Options for Transfer from Airports to the City Centers in Vietnam
- Jul 8
- 8 min read
As most international airports in Vietnam are located in the outskirts, it is quite frustrating to get downtown. If you don't want to travel by taxi, consider taking a bus or even motorbike taxi for the rest of the journey. Here are some ways to get you to the city center from airports in Vietnam.
Transfer from airport to Ho Chi Minh City center
The distance from Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport to the city center in District 1 is approximately 7km. The most favorable transfer option for foreigners is by taxi while the cheapest way to get to the city center is by public bus.
Bus
#152 (Tan Son Nhat International Airport - Trung Son Residential Zone)
Photo Credit: TripAdvisor
This is the cheapest way to downtown. The bus leaves every 15-20 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. every day.
♦ Duration: 50 min
♦ Where to find: You will find the bus when you walk out of the arrival terminal.
#109 (Tan Son Nhat International Airport - 23/9 Park)
Photo Credit: Baogiaothong
This is a modern bus with plenty of space for your luggage. Plus, it is air-conditioned, departing every 15-20 minutes between noon and 8:30 p.m., then 30 minutes out of this time. The bus runs from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day.
♦ Duration: 45 min
♦ Where to find: You will find the bus parking at Column 12 (International Terminal) or Column 18 (Domestic Terminal).
#49 (Tan Son Nhat International Airport - District 1 & 3) | Recommended
Photo Credit: Sasco Travel
This is a shuttle bus that is more adapted to tourists with more stops at major landmarks in the city center. The bus runs from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day, once every 20-30 minutes.
♦ Duration: 30 min
♦ Where to find: You will find the bus parking at Column 12 (International Terminal) or Column 18 (Domestic Terminal), just at the same place as #109 above.
♦ Route map and stops: Tan Son Nhat Airport, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Cong Xa Paris Street, Dong Khoi Street, Ben Thanh Bus Station, Le Lai Street, Nguyen Thi Nghia Street, Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, Nguyen Van Troi Street.
Taxi
Vinasun Taxi | Photo Credit: Flickr
Taxi is the most convenient transfer option to be considered. However, always be aware of taxi scams. It is always a good thing to check for the taxi brand, the driver's uniform and the meter before you get into any taxis.
♦ Duration: 30-40 min (to District 1 with normal traffic)
♦ Costs: 150,000 - 200,000 VND ($6.50 - $8.50)
♦ Where to find: You need to get out of the terminal building and walk for 40m before reaching the area where taxis parking.
♦ Recommended brands: Vinasun Taxi, Mai Linh Taxi, Vina Taxi.
#Notes: You should ignore those who try to get you to take their car by offering a cheap price and get you across the road to the parking lot across the airport terminal. They're unlicensed private drivers, and you will likely to get taxi scammed. The normal price may end up double or triple.
Grab
Grab is known as "Asian Uber". This is a ride-hailing app with a cheaper price. You know the price in advance and there is less chance of scam. What you need to do is download Grab app (you must have a phone number to get the activation code). Use airport free wifi to access the app.
♦ Duration: 30-40 min (to District 1 with normal traffic)
♦ Costs: 90,000 VND ($4), 40% cheaper than traditional taxi, depending on traffic
♦ Payment: Cash or online payment
Getting from the airport to Hanoi center
The distance from Noi Bai International Airport to the Old Quarter is around 30km. You can take a taxi or get on a public bus or shuttle bus to the city center.
Bus
From Noi Bai International Airport, you can opt for two public buses that take around an hour to the end station in Hanoi. Then, you will walk or take a taxi ride to the Old Quarter.
#07 (Noi Bai International Airport - Kim Ma Station)
The bus leaves every 15-30 minutes. Bus #07 runs between 5:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Bus #07 takes you to Kim Ma Station. From there, grab a taxi or take another bus to the Old Quarter (Recommend Bus #18).
♦ Where to find: You will find the bus stop on the right side of the terminal exit, Terminal T1 only.
♦ Route map and stops: Noi Bai International Airport, Vo Van Kiet, Thang Long Bridge, Pham Van Dong, Hoang Quoc Viet, Nguyen Van Huyen, Nguyen Khanh Toan, Tran Dang Ninh, Cau Giay.
