How To Get From Ho Chi Minh Airport To City Centre | The Four Options
Here are the four most popular options to get from Ho Chi Minh City Airport (SGN) to the City Centre. Includes ride share, taxi, public bus, and private transfer options.
One of the major challenges when visiting a city for the first time, especially in South East Asia, is how to get from the airport to the city centre, or your accommodation.
And Ho Chi Minh City is no different.
Upon exiting the arrivals hall, you’ll be bombarded with heat, humidity, and the customary taxi hawkers, looking to secure your fare in any way possible. It’s often intimidating, overwhelming, and the last thing you wish to deal with after a long-haul flight.
Thankfully, the experience doesn’t need to be overwhelming, and that’s why we’ve written this guide on how to get from Ho Chi Minh City Airport to the city centre.
This short guide breaks down each of the four travel options, from most comfortable, through to most affordable, providing an in-depth overview to help you plan your journey and, well, not get ripped off.
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WHERE IS HO CHI MINH CITY AIRPORT (TAN SON NHAT INTERNATIONAL) LOCATED?
Before we run through the four travel options, we think it’s important to understand where the airport is, within the context of the city centre.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is located in the Tan Binh District of Ho Chi Minh City, around 6 - 8 km northwest of District 1 (see map here).
And while it is located very close to the city downtown, it can take upwards of an hour to get to the city (or the airport from the city centre), especially during peak hours.
This is especially important to recognise, especially when heading back to the airport for your departure (even for a domestic flight) - always allocate extra time to get there, just in case.
THE FOUR OPTIONS | SAIGON AIRPORT TO CITY CENTRE
RIDESHARE APPS, SUCH AS GRAB | AFFORDABLE & EFFICIENT
Grab, the Southeast Asian equivalent of Uber is the option we used and enjoyed the comfort and affordability of the service, not just from Ho Chi Minh City Airport to the city centre, but also around the whole of Vietnam (and Bali, for that matter).
Grab is often more affordable than taking a traditional taxi, with fares typically ranging from 100,000 VND to 250,000 VND ($4 to $10 USD as of 2024), depending on availability and surge pricing.
The app also provides transparent pricing, so you’ll know the fare before confirming your ride - we found this super useful as previous trips to SE Asia had resulted in many disputed fares, especially from airports.
Additionally, the app gives you the option to select your preferred vehicle type, which allowed us to choose a larger car with more comfort as we were travelling with a toddler (and many associated bags) - and yes, Grab is also great for families!
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It’s worth remembering that before you use Grab you’ll need to have a local sim card or have global roaming on your phone, and have downloaded the app and added your bank card details.
Once you’re ready to book, open the app, enter your destination/hotel, and choose between GrabCar (a private car) or GrabTaxi (a metered taxi).
For pickups from the airport, it can be a little challenging. As you exit the intentional terminal, you’ll see large, green Grab advertising boards to your left/straight ahead - this is where the pickup point will be. Your driver will also send a map confirming the pickup point, and you can correspond (call/text) if you cannot find the pickup point.
For other parts of town, just add your location details (or pin your location) and a driver will meet you.
At a pinch, you could use the free WIFI at Tan Son Nhat International Airport to book a ride to the city, but we’d suggest against it.
THE DETAILS
BEST FOR | Couples, singles and budget-conscious travellers
COST | ~ $4 - $10 USD per car, depending on demand
BOOK | Download the Grab app here
AIRPORT TAXI | FLEXIBLE
We could write a book on the amount of awkward encounters and disputed fares we’ve had trying to take a taxi from airports around the world. Inherently, you’re going to get ripped off, and it’s usually just a matter of how much.
Thankfully, technology, rideshare apps, and Government crackdowns have begun to clean up the industry, especially in Vietnam, so while you’re likely to pay more for a fare from the airport to the city centre with a traditional taxi than you would in the aforementioned Grab, it won’t be by much.
If you’d prefer the ease of a conventional taxi, you can commission one as soon as you step into the arrivals hall - there are several taxi counters offering their services.
