If you’re arriving in Vietnam through Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport and are unsure about the best way to reach the city centre—specifically the Old Quarter, where most travelers stay—you’ll be happy to know that there is an affordable and convenient option: the Express Bus 86.
This bus runs the route for only 35,000 VND (approximately $2), saving you from paying the $15–$20 that a taxi would typically cost. Your wallet will definitely thank you!
The first step is to find the Express Bus 86 stop at Hanoi Airport. After exiting the terminal, look to your left. You will see the area where taxis usually stop, but also a black sign (it’s no longer orange!) displaying the bus number. It’s hard to miss!
Once you’ve located the bus stop, just wait for the bus to arrive. It usually runs every 30 minutes and takes about 55 minutes to reach the city centre, depending on traffic. We took it at around 9:30 PM and arrived in the Old Quarter without even realizing it.
The Express Bus 86 is comfortable, air-conditioned, and offers free Wi-Fi, making the journey more enjoyable.
The ticket seller on board is also very friendly—just tell them roughly where your hotel or guesthouse is, and they’ll let you know the best stop to get off at. In fact, they will even remind you when it’s time to disembark!
As we mentioned earlier, the fare is 35,000 VND, which is an absolute bargain compared to taxis. While taxis do have the advantage of dropping you off directly at your hotel, taking this bus will save you a lot of money, and you’ll only need to walk a short distance from the stop to your accommodation. We highly recommend it!
If you don’t have Vietnamese dongs, you can exchange money at the airport terminal. However, be aware that exchange rates vary between different currency exchange offices, especially for euros and dollars. If you’re arriving from Thailand, as we did, you can easily exchange baht as well.
