Arriving · Tan Son Nhat (SGN)

Tan Son Nhat airport to District 1: transfers, Grab, taxi and bus

The airport is only about 7 km from the city centre, but traffic can make it 20 minutes or an hour. Here is how to get into town, get online and get cash, sorted from easiest to cheapest.

Short answer: late at night, with luggage or kids, book a fixed-price transfer. Otherwise install an eSIM before you fly and order a ride-hailing car when you land. On a budget in daytime, bus 152 to Ben Thanh is free until the end of 2026.

Which terminal?

Terminal 2 · international

  • Most visitors arrive here
  • Bus 152 stops at T1/T2 (daytime)

Terminal 3 · domestic

  • Flights within Vietnam
  • Bus 109 runs from T3 to Saigon bus station, 5:30 am – 10:40 pm

Your options into the city

1 · Pre-booked transfer

  • Fixed price agreed in advance; the driver waits in arrivals with your name
  • Best for late flights, families and big luggage
  • Book an airport transfer ↗

2 · Ride-hailing app

  • Grab, Xanh SM and Be work like Uber; you see the price before you book
  • Follow the signs to the app pickup area outside arrivals
  • You need mobile data on landing: an eSIM solves this

3 · Metered taxi

  • Use the official taxi rank outside arrivals
  • Check the meter is on; ignore touts inside the hall

4 · Bus (cheapest)

  • Bus 152: T1/T2 → Ben Thanh Market, daytime only
  • Bus 109: T3 → Saigon bus station, until about 10:40 pm
  • Free until 31 Dec 2026: tap a contactless card or phone when boarding. Bus guide

Get online the moment you land

eSIM (easiest)

Local SIM card

  • Kiosks of the big networks in the arrivals hall
  • Bring your passport: SIM cards must be registered to an ID
  • Works on any unlocked phone

Cash and cards

  • ATMs are in the arrivals hall; take out enough dong for street food and small shops, which are often cash-only.
  • Cards and phone payments work in malls, hotels, the metro and on buses.
  • Keep small notes (10,000–100,000 dong) for taxis and stalls.

What visitors filmed here

Chaotic Arrival In Saigon, Vietnam 🇻🇳YouTube · Ken Abroad · 290.6K views

Videos by travellers, linked to their original YouTube channels. View counts as of October 2026.

Questions visitors ask

How do I get from Tan Son Nhat airport to District 1?

The easiest options are a pre-booked transfer (fixed price, driver waiting with your name) or a ride-hailing car from the app pickup area. On a budget, take bus 152 from the international terminal (daytime) to Ben Thanh Market; city buses are free until 31 December 2026.

Which terminal will I arrive at?

International flights use Terminal 2 (T2). Most domestic flights use the newer Terminal 3 (T3). Bus 152 serves T1/T2; bus 109 serves T3.

Does the metro go to the airport?

No. Metro Line 1 runs from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien, in the opposite direction. Take a bus, taxi or ride-hailing car to the city first.

Should I get an eSIM or a local SIM card?

If your phone supports eSIM, install one before you fly and turn it on when you land: you have data for the ride-hailing app straight away. Local SIM cards are sold in the arrivals hall but need your passport for registration and there can be a queue.

Are airport taxis safe?

Use the official taxi rank outside arrivals or a ride-hailing app, and ignore people offering rides inside the hall. Make sure the meter is on before you set off.

Affiliate links (marked ↗ in the boxes above): same price for you, a small commission for HCMC Insider.

Last checked: November 2026. Sources: bus 109 to T3, bus 152 to T1/T2 (VOH) · free buses (Thanh Nien). Bus times can change; check at the stop.

Metro Line 1 guide → Practise your first day: Try Saigon →

Last updated: 30 October 2026.