Most of the tourists traveling to Ho Chi Minh City by air must find a way to reach District 1 where they can start their visit or do any tours around the city and from the city. Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) is nearly 8 km northwest of District 1 which is considered as the center of Ho Chi Minh City. To reach the center of Ho Chi Minh City from Tan Son Nhat Airport, you can take a taxi, hop on the bus, book a private car, or motorbike taxi. I would like to give you more details about How to reach the center of Ho Chi Minh City from Tan Son Nhat Airport, including prices in both VND and USD.
Check out How to get around Saigon? to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of various means of transportation in Ho Chi Minh.
Table of Contents
1. By taxi:
It takes about 35 minutes to reach District 1, Ho Chi Minh City from Tan Son Nhat Airport. The price of the transfer from Tan Son Nhat Airport to District 1, Ho Chi Minh City is from 150,000 to 200,000 VND (6.5 – 9 USD), depending on the exact address in District 1 and how well you deal with the driver. The taxi will take you to your accommodation or requested location fast and comfortably. However, the price is more expensive in comparison to other choices. Many taxi drivers in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as Vietnam, do not speak English. If you choose taxi, you must carry your luggage and walk out of the terminal, then follow the directions to reach the taxi stand, queue up for taking a taxi. Sometimes you may wait for the taxi because there is a long line of passengers who would like to take the taxis like you. If you take a good taxi, it is ok. However, you may encounter some taxi scams. For example, some taxi drivers purposely make trips longer in order to earn more money. In some cases, taxi meters are not reliable. Although there are many taxis at the airport, Vinasun and Mai Linh are good taxis with polite drivers, reliable taxi meters, and clean cars.
Vinasun Taxi in Saigon
Mai Linh Taxi in Saigon
Read more about How to catch a taxi at Tan Son Nhat Airport?
2. By bus:
If your luggage is light and you would like to save money, you can choose to take a bus. The minus is that you must go to your accommodation from the bus station in District 1. There are 3 buses which you can take to reach District 1 from the airport.
2.1. Yellow Airport Buses operated by SATSCO
Southern Airport Transportation JSC (SATSCO) has collaborated with Transport Department to operate 3 airport buses which transfer passengers from Tan Son Nhat Airport to other districts and vice versa. The buses are easily recognized by its yellow color. The 3 airport bus routes of SATSCO include Bus #109 (Tan Son Nhat Airport – 23/9 Park), Bus #49, Bus #119 (Tan Son Nhat Airport – Mien Tay Bus Station), Bus #159 (Mien Dong Bus Station – Tan Son Nhat Airport An Suong Bus Station). Only Bus #109 and Bus #49 take passengers from the airport to the city center (District 1, 2). All of the buses are high-quality and air-conditioned. The staffs on the bus speak English well, the information about the bus at the airport and inside the bus are written in both Vietnamese and English. The yellow airport buses with air-conditioner is a great choice to reach the city center from the airport. You can wait for the buses at Column 12, International Terminal of Tan Son Nhat Airport or Column 18, Domestic Terminal of Tan Son Nhat Airport.
2.1.1. Yellow Bus #109: Tan Son Nhat Airport – 23/9 Park
Tan Son Nhat Airport – 23/9 Park: International Terminal of Tan Son Nhat Airport (Column 12) – Domestic Terminal of Tan Son Nhat Airport (Column 18)- Truong Son Street – Tran Quoc Hoan Street – Nguyen Van Troi Street – Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street – Ham Nghi Street – Quach Thi Trang Roundabout – Le Lai Street – 23/9 Park.
23/9 Park – Tan Son Nhat Airport: 23/9 Park – Pham Ngu Lao Street – Yersin Street – Tran Hung Dao Street – Ham Nghi Street – Pasteur Street – Vo Thi Sau Street – Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street – Nguyen Van Troi Street – Phan Dinh Giot Street – Truong Son Street – Overpass – International Terminal of Tan Son Nhat Airport.