Suggested options include the nationwide Vinasun and Mai Linh Taxi, and we highly suggest negotiating a fixed price before you enter the taxi - no more than 400,000 VND (as of 2024).
THE DETAILS
BEST FOR | No one, really. Or flexible travellers
COST | 250,000 VND to 400,000 VND (approximately $10 to $15 USD)
PUBLIC BUS | COST-EFFECTIVE OPTION
The cost of travel in Vietnam is so affordable, that we’d almost always recommend taking a Grab as the cost really is inconsequential.
However, when we think back to our backpacker days when every cent spent was important, we understand the merit of taking the public bus from the airport to the city centre.
Thankfully, Ho Chi Minh City has one of the easiest, and most cost-effective bus networks in SE Asia, which makes getting from Tan Son Nhat International to the city quite seamless.
BUS #152
Bus number 152 runs from the airport to Ben Thanh Market in District 1 (this is close to most major hotels, and the backpacker district of Bui Vien), and takes around 50 mins - 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
The 152 bus runs daily, from 5:15 am to 7:00 pm, every 15-20 minutes (however services may be affected during Tet). Buses are also equipped with air conditioning.
Tickets cost 6,000 VND ($0.20 - as of 2024) per person, with an additional 6,000 VND ($0.20) per large piece of luggage - cash only, so get cash out from one of the airport ATMs before you exit.
To board the bus, exit the International arrivals hall, head to your right and you’ll notice a Burger King (here) - cross the road here and you should find the bus stop.
YELLOW BUS #109
Additionally, there’s also the Yellow Bus #109 which runs a similar service from the airport to the city centre. However, the bus caters to international tourists, so is a little more comfortable, with extra baggage storage options.
The #109 costs around 20,000 VND per person, payable in cash either on the bus, or at the ticket counter, and departs from column 12 of the International terminal, and column 18 of the Domestic terminal.
When you get on the bus, clearly tell your driver where you wish to get off, so they know where to tell you to exit (we suggest following the route on Google Maps to make sure you’re close to your destination).
PRIVATE TRANSFER | PEACE OF MIND
In the past, we’ve stayed clear of using private transfers as they seemed unnecessary and expensive, however, we recently used Welcome Pickups for our airport pick-up in Hanoi, and the service was affordable and seamless.
We’re now converts and plan to use it more often, especially now we’re travelling with children. It’s also a very useful platform for planners who love to be organised when arriving at a new destination - you’ll have a driver waiting for you with a sign upon your arrival, whatever your arrival time, ready to transport you to your accommodation, which is kinda cool in itself.
You can pre-book a private transfer here.
THE DETAILS
BEST FOR | Families, accessible travellers or those who enjoy comfort
COST | ~ $12 USD per car
BOOK | Book securely and in advance here
TIPS FOR TRAVELLING FROM THE SAIGON AIPORT TO THE CITY CENTRE
Whichever of the four options you’ve chosen, there are a number of helpful tips you should know that will make your arrival to Ho Chi Minh City more manageable:
Watch out for peak traffic hours (morning and late afternoon) as they might extend travel time significantly
Note that prices may be higher if you're arriving at night (generally after 8 pm)
Always confirm the total price before starting your journey if using a taxi
Many city-based hotels will also arrange for taxis or private transfers to meet you at the airport for a little extra fee - enquire directly if this is of interest
Download an offline Google map of the city before you fly, and have your hotel or hostel saved/starred. That way, you can follow the route using the offline function to make sure you’re going in the right direction & for peace of mind
Have all of your accommodation details both printed and saved on your phone (just in case your battery dies) to pass onto your driver
You can purchase a SIM card as soon as you enter the arrivals hall. Booths are located to the right as you exit, and the process is quick and affordable - you’ll just need to provide your passport details
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO HO CHI MINH CITY/SAIGON
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU SPEND IN HO CHI MINH CITY?
As we mentioned above, we really enjoy Saigon. In fact, we’ve even discussed spending a six-month sabbatical here to savour it all.
