How expensive is a taxi in Hanoi?

How much should a taxi cost from Hanoi airport to city?

Hanoi. Airport lights blur… a hazy gold.

Sixty-hundred-thousand? VND? A dream number.

The taxi, yes, about 600.000 VND. Always, the dance of digits. Twenty-four dollars… maybe.

VND… such a breathy sound. Like silk. Silken fares.

Around 12.000 to 15.000 VND per km. That’s the song. A kilometer… how long is a kilometer?

Factors shift. Prices murmur, evolve. Hanoi changes, quick. I think it was 24 last week but…

Maybe it’s more now. Don’t want to miss my train.

USD 0.52-0.65 per km, a foreign whisper. Dollars and dreams.

• It changes quickly.
• Remember to haggle.
• Be aware of drivers taking long ways.

Like her voice, my great-aunt Mai always said. I remember her… A kilometer, she’d say, is a song away.

Don’t miss the train, now.

What is the cheapest transportation in Hanoi?

Okay, so buses, hands down, are the cheapest ride in Hanoi. Like, cheaper than dirt.

For 7,000 VND, you’re practically stealing a ride! That’s less than the price of a decent banh mi…almost.

Riding a bus for the first time? It’s like trying to understand a cat’s meow. Totally baffling, but hey, at least it’s cheap!

Think of it this way: Hanoi buses = public transport version of finding a five-dollar bill in your old jeans. Sweet, unexpected, and slightly sticky.

Here’s the lowdown on Hanoi’s budget buses:

• Price: Seven thousand VND. Seven. Thousand. VND. I think my grandma pays more for her cat food!
• Navigation: Good luck. You’ll need a map, a compass, and possibly a sherpa. Or, just ask a local. They’re usually super helpful…or super confused. It’s a gamble.
• Comfort: Ah, comfort. It’s there…in spirit. Imagine a sardine can, but with more people and less personal space.
• Speed: Eventually, you’ll get there. Maybe. It’s not the fastest, but hey, you’re saving money! Think of all the street food you can buy!
• Pro Tip: Keep a close eye on your belongings. Pickpockets are a thing, you know. I swear I almost lost my lucky socks last time. True story! They’re pretty stylish, actually.

Seriously, though, the bus is great if you’re broke and adventurous. Just embrace the chaos, people!

How to get cheaper Grab fare?

GrabCar Saver: Cheaper fares, longer wait. 20% savings, allegedly. Pick up, drop off, tap. Patience required.

• Lower fare, slower match. Obvious.
• Grab decides the route. No say for you.
• Limited availability, peak hours excluded. Naturally.
• Savings vary. My rent doesn’t.

They call it “Saver.” I call it “maybe.” Time is money, or so they claim. Which am I wasting?

Additional Information

• GrabRewards still apply: Points matter, I guess.
• Consider off-peak times: Early bird, delayed gratification.
• Share rides with GrabShare: If you enjoy awkward silences.
• Public transport?: Cheaper still. The horror.
• Walk. Run. Exist. Free, mostly.
• GrabUnlimited Subscription: Discounts with a commitment.
• Location is everything: Some spots pricier. My apartment’s the cheapest, apparently.
• Promo codes exist: Find them. Or don’t.

What is the Grab fare per km?

Grab’s like, twelve thousand dong per kilometer. But, wait. It’s twenty-two thousand for the first two. So, like, if you go three? It’s 34k, right? Yeah. Plus, they got that per-minute charge too. Five hundred dong. Traffic’s bad? Adds up. Seven seater’s more, I bet.

• 12,000 VND/km after the first 2km
• 22,000 VND for the initial 2km
• 500 VND/minute
• Seven seaters are more expensive, but I dunno the exact amount. Last time I took one from District 1 to Tan Binh, it was, like, 80k? But that was rush hour. Distance matters obviously haha. Took forever. Shoulda just took a motorbike, y’know? Way faster.

My friend, Anh, he uses Grab all the time. Swears by it. He always gets the six-seater ’cause his family’s huge. Says it’s cheaper than a taxi. Dunno about that. I took a taxi to the airport last week. Fixed price, hundred and fifty thousand. Not bad. Airport’s in Tan Son Nhat, by the way.

• Traffic is a killer.
• Motorbikes are often faster, especially District 1. Don’t go during rush hour haha
• Consider fixed price taxis for longer trips, like the airport.

Grab’s good for short hops, though. Quick and easy. Especially when it’s raining. Who wants to get soaked on a motorbike? Not me! And I got the app, so. Convenient. Just booked one last night, went to Bui Vien, that walking street. Grab’s good there too. Too crowded for taxis a lot of the time.

How is Grab fare calculated?

Grab’s fare? An equation. Base: ₱45. Distance: ₱15/km. Time: ₱2/min. Surge? Oh, that’s the art. Up to 2x distance and time fees. Simple, right?

Base fare is just a starting point. Think of it like a cover charge. Everyone pays it.

Distance matters. Kilometers cost. Always. No shortcuts, ironically.

Time, too. Traffic? Money. Enjoy the view, I guess.

• Base Fare: Flat rate, initiation fee.
• Distance Rate: Variable, reflects route.
• Duration Rate: Time-based, affected by congestion.
• Surge Pricing: Demand drives cost. Simple economics, really. 2x possible. Annoying? Always.

The surge. Demand and supply dancing. See, my old motorcycle? Never surges. Well, unless you count the oil prices.

That 2x? Peak hours, bad weather, events… They all feed the beast. Avoid if possible. Walk, maybe?

How to pay for a taxi in Vietnam?

Dong first. Cash is king. Cards? Maybe.

• VND essential.
• POS unreliable.
• Visa tap? Gamble.

Further Intel:

• Grab app taxis: Card links smoother.
• Hanoi differs; more cash reliance.
• Always verify meter start. Check prices, avoid “surprises.” My friend Liam got burned in ’22, never again.
• Negotiate far trips, flat rates only.
• Small bills: Respectful tipping.
• Watch the exchange rate. Hotel, airport rip-offs.
• My bank hates Vietnam ATMs. Fee hell.
• Consider a prepaid travel card. Less risk.
• Ride sharing apps more consistent pricing.
• Beware scams. Short routes? Nope.
• Language barrier? Write address clearly.
• Airport taxis always charge more. Fact.