Transport Guide for Hanoi Tours: Best Apps to Use

Public Transport Options in Hanoi: What You Can Ride

Hanoi City Bus – The Backbone of Urban Transport

The famous Hanoi City Bus is the first choice of Hanoi citizens and tourists to travel within Hanoi, with over 100 bus routes reaching all streets, markets, schools, bus and train stations, and famous places of the capital.

• Ticket Price: 7,000 – 9,000 VND per trip
• Operating Hours: 4:30 AM – 10:30 PM (some routes extended till 11:30 PM weekends)
• Main Operator: Transerco (Hanoi Transport Corporation) – The biggest state-owned urban transport company of Vietnam
• How to Ride:
  • Payment: Cash ticket directly on the bus, or with the payment of a monthly e-pass via the app “The ve giao thong HN”
  • Find the best route and your real-time location with Tim Bus or Google Maps

Popular Routes:

• Bus 09 & 14: Crossing Hoan Kiem Lake – Good transportation to the Old Quarter
• Bus 33: From the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to the city areas
• Bus 47A: Will bring you to Bat Trang Pottery Village – ideal for people who appreciate crafts
  

Hanoi City Bus (Sours: wikipedia)

Bus 86 Hanoi – Airport to Downtown in Style

If you’re flying into Noi Bai International Airport, the Bus 86 Hanoi is a necessity. An A/C orange express bus that directly connects the airport with Hanoi.

• Ticket Price: 45,000 VND per trip (cash only, pay onboard)
• Operating Hours: 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM, every 25-30 minutes
• Operator: Hanoi Transport and Services Corporation (TRANSERCO)
• Route:
  • Noi Bai → Long Bien → Hanoi Railway Station
  • Stops include: Hoan Kiem Lake, Opera House, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

 Perks:

• Features include WiFi, USB charging, and English announcement
• Perfect for international travelers and first-timers
• Clean, modern, luggage racks, and friendly staff

Pro Tip: No reservations are required, just look for Bus 86 at the stop outside the airport Terminal 1 or 2.

Bus 86 Hanoi (Sours: hanoilocaltour)

VinBus – The Eco-Friendly Electric Bus

Get a glimpse into the future of Hanoi’s transport with VinBus – a premium electric bus service brought to you by Vingroup, committed to supporting clean urban mobility.

• Ticket Price: FREE on certain routes; others range from 7,000 – 9,000 VND
• Operating Hours: 5:00 AM – 10:30 PM
• How to Book: Simply find the buses on the VinID app, check the schedule, and book your route.
• Popular Routes:
  • Vincom Royal City ↔ My Dinh Bus Station
  • Vinhome Ocean Park ↔ Ho Tay (West Lake)

 Features:

• 100% electric, no emissions, whisper-quiet
• Inboard aircon, screens, and disabled access
• A large and comfortable sitting area and cameras for surveillance

VinBus (Sours: vingroup)

Hanoi Metro – Fast, Modern, and Expanding

The above-ground Hanoi metro is already in service and is expanding! During busy and rush hour, the metro saves you from heavy ground traffic, gliding over the madness in comfort.

• Line in Operation: Line 2A (Cat Linh ↔ Yen Nghia)
• Ticket Price:
  • Single Ride: 8,000 – 15,000 VND
  • Day Pass: 30,000 VND
  • Monthly Pass: 200,000 – 300,000 VND
• Operator: Hanoi Metro Company
• Where to Buy Tickets: Ticket vending machines in metro stations or via smart card app (coming soon)

 Stops near landmarks:

• Cat Linh Station – Opposite to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
• La Thanh Station – Shopping & local eateries
• Yen Nghia Station – Western entrance into the city

Metro Tip: The metro is easily transferable to buses and VinBus. Coordinate your journey on Google Maps or with the Tim Bus app to ensure seamless transfers.

