What to expect when visiting Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh is Vietnam’s largest and probably busiest metropolis. Formerly called Saigon, the city pulsates with energy and organised chaos. Its streets are packed with motorcycles day in and day out, we absolutely have no idea how everyone manages not to bump into each other!
Don’t miss a visit to the War Remnants Museum and Central Post Office, one of the oldest buildings in Ho Chi Minh. Shop (and prepare to haggle) at Ben Thanh Market, and explore the nearby Cu Chi Tunnels. When its bustling streets become too much, know that you can always find solace in one of its many cosy coffee shops.
4 ways to get from Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat) to Ho Chi Minh City Centre
There are four ways to travel the distance of 7 km (4 miles) from Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat) to Ho Chi Minh City Centre: by yellow airport bus #109 (45 minutes), taxi (45 minutes), public bus #152 (45 minutes) and airport bus #49* (45 minutes). The journey takes between 45 minutes and the quickest way is by yellow airport bus #109. The lowest priced tickets start from 6,000 VND ($0.20) for the public bus #152.Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Ho Chi Minh at the bottom of this page.
Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat) to Ho Chi Minh City Centre by Public Bus #152
Public bus #152 is the cheapest way to get from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Ho Chi Minh city centre. A bus ticket costs only 6,000 VND ($0.20), but note that you’ll have to pay an additional 6,000 VND ($0.20) per piece of big luggage.
Although cheap, it’s worth noting that Bus #152 caters mostly to locals and is neither as spacious nor as comfortable as Bus #109.
You can find the public buses outside the arrival terminal at Ho Chi Minh Airport. Walk about 50m to the right to find the ticket counter.
Public buses from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the city centre depart every 15 minutes from 05:45 to 18:15.
These buses make several stops along the way. The final stop is at the roundabout across Ben Thanh Market. From here, it’s a short 10-minute walk to Pham Ngu Lao Street (also called Backpacker Street).
Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat) to Ho Chi Minh City Centre by Yellow Airport Bus #109
The yellow bus #109 is a modern bus with plenty of space for your luggage. These buses are tourist-friendly and the staff generally speak some basic English. Airport bus #109 was previously suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, it went back into operation in September 2022 according to Vietnam Net Global.
The bus operates from Saigon Airport to the city centre every 15-20 minutes between 05:30 and 01:00. You can find bus #109 at Column 12 of the International Terminal and Column 18 of the Domestic Terminal.
The yellow bus has designated stops within the city. This includes Ben Thanh Market and Pham Ngu Lao Street (backpacker area). Its last stop is at Park 23/9. The bus ride takes about 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Bus tickets range between 15,000 VND ($0.60) and 20,000 VND ($0.80), depending on your destination. Unlike public buses, this airport bus doesn’t require you to buy an extra ticket when carrying bulky luggage.
Yellow bus #109 itinerary from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the city centre
Tan Son Nhat Airport International Terminal — Domestic Terminal — Truong Son St. — Tran Quoc Hoan — Hoang Van Thu St. — Nguyen Van Troi St. — Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St. — Nguyen Dinh Chieu St. — Cach Mang Thang Tam St. — Pham Hong Thai St. — Le Lai St. — Ben Thanh Bus Station — Pham Ngu Lao St. — 23/9 Park
Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat) to Ho Chi Minh City Centre by Airport Bus #49*
*IMPORTANT: The last time we checked (April 2023), we couldn’t confirm if Airport Bus #49 has resumed operations yet. Have you travelled this route recently? Share your travel tips through this form and help fellow travellers!
Bus #49 is another modern bus line that provides comfortable rides for tourists. Like Bus #109, Bus #49 departs from Column 12 of the International Terminal and Column 18 of the Domestic Terminal. It also has English-speaking staff onboard.
Bus #49 is a bit more expensive but also offers hotel pick-up/drop-off on top of the regular bus stops between Ho Chi Minh Airport and Saigon city centre. A ticket costs 40,000 VND ($1.60).
These buses run from 05:00 in the morning until 00:30 past midnight. Travel time is about 45 minutes.
Airport bus #49 itinerary from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the city centre
Tan Son Nhat Airport International Terminal — domestic terminal — Truong Son — Tran Quoc Hoan — Hoang Van Thu — Nguyen Van Troi — Nam Ky Khoi Nghia — Le Duan — Cong Xa Paris — Dong Khoi — Dong Du — Hai Ba Trung — Ton Duc Thang — Ham Nghi — Ben Thanh — Pham Ngu Lao — Nguyen Trai — Le Lai — Nguyen Huu Canh — Cach Mang Thang 8 — Dien Bien Phu
Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat) to Ho Chi Minh City Centre by Taxi
When you take a taxi from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the city centre, always ask the driver to put on the metre. For reference, a typical ride between the airport and Saigon city centre costs around 150,000 VND ($6.00).
