SGN — Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat) — Taxi Fare Guide
Tan Son Nhat International Airport is only about 6–8 km from central Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), so fares are modest. The two trusted metered brands are Vinasun (white cars, red-and-green logo) and Mai Linh (green cars). Head to the official taxi rank outside the arrivals hall and join the marked queue rather than accepting offers from touts who approach you inside the terminal.
Taxis are metered. Expect around VND 150,000–250,000 to most District 1 hotels (Ben Thanh, Dong Khoi, Pham Ngu Lao), and the fare should almost never exceed VND 300,000. A fixed VND 10,000 airport access toll is added to the meter total — that is legitimate. Insist the meter starts at zero; if a driver refuses to use it or quotes a large flat fee, pick another cab.
The trip normally takes 25–45 minutes depending on traffic around the airport and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia road. Note that Vietnamese taxi meters show fares in thousands — a reading of "180" means VND 180,000, a common point of confusion for first-time visitors.
Ride-hailing is usually cheaper and removes fare disputes: Grab (car and bike) and the local Xanh SM (electric taxis) and Be apps all serve SGN with fixed in-app pricing, typically VND 120,000–200,000 to District 1. Follow signs to the designated ride-hailing pickup area.
| Destination | Approx. fare | Time |
| District 1 (Ben Thanh / Dong Khoi) | VND 170,000–250,000 | 25–45 min |
| Pham Ngu Lao (backpacker area) | VND 150,000–220,000 | 25–40 min |
| District 3 | VND 130,000–200,000 | 20–35 min |
| Thao Dien / District 2 (An Phu) | VND 220,000–320,000 | 30–50 min |
Practical tips: Stick to Vinasun, Mai Linh or an app; the biggest risk here is rigged meters and touts, not safety. Carry small VND notes for the toll, have your hotel name and address in Vietnamese ready to show the driver, and confirm the meter reads in thousands before you set off.
Other ways to the city
SGN sits unusually close to the centre - about 7 km - so all options are short. There is no airport metro yet, but the buses are genuinely usable:
- Bus 109 - an air-conditioned airport bus running from both terminals to Pham Ngu Lao and Ben Thanh in District 1 for around VND 15,000-20,000. It has luggage space and takes about 45 minutes.
- Bus 152 - the cheapest route into District 1 at roughly VND 5,000-10,000 (a small extra charge applies for large luggage). It is a standard city bus, so it is more crowded but very good value.
- Bus 49 (shuttle bus) - a minibus service circulating between the airport and District 1 hotels for around VND 40,000-50,000, a middle ground between the public bus and a taxi.
- Metro Line 1 - Ho Chi Minh City's first metro line (Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien) opened in 2024 but does not serve the airport directly. You can reach it by bus 109 or 152 to Ben Thanh and continue from there.
- Grab / Be (ride-hailing) - very widely used, with a designated pickup area on the upper level or in the car park. Motorbike taxis are also available and are the fastest option in traffic if you have only a backpack.
Fares are researched from official and public sources and are approximate — always confirm the meter or fixed fare before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Tan Son Nhat Airport to District 1?
Which taxi companies are trustworthy at SGN?
Is there a metro or train from Ho Chi Minh City airport?
How do I get between the domestic and international terminals at SGN?
Traveling via another city?
Check taxi fare guides for other airports before you fly.
See more airport guides