Bus #109 passes many tourist attractions including Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, Independence Palace, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Ben Thanh Market. 23/9 Park (pronounced 23rd September Park) is located right in the city’s backpacker area.
Operating hours: 5:30 – 0:30 (on the next day).
Duration: 45 minutes.
Interval: 15 – 30 minutes.
Ticket price: 12,000 VND (0.5 USD) if the distance is less than 5 km; 20,000 VND (1 USD) if the distance is more than 15 km.
Different from bus #49, bus #109 stop at public bus stations to pick up and drop off passengers.
2.1.2. Yellow Bus #49: Tan Son Nhat Airport – The city center
Roadmap: International Terminal of Tan Son Nhat Airport (Column 12) – Domestic Terminal of Tan Son Nhat Airport (Column 18) – Truong Son Street – Tran Quoc Hoan Street – Hoang Van Thu Street – Nguyen Van Troi Street – Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street – Le Duan Street – Cong Xa Paris Street – Dong Khoi Street – Dong Du Dong Khoi Street – Nguyen Thi Nghia Dong Khoi Street – Dien Bien Phu Dong Khoi Street – Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Dong Khoi Street – Nguyen Van Troi Street – Phan Dinh Giot Street – Truong Son Street – International Terminal of Tan Son Nhat Airport.
Operating hours: 5:00 – 0:30 (on the next day).
Interval: 30 – 40 minutes.
Ticket price: 40,000 VND (1.7 USD).
The price of this high-quality bus with air-conditioner is twice the cost of bus #119 because it drops you off at your hotel and there is no charge for luggage. The bus does not stop at public bus stations like other buses, but stop at hotels, famous tourist attractions, bus stations streets in the center which the bus #49 passes:
Park Royal Hotel, 307D Nguyen Van Troi Street, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District.
Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon, 253 Nguyen Van Troi Street, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District.
Cosmopolitan Hotel, 191 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ward 7, District 3.
Notre Dame Cathedral, 1 Cong Xa Paris Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1.
Saigon Opera House, 7 Cong Truong Lam Son Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1. Stop at the bus station in front of Vincom Center.
Sheraton Hotel, 117 – 119 Dong Khoi Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1.
Majestic Hotel, 22 – 24 Ton Duc Thang Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1. Stop at the bus station.
Ben Thanh Bus Station, Ben Thanh Market.
Pham Ngu Lao Street. Stop at 3 bus stations on this street.
Le Lai Street. Stop at 2 bus stations on this street.
Nguyen Thi Nghia Street. Stop at the bus station 32 Nguyen Thi Nghia Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1.
Cach Mang Thang 8 Street. Stop at the bus station 14 Cach Mang Thang 8 Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1.
Vissai Saigon Hotel, 14 Nguyen Van Troi Street, Ward 10, District Phu Nhuan.
Stay away from taxi scam. Tracy’s team will pick you up at Tan Son Nhat Airport and drive you to your hotel safe.
2.2. Green Public Bus #152: Tan Son Nhat Airport – Ben Thanh Market – Trung Son Residental Area.
Saigon Passenger Transport Joint Stock Company operates the public air-conditioned bus #152, recognized by the green color. The bus stops at public bus stations, starts at Tan Son Nhat Airport, pass the city center, then ends at Trung Son Residental Area in District 7 and vice versa.
Roadmap:
Tan Son Nhat Airport – Trung Son Residental Area: International Terminal of Tan Son Nhat Airport – Domestic Terminal of Tan Son Nhat Airport – Truong Son Street – Tran Quoc Hoan Street – Hoang Van Thu Street – Nguyen Van Troi Street – Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street – Ham Nghi Street – Quach Thi Trang Roundabout – Le Lai Street – Nguyen Thi Nghia Street – Nguyen Thai Hoc Street – Tran Hung Dao Street – Nguyen Van Cu Street – Nguyen Van Cu Bridge – Duong Ba Trac Street – Street 9A – Bus Station at the end of Street 10, Trung Son Residental Area.