As a city, it really has everything - excellent food, amazing bars & nightlife, great attractions, and close proximity to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s southern island, and other parts of Southeast Asia (Cambodia, specifically).
So, how long you spend in Saigon really depends on your needs, wants and desires.
For most travellers to Vietnam, 3 days is enough to see the main sights and experience a little of the city’s vibe. But we feel like this undersells the city a little, especially if you’re like us, and like to travel slowly and delve a little deeper.
Therefore, we recommend you spend at least 5 days in Ho Chi Minh City. This will give you enough time to see everything we’ve suggested in this guide but at a slower and more measured pace.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT HO CHI MINH CITY
Ho Chi Minh has two very distinct seasons: the wet monsoon season from April/May through to November/December, and the dry season that brings some relief when it arrives between December to April.
We travelled during the early dry season and the weather was hot, but pleasant, especially in the morning and late afternoon.
We would avoid visiting during Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, especially as first-time visitors. We did so, and while it was an interesting cultural experience, it caused shutdowns, disruptions, and price surges to our travel itinerary.
Expect crowds in all the major sightseeing spots too, as locals gather for photoshoots and to generally enjoy the best of their cities - which can make for an even more overwhelming experience.
Regardless of when you visit though, expect heat and humidity - Saigon is the epitome of a steaming tropical Southeast Asian city.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN HO CHI MINH CITY
We’ve heard it said that you either love or hate Ho Chi Minh City. And we’re firmly in the former camp - it’s a wonderful city, with much to offer any traveller, regardless of travel style.
From the popular wartime attractions of Cu Chi Tunnels and the War Remnants Museum, the city’s extensive museums, galleries and religious sites, colonial delights and leafy parks of District 1, and the hidden laneways of outer districts, Saigon delights.
We’ve written a complete guide to the city, which you can find here - and it includes our recommendations on the best things to do, where to stay, where to source the best Vietnamese coffee, and our absolute favourite spots for filling a hungry tummy.
READ MORE | The best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City
HOW TO GET AROUND HO CHI MINH CITY
We used Grab almost every single day in Vietnam, and recommend it for every traveller there.
Both cars and scooters (and food, incidentally) can be booked via the app (you will need a local sim), and we found the interface great, the prices extremely affordable, the drivers friendly, and the whole experience generally very easy and safe.
Because Grab is so easy to use, we actually recommend avoiding traditional taxis here, as they are known for price-gouging unsuspecting tourists.
Unfortunately, the Ho Chi Minh City metro remains unfinished, however, there is talk of Line 1 opening in July 2024. This remains to be seen (works have taken over 10 years!), but if it does, please let us know how it goes in the comments below.
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN VIETNAM
If you can't afford travel insurance, you really can't afford to travel. As the current global situation has taught many people, things can go wrong anywhere in the world - and insurance is often the only way of mitigating any issues with minimal expense or stress for you.
Here are our recommendations, based on 8+ years of full-time travel:
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FOR DIGITAL NOMADS | SafetyWing - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel & medical, and policies can be purchased while already abroad.
CAR INSURANCE | Insurance4CarHire - a great annual car insurance policy
PLAN YOUR NEXT TRIP
HO CHI MINH CITY | The best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, 15+ Essential Saigon Travel Tips, How to visit Tan Dinh Church (Saigon’s Pink Church), Where to eat and drink in Ho Chi Minh City
HOI AN | The best things to do in Hoi An, 15+ Essential Hoi An Travel Tips, How to visit My Son Sanctuary, How to get from Danang Airport to Hoi An, A guide to the Hoi An Old Town Ticket
HANOI | The best things to do in Hanoi, How to visit the Temple of Literature
MEKONG DELTA | The best things to do in the Mekong Delta
PHOTOGRAPHY | Love our photography? Read our detailed photography gear guide, as well as our top travel photography tips!
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL | Learn our top responsible travel tips to help you, your family and your friends travel more consciously around the globe
ECO-FRIENDLY PACKING ESSENTIALS | Don’t leave home without our favourite eco-friendly travel essentials
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