Getting to Hanoi and Around by Bus, Metro and Train

Hanoi is the main aviation and rail hub for northern Vietnam. Once you reach the historic centre around Hoan Kiem Lake, most sights sit within walking distance or a short ride-hail hop, while expressways and railway lines make day trips out to the coast and inland karst valleys straightforward.

From Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) to the centre

Noi Bai Airport sits roughly 28 kilometres north of Hoan Kiem Lake and has two passenger terminals linked by a free shuttle bus (Terminal 1 for domestic flights such as Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, and Terminal 2 for international arrivals):

• Express Bus 86 (easiest budget option): a bright orange air-conditioned bus designed for travellers with extra floor space for suitcases and English next-stop displays. It picks up outside both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 and runs via Long Bien transit hub along the eastern side of Hoan Kiem Lake (near the Opera House and Post Office) before terminating at central Hanoi Railway Station in about 45 to 55 minutes; pay the conductor on board in cash.
• Grab, Xanh SM and airport taxis: book a car through the Grab or Xanh SM app once you exit customs, or join the official metered taxi rank (such as Mai Linh or G7) for a direct 40- to 50-minute ride across the Nhat Tan Bridge directly to your Old Quarter hotel.

Arriving and departing by train: Hanoi Railway Station

Unlike airports built far outside town, Ga Ha Noi (Hanoi Railway Station) stands right on the western boundary of the central districts at 120 Le Duan Street, fifteen minutes on foot or five minutes by taxi from Hoan Kiem Lake. North-south Reunification Express trains depart from the main Le Duan facade for Ninh Binh (around two hours), overnight journeys to Dong Hoi (for Phong Nha caves), Hue and Da Nang, and the full route south to Ho Chi Minh City. Trains heading east to Hai Phong (a popular food day trip) also use central stations, though on weekdays several services start or terminate at historical Long Bien Station just beside the iconic 1902 French cantilevered bridge; check the official Vietnam Railways website when booking.

Getting around Hanoi and booking day trips

Within central Hanoi, walk for short distances and use Grab or Xanh SM (offering both cars and pillion motorbike rides with a helmet provided) for trips out to Ba Dinh Square, West Lake or the Museum of Ethnology. Hanoi's elevated metro lines (Line 2A from Cat Linh and Line 3 from Nhon) serve western suburbs and connect into the centre. For Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay, luxury shared limousine vans use the modern Hanoi-Hai Phong expressway to reach the cruise piers in around two and a half hours.