Vietnam Solo Travel Transportation Hanoi: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Explorers

Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years of experience guiding more than 100,000 travelers across Southeast Asia. This guide is crafted from real solo traveler feedback and daily operations by Legend Travel Group – the leading tour operator for solo travelers in Vietnam and Cambodia since 2008.

=> Vietnam - 10 Days. Departure every Monday from Hanoi

=> Vietnam - 12 Days. Departure every Saturday from Hanoi

=> Vietnam and Cambodia - 12 Days. Departure every Monday from Hanoi

=> Vietnam - 10 Days. Departure every Monday from Saigon

=> Vietnam - 12 Days. Departure every Saturday from Saigon

=> Vietnam and Cambodia - 14 Days. Departure every Saturday from Hanoi

Hanoi is chaotic, charming, and incredibly solo-traveler-friendly. From $0.30 public buses to $1 Grab rides and legendary overnight trains to Sapa, getting around is part of the adventure. Legend Travel Group starts and ends most Vietnam Tours right here in Hanoi, so knowing how to move independently gives you total freedom before and after your small-group journey.

With only a 10% deposit required (balance due just 30 days before departure), you can explore Hanoi at your own pace and then join fellow solo travelers on our perfectly planned itineraries – stress-free and full of new friends.

1. Grab (Bike & Car) – The Solo Traveler’s Best Friend

• Price: Bike $0.50–$1.50 | Car $2–$5

• Why solo travelers love it: Cashless, fixed price, English app, trackable route, female-only GrabBike option

• Pro tip: Download Grab before arrival – works exactly like Uber

2. Public City Bus – Cheapest Way to Feel Like a Local

• Price: 7,000–9,000 VND ($0.30–$0.40) per ride

• Best routes for solo travelers:
  • 86: Old Quarter ↔ Noi Bai Airport (45–60 min)
  • 09: Hoan Kiem Lake ↔ Train Station
  • 01: Old Quarter ↔ Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

• Pro tip: Pay exact change to conductor; Google Maps works perfectly

3. Hanoi Metro Line 2A (Cat Linh – Ha Dong) – Modern & Air-Con

• Price: 8,000–15,000 VND ($0.35–$0.60)

• Great for solo travelers staying near Cat Linh or visiting Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

4. Overnight Trains to Sapa, Hue, Da Nang – Solo Traveler Classic

• Price: Soft sleeper $25–$45 one-way

• Legend Travel Group uses these exact trains on our Northern Vietnam & Central Vietnam Solo Tours

• Book through hostel desk or 12Go.asia – we include pick-up from Hanoi train station

5. Cyclos & Electric Carts – Fun Old Quarter Experience

• Price: $2–$5 for 30–60 min ride

• Perfect for solo sunset photos around Hoan Kiem Lake

6. Walking – The Real Hanoi Experience

• Old Quarter is only 1 km² – everything is walkable!

• Free daily walking tours depart from most social hostels at 10 AM & 6 PM

All tours include hassle-free airport/train station pick-up and drop-off:

1. 10-Day Vietnam Discovery Solo Tour – Starts with private airport transfer

2. 12-Day Vietnam & Cambodia Solo Adventure – Includes overnight train to Sapa + flight to Siem Reap

3. 7-Day Northern Vietnam Solo Explorer – Overnight train + Ha Long Bay cruise

4. 15-Day Best of Vietnam Solo Journey – Full transport package (trains, flights, private vans)

Only 10% deposit – pay the rest 30 days before departure. Free cancellation up to 45 days prior.

• Always use GrabBike or GrabCar after 10 PM

• Keep phone charged – Google Maps + Grab are your best friends

• Carry hostel business card (taxi drivers often don’t speak English)

• Use money belt for passport/cash on crowded buses

• Cross roads slowly and confidently – traffic will flow around you!

• Accommodation (social hostel dorm): $7–$15

• Transportation (mix of Grab + bus): $3–$8

• Street food: $5–$10

• Coffee/beer: $1–$2

• Total daily budget: $20–$40 – one of the cheapest capitals in the world!

• Arrive at Noi Bai Airport → take Bus 86 straight to Old Quarter ($0.40, 60 min)

• Download “Vietnam Railways” app for overnight train tickets

• Save Legend Travel Group hostel pick-up point in Google Maps

• Use female-only GrabBike if traveling after dark

• Keep small VND notes (10,000–50,000) for buses and street food

Q: Is Grab safe for solo female travelers in Hanoi?
A: Yes! Millions of rides daily, driver details shown, share trip feature, and female-only option available.

Q: Can I use the public bus from the airport as a solo traveler?
A: Absolutely! Bus 86 is clean, frequent, and drops you 5 min from Old Quarter hostels.

Q: Should I rent a motorbike in Hanoi?
A: Not recommended for first-time solo visitors – traffic is intense. Use GrabBike instead.

Q: How do I get from Hanoi to Sapa alone?
A: Take the overnight train (we include this on our Northern Vietnam Solo Tours) or comfortable sleeper bus.

Every Vietnam Tours booking includes carbon-offset transport and supports local family-run businesses. We use trains instead of domestic flights whenever possible and provide reusable water bottles to all travelers.

Start your Vietnam Travel adventure with total freedom in Hanoi, then let Legend Travel Group take care of everything else.

Contact us 24/7:
WhatsApp: +84 825 862 222
Email: sales@legendtravelgroup.com
Website: https://www.legendtravelgroup.com

By Legend Travel Group – Connecting Solo Travelers Since 2008