Trung Son Residental Area – Tan Son Nhat Airport: Bus Station at the end of Street 10, Trung Son Residental Area – Street 9A – (return back at the crossroads of Street 9A and Nguyen Van Linh Boulevard) – Street 9A – Duong Ba Trac Street – Nguyen Van Cu Street – Tan Hung Dao Street – Ham Nghi Street – Pasteur Street – Vo Thi Sau Street – Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street – Nguyen Van Troi Street – Phan Dinh Giot Street – Truong Son Street – Overpass – Tan Son Nhat Airport (International Terminal).
Operating hours: 5:30 – 18:45.
Interval: 12 – 21 minutes.
Duration: 50 minutes.
Ticket price: 6,000 VND (0.25 USD).
The ticket for Bus #152 is the cheapest, but the staffs do not speak English. I would like to recommend the yellow airport buses.
Learn more detailed information about How to catch a bus from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Center.
3. By private car:
What is better than a private car to reach your hotel from the airport? It says that this is the most convenient way. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the center of Ho Chi Minh City from Tan Son Nhat Airport by private car. If you take a taxi, you must carry your luggage and walk outside, then take the taxi. Sometimes you may wait for the taxi because there is a long line of passengers who would like to take the taxis like you. In order to avoid taxi scams and make your trip enjoyable, you can book a private car service provided by your hotel, a trusted tour agency. They will send a good car and a driver to wait for you at the terminal of the airport. If you request an English speaking driver or a guide, the price is a little higher. They usually hold a sign with your name on it so that you can find them easily. The driver usually helps you to carry the luggage to the car. Certainly, the driver and the guide are very friendly, polite, and helpful. The only minus of this choice is the price is the most expensive. The price is as below:
4-seat private car + non-English speaking driver: 350,000 VND (15 USD).
4-seat private car + English speaking driver (or English speaking guide): 450,000 VND (20 USD).
7-seat private car + non-English speaking driver: 580,000 VND (25 USD).
7-seat private car + English speaking driver (or English speaking guide): 690,000 VND (30 USD).
You can book the service with Athena Travel Vietnam, phone/SMS/WhatsApp/Viber 24/24: +84909190247, Email: support@athenatravelvietnam.com.
4. By Grab Car:
Similar to Uber, Grab is a Singapore-based technology company offering ride-hailing transport services and very popular in Vietnam. You can download the app onto your smartphone, then book the transfer easily. The price of the transfer on Grab App is less than 100,000 VND (4.5 USD), cheaper than taxi. However, most of the drivers do not speak English and it is very difficult for you to contact them, tell them where exactly you are at the airport. Although most of the foreign tourists do not book the transfer from the airport, many of them use Grab to book their transfers around the city.
5. By motorbike:
A very small number of foreign tourists choose to go to the center by motorbike. A transfer from the airport to the city center costs less than 50,000 VND (2 USD). Some tourists book a motorbike tour around Saigon, including pick up from the airport. Sitting on the back of a motorbike, you have a chance to see interesting on the way from the airport to the city. It is fast in the rush hour because motorbike is the most effective means of transportation in this city. It is worth a try if you are adventurous and would like to learn more about a different Saigon which many tourists miss with the transfer by taxi, bus, or private car. A 4-hour Saigon motorbike tour, including pick up at the airport costs from 35 USD (the tour costs from 30 USD, extra fee for pick up from the airport is 5 USD). You can book the tour with Scooter Saigon Tour, Phone/SMS/WhatsApp/Viber 24/24: +84909190247, Email: support@scootersaigontour.com, Website: https://scootersaigontour.com/.
Now you know How to reach the center of Ho Chi Minh City from Tan Son Nhat Airport. Which mean of transportation do you choose? I hope that this guide will help you as much as possible with your trip to Ho Chi Minh City. If you need any help in the city, do not hesitate to leave comments or contact us via our facebook https://www.facebook.com/scootersaigontour/, Phone/SMS/WhatsApp/Viber 24/24: +84909190247, Email: support@scootersaigontour.com.
