorbikes or hire cyclos for getting around Hanoi?
Renting a motorbike legally requires a 1968 International Driving Permit with a motorcycle endorsement from your home country. Cyclos are a slower, negotiated option at VND 150,000–200,000 per hour — agree on the exact fare and duration before you sit down.
To legally ride a scooter or motorbike in Vietnam, you need a valid International Driving Permit issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention and a motorcycle class endorsement on your home-country licence. Vietnam is not a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention, so IDPs issued under that convention are not valid here. Traffic police checkpoints specifically targeting foreign riders are frequent in central Hanoi and tourist areas; fines for riding without the correct permit are routine, and some riders also face confiscation of the vehicle. Rental shops rarely explain this legal requirement clearly, so the responsibility to verify falls on the renter.
For most short-stay visitors, Grab or a metered taxi is more practical than a self-driven motorbike given the legal requirements, traffic density, and the reality that Hanoi's Old Quarter roads are congested and the one-way street layout is non-obvious. If you do have the correct documentation and motorcycle experience, rental rates for a basic scooter typically run VND 100,000–180,000 per day from shops in the Old Quarter.
Cyclos — three-wheeled bicycle rickshaws — are available around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter perimeter. Standard rates run VND 150,000–200,000 per hour. Before sitting down, agree on the total fare, the specific route, and the duration in writing or on the driver's phone calculator — verbal agreements are frequently disputed at the end of the ride, with drivers claiming a higher amount was 'per person' or for a longer time than you intended. Cyclos are not suitable for covering distances quickly and are best treated as a short sightseeing loop rather than a transport method.
A standard International Driving Permit is not sufficient on its own — you must hold a 1968 Vienna Convention IDP and have a motorcycle endorsement on your home licence. Riding without these documents in Hanoi results in fines and potential vehicle confiscation at police checkpoints. Rental operators will rent to you regardless of your legal status; verifying compliance is entirely your responsibility.
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Frequently asked questions
People also ask
Verified sources
- ATL DMC booking log · 12,000+ trips since 2011
- Grab Official — Noi Bai Airport Transfers · https://www.grab.com/global/airport-rides/noi-bai-international-airport/
- Alstom Press Release — Hanoi Metro Line 3 Passenger Service · https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2024/8/hanoi-metro-line-3-start-passenger-service-alstoms-first-integrated-system-vietnam
- European Investment Bank — Hanoi Metro Line 3 Inauguration · https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2024-441-the-elevated-section-of-hanoi-metro-line-3-to-open-with-substantial-support-of-the-french-government-afd-eib-and-adb
- AFD (Agence Française de Développement) — Hanoi Metro Line 3 · https://www.afd.fr/en/actualites/communique-de-presse/elevated-section-hanoi-metro-line-3-open-substantial-support-french-government-afd-eib-and-adb
- Wikipedia — Hanoi Metro · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanoi_Metro
- Wikipedia — Buses in Hanoi · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buses_in_Hanoi
- Vietnam National Tourism Administration — Explore the Old Quarter · https://vietnam.travel/things-to-do/explore-old-quarter-your-way
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