How do I get from Hanoi airport to city?

Are taxis expensive in Hanoi?

Hanoi taxis? Cheap, dude. Like, ridiculously cheap. Airport to city center, 40 mins, about eleven euros? Crazy, right? Last time I went, 2023, summer, took a taxi everywhere. Way cheaper than grabbing a Grab, oddly enough. Metered, too, so no funny business. Though, uh, once this guy tried to… nevermind.

• Metered fares: Standard for taxis.
• Airport run: About €11.70, 40 minutes. City center.
• Cheaper than ride-sharing: Sometimes. Seriously.

My hotel was near Hoan Kiem Lake. Great pho spot ’round the corner. Anyway, taxis always nearby. Like, always. Flags down, no prob. Even went to Bat Trang ceramic village, outside the city. Taxi there and back, no biggie. Cost a bit more, obvi. But still cheaper than back home. Think I even bargained a little, lol. Think it was… Sunday? Hot day.

• Easy to find: Everywhere. Just flag one down.
• Trips outside the city: Totally doable. Bat Trang example.
• Bargaining: Sometimes possible, especially longer trips.

Oh, and watch out for rush hour. Like any city, right? Traffic’s a beast. But even then, the fare’s not gonna kill you. Unlike, say, London. Ugh. Paid like, fifty quid for a short hop once! Never again. Sticking with Hanoi taxis. Good stuff.

Can you exchange money at Hanoi Airport?

Hanoi airport? Money exchange? Oh, darling, it’s a jungle out there. Think less serene oasis, more…well, airport. Plenty of kiosks vying for your attention. Like brightly colored birds squawking for seeds. Except the seeds are your dollars, euros, yen, whatever. They want those sweet, sweet seeds.

• Exchange rates? Let’s just say they aren’t exactly handing out altruism awards. Check online rates beforehand. Arm yourself with knowledge. You’ll need it to haggle like a pro. Like my grandma at the fish market. Fierce.
• ATMs? A slightly less chaotic option. But beware the fees! They can nibble away at your dong like termites at a…well, you get the picture.
• My advice? (I’m feeling generous). Exchange a small amount. Just enough for that crucial first bowl of pho. Then brave the city’s exchange bureaus or banks. Better rates. Less stress. More pho.

I once exchanged rupees for dong at 2 AM. Don’t ask. Long story. Involves a delayed flight and a desperate craving for banh mi. My point? Airport exchanges are convenient. But convenience comes at a price. Just like that time I bought a “genuine” Rolex in Bangkok. Learned my lesson there.

How long in advance should I arrive at Hanoi Airport?

Two hours, minimum, domestic. Three, international. That’s what they say. It felt longer, though. Remember that time, last year? My flight to Da Nang… missed it. Completely my fault.

Stress. Pure, stupid stress. Should have left earlier. Always should. Always.

• Domestic flights: 2 hours minimum. This isn’t a suggestion. It’s the bare minimum to avoid disaster.
• International flights: 3 hours minimum. Three hours. Seriously. Security lines are insane sometimes.
• Online check-in helps. A lot. Did that last time, still felt rushed.

Hanoi traffic…ugh. That’s the real killer. The taxi ride itself took an hour. My fault again for not accounting for that. Should have gotten there way earlier. Learn from my mistakes, people. Avoid the agony.