Hanoi Metro (Sours: wikipedia)

Hop-on Hop-off Bus – Ideal for First-Time Visitors

The perfect sightseeing in Hanoi Vietnam is the Hop-on Hop-off Bus. This double-decker sightseeing bus stops at 20-plus landmarks, allowing tourists to hop on and off.

• Ticket Price:
  • 4-hour pass: ~199,000 VND
  • 24-hour pass: ~399,000 VND
  • 48-hour pass: ~599,000 VND
• Booking: With brochures and tickets on sale at main tourist info centers or online through local tour websites
• Tour Highlights:
  • Thang Long Citadel, Temple of Literature, Hanoi Opera House, Hanoi Post Office, West Lake
    

Hop-on Hop-off Bus (Sours: hopoff)

Minibuses & Interprovincial Coaches

Going beyond Hanoi transport? Other than that, minibuses and long-haul coaches are the best options for local trips.

• Main Terminals:
  • My Dinh Bus Station – Western and northwestern Vietnam (Sapa, Dien Bien, Ba Vi)
  • Gia Lam Bus Station – The eastward destinations (Ha Long Bay, Lang Son)
  • Giap Bat Bus Station – Southern and northern phone numbers 
  • Yen Nghia Bus Station – The gate to the western provinces
    
• Ticket Price: 50,000 – 300,000 VND (price ranges depend on the distance & seat class)
• How to Book:
  • Directly at stations
  • Through tour agencies
  • Online via VeXeRe or 12go. asia

 Brands to Know:

• Kumho Viet Thanh, Hoang Long, Mai Linh Express

Minibuses (Sours: klook)

Best Apps to Use for Hanoi Public Transport

Tim Bus App – Real-Time Route Finder for Locals and Tourists

Tim Bus is Hanoi’s first official bus app and the must-have app for using the 100+ available bus lines in the nation’s capital.

How to Use Tim Bus App:

1. Download the App:
   • Search “Tim Bus” in Google Play or App Store
   • Install and open the app
     
2. Search for a Route:
   • Tap the search bar
   • Type in your point of departure and your destination
   • The app recommends the optimal bus line, estimated Time, and transfer (if possible)
     
3. Track Buses in Real Time:
   • Tap on a suggested route
   • Track buses and see expected arrival times at your closest bus stop
4. Save Routes or Stops:
   • Favorites list for use in daily commuting
   • Brilliant for common routes such as the Hanoi City Bus #33 towards Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum or #47 for Bat Trang
     

Tim Bus App (Sours: appstore)

VinID App – Book, Track & Ride Electric VinBus

If you’re looking for an environmentally-friendly, smooth, and silent ride, VinBus is your green ticket. And with the VinID App, booking is a piece of cake.

How to Use VinID App for VinBus:

1. Download the VinID App from the App Store or Google Play
2. Create an Account:
   • Register with your phone number from Vietnam
   • Confirm with the code you receive (OTP)
3. Open “VinBus” Section:
   • Click on the "VinBus" icon from the home page.
   • It makes it easy to search for VinBus bus stops around, allowing you to use GPS or manually input your location
4. Track Buses Live:
   • Real Time Map for VinBus
   • View ETA, line name, and next stop
5. Buy E-Ticket:
   • Choose Your Route → Click On “Buy Ticket”
   • Payment with in-app VinID Wallet (direct top-up through banking app)

VinID App (Sours: baotintuc)

Google Maps – Your Go-To Global Navigation App

As for getting around Hanoi as a tourist or expat, Google Maps is still the simplest and most recognizable solution, particularly for mixing walking, metro, and bus service.

How to Use Google Maps for Hanoi Public Transport:

1. Open Google Maps on your phone
2. Enter Destination:
   • Enter a destination, such as West Lake or the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
   • Tap “Directions.”

3. Choose the Public Transit Icon (Bus)
4. View Suggested Routes:
   • Google will provide routes with the Bus 86 Hanoi, Hanoi City Bus, or Line 2A metro
   • Each result is accompanied by: Estimated Time of Travel, walking directions to nearby bus stops, and transfers
5. Follow the Blue Line:
   • Tap a trail to follow your trip in real-time
   • You’ll know where to get on, where to get off, and walk!

