I’ll be arriving in a couple of weeks around lunch time and the hotel is on Nguyen Thuong Hien. Are taxis safe or is a private transfer or public transport the best, and am I likely to need cash or could I pay by card? Thanks
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I’d be going with the no. 86 bus, but failing that, I’d be comparing what your accommodation is charging for a private transfer, with what a company like Hanoi Transfer Service is charging.
Unlike Tan Son Nhat (HCMC) airport, l have little interest in using taxis, or Grab, from Noi Bai airport in Hanoi.
Scott
Booking.com is from about $14, so no more than taking a taxi.
Next time I will take the bus.
You could arrange through booking.com. The price will be slightly higher than an honest meter or Grab, but you’ll have the peace of mind that it’s sorted and that someone will be waiting holding a sign with your name.
I’ve used the service 3 times in the last 2+ weeks with no issues.
Trisha
“ Would taxis take cards?”
Go to the taxi counter!
Think taxis are cash only. No Uber in Vietnam, it is Grab.
Mai Linh not a good experience and $20. Better to get car from Hotel, maybe cheaper as well. I was quoted $13. I suggest contact your hotel first.
If you have local sim on your smart phone you can use Grab.
There is an airport bus, #86 goes to Hanoi train station, which is near your hotel, 45,000 Dong.
Edited: 8:02 pm, January 22, 2026
Would taxis take cards?
Uber don’t operate in Vietnam. It’s Grab for ride hailing.
You can take a taxi, make sure to use Mai Linh and that the meter is on. Taxi scams are still fairly common unfortunately, but generally Mai Linh are reliable.
Sometimes you can book a private transfer via your hotel or on the likes of Viator, Get your Guide, Klook etc for roughly the same as a taxi would cost.
Edited: 5:25 pm, January 22, 2026
There’s no Uber where I live so I’ve never used it and don’t want to start figuring it out in a foreign country!
Uber is easy.
I’ll be arriving in a couple of weeks around lunch time and the hotel is on Nguyen Thuong Hien. Are taxis safe or is a private transfer or public transport the best, and am I likely to need cash or could I pay by card? Thanks