✈ Getting from Ho Chi Minh City Airport to City

Ho Chi Minh City, one of the busiest cities in Vietnam, is home to the famous traditional 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 three different transportation options to get to Ho Chi Minh City centre, also known as District 1; taxi, private transfer or 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, there’s a special airport bus and various public buses that run to-and-from SGN Airport every half-hour or so.

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	15min	24/7	Book
Book
Taxi	€7.70	15min	24/7
Bus	€1.50	45min	05:30–01:00

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

Choosing a taxi for your transfer from Ho Chi Minh Airport 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.

Plus, 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 €6.55 – €7.70 (VND 170,000–VND 200,000).

Please note that an airport toll fee of €0.38 (VND 10,000) will be added to the end fare and there are no price differences between night, day and weekend trips.

For a competitive fixed fare with no hidden fees, you can book a private transfer in advance.

Cost

€7.70 (VND 200,000)

Trip Duration

15 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 or waiting in queues for public transport.

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 €0.38 (VND 10,000) 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 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 by bus

A few popular bus services run between Ho Chi Minh Airport and Ho Chi Minh City. Bus 109 is a special airport service travelling from Ho Chi Minh Airport into the city centre (District 1). The service is direct, taking only 45 minutes to reach the centre. The bus is bright yellow and leaves from Terminal 2 and Domestic Terminal 1 (Lane B).

The 109 bus route also passes Ben Thanh Bus Station, making this route ideal for travellers who are staying in areas around Ben Thanh Market or Ho Chi Minh City’s backpacker district.

Alternatively, you can catch Bus 152, which is a public bus operating a similar route. This service can take up to 60 minutes, depending on traffic, as it has more stops. The final stop is at a roundabout opposite Ben Thanh Market. From here, it’s a 10-minute walk to Pham Ngu Lao Street (Backpacker Street).

How much is a bus ticket from SGN Airport to the city centre?

Taking a bus from Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City is the most budget-friendly choice. The price of a one-way ticket on Bus 109 costs €0.75 (VND 20,000), and public bus tickets are cheaper, costing only €0.23 (VND 6,000).

*You can purchase your tickets at the airport’s ticket booths or directly on board the bus. Please note that payments on the bus can only be in the local currency (VND).

Cost

€0.75 (VND 20,000)

Trip Duration

45 Min

Airport Bus 109 and Bus 152 depart every 15-20 minutes.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The airport bus No. 109 is available daily from 05:30 to 01:00. Bus 152 departs daily between 05:45 and 18:15.

Where do I get it from?

It is easy to find Bus 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. For Bus 152, the bus stop is outside the airport terminal, just follow the signs for the public buses.

Convenience

Taking either bus from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Ho Chi Minh city centre is a great travel option for those on a small budget. However, luggage space is limited and services can get overcrowded. Plus, 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 109 provides spacious vehicles that can hold bulky luggage.

If you wish to take the Bus 109 from the city centre to Tan Son Nhat Airport, Ben Thanh Bus Station and Saigon Bus Station are the best places to board.

For public bus 152, you’ll have to pay an additional €0.23 (VND 6,000) per piece of big luggage.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

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20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

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

There are three different travel options to get from Ho Chi Minh City Airport to the city centre; you can take a taxi or private transfer, which takes 15-20 minutes, or a bus, 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 Ho Chi Minh Airport to the city centre (District 1) shouldn’t cost more than €7.70 (VND 200,000). Please note that an airport toll fee of €0.38 (VND 10,000) will be added to the end fare and that there is no rate difference between night, day and weekend trips. For a competitive fixed fare with no hidden fees, you can book a private transfer in advance with Welcome and unlock fully personalised transfers, 24/7 customer support and trained English-speaking drivers.

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 Ho Chi Minh city centre (District 1); it takes around 15-20 minutes to reach by car or by taxi, depending on traffic conditions.

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