#17 (Noi Bai International Airport - Long Bien Station)
The bus runs from 5.00 a.m. to 8.30 p.m., once every 15 minutes. Bus #17 takes you to Long Bien bus station. From there, you can walk for around 20 minutes to the Old Quarter or take a taxi.
♦ Where to find: You will find the bus stop on the right side of the terminal exit, Terminal T1 only.
♦ Route map and stops: Noi Bai International Airport, Vo Van Kiet, National Road No.2, Phu Lo, Nguyen Khe, Dong Anh, Cao Lo, Co Loa, National Road No.3, Thien Duc, Duong Bridge, Ngo Gia Tu, Nguyen Van Cu, Chuong Duong Bridge, Tran Nhat Duat, Yen Phu, Long Bien.
Airport bus
Some airlines offer their own transport service including Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Jetstar. You can expect standards higher than the ones from public buses. However, you will have to wait longer, up to 40 minutes before departing.
VietJet Air
♦ Schedule: 4 a.m. - 10 p.m.
♦ Where to find: Bus parking lot in front of Terminal 1
♦ Car type: 145-seat
♦ Route map and stops: Noi Bai International Airport, Nhat Tan Bridge, Kim Ma, Nguyen Thai Hoc, Tran Nhan Tong.
JetStar Pacific
♦ Schedule: 4 a.m. - 10 p.m.
♦ Where to find: Bus parking lot in front of Terminal 1
♦ Car type: 45-seat
♦ Route map and stops: Noi Bai International Airport, Thang Long Bridge, Hoang Quoc Viet, Nguyen Van Huyen, Dao Tan, Ngoc Khanh Station, Quang Trung Station.
Vietnam Airlines
♦ Schedule: 5 a.m. - 10 p.m.
♦ Where to find: Parking lot for 16-seat cars in front of Terminal 1
♦ Car type: 16-seat
♦ Route map and stops: Noi Bai International Airport, Vo Nguyen Giap, Nhat Tan Bridge, Quang Trung.
Taxi
Taking taxi is the most convenient option to get to downtown Hanoi from Noi Bai International Airport. Check for the meter before getting in the taxi to avoid potential scams.
♦ Duration: 45 min - 1 hour (depending on traffic)
♦ Costs: 300,000 - 350,000 VND ($13 - $15.50)
♦ Where to find: Taxis are located just outside the Arrivals halls of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
♦ Recommended brands: Mai Linh Taxi, Airport Taxi, Noi Bai Taxi, Taxi Group, Taxi Thanh Cong.
Grab
Grab app is also available in Hanoi. However, the price from Noi Bai Airport to Hanoi is quite expensive, from 300,000 - 350,000 VND ($13 - $15.50) excluding the waiting charge. Booking for this route is sometimes pending.
Getting from the airport to Nha Trang City
The distance from Cam Ranh International Airport to Nha Trang city center is around 35km. You can take a taxi or get on a public bus or shuttle bus to the city center.
Bus
#18 by Dat Moi Bus | Recommended
This is a white-yellow bus with a capacity of 30 seats, running from 5 a.m. to 9:55 p.m. every day.
♦ Costs: 60,000 VND ($2.60)
♦ Duration: 1 hour
♦ Where to find: You have to buy a ticket before getting into the bus. There is a ticket desk on the right-hand side out of the arrival hall.
♦ Route map and stops: Cam Ranh International Airport, Nguyen Tat Thanh, Nguyen Duc Canh, Hoang Dieu, Tran Phu, Tran Quang Khai, Nguyen Thien Thuat, Le Thanh Ton, Hoang Hoa Tham, Nha Trang Station (Yersin, Nha Trang).
Airport bus
Airport bus offers 16 seats with air-conditioner, running 30 minutes after the plane lands or when all empty seats are filled. Note that this bus stops next to the military hospital in the south of Nha Trang. You have to take a taxi to the city center.
