What is the cheapest way from Tan Son Nhat Airport to District 1?

Public city bus 152 to Ben Thanh, 5,000 VND paid in cash on board, in about 50–55 minutes. Bus 109 (15,000 VND) is a comfier alternative with luggage space.

Where do I catch the bus at Tan Son Nhat?

Bus 152 stops opposite the international arrivals exit lobby (row B at the domestic terminal). The orange bus 109 stops in front of the terminal at column 12 (international) or column 18 (domestic).

Do I need to buy a ticket in advance?

No. Pay the conductor in cash (Vietnamese dong) on board. Bus 152 charges a second 5,000 VND for a large suitcase.

How do I avoid the airport taxi scam?

Ignore touts inside the terminal and fake meters that run 10–20x fast or add a zero to the fare. Book a Grab in the app (fixed price around 130,000 VND) or use the official Vinasun or Mai Linh taxi queue outside.

What time does the airport bus run?

Bus 152 runs about 05:15 to 19:00, every 12–20 minutes. After 7pm take bus 109, which runs until about 22:00.

What is the best way from SGN to downtown Ho Chi Minh City?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: city bus 152 to Ben Thanh in District 1, 5,000 VND paid in cash on board, in about 50–55 minutes. With big bags or after 7pm, the orange bus 109 (15,000 VND) is the better pick.

How much is a taxi from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to the city?

A Grab booked in the app is a fixed price of around 130,000 VND to District 1; otherwise use the official Vinasun or Mai Linh queue outside, never a tout with a rigged meter. By comparison, city bus 152 does the same trip for just 5,000 VND.

How to get from Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) to downtown Ho Chi Minh City (District 1) — the cheapest way

The cheapest way from Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) into central Ho Chi Minh City (District 1) is public city bus 152 to Ben Thanh in the city centre: it costs just 5,000 VND (about US$0.20) and takes roughly 50–55 minutes, paid in cash to the conductor on board. Board the green bus opposite the international arrivals exit, or take the orange bus 109 (15,000 VND, with luggage space) if you have big bags or arrive after 7pm when 152 stops. Ignore the taxi touts inside the terminal who use rigged meters — if you skip the bus, book a Grab in the app or use the official Vinasun or Mai Linh queue outside.

How to find it

AIRPORTTan Son Nhat International Airport
01From international arrivals, exit the terminal and cross to the bus stop directly opposite the arrivals exit lobby; domestic passengers use row B. Look for the green air-conditioned bus marked 152.
02Board bus 152 (Trung Son – Ben Thanh – Tan Son Nhat) and pay the conductor 5,000 VND in cash; pay a second 5,000 VND if you have a large suitcase.
03Ride about 50–55 minutes to Ben Thanh Bus Station on Ham Nghi Street in District 1. Buses run roughly every 12–20 minutes, about 05:15 to 19:00.
04Get off at Ben Thanh — you are in the heart of District 1, and most central hotels are a short walk or one quick Grab away.
CITY CENTREHo Chi Minh City

Ticket

City bus 152 single ticket (Tan Son Nhat – Ben Thanh)

Where to buy: No advance ticket needed — pay the roving conductor on board bus 152. Board opposite the international arrivals exit lobby (row B at the domestic terminal).

How to pay: Cash only, in Vietnamese dong — keep small notes ready. A large suitcase is charged a second 5,000 VND fare.

Local's trick: Bus 152 is a normal green city bus, not a branded 'airport bus' — just pay the roving conductor 5,000 VND cash on board (keep a second small note for a big bag). It runs only about 05:15–19:00, so after 7pm take bus 109 (15,000 VND) instead.

Trap to avoid: Ignore the drivers and 'taxi' touts who approach you inside the terminal — many use rigged meters that run 10–20x fast, or claim the meter's '64.0' means 640,000 VND. If you skip the bus, book a Grab in the app (fixed price around 130,000 VND) or use the official Vinasun or Mai Linh taxi queue outside, never a tout.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
BusCheapest route	₫5,000	55 min	City bus 152 single ticket (Tan Son Nhat – Ben Thanh)
Bus	₫15,000	45 min	Airport bus 109 single ticket (Tan Son Nhat – 23/9 Park)

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Tan Son Nhat Airport to District 1?: Public city bus 152 to Ben Thanh, 5,000 VND paid in cash on board, in about 50–55 minutes. Bus 109 (15,000 VND) is a comfier alternative with luggage space.
Where do I catch the bus at Tan Son Nhat?: Bus 152 stops opposite the international arrivals exit lobby (row B at the domestic terminal). The orange bus 109 stops in front of the terminal at column 12 (international) or column 18 (domestic).
Do I need to buy a ticket in advance?: No. Pay the conductor in cash (Vietnamese dong) on board. Bus 152 charges a second 5,000 VND for a large suitcase.
How do I avoid the airport taxi scam?: Ignore touts inside the terminal and fake meters that run 10–20x fast or add a zero to the fare. Book a Grab in the app (fixed price around 130,000 VND) or use the official Vinasun or Mai Linh taxi queue outside.
What time does the airport bus run?: Bus 152 runs about 05:15 to 19:00, every 12–20 minutes. After 7pm take bus 109, which runs until about 22:00.
What is the best way from SGN to downtown Ho Chi Minh City?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: city bus 152 to Ben Thanh in District 1, 5,000 VND paid in cash on board, in about 50–55 minutes. With big bags or after 7pm, the orange bus 109 (15,000 VND) is the better pick.
How much is a taxi from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to the city?: A Grab booked in the app is a fixed price of around 130,000 VND to District 1; otherwise use the official Vinasun or Mai Linh queue outside, never a tout with a rigged meter. By comparison, city bus 152 does the same trip for just 5,000 VND.

Last verified: Jul 2, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.