Ho Chi Minh Airport to City Center: 3 Best Ways to Go

For the first time arriving at Tan Son Nhat airport in Saigon, you may wonder about how to get to the city centre. Don't worry because the below article includes the 3 best ways to travel from the airport to Ho Chi Minh City center, which might be helpful for your next trip here.

Distance from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the city centre

Ho Chi Minh airport is also known as Tan Son Nhat International Airport, is the biggest airport in Vietnam with a total capacity of 15-17 million passengers per year. The airport is the arrival airport for many tourists to start the holiday in Vietnam. 

Tan Son Nhat airport is located not far away from the city centre. It is only about 8km, and it takes about half an hour by car.

 

3 Best Ways to getting from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the city centre

There are many ways to travel from the airport to Ho Chi Minh city centre, but the most popular ways are bus, taxi, and private car. Please see more information about each kind of transfer below

Taxi

It is easy to catch a taxi at Tan Son Nhat airport to get transferred to the city centre. You can choose Mai Linh, Saigon, Vinasun, or Vinataxi which are reliable taxi brands in Vietnam. The price for the ride is about 150.000 VND depending on your destination. This is an ideal choice if you travel with your kids, or with a big group of friends travelling together.

Advantages

The advantages of taxis in Ho Chi Minh include privacy, safety, being fast, comfortable, and reasonable fare. Using a taxi to get to the city center, you can avoid pickpocket, heavy traffic, air pollution, noise, heat, rain. Moreover, the taxi price is not too high as you will travel for a short distance.

Disadvantages

Some taxi drivers try to use a long way to travel from the airport to the city center to increase the distance and get more money from customers. Some bring you to the wrong hotel to get its commission. You had better be aware of these before getting on a taxi.

 

Bus

There are two kinds of buses to get to the city centre from Tan Son Nhat airport: public bus, and shuttle bus

Public bus

The public has green colour, travelling between the airport and the city centre. The public bus is operated by the government with a price much cheaper than a shuttle bus, but you need to pay extra if you have luggage (0.25 USD per piece). This bus has more stops than the shuttle bus. 

Route 152: Tan Son Nhat Airport – Ben Thanh Market – Trung Son Residental Area.

• Running hour: 5.45 - 18.00
• Interval: Every 12 - 18 minutes.
• Duration: 55 minutes.
• Ticket fare: 7000 VND/time (about 30 cents)

The ticket for Bus #152 is the cheapest, but the staff do not speak English

Shuttle bus

The shuttle bus is privately owned, has a yellow color. It is more expensive than a public bus, but it has English-speaking staff, and does not stop at many places like a public bus. There are two shuttle buses which are bus number 109 and 49.

Route 49: Tan Son Nhat Airport – The city center

• Running hour: 0.00 -23.45
• Interval: Every 25- 30 minutes.
• Duration: 65 minutes.
• Ticket fare: 10,000 VND/time (about 45 cents)

The price of this high-quality bus with air-conditioners is twice the cost of the normal bus because it drops you off at your hotel and there is no charge for luggage. The bus does not stop at public bus stations like other buses but stops at hotels, famous tourist attractions, bus stations streets in the center.

Route 109: Tan Son Nhat Airport – 23/9 Park

• Running hour: 0.00 - 23.40
• Interval: Every 15- 30 minutes.
• Duration: 45 minutes.
• Ticket fare: 20,000 VND/time (about 90 cents)

This bus passes many tourist attractions including Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, Independence Palace, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Ben Thanh Market. 23/9 Park is located right in the city’s backpacker area.

Advantages

Advantages of travelling by bus to get to the city centre from Tan Son Nhat airport are its low cost, safety. Moreover, using a bus, you can avoid taxi scams, sun, or rain.

Disadvantages

However, there are some disadvantages of using the airport bus. You need to make your own way to the pickup point and from the drop-off point to your destination. If you travel with big luggage, that will be a big problem.

 

Private car

The private car is a great way to travel from Tan Son Nhat airport to the city centre. Depending on how big your group is, you can book a 4, 7, 16 seat car. The driver will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign, help you to transfer all the luggage, and drop you off at your destination. The driver has your flight number, so he knows if the flight is cancelled or delayed.

Advantages

It is the most convenient way to travel from the airport to the city centre, you will be able to avoid any scams or waiting so long for the bus

Disadvantages

It will be a little bit higher than a taxi, and you need to pay in advance

 

Local tips to get to the city centre from Ho Chi Minh Airport

• We would recommend using the shuttle bus from the airport to the city centre if you are on a budget. The shuttle bus has English-speaking staff, drop you off at your destination in the city centre.
• If money is not your big problem, or you travel in a big group with friends, use a private transfer.  This kind of transfer is not too expensive, and you do not have to worry about anything.  

Getting from the airport to the city centre becomes much easier with the above tips and information. If there is anything you need to know about Ho Chi Minh, do not hesitate to contact us. You might also look for Ho Chi Minh city tours, please visit our website bestpricetravel.com and get the best one.

Jenny

Image source: Internet