Get from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the City: Taxi, Grab, & More

Fayre Maxine Flores

Last updated 27 Aug 2025

Photo by Georgios Domouchtsidis on Unsplash

If you’re planning to travel around Vietnam, an ideal way to do so is by entering from the south and then heading up north. Ho Chi Minh City, or what others may formerly know as Saigon (hence its airport code being Ho Chi Minh Airport SGN), is one of the key gateways into the country. As the economic center of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh brings together the city’s rich history with modernity through colonial architecture, bustling markets, vibrant nightlife, and lots of street food! 😋

Before your adventure begins, it’s best to set a game plan for your arrival. The Ho Chi Minh airport is called Tan Son Nhat International Airport and is located 8 kilometers away from the city center. Looking for the best way to get downtown? Whether you’re looking to explore the southern regions of Vietnam or simply using Ho Chi Minh as your entry point, this guide will help you navigate your trip from the airport to the heart of the city.

Your best transportation options ✨

Your travel time to get from the Ho Chi Minh city airport to the central part of the city will depend on your transportation choice. It usually takes 15-30 minutes if you take a car, while it takes around 45 minutes by bus. Will you be heading straight to your hotel or exploring a little bit before settling down?

Knowing which transportation options to choose and where to go before you even land will save you lots of time, since it’s the largest and busiest airport in Vietnam!

Klook tip: When in Ho Chi Minh, most tourists opt to check in at District 1 or District 3. There are lots of hotels in those areas, and they’re close to major attractions that you can walk to!

1. Private transfers 🚗

Among all the transportation options, we highly recommend private transfers for their convenience and your peace of mind. 💆🏻‍♀️ With private transfers, you won’t have to worry about being overcharged, long booking times, or hauling heavy luggage.

You can personalize your ride by choosing from various vehicles, including sedans, vans, and limousine buses tailored to your needs. Plus, a professional driver will assist you and welcome you with a sign, allowing you to relax as you make your way to your destination.

The fare depends on the kind of ride you choose, how many you are in your group, and the drop-off point location. A small group of 3 starts at 12.59 AUD, while a bigger group of 6 can cost up to 164.40 AUD.

For added convenience, you can easily book your private transfer from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the city or vice versa through Klook!

Travel easily between Ho Chi Minh Airport and the city!

2. Taxis 🚕

As you step into the arrival hall, you will find several taxi counters offering services. Taxis are the most flexible option, especially for those who have not pre-planned their way into the city. They’re available pretty much all the time. We recommend Vinasun and Mai Linh - popular and reliable!

Prepare to pay at least 120,000 VND (~7 AUD) to 200,000 VND (~12 AUD) for a ride into the city center, plus 10,000 VND (~.50 AUD) for the airport toll fee.

Klook tip: Beware of unlicensed taxis; they might overcharge! You can always try to negotiate a fixed price before getting into the taxi.

3. Ride-hailing apps 📱

The most popular ride-hailing app in Vietnam is Grab, which works just like Uber. Just download the app, create an account, and you’re good to go. 👍🏻 Thanks to its cashless payment options, you can use Grab even when you haven’t converted your money to Vietnamese dongs. Fixed prices will be displayed, but keep in mind that prices may surge during peak hours and bad weather which could delay your booking.

Expect to pay around 130,000 VND (~8 AUD) to 170,000 VND (~10 AUD) on a good day. Prices will fluctuate depending on demand!

4. Public buses 🚌

The most affordable option to get from Ho Chi Minh airport to the city center is through public buses. It’s perfect for backpackers or solo travelers, so you need not squeeze big luggage into the bus compartment. You can take either Bus 109 or Bus 152, which both run directly through District 1.

Tickets cost between 15,000 VND to 20,000 VND per person.

Stuff to do in Ho Chi Minh city

Since you’re already in Ho Chi Minh, might as well explore, right? Don’t just pass through, check out these fun activities you can do! 🏃🏻‍♂️

Take a sightseeing tour on a double-decker bus

Explore Ho Chi Minh’s highlights on a different level (quite literally) - a double-decker bus. It’ll take you to places such as Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Street walking street, Bitexco Financial Tower, Underground cuisine Taka Plaza, Huyen Si Church, Bach Dang Pier, and Opera House.

Plus, just let the driver know where you want to stop because you get to get off at any point you please!

Explore the beautiful countryside and learn more about Vietnam’s history

Learn more about the iconic Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast underground network of tunnels that functioned as a resistance base during the Vietnam War. Despite the bombings that happened within the area, the tunnels have remained intact. It’s a must experience and must see in Vietnam!

The Mekong Delta, known as “Vietnam’s rice bowl,” 🍚 is also worth a visit. Its lush rice fields and waterway communities are populated with floating houses and markets. If you love nature, local culture, and meeting friendly locals, you need to check this out.

Take in the view of the city

Visit Vietnam’s tallest building, Landmark 81's Saigon Skyview, for a priceless panoramic view of the city. There’s also a virtual reality game to really immerse yourself and enjoy the tower in a fun way. Some packages allow you to take fun photos tweaked by technology!

FAQs

How do I get from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the city Centre?

There are 4 transportation options to get from HCMC airport to city: private transfers, taxis, ride-hailing apps, or buses. These are the same options if you’re going from Ho Chi Minh to airport. Consider your choices carefully, as each has its pros and cons. It takes a travel time of around an hour or so no matter which you choose, depending on the flow of traffic.

How much is a taxi from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the city?

From Ho Chi Minh Airport, you can expect to pay 120,000 VND (~7 AUD) to 200,000 VND (~12 AUD) for a taxi ride into the city center, plus 10,000 VND (~.50 AUD) for the airport toll fee.

How much are airport transfers in Vietnam?

The fee varies depending on the size of your chosen vehicle, the number of people in your travel group, and the proximity to your drop-off point. From Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Ho Chi Minh city center, a small group of 3 starts at 12.59 AUD, while a bigger group of 6 can cost up to 164.40 AUD.

Is there Uber or Grab in Ho Chi Minh?

Uber is not available in Vietnam, but you can use Grab, which works just the same. It’s the most popular ride-hailing app not just in Ho Chi Minh but throughout Vietnam as well. You can use it to go from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the city, or while touring around the city.

What is Klook?

Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler.

Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy — empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations.

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Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam