Hanoi (Noi Bai) Airport to Old Quarter for $1

We like sharing videos and writing articles about how to save money especially during long term travels. This article will give you information on how to save money, traveling from Hanoi (Noi Bai) Airport to Old Quarter for $1.

Last July to August 2017, we went around Vietnam, from North to South, for 3 weeks. Came from Kunming, China, rode a train down to the border city of China-Vietnam, crossed the border by foot, before hopping onto another train from Lao Cai border city to Hanoi.

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If you’d like to know how we crossed the China-Vietnam border, 

click the photo below:

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After our whole 7 week trip across Vietnam and Thailand, we ended up back in Hanoi.

This time however, we didn’t do land travel. We flew to Hanoi airport from Bangkok. From Hanoi (Noi Bai) International Airport, we needed to get to Hanoi Railway Station and take a train up to the border again, cross countries, and finally arrive back in China.

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Spending money in the most practical way

is always the goal when we travel.

Be it our first day, or the last day of the whole trip.

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As we all know, transportation to and from airports are crazily expensive. And when you ask airport information counters, you are normally told to just take a taxi possibly because one, public transport is hard to explain to foreigners, or two, because they know we all have the money anyway.

BIG. FAT. SIGH.

As expected, this is what happened to us. Coming from Hanoi (Noi Bai) International Airport, taxis are priced at US$ 15 for a 40 minute ride to the Old Quarter. It was hard to take in so we had to find other ways.

Luckily, there was a bus station on the left side of the airport once you step out from the gates. There was a bus driver who showed us where we can ride a bus to the city center for just US$ 1.30. Shockingly enough, the price was sooo far from US$ 15, but to add to that, the bus stop was literally just a few steps away from where we were standing! My goodness! It was as easy as that!

Here’s the video for quicker information:

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Further detailed breakdown of BUS 86 route

If for some reason the video isn’t working, here’s the written form:

1. Make sure you are at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.
2. Step out of the immigration and cross the road.
3. There is a strip of stops for different modes of transport. Turn left and look for BUS STOP 86.
4. Tickets are to be bought inside the bus. VND 30,000 (USD 1.30)
5. Bus schedule, see below.
6. Travel time is about 40 mins.
7. Free WIFI so check the stop closest to your destination.

Let us know how your trip went and if this article was helpful!