Hanoi Airport Taxi

If budget is a real issue you can wait by the taxi dispatch line and ask other travelers if they want to share a taxi to the OQ.
I've never seen it happen at Hanoi, but in Tokoyo, where a taxi to the center can be $100 I've seen people just shout out that they want to share a taxi while people are getting luggage from the overhead. They always seem to get takers.

@herbie47 – Thanks for letting me know about the minibuses. I will have to plan for a taxi then, and try to catch a minibus back to the airport on the return end. I wasn’t offered a taxi for $16, that was the OP.

@jjack – My hostel owner didn’t offer to send a pick up for $16, that is the OP. Also, I don’t have a long flight. Thanks.

Apologies - I mixed you up with the OP.

That said, my comment is still relevant. Your hotel/hostel will arrange a car to pick you up if you ask. Cost should be $18 or less. This is a step above a taxi, as there will be a friendly face waiting for you in the airport with your name on a sign when you arrive. He'll carry your bags to the car and bring you right to the door of your hotel. That sort of service for $16-$18 is phenomenal and should be taken advantage of. That's one of the best parts about traveling in Vietnam - you can easily afford the sorts of luxuries that would be impossible in Europe or other places.

Oddly, I still see examples of tourists who will spend $5 on a latte at Starbucks while waiting for their flight, but suddenly when they land they are poverty-stricken and will endure all sorts of discomfort if they think it will save a dollar.

You can take a bus back to the airport also. Just watch out some taxis will try to rip you off or take you to "their"Hotel. Sharing a taxi is a good option if you can find someone.

Oddly, I still see examples of tourists who will spend $5 on a latte at Starbucks while waiting for their flight, but suddenly when they land they are poverty-stricken and will endure all sorts of discomfort if they think it will save a dollar.

SO right ! A lot of tourists argue for half-a-dollar, even a quarter, when on vacation in a country where prices are peanuts. I see it everyday and I am sometime ashamed to be Occidental !

@jjack - post #12

Thanks for that. I haven't checked yet, but I think my hotel offered a taxi for $19 US. I've found some online for a bit less, but they say that they wait 45 minutes from your arrival time (and then leave I guess). No idea if I can get the visa on arrival and clear immigration in that amount of time or not. Anyway, I will contact my hotel first and see what they say.

I'm not a tourist with a Starbucks in my hand. For many people though, $20 US is quite a bit of money if there is another way to get to the city for a few dollars. In my case, $20 is 12% of my airfare to the country! Also, it's not only about the money. Travelling by bus/minibus/third class train, etc. is the best way to have opportunities to interact with the average local person. It seems odd that there is no way for people who really can't afford a taxi (I don't fall into that category, I'm just curious) to get to the city if they arrive late. I guess they must take flights that don't arrive at odd hours, or wait at the airport until the buses and whatnot start again in the morning.

Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate all of them and always learn something from what others have to say.

There are/should be other options, but only if you're brave/adventurous!
I've used "Grab-Bike/Grab-Taxi" in Saigon Uber too and I assume both of those are operating in Hanoi as well. Google for them.
You may have to walk away from the airport a little way because some places band these services from picking up "at" the airport.
Definitely, gives you a chance to interact with the locals!
Also, just going to the taxi dispatch desk (on the left as you exit to the outside) will be cheaper than a scheduled hotel pick-up.
FYI, buses start running at 5AM.

@cmburns - Darn - I just contacted my hotel to arrange for a taxi pick up and they replied right away. LOL. I had read on various sites that it's easy to get scammed by just getting a taxi from the taxi dispatch service (or maybe that is different from exiting the airport and getting a taxi in line...I'm not sure). Anyway, I will know for next time. Thanks.

I consider myself fairly brave/adventurous. I took a very small "minibus" in Sri Lanka this year upon arrival (it was well after midnight), despite the fact that two officials and the "information desk clerk" at the airport told me that it wasn't running at that hour and that I should take a taxi.

I've heard/read about those "scam" stories too but it's never happened to me. Some people just seem to be "scam" magnets! Taxi from the dispatch line was $15 (flat rate) last time I was there so you don't save a lot.
I've been using Moto-Taxis (Honda-Om) in Saigon for years but just started using Uber the last couple of trips. Both have worked well for me.

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