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Getting from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the City Centre

Ho Chi Minh City, one of the busiest cities in Vietnam is home to the famous traditional pho, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta, and more. Packed with some of Vietnam’s biggest historical locations shown through the War Remnants Museum, the Independence Palace and other iconic landmarks.

When visiting the city, you will be landing at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) and you have 2 different transportation options to get to Ho Chi Minh City centre, also known as District 1; you can either take an airport taxi or private transfer, or you can take a public bus. Taking a Tan Son Nhat airport taxi is a great way to get to Ho Chi Minh centre as taxis in Vietnam are very cheap and offer 24/7 door-to-door transportation. Alternatively, local buses run to-and-from SGN airport every half-hour.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Ho Chi Minh at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups €16 20min 24/7 Book
Book
Taxi €5 20min 24/7
Bus €1.50 45min 05:30–01:30

How to get from Ho Chi Minh City airport to the city centre by taxi

Choosing a Tan Son Nhat airport taxi or private transfer for your transportation to downtown Ho Chi Minh is always the best idea, as they provide inexpensive and reliable services, taking you to the city centre (District 1) in under 20 minutes. Moreover, you won’t need to worry about finding your way around the busiest airport in Vietnam, which can be stressful, especially if you are travelling with children or heavy luggage.

Taxi fare from Ho Chi Minh airport to city centre

Various taxi companies operate at Ho Chi Minh City airport, and all calculate their fares using a taximeter. The average taxi fare from SGN airport to the city centre costs around €5 (131,652 VND).

Please note that an airport toll fee of €0.40 (10,000 VND) will be added to the end fare, bringing the total price to around €5.40 (141,652 VND). Moreover, there are no price differences between night, day and weekend trips.

Cost

€5 (131,652 VND)

Trip Duration

20 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis at Tan Son Nhat International Airport are available 24/7.

Where do I get it from?

You can find the official Ho Chi Minh airport taxi rank on the left side of the ground floor of the terminal building, as you leave through the main exit.

Convenience

Taking a taxi from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to the city centre is the most convenient way to travel. Not only do taxis provide reliable 24/7 door-to-door transportation, but they also allow you to avoid the hassle of finding your way around the busiest airport in Vietnam.

However, not many taxi drivers in Vietnam speak English, so if you wish to travel with an English-speaking driver at a fixed rate price, then it is recommended to pre-book a private airport transfer.

Editor’s Note

Please note that an airport toll fee of €0.40 (10,000 VND) will be added to the end fare when leaving Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Useful Tips

It isn't required to tip your Ho Chi Minh taxi driver, however, it is always appreciated. Many round up their end fare to the higher number and tell the driver to keep the change.
Be aware that some taxi drivers may have meters that run faster than usual to increase their prices; that is why it is best to use a well-known taxi company or pre-book a private transfer.
Ensure your Ho Chi Minh taxi cab driver resets the taximeter to the base fare before you begin your journey.

How to get from Ho Chi Minh City airport to the city centre by bus

Various public buses operate to-and-from the airport, however, bus No. 109 is the most popular public transport option for tourists travelling from Ho Chi Minh airport into the city centre. Moreover, bus No. 109 is direct from Tan Son Nhat airport to District 1 (the city centre), taking only 45 minutes to reach.

How much is a bus ticket from Tan Son Nhat airport to the city centre?

The price of a one-way ticket on bus No. 109 costs €0.75 (20,000 VND). You can purchase your tickets at the airport’s ticket booths or directly onboard the bus. Please note that payments on the bus can only be in the local currency (VND).

Cost

€0.75 (20,000 VND)

Trip Duration

45 Min.

The airport bus No. 109 leaves the airport every 25-30 minutes.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The airport bus No. 109 is available daily from 05:30 to 01:30.

Where do I get it from?

It is easy to find bus No. 109 stop at the airport, as the booths at both terminals are bright yellow. Once you leave the terminal building, cross the first street, the booth will be visible immediately.

Convenience

Taking the public bus from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Ho Chi Minh city centre is a great travel option for those on a small budget. Not only does Bus No. 109 provide spacious and comfortable vehicles, but the bus also drops you off right in the middle of the city centre (District 1). However, if you arrive at the SGN airport after hours, you will have to find another way to get to the city centre.

Editor’s Note

If you don’t have cash in local currency, you can withdraw Vietnamese Dongs from one of the airport's ATMs or exchange foreign currency at the airport in order to purchase your bus tickets.

Useful Tips

Although the most expensive route, bus No. 109 provides spacious vehicles that can hold bulky luggage.
If you wish to take the bus No. 109 from the city centre to Tan Son Nhat airport, Ben Thanh Bus Station and Saigon Bus Station are the best places to board.
As the bus is public, it is important to keep your personal belongings close to you.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

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Frequently asked questions

How to get from Ho Chi Minh airport to city centre?

There are 2 different travel options to get from Ho Chi Minh City airport to downtown; you can take a taxi or private transfer, which takes 20 minutes, or the airport bus No. 109, which takes 45 minutes.

How much is a taxi from Tan Son Nhat airport to city centre (District 1)?

Many taxi companies operate from SGN airport, and all use a taximeter to calculate their fares.  A trip from SGN airport into the city centre (District 1) costs around €5 (131,652 VND). Please note that an airport toll fee of €0.40 (10,000 VND) will be added to the end fare and that there is no rate difference between night, day and weekend trips.

How far is Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Ho Chi Minh City centre?

Tan Son Nhat airport is located only 8 km away from the city centre (District 1); it takes around 20 minutes to reach by car or by taxi, depending on traffic conditions.

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