Noi Bai airport Hanoi - HAN Transfer service

Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) is the largest aviation hub in Northern Vietnam and the primary gateway to Hanoi. Located 45km from the city center, it serves as a vital link for domestic and international travel. Following significant expansions completed by early 2026, the airport now features modernized infrastructure capable of handling nearly 30 million passengers annually. With two distinct terminals connected by a free shuttle service, Noi Bai offers a world-class welcome, blending high-tech efficiency with the famous Vietnamese hospitality, ensuring your journey to the "City of the Soaring Dragon" begins perfectly. 

Navigating the Terminals: A Structural Guide

Noi Bai Airport, established in 1978 and significantly expanded through the years, consists of two main buildings: the Domestic Terminal (T1) and the International Terminal (T2). Each terminal consists of four floors, each serving distinct functions:

1. Domestic Terminal (T1) – Serving domestic flights:

• 1st Floor: Arrival area where passengers collect their baggage after landing and moving to the outside area to catch transportation. It also offers various amenities such as food courts, restaurants, ATMs, lost luggage assistance, and more.
• 2nd Floor: Check-in area, including baggage drop-off, security checkpoints, and boarding gates. Customers can also utilize convenient services such as food and beverage outlets, currency exchange, and shopping.
• 3rd Floor: Administrative and office area for airport staff and management departments.
• 4th Floor: Dining and relaxation area featuring various restaurants.

2. International Terminal (T2) – Serving international flights: Opened in 2015 and recently expanded in 2025-2026, is a state-of-the-art glass structure.

• 1st Floor: Arrival hall for landing, baggage claim, customs clearance, and the public greeting area.
• 2nd Floor: Health quarantine area and immigration counters for international passengers.
• 3rd Floor: Departure area for exit procedures, check-in, and boarding lounges.
• 4th Floor: VIP/Business Class lounges, dining, and relaxation areas. This floor also houses the representative offices of foreign airlines operating at Noi Bai Airport.

3. Popular services and how to locate them

- Luggage Trolley:

• At Terminal 1: Trolleys are available in the public area outside the terminal on the 2nd floor (Lobbies A, B, C, E) and are also distributed on the 1st floor (Lobbies A, B, E).
• At Terminal 2: Trolleys are located in the public area outside the terminal on the 3rd floor, within the immigration area on the 2nd floor, and are also available on the 1st floor.

- Luggage storage service: At Terminal 2, public area on the 2nd floor, East wing.

- Luggage packing service: At Terminal 1, the service is distributed in the public area on the 2nd floor, wings A, B, and E; at Terminal 2, public area on the 3rd floor.

- Free Wifi: Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi) provides free 24/7 Wi-Fi in both Terminals T1 (domestic) and T2 (international) under the network name "NoiBai Airport Free WiFi". Passengers only need to connect, no password is required, and can access the network quickly and stably in waiting areas and restricted zones.

- Banks and ATMs:

• At Terminal 1: Public area on the 1st floor, Block C has 6 ATMs (Techcombank, BIDV, Vietinbank, VIB, MB); Public area on the 2nd floor, Hall E has 1 ATM (Vietinbank).
• At Terminal 2: Public area on the 1st floor has 8 ATMs (BIDV, Vietinbank, Agribank, MSB); Public area on the 3rd floor has 1 ATM (BIDV); Isolation area on the 2nd floor has 2 ATMs (BIDV).

- Free charging service:

• At Terminal 1: public areas on the 1st floor in lobbies A and B, and in the restricted area on the 2nd floor in lobbies A, B, and E.
• At Terminal 2: departure restricted area on the 3rd floor, arrival restricted area on the 1st floor, and public area on the 3rd floor.

- Tax Refund Service: Tax refund airport counters available at the restricted area on the 3rd floor, East and West wings - Terminal 2 Passenger Terminal. You must visit the Customs office first to verify your goods before heading to the bank counter for your cash refund (Customs inspection counter near the Check-in Island D area or near Gate 31, depending on your specific terminal wing).

- Medical services: At Terminal 1: arrival hall on the 1st floor, wing A; At Terminal 2: arrival hall on the 1st floor (west side) and isolation waiting area on the 3rd floor (east side).
- Children's services: At Terminal 1: children's play area on the 4th floor, isolated area D; At Terminal 2: includes a baby care room and children's play area in the isolated area on the 3rd floor.

Smooth Landings: Arriving and Checking In


Upon landing at Terminal 2, the walk to immigration can be long, so utilize the moving walkways to speed up your transit. If you require a Visa on Arrival, the counter is located just before the immigration lines; ensure you have your approval letter and stamping fee ready in USD—usually $25.00 USD (approx. 625,000 VND). After clearing customs, you will find currency exchange and SIM card booths in the arrival hall. For departures, check-in rows are clearly marked; however, allow at least 3 hours for international flights during peak seasons, as security and immigration lines can be substantial. Terminal 1 check-in for domestic flights is generally faster, but it is still wise to arrive 2 hours before takeoff.


Pro-Traveler Experience Tips


- Always keep a light jacket in your carry-on; the airport air conditioning is notoriously powerful, and the terminals can feel quite chilly during long waits.

- Generally, the first thing you should do after clearing customs is secure a local SIM card. While the airport Wi-Fi is generally reliable, having a 5G connection for ride-hailing apps like Grab or Xanh SM is essential for a stress-free exit. A ride to the Old Quarter typically costs between 250,000 and 400,000 VND ($10.00 - $16.00 USD). A mandatory tip for the budget-conscious: skip the private taxis and head to the Bus 86 stop located right outside the arrival gates. It’s clean, has luggage racks, and drops you at key points in the city center for a fraction of the cost.


- If you have a long layover between a domestic and international flight, don't walk between terminals. A free shuttle bus (marked "T1-T2") runs every 10–15 minutes between the 1st floor of T1 and the 3rd floor of T2 (7:30AM - 11:30PM) and every 30 minutes (6:30AM - 7:30AM, 11:30PM - 1:30AM).
For those who need to rest, Noi Bai offers Sleep Pods (SkySleep) on the 2nd and 3rd floors of T2 and the 3rd floor of T1. These private, air-conditioned cabins are perfect for a few hours of sleep and cost approximately 160,000 VND ($6.40 USD) per hour.

- Although there are many currency exchange counters at the airport, you should avoid exchanging money there unless absolutely necessary, as the exchange rates are not particularly competitive compared to shops in the city center. You can easily exchange currency at better rates at shops on streets such as Hang Bac and Ha Trung in the heart of the Old Quarter upon your arrival. 

- In Vietnam, taxi services through third-party ride-hailing apps like Grab, Be, or Xanh SM are quite popular. You can also use these services to travel to your hotel or from your hotel to the airport. The process from the airport is generally smooth, with taxis dropping passengers off at the arrival hall as usual. However, if you call a taxi from the airport to the city center, the driver may have difficulty finding you. Because the arrival hall is quite large and most drivers are not fluent in English, communicating to determine your location can take longer than usual. Furthermore, if you haven't prepared Vietnamese currency or haven't had time to exchange it, payment can be quite difficult as Mastercard/VISA cards are only accepted by a limited number of taxi companies. 

We recommend choosing a private car service from reputable travel agencies to ensure the best experience for your trip.