How to get from Ho Chi Minh Airport to District 1 in the City Centre?

Tan Son Nhat International Airport is one of the rare airports in the world located right in the city and very close to the centre, only about 30 minutes away by car, motorbike or public transport. Therefore, visitors to Ho Chi Minh City and neighbouring provinces have many options to get from Ho Chi Minh Airport to District 1 and vice versa.

We would like to suggest 5 ways to get to the city centre and the accompanying tips will be revealed that can ease your options of transportation from the airport to city’s downtown:

5 way to get from Ho Chi Minh Airport to District 1

1. Car E-hailing services:

Applications for the car E-hailing services applications have become very popular in most major cities and tourist destinations in Vietnam, especially in Ho Chi Minh City. Similar to Uber or Lift in North America and Europe, before arriving in Vietnam, you can install the following two applications on your personal smartphone:

• Grab (a very famous ride-hailing application in Southeast Asia, with green and white logos) and
• Be (a ride-hailing application that is becoming increasingly popular in Vietnam, with yellow and brown logos).

You can pay for the trip with a credit/debit card installed on the application or cash. The cost of the trip will be pre-calculated based on the distance and traffic situation. You can see the estimated cost before confirming the booking, however, when the trip ends, the driver will ask you to add the airport gate fee to your credit/debit card or ask for an additional payment. This is the company's policy and the passenger will be responsible for paying this cost. Choosing a technology car is often cheaper than a metered taxi and more convenient than taking the bus.

Tip: There is free wifi in the airport passenger terminal area to connect to the internet or you can buy a SIM card when you exit the International Arrivals area. Vietnam's domestic telecommunications companies including VNPT, Mobifone and Viettel all have SIM card counters and the usage capacity will depend on the number of days you stay in Vietnam or on the needs of each individual. Recharging your phone SIM card is also extremely easy throughout Vietnam.

2. Metered taxi:

One of the most effective options is to take a taxi that charges by the metre. You can find a long line of taxis as soon as you step out of the airport terminal, whether it is the Domestic Arrivals or the International Arrivals. In principle, all official taxis are equipped with metres to ensure reasonable prices and avoid fraud for customers. If you find that the metre is not working when the car has started moving, you should also ask the driver to turn on the metre to avoid any problems with overcharging. The trip takes about 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Tip: There will be many people offering you a "taxi", so be alert to avoid illegal taxis or those not allowed to operate in the airport area. Choose Vinasun or Mai Linh taxis, which are two reputable taxi companies and have many cars parked in the airport area so you don't have to wait long. No matter which taxi company you choose, try not to haggle with the driver and only agree to pay according to the metre on the bus.

3. Public bus - number 152

Public bus number 152 is public transport and also the cheapest way to travel from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to the centre of Ho Chi Minh City. Bus 152 is parked right outside the International Terminal arrival area and costs 6,000 VND per person. If you have luggage, you will also have to pay for your luggage (and the cost for your luggage is the same as the cost for you). Bus 152 takes about 50 minutes from the airport to the city centre.

Bus route 152 runs from Tan Son Nhat Airport (International Terminal) with stops as of below: Pick-up point at lane B of the Domestic Terminal - Truong Son Street - Tran Quoc Hoan Street - Hoang Van Thu Street - Nguyen Van Troi Street - Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street - Ham Nghi Street - Le Lai Street - Pham Hong Thai 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 (District 8) - Street 9A (District 8) - Bus parking lot at the end of Street 10 (District 8) - Trung Son residential area (District 8).

Tip: At the International Terminal Arrival Hall, after exiting the terminal, go to the right, you will see the Burger King counter, cross the pedestrian lane in front of this fast food restaurant and you will immediately see the 152 bus stop. At the Domestic Terminal Arrival Hall, after exiting the terminal, go straight through the first car lane, then turn right and you will see the blue Bus Station sign. The 152 bus runs from 5:15 am to 7:00 pm, every 15-20 minutes.

4. Airport Bus - Number 109

This is a dedicated bus route connecting Tan Son Nhat International Airport with the city centre. The yellow bus number 109 has a maximum fare of 20,000 VND per trip to District 1. Bus number 109 departs from Column 12 at the International terminal or Column 18 at the Domestic terminal. This bus stop is easy to recognize because it is painted yellow.

Bus route number 109 from Tan Son Nhat International Airport will have the following stops: Tan Son Nhat International Terminal - Domestic Terminal - Truong Son Street - Tran Quoc Hoan Street - Hoang Van Thu Street - Nguyen Van Troi Street - Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street - Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street - Cach Mang Thang Tam Street - Pham Hong Thai Street - Le Lai Street - Central Bus Station (opposite Ben Thanh Market) - Pham Ngu Lao Street - and Park 23th September (last stop).

Tip: You cannot pre-book this bus and can only pay in cash. Tickets can be purchased on the bus or at the airport counter. Tell the driver where you want to go as soon as you get on the bus and try to sit as close to the driver as possible, the drivers will remember to remind you to get off at the right stop.

5. Hotel Pick-up Service

Silverland Hospitality with its own fleet of 4-seat to 7-seat vehicles is ready to assist guests in arranging airport pick-up (or drop-off or both) depending on your request.

After long flights, and the time to go through immigration and collect luggage can be up to hours, we understand that what you need most is a thoughtful welcome, not having to struggle to juggle between transportation options, especially for guests coming to Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam for the first time. When you exit the terminal, our staff will hold a Silverland Hospitality nameplate with your name on it, please come towards the staff, they will assist you in pushing your luggage to the car and take you straight to the hotel. 

Please contact the hotel where you will be staying via the hotel's Google or Facebook page, or on our Group's website as soon as you need to be picked up at the airport (and vice versa) to receive the most useful information such as pick-up time, cost (if any)...

Tip: You can choose to book a room directly on our website, with a variety of options for hotels, locations, room rates and services, plus free pick-up or drop-off or both ways from Tan Son Nhat International Airport for some of the stay options at your choice, your trip to Saigon and Vietnam will definitely have a good start (or end).

As you disembark from your flight and immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City, the seamless transition from Ho Chi Minh Airport to District 1 lies just ahead. With a plethora of convenient and affordable transportation options at your disposal, bridging the gap between the airport and the city center is a breeze. Whether you prefer the comfort of a taxi, the efficiency of a shuttle bus, or the thrill of a motorbike ride, there's a perfect mode of transport to suit your preferences and budget.