Guide for Public Transport in Hanoi, Vietnam (Buses, Metro & 2025 Travel Tips)
Here is the public transport guide for Hanoi and it’s a bit tricky. Vietnam’s bustling capital. Chaotic streets. Millions of motorbikes. Honking horns.
Yet, it’s got a solid public transport system. Buses,Metro or even cyclos. Navigating it? Tricky for newbies. But doable.
This guide’s got you covered. Everything you need. To explore Hanoi like a local. Let’s roll.
Why Use Public Transport in Hanoi?
Hanoi’s traffic is a bit wild. Over 6.5 million scooters and cars too. Exploring Hanoi on foot is great. But not always practical. Taxis? Pricey. Grab is convenient though.
Public transport? Cheap, Eco-friendly. Authentic. You’ll see the real Hanoi. Rub shoulders with locals. Save cash. Plus, it’s an adventure. Ready? Here’s how to do it.
Public Transport Guide for Hanoi
Hanoi’s got variety of buses, metro train and cyclos. Each has pros. Cons too. Let’s break it down. Based on real info. From the ground.
Hanoi Bus Guide
Hanoi’s buses. Mainstay of public transport. Over 100 routes. Run by Transerco. Some private companies- Red, white, yellow color buses. Some are green, blue and orange. Easy to spot. Operate 4:30 AM to 10:30 PM. Weekends? Maybe 11:30 PM. It’s cheap. Fares from 7,000 to 9,000 VND. That’s 30-40 cents USD. Airport buses? 45,000 VND. Still a steal.
How to ride? Look for bus stops. LED signs at some. Check the route number. Destination on the front. Board at the front. Pay cash. Carry small bills. Sometimes, they don’t have change for big notes. Get a ticket. Alight at the back. Unless crowded. Then front’s fine. Rush hours? 7-8 AM. 5-7 PM. Packed. Watch for pickpockets. Keep valuables close.
Apps help. Tìm Buýt. Or Google Maps. Shows routes. Real-time bus locations. No online tickets. Cash only. Ask locals if lost. Many speak some English. Especially students. Be quick. Buses don’t wait. Press the red stop button. If there is one. Or wave to the driver.
Pros? It’s cheap and covers the city. Eco-friendly. Cons? Sometimes crowded. No English signs sometimes. Drivers speed. You can also experience jerk to a stop. Not very much comfy. But it works. For short trips or getting to suburbs. Try Bus 33. Goes to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Or Bus 47. For Bat Trang village.
Hanoi Metro Guide
Hanoi Metro. New kid on the block. Line 2A. Cat Linh-Ha Dong. Opened 2021. Clean. Modern. Air-conditioned. Runs every few minutes.Timings are 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM. Fares? VND 8,000, with an additional VND 850/km, and integrated annual passes are available for VND 2,820,000 (priority) or VND 5,640,000 (non-priority). Depends on distance. About 35-65 cents USD. Buy tickets at stations. Cash or card. Monthly passes available.
Stations? 12 total. Key ones: Cat Linh. Dong Da. Hanoi Railway Station. Covers 13 km. Connects urban to suburban. Signs in English. Vietnamese too. Announcements clear. Escalators? Stand on the right. Walk on the left. It’s reliable. Less crowded than buses. Perfect for west Hanoi. Like My Dinh. Or Nhon.
Pros? Fast. Clean. Easy for tourists. Cons? Only one line. Limited coverage. Doesn’t hit Old Quarter. Or Hoan Kiem Lake. More lines coming. But not yet. Still. It’s a game-changer. For avoiding traffic.
How to Use Hanoi Airport Bus 86 (and Its Best Alternatives)
Flying in? Noi Bai International Airport. 40 minutes from downtown. Buses are cheapest. Bus 7. To Kim Ma station. Bus 17. To Long Bien. Both 5,000 VND. About 20 cents USD. Run 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Every 15-20 minutes. Bus 86. Premium option. Orange are air-conditioned. 45,000 VND. Goes to Hanoi Railway Station or Old Quarter. No reservations. Pay onboard and it’s cash only.
Pros? Dirt cheap. Reliable. Cons? Can be slow. Crowded. Luggage space limited. Still. Beats taxi prices. Grab’s $15. Bus? Under a buck. Your call.
Hop-on Hop-off Bus in Hanoi
Tourist favorite. Double-decker. Open-top. Covers 20+ landmarks. Hoan Kiem Lake. Temple of Literature. Hanoi Opera House. 13 stops. Hop on. Hop off. All day. Tickets? Around 300,000 VND. $12 USD. Buy at tourist centers. Or online. Runs 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Every 30 minutes. Audio guide included. English. Other languages too.
Pros? Easy. Scenic. Great for sightseeing. Cons? Pricey for public transport. Limited hours. Not for daily commuting. Perfect for a day of exploring.
Cyclos
Not really “public transport.” But iconic. Three-wheeled bike taxis. Driver pedals. You sit in front. Old Quarter’s best for these. Or Hoan Kiem Lake. French Quarter too. Costs? $5-$10 per ride. Bargain first. Drivers often chatty. Some speak English. Share local stories.
