Ho Chi Minh to Ho Chi Minh

How to Get From Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre

4Options
30mFastest
$0.20From
MaartenAleksandraWritten by Maarten · Reviewed by Aleksandra · Updated 1 month ago

Public Bus #152 · Shared Minivan · Private Transport · Bus

Tan Son Nhat is Vietnam's busiest airport, just north of central Ho Chi Minh City. It sits close to the centre, so the ride into town is short. Public Bus #152 is the cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh airport to the city centre at $0.20 (6,000 VND). The shared minivan takes 30m, and a private transfer costs more again.

Map of Ho Chi Minh – Ho Chi Minh
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4 ways to travel from Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre

There are four ways to travel from Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre. You can choose between the public bus #152, minivan, private transport, and bus. The journey takes 30m–45m and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by public bus #152 with tickets starting at $0.20 (6,000 VND).

Public Bus #152Duration45mPricefrom$06,000 VND

Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre by Public Bus #152

Public bus #152 is the cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre. A bus ticket costs only $0.20 (6,000 VND), but you’ll have to pay an additional $0.20 (6,000 VND) 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).

Shared MinivanDuration30mPricefrom$5140,000 VND

Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre by Shared Minivan

If you're visiting Dĩ An District, you can travel directly from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Airport via a shared minivan.

Fares start at $5.30 (140,000 VND) for the journey that takes about 30m, depending on traffic. The minivan will drop you off at the Big C shopping centre in Dĩ An town, a convenient starting point for exploring the area.

Shared Minivan schedule from Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre

30mTruong Thinh LimousineLimoTan Son Nhat AirportBigC Dĩ An Distrist05:0006:0007:0008:0009:0010:00+8$5140,000 VNDTickets
Available atBookaway

Stations

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Private TransportDuration30mPricefrom$19500,000 VND

Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre by Private Transport

When you take a taxi from Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh 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 $19 (500,000 VND).

Note that there is an airport surcharge of $0.40 (10,000 VND), 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 $3.80 (100,000 VND). And you will know how much to pay before the ride.

Grab also has an airport surcharge of $0.40 (10,000 VND).

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 Ho Chi Minh City Centre via BookAway. Rates start from $9.90 (260,000 VND) 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.

Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre

Tue Anh Travel
Standard Car 3 PAX
$19 (500,000 VND)
$6.30 (166,000 VND) per person
Tue Anh Travel
SUV Car 5 PAX
$20 (520,000 VND)
$4 (104,000 VND) per person
Tue Anh Travel
Standard Minivan 12 PAX
$35 (910,000 VND)
$2.90 (76,000 VND) per person
Hoi An Express
Standard Car 2 PAX
$27 (690,000 VND)
$13 (345,000 VND) per person
Hoi An Express
Standard Car 3 PAX
$37 (970,000 VND)
$12 (320,000 VND) per person
Hoi An Express
Standard Minivan 6 PAX
$42 (1,100,000 VND)
$7 (184,000 VND) per person

Private transport tickets are available on Bookaway.

Ho Chi Minh City Centre to Ho Chi Minh Airport

30-40m$19 (500,000 VND)
Tue Anh Travel
Standard Car 3 PAX
$19 (500,000 VND)
$6.30 (166,000 VND) per person
Tue Anh Travel
SUV Car 5 PAX
$20 (520,000 VND)
$4 (104,000 VND) per person
Tue Anh Travel
Standard Minivan 12 PAX
$35 (910,000 VND)
$2.90 (76,000 VND) per person
Hoi An Express
Standard Car 2 PAX
$27 (690,000 VND)
$13 (345,000 VND) per person
Hoi An Express
Standard Car 3 PAX
$37 (970,000 VND)
$12 (320,000 VND) per person
Hoi An Express
Standard Minivan 6 PAX
$42 (1,100,000 VND)
$7 (184,000 VND) per person

Private transport tickets are available on Bookaway.

BusDuration45mPricefrom$115,000 VND

Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre by Bus

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. In April 2025, the route was upgraded to electric buses and now also connects the airport’s new Terminal 3.

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 $0.60 (15,000 VND) and $0.80 (20,000 VND), depending on your destination. Some travellers have reported being asked to pay extra when carrying big bags, so keep some small change ready just in case.

Yellow bus #109 itinerary from Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh 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

IMPORTANT: Pre-pandemic, there was also an option to take another airport bus — Bus #49. However, this service remains suspended and has not resumed.

Reach out to our Community

3
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KateJune 2024

Hey Bruno, Thanks for sharing this valuable information with us. We'll do our research and update the route accordingly. Please continue to share any updates with us as you travel so we can keep Gecko Routes as helpful as possible. PS: J’ai répondu à ce commentaire en anglais, donc d’autres nationalités peuvent également bénéficier de cette info. Je recommande d’utiliser Google Translate pour le lire en français.

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M
MaartenGeckoRoutes team

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.

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ElaGeckoRoutes team

Thanks so much for this valuable info, Monge! We have now updated the route to include these changes. Thanks again and safe travels!

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STAY

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:

Budget

Vy Khanh Guesthouse

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 (395,000 VND) per night.

Check availability
Mid-Range

Golden Tree Hotel and Apartment

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 (820,000 VND) per night.

Check availability
Treat Yourself

Silverland Mây Hotel

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 (2,100,000 VND) per night.

Check availability

ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION

Why Visit 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.

Rounding it up

That's the full picture for getting from Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre, roughly apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $0.20 (6,000 VND). The quickest trip takes 30m.

Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Ho Chi Minh?

Journey times from Ho Chi Minh to Ho Chi Minh overlap: public bus #152 45m, shared minivan 30m, private transport 30-40m, bus 45m. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.

What is the cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Ho Chi Minh?

The cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Ho Chi Minh is by public bus #152 with ticket costs starting from 6,000 VND.

About the Authors

Maarten
Maarten

Founder & Trip Planning Expert

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
AleksandraReviewer

Travel Writer & Editor

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.

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