♦ Costs: 60,000 VND ($2.60) (+ taxi charge to the city center)
♦ Duration: 1 hour
♦ Where to find: You can buy tickets at the bus ticket counter as you turn left after walking out of the airport.
Taxi
Taxi, at a higher price, is still the most convenient option to travel from Cam Ranh International Airport to Nha Trang city center. You can walk out of the airport and grab a taxi with a possibly lower price.
♦ Duration: 45 min (depending on traffic)
♦ Costs: 200,000 - 300,000 VND ($9 - $13)
♦ Recommended brands: Mai Linh Taxi, Nha Trang Taxi, Khanh Hoa Taxi, Emasco Taxi, Nha Trang International Taxi.
Transfer from airport to Duong Dong Town (Phu Quoc)
Duong Dong town is just 14km far from Phu Quoc International Airport. As there is no public transportation to the city center, you should opt for taxi, shuttle bus or private transportation.
Shuttle bus
There is a shuttle bus that departs from the parking lot (the same lot as the taxis) to the central area in Duong Dong. The price is 50,000 VND ($2.25) per person from the airport to Duong Dong.
# Jetstar Shuttle Bus
Jetstar offers domestic flights to Phu Quoc. If you are flying with Jetstar, you can buy tickets on the plane. You will get transfer service after the plane lands 30 minutes.
♦ Duration: 10 min (to Long Beach) | 30 min (Duong Dong town)
♦ Costs: 40,000 VND ($1.70)
♦ Where to find: You will find this shuttle bus at the car park of Phu Quoc Airport.
Taxi
The taxi price from the airport to Long Beach is quite cheaper to Duong Dong town. You have to pay an airport surcharge of 20,000 VND ($0.90) when exiting the airport. If you can walk a little further out of the airport, you can get better deal.
♦ Duration: 45 min (depending on traffic)
♦ Costs: 100,000 VND ($4.40) to Long Beach | 170,000 VND ($7.50) to Duong Dong town
♦ Recommended brands: Mai Linh Taxi, Sasco Phu Quoc Taxi, Saigon Phu Quoc Taxi, Nam Thang Phu Quoc Taxi.
Transfer from airport to Hue City
The distance from Phu Bai Airport to the downtown of Hue is 15km. Get ready to spend around 30 minutes for both shuttle bus and taxi.
Bus
You can save some money by taking public buses. The bus service has been improved to help tourists travel around the city much easier.
This bus runs every 30 minutes every day from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m
♦ Costs: 4,000 VND ($0.17)
♦ Route map and stops: Phu Bai Station - Phu Bai Airport - NH1A - Phu Thu Industrial Park - Southern Bus Station - An Duong Vuong - Hung Vuong - Ba Trieu - Le Quy Don - Dong Da - Nguyen Hue - Le Loi - Tran Hung Dao - Le Duan - Northern Bus Station.
♦ Costs: 4,000 VND ($0.17)
♦ Schedule: 6 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
♦ Route map and stops: Phu Bai Station - Phu Bai Airport - NH1A - Phu Thu Industrial Park - Southern Bus Station - An Duong Vuong - Hung Vuong - Ba Trieu - Le Quy Don - Dong Da - Nguyen Hue - Le Loi - Tran Hung Dao - Le Duan - Northern Bus Station.
# Shuttle bus
♦ Duration: 30min
♦ Costs: 50,000 VND ($2.20)
♦ Where to find: As you walk out of the airport, you will also find a shuttle bus. If you travel from Hue city to the airport, you can book on the Vietnam Airlines /Vietjet office.
Taxi
Taxi is the best option if you travel in a small group and want to reach the city center quickly. The price varies depending on the taxi brands. Remember to check if the taxi has a meter before you get in.
♦ Duration: 30 min (depending on traffic)
♦ Costs: 250,000 VND ($11)
♦ Recommended brands: Mai Linh Taxi, Thanh Do Taxi, Thanh Hung Taxi, Phu Xuan Taxi.
Whether you transfer from the airport to the city center in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue or Phu Quoc, equip yourself with some basic Vietnamese phrases so that you can navigate your journey with ease. You can simply say "chào Việt Nam" to a local with the correct tones and that can be great start.
