Noi Bai International Airport - Flight Information and Guide (HAN)

How to get to Noi Bai International Airport

Hanoi's Old Quarter is about 27-30 km from the airport, with a journey of 30-60 minutes depending on traffic.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach downtown Hanoi in 30-60 minutes depending on traffic and time of day.

By Train

The railway does not reach this airport.

By Bus

Several shuttle services and public buses connect the airport to downtown at reasonable fares.

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Tips Beware of tampered meters: prefer reliable companies or ride-hailing apps, and always agree on the fare in advance if you choose an unbooked taxi.

Average travel time to HAN

TrainNot available

Shuttle bus45,000 VND (bus 86)

Taxi / Private hire30-60 minutes (300,000-500,000 VND)

Parking near Noi Bai International Airport

Multi-level parking is available adjacent to the terminals.

How to get to Hanoi from HAN

By Train

The airport remains outside the rail network.

By Bus

Express bus 86 connects the airport to the city center every 45 minutes or so (6:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m.) for approximately 45,000 VND; several airlines also operate private shuttles for around 40,000 VND per person.

By Taxi

A metered taxi to the Old Quarter costs approximately 300,000-450,000 VND, or a flat rate of about 500,000 VND at official taxi stands; a ride-hailing app typically costs less, around 250,000-350,000 VND.

Airport transfers you can book in advance

Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.

Car rental at Noi Bai International Airport

The leading car rental companies operate from the arrivals area.

Driving in Vietnam requires familiarity with intense traffic and rules that are not always respected: many visitors prefer a driver with a rental car.

Hotels near Noi Bai International Airport

Noi Bai is about 30 km from downtown Hanoi, and traffic on the Nhat Tan bridge makes the transfer long almost always: from 45 minutes to a good hour, with no truly quiet time bands. For those arriving late at night or with a dawn flight, the hotels around the airport avoid the trip entirely. Those who want the historic centre and the rooftops of the French Quarter aim for Hoan Kiem, while those seeking a more relaxed, lakeside atmosphere move to Tay Ho (West Lake). A third, more modern area is the Nam Tu Liem district to the west of the city, which grew up around the national convention centre and the skyscrapers, handy for those working in the area but far from the centre's landmarks.

Airport area

Soc Son, next to Noi Bai

The Success Airport Hotel is about 8 minutes by car from the terminal; the Noi Bai Ville Airport Hotel is about 700 metres from arrivals, also reachable on foot.

Best for: Overnight flights, short layovers and dawn departures, when it pays to avoid the almost hour-long transfer to downtown altogether.

Pros

No risk from traffic on the Nhat Tan bridge, the main bottleneck toward Hanoi
Lower prices than the international hotels downtown or in Tay Ho

Cons

The Soc Son area has no tourist attractions, isolated from the rest of the city
Some guests mention noise from the main road and cleanliness not always up to par at the cheaper properties

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

City centre

Hoan Kiem and the French Quarter

About 28-30 km from the airport, 45 minutes to 1 hour by car depending on traffic on the Nhat Tan bridge; there are no direct trains, only taxi, private car or scheduled bus.

Best for: Those who want Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter and the colonial architecture of the French Quarter within walking distance.

Pros

Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter and the Opera House within walking distance of the area's hotels
The city's greatest concentration of restaurants, galleries and nightlife

Cons

The longest airport transfer in this guide, over an hour at rush hour
The Old Quarter's streets are narrow and busy, with little room for pedestrians

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

Neighbourhood

Tay Ho, West Lake

About 25 km from the airport, a little under 40-45 minutes by car; the historic centre is about 10 minutes by taxi from the lake area.

Best for: Those seeking a more relaxed atmosphere on the city's largest lake, with international cafés and restaurants, a few minutes from the Old Quarter.

Pros

Walks around the lake and outdoor cafés, a calmer atmosphere than the historic centre
The Old Quarter still just a few minutes away by taxi

Cons

Fewer shops and landmarks within walking distance than Hoan Kiem
Some hotels in the area are older and could use renovation according to reviews

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

Neighbourhood

Nam Tu Liem and My Dinh, the new business district

About 25-27 km from the airport, 30-40 minutes by car; Hoan Kiem Lake is about 15 minutes by taxi from here, closer than from the airport itself.

Best for: Those working or attending events at the National Convention Centre or My Dinh stadium, in a more modern area but far from the centre's landmarks.

Pros

Close to the National Convention Centre and My Dinh stadium, handy for trade fairs and events
Wider, more modern roads than the chaotic traffic of the historic centre

Cons

No landmark or historic district within walking distance: a taxi is always needed for downtown
An area still under development, with less street life than Hoan Kiem or Tay Ho

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

The airport is Vietnam Airlines' hub in northern Vietnam, with connections to Asia, Europe, and North America plus domestic routes.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area features Vietnamese coffee, tea, lacquered and silk handicrafts, as well as major international brands.

Lounges & relaxation

In Hanoi, lounges are split between the domestic and international terminals, with a particularly wide offering on both sides. Besides the airline lounges, such as Vietnam Airlines's own, several bank lounges coexist, reserved only for holders of Priority or Diamond cards from institutions such as Vietcombank or SHB, along with the SH family, which at several points in both terminals accepts Priority Pass, DragonPass or direct payment. The choice depends mainly on the card or programme you belong to.

lounges: 13
with Priority Pass: 3
paid entry: from 18 USD
open 24 hours: 1

Which lounge to choose: full comparison

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Free WiFi is available throughout the terminal area; local SIM and eSIM cards can be easily purchased at operator counters upon arrival.

Families & Children

Play areas and family assistance services are available for families with children.

Terminal guide

The 2 terminals (T1 domestic, T2 international) are hubs of Vietnam Airlines and handle connections to Asia, Europe, and North America.

To avoid unexpected issues, it's better to arrive 3 hours early for international flights.

Map of Noi Bai International Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. How much does a taxi from Noi Bai Airport to downtown Hanoi cost?

Roughly 300,000-500,000 VND on the meter (estimates vary quite a bit depending on source/company/traffic), or a flat fare of about 450,000-500,000 VND to the Old Quarter at the official counters; ride-hailing apps are generally cheaper.

Q. Do you need a visa for Vietnam?

Vietnam offers an e-Visa for up to 90 days, applied for online; some nationalities also benefit from an exemption for short stays. Check the specific rules for your country.

Q. Does Terminal 2 at Noi Bai have special architectural significance?

Yes, opened in 2015, it was designed drawing inspiration from the geometry of bamboo and traditional Vietnamese fans, an architectural tribute to the country's cultural identity chosen for the capital's main international airport.

Q. Are there scams to avoid at Hanoi Airport?

The main risk is a rigged meter in unofficial taxis: prefer reliable companies (Mai Linh, Vinasun) or ride-hailing apps, and always agree on the fare in advance if you don't use the meter.