Google Maps (Sours: appstore)

The ve giao thong HN – Manage Monthly Passes Without a Card

Commuters rejoice! The ve giao thong HN App (Hanoi Transport Card app) gives you the convenience of having your virtual monthly bus pass with you, perfect for frequent Hanoi City Bus network users.

How to Use The ve giao thong HN App:

1. Download the App:
   • Search for “The ve giao thong HN” on the Android or iOS stores
2. Register Your Account:
   • If you’re new to Airbnb, sign up with your phone number
   • You put in your details: your name, ID, your photo, your rider category (student, worker).”
3. Choose Pass Type:
   • Choose a certain bus route or an M-Line ticket
   • Choose the duration of validity: 1 month, 3 months, and so on.
4. Pay via QR or Linked Bank
   • Pay via built-in mobile banking
   • And: You’re up and running the moment after you make your payment.

5. Show QR at Boarding
   • Just open your app and present the QR code to the bus staff, no card necessary!

The ve giao thong HN (Sours: thevegiaothonghanoi)

How to Ride Like a Local: Tips for First-Time Users

Arrive Early and Know Your Stop

It’s all about timing with public transportation in Hanoi. The buses are frequent, but we like to leave 5-10 minutes early just in case, especially at rush hour (6:30-8:00 AM & 5:00-7:00 PM). Let us tell you, buses don’t wait, especially when traffic is light!

Some bus routes don’t stop for long, so have those elbows up and be ready to get on. Travel apps such as Tim Bus and Google Maps will help you find your stop and give you real-time updates on the day. If you are on the public transport Hanoi Metro stations are well-signed and have countdowns for platform screens to assist you, min sure you get on at the right time.

Bring Small Cash – Always!

The majority of Hanoi’s public transport is in the form of tickets for cash issued by attendants on Hanoi City Bus. The standard journey costs a mere 7,000-9,000 VND, so have small notes at the ready (less than 50,000 VND). If the currency you purchase is a higher denomination than the one you pay in, there could be an issue completing the transaction.

Even for the premium Bus 86 Hanoi, which costs 45,000 VND, the fare is still paid on board, so make sure you’ve got your wallet money in change.

Enter and Exit with Confidence

In Hanoi Vietnam, you’ll find that buses board at the front and alight at the rear unless it’s rush hour, and either door is fine for entering and exiting. Be quick but careful.

As you approach your destination, make your way to the exit and press the red stop button if required. In Hanoi Public Transport, stops may not be announced in English, especially on older routes, so it’s a good idea to refer to a phone app or ask a fellow passenger.

On public transport Hanoi Metro, however, stations are spelled out in English and Vietnamese, and information is broadcast regularly. Just don’t forget to stand on the right of the escalators – Londoners can sometimes be seen scurrying up the left.

Stay Safe, Stay Smart

As in any large city, it’s wise to keep an eye on your things, especially on crowded buses during rush hour. Here’s what locals do:

• Wear your backpack in front
• No phone by wide open windows
• Store things such as passports and wallets in zipped internal pockets

And, don’t worry, the Vietnamese are known as amiable. If you’re not sure where to alight, have your destination written down and ask to borrow a student’s or younger passenger’s pen, then scratch off and tell a student or younger passenger. Most are happy to help, and a lot of them know some English!

Pros and Cons of Using Hanoi Public Transport

Conclusion

Hanoi Public Transport – Learn how in no time with just your phone and a little local know-how! With bus services such as Hanoi City Bus, Bus 86 Hanoi (linking to the airport), and nifty applications like Tim Bus and VinID, traveling in Hanoi Vietnam is now more convenient, environmentally-friendly, and fun. Whether you’re traveling to iconic landmarks or joining dozens of Hanoi Tours from the Hanoi tour operator scene, the contemporary Hanoi transport service has you covered. So avoid the hassle, travel like a local and discover the capital’s charm one bus stop at a Time!