Grab, Taxi or Private Car for Tourists
Pick the ride that matches the trip: airport, city hop or a long day out.
Use Grab for short city hops and airport rides when the app shows a fare up front. Use a metered taxi from a stand when you have no data. Use a private car with a driver for long days and for groups with luggage or elders.
Which ride suits which trip?
Match the ride to what you are doing, then compare prices.
| Trip | Grab | Metered taxi | Private car with driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport to hotel | Good, fare shown first | Good from a stand | Good if pre-booked |
| City hop | Good | Good | More than you need |
| Half-day outing | Awkward, one-way only | Awkward | Good |
| Full-day outing | Not suited | Not suited | Good |
| Group with luggage | Check vehicle size | Check vehicle size | Good |
How does Grab work in Vietnam?
Grab operates in Vietnam, and GrabTaxi first launched in Ho Chi Minh City in 20141. You see a fare before you confirm and the driver’s details in the app. Make sure the app works with your Malaysian number and card before you leave home.
Prices change with demand, time of day and traffic. Check the fare on the app and compare it with a taxi if you have a choice. Use the trip budget builder to test different ride mixes.
What about the airport?
Distance affects the choice. Noi Bai is about 35 km northeast of downtown Hanoi2, and a public bus, route 86, links the terminals with the Old Quarter3. That is a long ride for a taxi, so agree the price method before you go.
If you want a calmer arrival with elders or small children, a pre-arranged transfer is worth considering. See Airport Transfers in Vietnam. For Da Nang, read Da Nang airport access.
How do you check a price first?
Follow three steps.
- Open the app and note the fare, or ask the driver for an estimate before you get in.
- Confirm the currency. Vietnam uses the dong, code VND4.
- Ask whether tolls, waiting time and luggage are included.
Keep small notes for fares, since drivers may not have change for larger ones. If you are unsure, ask your hotel to call a ride and tell you the likely fare.
When does a private car pay for itself?
When your day has several stops, a group of four or more splits the fare. It also helps if your day includes a long gap between stops, since you do not search for a ride at each place. Compare the full cost in Transport Cost on a Vietnam Circuit. More help sits in Costs and package value.
Tell us where you land, where you stay and who is with you, and we can suggest which ride suits each leg and what to confirm first.
Common questions
Is Grab available in Vietnam?
Yes. Grab operates in Vietnam and launched in Ho Chi Minh City in 2014. You can use the same app you know from Malaysia, though you should check that your phone number and payment method work before you leave. Keep the app updated and download offline maps as a backup.
Is a taxi safe for tourists?
Use a taxi from a stand or a recognisable company, and make sure the meter is running. Check the vehicle details and ask the hotel to call one if you are unsure. If a driver refuses the meter, you can say no thank you and choose another ride.
When does a private car with driver make sense?
It makes sense for long days with a string of stops, for families with luggage and for elders who cannot manage queues. You agree the route and the hours in advance. The price is higher than a single ride, but you stop paying per hop.
How do I check the price before I ride?
On Grab, the app shows a fare before you confirm. For a taxi, ask roughly how much the trip will cost and watch the meter. For a private car, get the total in writing, including tolls and waiting time. Confirm which currency applies.
Sources
- Grab operates in Vietnam; GrabTaxi first launched in Ho Chi Minh City in February 2014. Wikipedia
- Noi Bai is about 35 km northeast of downtown Hanoi. Wikipedia
- Hanoi public bus 86 runs between Noi Bai terminals T1 and T2 and the Old Quarter and Hanoi Railway Station, fare 45,000 VND. Wikipedia. Fare changes; check before travel.
- Vietnam's currency is the dong, ISO code VND, issued by the State Bank of Vietnam. Wikipedia
Keep planning
Tell us where you land, where you stay and who is with you, and we can suggest which ride suits each leg and what to confirm first.