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Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) to Ho Chi Minh City
The airport is inside the city, about 7 km from District 1. A Grab car is the easiest choice at about 20–40 min, and the yellow airport bus 109 is the cheapest.
Best for most people: Grab. Fixed price shown in the app, no haggling, and pick-up points are clearly signed outside the terminals.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ride-hailing Grab (car or motorbike) from the signed pick-up zone | about 20–40 min depending on traffic | about 100,000–200,000 VND by car | 24 h | Pay in cash or by card in the app. | |
| taxi Metered taxis from reputable companies (Vinasun, Mai Linh) at the rank outside Arrivals | about 20–40 min | about 150,000–250,000 VND plus a small airport fee | 24 h | Make sure the meter is on. | |
| bus Airport bus 109 to District 1 (Ben Thanh and the 23/9 Park bus station) | about 40–50 min | every 15–20 min | about 15,000–20,000 VND | about 05:30–midnight | Has luggage space; stops outside the international and domestic terminals. |
| bus City bus 152 towards District 1 | about 45–60 min | every 15–20 min | about 5,000 VND | daytime, roughly 05:00–19:00 | Very cheap but basic; less suited to large bags. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
Sort it before you land
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Tips
- Change a little money or use an ATM in Arrivals before you leave the terminal.
- Use Grab or the named taxi companies; ignore touts in the hall.
- Traffic is heaviest at about 07:00–09:00 and 16:30–19:00.
- Download Grab and set it up before you fly, as card verification can be slow.
Common questions
How much is a Grab from Tan Son Nhat to District 1?
A Grab car to District 1 usually costs about 100,000–200,000 VND, depending on traffic, time and demand. The app shows the price before you book, so there is no haggling. Follow the signs to the ride-hailing pick-up area. A GrabBike is cheaper but awkward with suitcases.
Is there a bus from the airport to the city centre?
Yes. The yellow airport bus 109 runs to District 1, including Ben Thanh Market and the 23/9 Park bus station, for about 15,000–20,000 VND. It has luggage racks and takes around 40–50 minutes. City bus 152 is even cheaper but slower and more basic.
How do I avoid taxi scams at the airport?
Use well-known companies such as Vinasun or Mai Linh from the official rank, check the meter is running, or use Grab with an upfront price. Avoid drivers who approach you inside the terminal offering a ride. Have small notes ready, as drivers may claim to have no change.
How long does it take to reach District 1?
Usually 20–40 minutes by car, but traffic in Ho Chi Minh City is unpredictable and rush hour can stretch the trip to an hour. The airport bus 109 takes about 40–50 minutes. Allow extra time when heading back to the airport for a flight.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.