Vietnam forum

One hotel I know is charging $12 each way...

Posted from within Vietnam.

WATCH OUT! I know this is obvious but, trusting a friend, I walked right into the scam of the century. After my friend arranged our ride- agreeing on 200,000 dong- we got taken to the wrong hotel. A man there said he would take us to another place but we refused- we could tell it was not legit whatsoever. Getting out, the man who arranged the ride at the airport jumps out and demands 2 MILLION dong, about $115 USD. Things got pretty bad, including arguing and him yelling at me (an innocent 21 year old girl from the States), threatening us and even violently grabbing my friend. Scared as hell, we gave him what we had (500,000 dong) and got away... with one of his cronies tailing us a few blocks.

I know we set ourselves up for it and had I been on my own I would have refused immediately at the airport when my guard went up. Just wanted to give an example of what CAN happen if you aren't on your guard and don't go with a legit taxi company. I think those should cost you around 260,000 dong. Good luck!

For those interested in non-taxi options, go to:

http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/vietnam/6148_hanoi-travel-tips

The read may save you heaps of money.

Cheers

I figured that after the long flight from the States and a late-night arrival that I didn't want to deal with all that crap so I booked my first night at a slightly more expensive hotel (as-in a whopping $25) that included airport pickup. Not only did we avoid the airport taxi scams, but we got a very nice place to sleep off the jet lag before we transitioned to cheaper accommodations. Absolute best thing we could have ever done and well worth the (relatively minor) extra expense.

Of course the driver still tried to get a tip on the side because it was "so late." ;)

Hi scafire_jesse - at which hotel did you stay?

Posted from within Vietnam.

As per a previous post someone had said they paid about $25 usd for a nicer hotel that offered free hotel pick up . If you think about it that is your best scenerio as you will be staying at a nicer hotel your 1st night so as to when you are jet lagged your bed will be more comfortable , and that way when you sllep at the cheaper hotel the other nights , you will know the difference in a few dollars , as well as not being scammed by the taxi's , Always complain to the the Hanoi Airport authority. They don't know about the scams taxi drivers do , cause people don't complain . I'm sure if your room doesn't have a/c you would complain .

Posted from within Vietnam.

I've flown into Hanoi several times this year and never paid more/less than US$16.

Walk out of the terminal, ignore all the taxi drivers asking you where you want to go and head to the taxi rank (on the left as you exit). There is usually some English speaking staff there to assist.

this should clear it up.
http://www.noibaitaxi.com/EN/views.asp?cid=164

buecax

I relied on info provided re: HaNoi (old Quarter) to NoiBai (airport).

Vietnam Airlines has its mini-bus contractors, as do Jetstar and some other companies.

The Vietnam Airlines 'blurb' is here.

I can't say for certain, but as you arrive at 8:30pm, and both Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar are still bring pax in after that time, I'd assume that at least one mini-bus would be waiting at the terminal to go to HaNoi city area.

At the worst, you take a taxi and agree on the fare [200,000 - 225,000 VN dong = same same as US$15.

Cheers

The Tung Trang Hotel in Hanoi just set me up with airport pickup for 16USD - as of an email they sent August 10th, 2009.


This might be inflated, but this hotel doesn't really seem to be reasonably prices in just about everything they do - I'd say its safe to assume that this is the going rate.

I'm sure you can find it cheaper, just be damn sure you know where you are going, and don't let them take you somewhere else.

Posted from within Vietnam.

As I work in Hanoi, I took the taxi to and from the airport many times and there are fixed prices with Noi Ba Taxi and Airport Taxi, so no need to fix the price or whatever:
From the airport to the centre: 230'000 VN Dong
From the centre to the airport: 180'000 VN Dong
I never had ANY problems with the taxi driver tryiong to rip me off (just don't tip too much), they usully don't speak English so have your address printed somewhere and there will be no problem!

Hi Basejump

If you spend your whole trip haggling over slightly more than the cost of a cup of coffee you will not enjoy yourself.

I like to have a general idea of what costs should be but basically take the approach that if I am happy with the quote and get good service then I remain a happy camper.

I have known backpackers who will spend all day going from place to place to save $2 a night on accommodation (forgetting the fact that they have wasted a day of their holiday).

Relax, if you believe you are getting value for money then you are, if you paid slightly more than the person next to you so what, $5 to us isn't much but will make a big difference to the poor old cabbie.

Posted from within Vietnam.

There are a couple of places on Dinh Liet Street in the Old Quarter of Hanoi that will arrange a taxi to the airport for you for $9. This is the cheapest we've found it.

Posted from within Vietnam.

You may also catch a taxi at Noi Bai airport terminal arrivals level. Airport taxi costs a fixed VND 320,000 ($16) for a sedan(toll charges are included in the price).
Good brand name taxi : Noi Bai airport taxi , Airport Taxi, Viet Thanh Taxi and Mai Linh taxi.
Note: it is a good habit to write down the number plate of the taxi in case the driver want to cheat you.
I have come back Hanoi many time, i found it good, new car, cheap price, friendly driver...Mr.Canh 0982358282.Their officially site is : www.hanoitransferservice.com

That seems pretty fair, it is only a couple of bucks above the going rate, you will be getting in late at night and it will mean you wont need to risk the less than honest taxi drivers.

Posted from within Vietnam.

Yes the taxi's are now up to 16.00 flat rate from the airport, and although Mai Linh and Hanoi taxi can be a safe bet since they have English speaking staff at there hqtrs , but they still try to take you the long way , did you know the smallest taxi's charge the cheapest, and if going somewhere for 1 hour or less just make the taxi wait it will be cheaper on the return trip. No if you arrive before 10pm take the city bus from the airport just .25 cents to the city center , if you don't have allot of luggage... buses run every 30 mins from 6 am to 10 pm ....but you must pay in dong so change at least 20.00 usd at the airport.