Pros? Fun. Cultural. Great for photos. Cons? Slow. Pricey. Not for long trips. Scams possible. Ask your hotel for fair prices. Before riding. Still. A must-try. Once.
Tips for Using Public Transport in Hanoi
Hanoi’s public transport. It’s not perfect. But it’s cheap. And fun. Here’s how to nail it.
- Apps Are Key: Download Tìm Buýt or Moovit. Google Maps works too. Shows bus routes. Metro stops. Real-time updates. No Wi-Fi? Screenshot your route.
- Cash Is King: Small bills. 7,000-50,000 VND. No cards on buses. Metro takes cards. But cash safer. Change is rare.
- Rush Hour? Avoid: 7-9 AM. 4-6 PM. Buses packed. Metro’s better. Or walk. Traffic’s a nightmare.
- Watch Your Stuff: Pickpockets. Rare. But real. Rush hour’s worst. Keep bags in front. Zip up.
- Ask Locals: Lost? Ask. Younger folks. Students. Often speak English. Happy to help. Google Translate’s your friend.
- Board Smart: Front door to board. Back to exit. Unless crowded. Be quick. Drivers don’t linger.
- Metro Etiquette: Stand right. Walk left. On escalators. Don’t block doors. It’s polite.
- Cyclo Bargaining: Agree on price first. $5 for short rides. $10 max. Check with hotel. Avoid scams.
- Language Barrier: No Vietnamese? No problem. Write your destination. Show it. Smile. Locals are kind.
Hanoi Tourist Bus Routes
Want to hit the sights? These routes help. Using buses or metro.
Hoan Kiem Lake: Bus 9. Or 14 from Long Bien.
Or walk from Old Quarter. Metro doesn’t reach here yet.
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum:
Want to pay your respects to Uncle Ho? Just hop on bus 33, 22, or 09 from Gia Lam — it’s like Vietnam’s version of the pilgrimage express.
Feeling modern? Take the metro to Cat Linh, then enjoy a short stroll past street vendors and honking scooters. Either way, you’re walking into history.
- Temple of Literature: Bus 23. Or 38. From Old Quarter. Metro to Dong Da. 10-minute walk.
- West Lake/Tran Quoc Pagoda: Bus 50. From Long Bien. Or cyclo for fun. No metro nearby.
- Hanoi Opera House: Bus 9. Or Hop-on Hop-off. Short walk from Hoan Kiem.
- Noi Bai Airport: Bus number 86, 17 or 7. From city center. 45 minutes. Cheap. Reliable.
Challenges and Problems of Public Transport in Hanoi
Public transport’s not flawless. Buses get crowded. No English sometimes. Drivers rush. Jerk stops. Metro’ limited. One line. Doesn’t hit touristy spots. Like Old Quarter. Cyclos? Overpriced if you don’t haggle. Scams happen. Rarely. But stay sharp. Rush hour’s rough. Avoid it. If you can.
Language barrier? Real. Signs mostly Vietnamese. Announcements too. Apps help. So do locals. Bring patience. And a smile.
Short Journeys from Hanoi
Hanoi’s a hub. For day trips. Buses and trains. Best for these. Ninh Binh. 2 hours. Bus from My Dinh station. 100,000-150,000 VND. $4-6 USD. Stunning. Like Halong Bay on land. Halong Bay itself? 3.5-4 hours. Buses from Gia Lam. 200,000-300,000 VND. $8-12 USD. Book via Klook. Or Viator. Easy.
Sapa? Overnight train. From Hanoi Railway Station. 120 Le Duan. 8 hours. Soft beds. About $30. Scenic. Worth it. Book early. Via dsvn.vn. Or travel agents.
Why It’s Worth It Using Hanoi Public Transport
Hanoi’s public transport. It’s raw. Real. Cheap. You’ll feel the city’s pulse. On a bus. Packed with locals. Or a metro. Whizzing past traffic. Cyclos? Pure charm. It’s not just getting around. It’s living Hanoi. Smelling street food. Hearing chatter. Seeing life.
Reviews say it. “Buses were cheap. Got me everywhere,” one traveler wrote. Another: “Metro’s a breeze. Wish it went to Old Quarter.” Cyclos? “Overpriced. But so fun.” Tripadvisor. Reddit. They agree. It’s authentic. Budget-friendly. An adventure.
Final Thoughts
Hanoi’s public transport. It’s a ride. Literally. Buses are cheap. Metro’s modern. Cyclos are iconic. Apps make it easy. Cash is key. Avoid rush hour. Watch your stuff. You’ll get the hang of it. Fast. Hit Hoan Kiem Lake. Temple of Literature. West Lake. All on a budget. Feel like a local. Save money. Make memories.
Download apps like Grab, Gojek and Be . Smile at locals. You’re set. Hanoi’s chaotic but beautiful. Public transport? It’s your ticket. To the real Vietnam. Go for it. You won’t regret it.
Also read: Hanoi in 24 Hours
