How to get to Hanoi - the best way to travel

The easiest way to reach Hanoi from abroad is via Noi Bai Airport (HAN). From central and southern Vietnam, it is worth comparing flights with the overnight train, whilst for shorter journeys in the north of the country, buses and minibuses are the main options.

There is also a direct overnight train from Nanning in China, as well as long-distance buses from China and Laos. Hanoi has several bus terminals and many private stops operated by transport companies. Therefore, simply having the city’s name on your ticket will not be enough.

Where to stay on arrival? For a first visit, I’d choose the Old Quarter or the area around Hoan Kiem Lake. If you arrive by train at the main station, the WECOZY Hanoi – Railway Side apartments on Tong Duy Tan Street are also a practical option. I’ve stayed there myself: a large, modern apartment with a kitchenette and a good location between the station and the city centre. Do bear in mind, however, that it’s close to the railway line.

You can find specific areas and other hotels in the article ‘Where to stay in Hanoi’.

View accommodation prices in Hanoi

What’s the best way to get to Hanoi?

I’d base my decision mainly on distance and whether you want to treat the journey itself as an experience.

Where are you travelling from?	What I’d choose	Main reason
From abroad	Plane	Easiest connection
Ninh Binh	Train or minibus	A short journey
Ha Long, Cat Ba	Bus / organised tour	Convenient tourist connections
Sa Pa	Bus; train for the experience	The train terminates at Lao Cai
Ha Giang	Bus / organised tour	No passenger rail service
Hue, Da Nang	Plane or overnight train	Speed versus experience
Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc	Plane	Significant time savings
Nanning, China	Overnight train or coach	Direct land transport
Laos	Plane; bus if you want to save money	The bus journey takes about a day

You can easily compare train and bus prices on 12Go. Before paying, check the exact arrival address in Hanoi. A cheaper ticket may end up costing more due to a long journey from a remote terminal.

Flying to Hanoi from abroad

All international flights to Hanoi arrive at Noi Bai (HAN), about 30 km north of the city centre. Use this airport code when searching; there is no other major airport directly in Hanoi that you can use as an alternative.

Direct flights and connecting flights

From Europe, Vietnam Airlines operates non-stop flights from, for example, London Heathrow, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich and Milan.

VietJetAir operates a long-haul low-cost route to Prague. I have used this service myself and written a review of the Prague–Hanoi flight.

Connections from a number of other countries are available via:

Doha with Qatar Airways;
Dubai with Emirates;
Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways;
Istanbul with Turkish Airlines.

The choice is widest from Asia. Hanoi has direct connections to, for example, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul and Tokyo. Depending on the route, you can compare both traditional and low-cost airlines.

From Australia, Vietnam Airlines flies directly from Sydney and Melbourne.

Compare flight prices on skyscanner.com

Domestic flights to Hanoi

Flights are very practical for longer journeys within Vietnam. Particularly when travelling from the south of the country, you can save a whole day for a price similar to that of a better sleeper berth on a train.

The main operators are Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Vietravel Airlines and Sun PhuQuoc Airways.

Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air definitely have the most flights.

From where to Hanoi	The flight itself	Approximate budget
Da Nang	1.5 hours	approx. 800 000 vnd
Ho Chi Minh City	2–2.5 hours	around 1 000 000 vnd
Hue	1–1.5 hours	around 800 000 vnd
Phu Quoc	2–2.5 hours	around 1 300 000 vnd

Checked-in luggage is always subject to an additional charge.

You can find other direct domestic flights, for example, from Nha Trang / Cam Ranh (CXR) and Da Lat (DLI).

If you’re travelling from Hoi An, you’ll first need to make your way to Da Nang Airport. Hoi An itself does not have an airport.

When comparing with the train, be sure to factor in the journey to the airport and check-in. Even a short domestic flight can easily take 4–6 hours from hotel to hotel.

How to get from Noi Bai Airport to the city centre

International flights use Terminal T2, whilst domestic flights use Terminal T1. A free airport shuttle bus runs between the terminals. [^5]

To get to the Old Quarter or the area around Hoan Kiem Lake, you have two main practical options:

Transport	Price	Journey to the city centre
Bus 86 / 86CT	50 000 vnd	Approx. 60–90 minutes
GrabCar	300,000–400 000 vnd per car	Approx. 40–70 minutes

The bus continues via the eastern edge of the city centre to the main railway station. There is currently no metro service to the airport. When using Grab, check the pick-up point in the app; particularly at the international terminal, it differs from the regular taxi rank.

I describe the stops, tickets and other options separately in the article ‘Transport from Hanoi Airport to the city centre’.

