Ho Chi Minh City Airport Transfers: Getting from the Airport to the City

Airports serving Ho Chi Minh City

• Tan Son Nhat International (SGN) — 8 km from the centre

  Grab to D1 VND 180,000–250,000 (US$7–10) in 25 min; Vinasun/Mai Linh taxi VND 200–300k; Bus 152 to Ben Thanh VND 5,000 in 45 min.

Arriving by train

Reunification Express to Nha Trang (8h), Da Nang (17h), Hanoi (32h). Metro Line 1 opened Dec 2024: Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien in 30 min for VND 6,000–20,000.

Entry and arrival formalities

Passport arrival stamp; no digital arrival card required. eVisa printout must be shown for eVisa holders.

US, UK, EU, most Western + Japan/Korea + Nordic + ASEAN — 15–45 days visa-free (45 days for US/UK/EU since Aug 2023). Longer stays use eVisa 90-day (US$25 single / US$50 multi-entry). Passport must be valid 6+ months.

Getting into the city

Grab (car and motorbike) is the honest go-to — a Grabbike across District 1 costs under US$2. Metered Vinasun and Mai Linh taxis are trustworthy. Metro Line 1 opened December 2024 — Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien in 30 min for VND 6,000–20,000. Tan Son Nhat Airport is 8 km from D1 (VND 200,000–300,000 by taxi in 30 min). Walking works within Dong Khoi/Ben Thanh but crossing streets requires nerve.

• Grab (car + motorbike)

  Honest, cheap and app-based — GrabBike across D1 under US$2.

• Metro Line 1

  Opened Dec 2024 — Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien in 30 min; more lines under construction.

• Vinasun / Mai Linh taxi

  Two most trusted metered taxi brands — refuse any others outside airport.

• Walking

  Works within Dong Khoi / Ben Thanh but crossing streets requires nerve — walk slowly and steadily.