Hanoi Transportation Tips by Ewingjr98

Airport Departure Fee Airplane Review

Don't be surprised when you are flying out of Hanoi and you have to pay US$14 departure fee! We had no clue and no one bothered to mention to us until we were through security and going through customs... We almost missed our flight, backtracking to pay this tax. Not to mention they wouldn't let us carry our bags back out through security, so we let them sit in the middle of the airport with thousands of people milling about. Not a pleasant experience.

Mode: TO

Type: Airplane

Hanoi International Airport Airplane Review

Hanoi Airport is new and modern, quite a contrast from HCMC's Vietnam War-era airport. The only problem is its location, quite a long drive from the city. Not as many airlines fly into Hanoi as into HCMC, so you may have more trouble getting here. We flew Vietnam airlines from HCMC to Hanoi, then again from Hanoi to Seoul. The hour-long flight sure beats the day-long train trip.

Be aware of the exit tax when you depart the country!

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Type: Airplane

Cyclo Trips Cyclo Review

We took one cyclo trip while in Vietnam -- from the Old Quarter to Apocalypse Now late one evening. It cost about $2, but it took almost 30 minutes with our drivers pedaling like mad. We had two cyclos and we talked the drivers into racing... it was entertaining, but don't expect this to be your primary means of transportation.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Bicycle

Motorcycle Around Hanoi Motorbike Review

Just like other areas of Vietnam, motorcycle is the way to go. Everyone is willing to give a ride to the "rich Westerner," so you never have to wander far until you find a willing driver. It is cheap, usually negotiated down to $1 or $2 per hour. These guys also know where the big tourist sights are so they may take you places you didn't know existed or hadn't planned to visit.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Motorcycle

Taxi from Airport to French Quarter Taxis Review

It is a long, 45 minute drive from the Hanoi airport to the center of the city. Grab a taxi at the airport and negotiate the price before you leave. There is a toll on the road from the airport to the city. Our driver tried to make us pay 3 times the toll amount. When we refused he tried to make us pay only the exact amount of the toll. Since we had negotiated with him for $10, all inclusive ride to the city, we refused this as well. We just told him to pull over an let us out... he changed his mind and took us to the city for our original price.

Mode: TO

Type: Other

Walk! Transportation in general Review

Unlike Ho Chi Minh City, walking is a viable alternative to the motorcycles in Hanoi. Many of the sights are in relatively compact areas, and you will see a lot that you would have missed zooming through the streets hanging on for dear life. Some areas, like the Old Quarter, walking is the only way to enjoy the scenery.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Other