Comparison of the Da Nang–Hanoi route

On this route, you’ll clearly see why it’s worth comparing all three options.

Transport	Journey time	Approximate price
Plane	1.5 hours	700,000–1 800 000 vnd
Train, four-berth compartment	15–18 hours	1,200,000–1 800 000 vnd
Sleeper coach	14–18 hours	450,000–1 000 000 vnd

A flight may work out cheaper than a more comfortable sleeper on the train.

I’d choose the train mainly for the experience itself, and the coach to save money. With a flight, however, you’ll need to factor in airport transfers and luggage.

By train to Hanoi from Vietnam

Hanoi lies on the main north-south railway line. Direct trains run here from Ninh Binh, Hue, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Another useful route leads to Lao Cai, from where you can continue by road to Sapa.

In my view, the train makes the most sense either for a shorter journey from Ninh Binh or as an overnight experience with a sleeper berth. If you mainly need to travel quickly from central or southern Vietnam, I’d always compare flight tickets as well.

I travelled in the opposite direction myself, from Hanoi to Da Nang. You can find out what the compartments are like, what it’s like to sleep on board and how to buy a ticket in my review of the Hanoi–Da Nang night train.

Journey times and train fares

From where to Hanoi	Journey time	Approximate price
Ninh Binh	2–3 hours	Seat 150,000–300 000 vnd
Lao Cai	7–8 hours	Berth 400,000–800 000 vnd
Hue	13–15 hours	Bed 1,000,000–1 600 000 vnd
Da Nang	15–18 hours	Bed 1,200,000–1 800 000 vnd
Ho Chi Minh City	33–39 hours	Bed 1,500,000–2 200 000 vnd

For bed prices, I’m assuming a standard four-berth compartment. Private tourist coaches and more expensive services may cost more.

Please note when travelling from Sa Pa: the station is in Lao Cai, not in Sa Pa itself. Allow for a transfer of about 35 km by road, which takes around an hour. A bus may be quicker and cheaper overall.

Which class to choose

Soft seat: a padded seat, suitable for shorter day trips.
Six-person compartment: three bunk beds, less space.
Four-person compartment: two bunk beds; I’d choose this option for an overnight journey.

The term ‘1st class’ on booking websites may not be entirely accurate. Pay particular attention to the number of berths in the compartment, the specific carriage and the position of the berth. Private tourist carriages attached to a regular train travel at the same speed as the rest of the train.

Where to buy train tickets

The official Vietnamese Railways website is dsvn.vn. The site also has an English version. You can use 12Go to compare classes and private carriages .

For standard domestic e-tickets, save the QR code to your phone so you have it available even when offline. When buying a ticket for a private tourist carriage, check whether you have received the ticket itself or a voucher to be exchanged.

Fill in your name and passport details carefully. I would arrive at the station 30–45 minutes before departure.

Book popular night services a few days in advance; book even earlier during public holidays and at peak times at weekends.

Prices vary depending on the service, destination and terms of the offer; the railways now also offer flexible pricing schemes.

Railway stations in Hanoi

For most domestic long-distance trains, you’ll need Ga Hà Nội. For international trains from China, use Ga Gia Lâm.

These are two different stations on opposite sides of the river.

Hanoi Central Station – Ga Hà Nội

The station is situated on the western edge of the city centre. From Hoan Kiem Lake, allow 20–30 minutes’ walk, depending on your exact location. With a suitcase in Hanoi’s traffic, I’d base my decision on the weather and the location of your hotel.

GrabCar to the city centre:approx. 35 000 vnd
Journey time by car: about 10–20 minutes
Location of the main railway station on the map.

Gia Lam – Gia Lam Station

Direct trains to Nanning arrive at and depart from here. The station is situated east of the Red River.

GrabCar to the city centre: estimated 60,000–110 000 vnd.
Journey time by car: approx. 20–35 minutes.
Public transport: walk to Gia Lam bus terminal, then take the 03A bus towards Giáp Bát. To reach the city centre, get off at 162 Trần Quang Khải and continue on foot towards the lake.
Location of Gia Lam railway station

The public transport option involves a walk; with luggage and an early morning arrival, I’d opt for Grab.

Ga Gia Lâm is the railway station. Bến xe Gia Lâm is the bus station at a different address. When booking a car, select the exact location on the map.

Long Bien – Ga Long Biên

This smaller station is situated at the western end of Long Bien Bridge, on Trần Nhật Duật Street. It’s convenient for the northern part of the Old Quarter. Some services on the line to Hai Phong use this station; always check which station is actually listed as your departure or arrival point on your ticket.