Note that there is an airport surcharge of 10,000 VND ($0.40), on top of the total amount of your taxi ride.
Book with Grab if you have a Vietnam sim card
If you already have a Vietnam sim card that has mobile data, we recommend that you hail your taxi through Grab (Asian Uber). Fares are usually cheaper with rates from 100,000 VND ($4.10). And you will know how much to pay before the ride.
Grab also has an airport surcharge of 10,000 VND ($0.40).
TIP: When local taxi drivers ask if you ordered a Grab car, it’s better to ignore this question to avoid ending up in an argument. Grab doesn’t really sit well with veteran taxi drivers.
Book your transfer via BookAway
You also have the option to book a private transfer from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the city centre via BookAway. Rates start from 260,000 VND ($10.50) for a group of 3. The cost gets higher depending on the size of the vehicle and the drop-off location in the city centre.
Our favourite places to stay in Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh is home to around 9 million people. To fit that many people, it has got to be a pretty big city, which can make choosing the right area a little overwhelming.
Here is a quick rundown of the best districts for you to stay in:
- District 1 is the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and is a popular choice for tourists due to its proximity to major attractions like the Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, and the War Remnants Museum.
- Pham Ngu Lao is located within District 1 and is popular amongst budget travellers due to its nightlife, street food and cheap accommodations.
- District 3 is less touristy but still relatively central and offers a more local experience. It’s known for its beautiful tree-lined streets and French colonial architecture.
- District 5 (Chinatown) offers a unique cultural experience with its bustling atmosphere, Chinese temples, and a wide variety of delicious street food.
- District 7 is more modern and upscale. There are plenty of international restaurants, shopping centres and green spaces.
Check out our favourite places to stay in these areas:
Vy Khanh Guesthouse - Budget Friendly
Vy Khanh Guesthouse may not be the fanciest place in Ho Chi Minh, but what it lacks in glitz and glamour, it makes up with its hospitality. Vy is one of the best hosts that you’ll experience in Vietnam, offering you recommendations for not just the city but the entire country.
She’ll make sure you have the best experience and that starts with the guesthouse’s location. It’s situated in the heart of the city in District 1.
- Amazing host
- Great location
- Clean and comfortable rooms
- Good value for money
Double rooms start from $15 per night.
Golden Tree Hotel and Apartment - Mid Range
Golden Tree Hotel stands out amongst the rest due to its perfect ambient lighting both inside and outside. This hotel feels face fancier than its price tag.
The rooms are spacious and modern, with most rooms offering a private kitchen and large colonial-style windows. Stay here and you’ll be located in District 7.
- Spacious and modern rooms
- Great location
- Beautiful decor
- High speed internet
Double rooms start from $31 per night.
Silverland Mây Hotel - Treating Yourself
One look at Siverland Mây Hotel’s swimming pool and you won’t be able to resist booking here. It’s surrounded by lush greenery hanging from the ceiling, hammocks and there’s a pool-side bar.
The rooms live up to this standard boasting a beautiful ultra-modern decor. You’ll never want to leave this place.
- Beautiful swimming pool
- Pool-side bar
- Stunning rooms
- Great location
Double rooms start from $80 per night.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat) to Ho Chi Minh City Centre
What is the distance from Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat) to Ho Chi Minh City Centre?
The distance from Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat) to Ho Chi Minh City Centre is 7 km (4 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat) to Ho Chi Minh City Centre?
The fastest way to get from Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat) to Ho Chi Minh City Centre is by yellow airport bus #109 and takes 45 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat) to Ho Chi Minh City Centre?
The cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat) to Ho Chi Minh City Centre is by public bus #152 with ticket costs starting from 6,000 VND ($0.20).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat) to Ho Chi Minh City Centre. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Routes from Ho Chi Minh
Most popular routes in Vietnam
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Aleksandra is a writer and editor who recently moved from Hong Kong to London. She’s worked and studied in four countries (and counting) and picked up a new hobby in each of them. She’s a big fan of long train journeys so you can count on her to take the scenic route, finding a few hidden gems along the way.
En junio 2023 ya existe otra vez el 109 (mini van 11 plazas). Para en frente a las llegadas del terminal internacional, en el suelo se indica el número del bus que para en cada sitio. Circula a cada 20min, precio 15.000 d.
Hi Hugo, thanks for sharing this. We’ve updated the price on our page with your information. I hope you had a great time in the city!
PD: Esta respuesta está escrita en inglés para que sea útil para los viajeros de todo el mundo. Recomiendo usar Google Translate para traducir esta respuesta al español.
Malheureusement le bus 109 n’existe plus.
Seul le 152 passe devant l’aéroport et dessert le district 1
Thanks so much for this valuable info, Monge! We have now updated the route to include these changes. Thanks again and safe travels!