Getting around
Getting around Ho Chi Minh City: buses, airport and river bus
City buses are free until the end of 2026, the airport has its own cheap bus lines, and the river bus is one of the nicest rides in Saigon. Here is what visitors need to know, checked against official announcements and Vietnamese news sources.
Buses are free until 31 December 2026
The city has waived fares on 134 bus routes. Since 1 October 2026, tap a contactless bank card or phone (Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) on the reader when you board. It only records the trip; nothing is charged.
From the airport (Tan Son Nhat, SGN)
Bus 152
- Airport → Ben Thanh Market → Trung Son
- The easiest bus to the city centre
- On the city's free-fare list until 31 Dec 2026
Bus 109
- Airport → Saigon bus station (near Ben Thanh and 23/9 Park)
- On the city's free-fare list until 31 Dec 2026
Bus stops are outside the arrivals halls; ask airport staff which terminal your bus serves. Late at night, use a ride-hailing app or a pre-booked transfer ↗.
City buses visitors use
Bus 1 · to Cholon
- Ba Son metro station → city centre → Cholon bus station (Chinatown)
- Handy for the food spots on this site
Bus 150 · Cholon to the east
- Cholon bus station → New Mien Dong bus station
- Crosses the city from Chinatown to the big new eastern bus station
Bus 13 + 79 · Cu Chi Tunnels
- Bus 13: Saigon bus station → Cu Chi bus station
- Bus 79: Cu Chi bus station → Ben Duoc
- Slow: allow 2+ hours each way. Tours ↗ are easier.
Bus 94 · Cholon to Cu Chi
- Cholon bus station → Cu Chi bus station
- An alternative start if you stay in Chinatown
For routes and live arrival times, use the BusMap app or Google Maps. Wave clearly at the bus as it approaches; buses may not stop if nobody signals.
Saigon river bus
Route
- Bach Dang pier (District 1) → Binh An → Thanh Da → Hiep Binh Chanh → Linh Dong
- Great views of the skyline and the Saigon River
Times and fares
- From 8:30 am daily, last departures in the evening
- About 15,000 dong per trip
- Tickets at the pier or online
Sightseeing bus
- Open-top double-decker buses leave from 92–96 Nguyen Hue (District 1), roughly every 30 minutes from 9:00 am to 10:30 pm; a loop takes about an hour.
- The route passes the Zoo, the War Remnants Museum, Bui Vien, Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue and the Opera House, with an audio guide.
- This is a paid tourist service and not part of the free-bus programme; check prices at the counter.
Stay safe on the move
- Phone and bag snatching from passing motorbikes happens. Keep your phone away from the street side and bags zipped and across your body.
- Carry a light rain jacket from May to November; afternoon downpours are common.
- Offer your seat to older people, pregnant women and children.
Questions visitors ask
Are buses in Ho Chi Minh City free?
Yes, for now. From 1 July to 31 December 2026 the city has waived fares on 134 city bus routes, including airport routes 109 and 152. Intercity routes and open-top sightseeing buses are not included.
Do I need to tap a card on a free bus?
Since 1 October 2026 every passenger has to check in when boarding, to count the trip. Nothing is charged. You can tap a Visa or Mastercard contactless card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay at the reader by the door; Vietnamese residents can also use their ID card or the VNeID app. If it doesn't work, the driver or attendant will help.
How do I get from Tan Son Nhat airport to the city centre by bus?
Take bus 152 (via Ben Thanh Market) or bus 109 (to Saigon bus station near Ben Thanh). Both are on the free-fare list until the end of 2026. Look for the bus stop signs outside arrivals and ask airport staff if you are unsure which terminal the bus stops at.
Can I get to the Cu Chi Tunnels by public bus?
Yes, but it is slow. Take bus 13 from Saigon bus station to Cu Chi bus station, then bus 79 to Ben Duoc. Allow two hours or more each way. Most visitors book a tour or transfer instead.
How much does the Saigon river bus cost?
About 15,000 dong per trip on the Bach Dang – Linh Dong route. Boats start at 8:30 am from Bach Dang pier in District 1.
Last checked: October 2026. Sources: free route list (Thu Vien Phap Luat) · check-in from 1 Oct (Bao Xay Dung) · free buses (Thanh Nien) · river bus and sightseeing bus (VnExpress). Routes and rules can change; check at the stop.