To the Old Quarter: about a 5–15-minute walk, depending on your hotel’s location
GrabCar to Hoan Kiem: estimated cost 30,000–60 000 vnd
Location of Long Bien Station

Compare ticket prices – 12go.asia

By bus to Hanoi from Vietnam

Buses and minibuses are the most practical option when travelling from places without suitable train connections, such as Ha Giang, directly from Sapa or from tourist areas around Ha Long Bay.

Check the arrival point before choosing a service. The operator may drop you off at an office near the city centre, at a public bus station or at a stop on the outskirts by the main road. This makes a big difference when it comes to getting to your hotel.

Journey times and bus fares

From where to Hanoi	Journey time	Approximate price
Ninh Binh / Tam Coc	2–3 hours	150,000–300 000 vnd
Ha Long	2–4 hours	200,000–400 000 vnd
Sa Pa	6–8 hours	250,000–700 000 vnd
Ha Giang	6–8 hours	300,000–600 000 vnd
Da Nang	14–18 hours	450,000–1 000 000 vnd

The ranges cover various types of vehicles. On longer routes, there is a significant difference in price between a standard berth and a private cabin. Please allow extra time for any pick-up service and the journey from the final stop to your hotel.

Compare ticket prices – 12go.asia

From Cat Ba, look for a combined ticket covering the bus and ferry crossing. The entire journey to Hanoi takes around 4–6 hours, depending on connections. One of the operators on this route is Cat Ba Express.

There is also a bus service from Ho Chi Minh City, but you should allow around 34–40 hours and budget approximately 1,000,000–1, 800 000 vnd. For a standard holiday, I would opt for a flight on such a long journey.

What do ‘limousine’, ‘sleeper’ and ‘VIP cabin’ mean?

Limousine: a minibus with larger seats. Suitable for shorter and medium-length journeys.
Sleeper bus: a coach with reclining beds, often on two decks. The space and length of the beds vary depending on the vehicle.
VIP cabin: a more private space with a bed and a curtain or partition. Check whether it is a cabin for one or for two people.

For taller passengers, I’d check the photos and bed dimensions before booking.

Where to buy tickets and how to check your stop

You can compare services on 12Go or book directly with the operator. When making a specific booking, check:

The exact address of the pick-up and drop-off points, ideally a location on a map.
What the stated time includes: boarding the long-distance coach, or the start of the collection service.
Whether a hotel transfer is included in the price and which area it covers.
Whether you have received a ticket or a voucher, and where you need to go to collect it.

Save the address as a screenshot too. Show Grab drivers the specific location; the name of the bus company alone may refer to several offices.

Carriers’ offices in the Old Town

For tourist services, you may not need to use the public bus station at all. It is common to board at an office in the city centre and then be transferred by a smaller vehicle to the main coach.

For example, Cat Ba Express currently has an office at 214 Trần Quang Khải. However, older articles still list different addresses.

The confirmation for your specific journey is what matters. Even the pick-up and drop-off points for the same operator may vary.

Bus stations in Hanoi: location and transport to the city centre

Hanoi does not have a single central bus station. The following five terminals are located in different parts of the city, and travelling between them can take up to an hour.

Enter the full Vietnamese name into maps. The term ‘bến xe’ means bus station, whilst ‘ga’ refers to a railway station.

A quick comparison of the terminals

For the purposes of this guide, I’m using the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake as the city centre. The figures are estimates for a full GrabCar, not per person, and are based on the terminals’ locations and the published fare. The app will show the final price.

Terminal	Practical public transport connections	GrabCar estimate
Mỹ Đình	34 → Hàng Tre	120,000–200 000 vnd
Giáp Bát	08A → Đinh Tiên Hoàng	80,000–140 000 vnd
Nước Ngầm	08A → Đinh Tiên Hoàng	120,000–200 000 vnd
Gia Lâm	03A → Trần Quang Khải	60,000–110 000 vnd
Yên Nghĩa	Metro 2A → Cát Linh; then Grab	220,000–350 000 vnd

Make sure you have small notes ready for city buses. Fares depend on the route, the paid section and the method of payment. I discuss current fares and the conditions for free sections in the article ‘How to get around Hanoi’.

Google Maps worked well for me when planning, but take the times with a pinch of salt. I paid the conductor in cash on city buses. Don’t rely on regular public transport for late-night arrivals.

Mỹ Đình – west of the city centre

This large terminal serves routes to the northern and north-western regions of Vietnam, including Lao Cai and the mountainous provinces. However, tourist buses from Sapa or Ha Giang may have their own stop in Hanoi.