Take a Grab if you land on an international flight at Terminal 2, have a suitcase or are two or more people: a GrabCar to District 1 usually costs about 150,000 to 250,000 dong and takes 25 to 45 minutes (). Take bus 109 only if you are on a budget with light luggage and willing to take the free terminal shuttle to Terminal 3 first, because since 2025 the route no longer stops at the international terminal ().
Cover and social-card photograph: Hwi.padam, CC BY-SA 4.0; cropped and resized.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport sits inside the city, about 7 km north of District 1, so the trip is short by road but often slowed by traffic. The airport now has three terminals: Terminal 2 for international flights, Terminal 3 for most Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet domestic flights since May 2025, and Terminal 1 for the remaining domestic carriers. A free shuttle bus links all three about every 20 minutes (SGGP).
| Your situation | Better starting choice | What to check before choosing |
|---|---|---|
| International arrival at T2, suitcase | Grab | Pickup in the car park zone |
| Two or more people to District 1 | Grab | Fare shown in the app before booking |
| Domestic arrival at T3, light bag | Bus 109 | Small notes for the conductor |
| International arrival, tight budget, daytime | Shuttle to T3 then bus 109, or bus 152 | Last departures and luggage charges |
| Landing after about 10:30 pm | Grab or a metered taxi | Night surcharge |
| Hotel in Thao Dien (District 2) | Grab | Extra 30,000–50,000 dong on the fare |
Bus 109 runs between Terminal 3 and Saigon Bus Station on Ham Nghi Street, next to the Ben Thanh and Pham Ngu Lao backpacker area. Since the late-April 2025 change it serves Terminal 3 only, not Terminals 1 and 2. Buses leave Terminal 3 from 5:30 am to 10:40 pm, every 15 to 25 minutes, and the 9.3 km trip takes about 45 minutes depending on traffic. The fare is 8,000 to 15,000 dong (VOH). Some travellers report being charged a separate fare for a large bag.
If you arrive at Terminal 2, take the free terminal shuttle to Terminal 3 and look for the 109 stop there. Recent traveller reports describe the stop as poorly signposted, so ask staff at the Terminal 3 information desk (Tripadvisor forum).
Bus 152 still serves Terminals 1 and 2 and runs towards Ben Thanh. It is the cheapest option, at a few thousand dong plus a small charge for large bags, but it is a city bus with more stops, little luggage space and an early finish: service ends around 7 pm (VOH). Expect 50 to 70 minutes to the centre.
At Terminal 2, Grab pickups are in the multi-storey car park next to arrivals, signposted for app-booked cars; at Terminals 1 and 3, use the marked ride-hailing zone, and follow the pickup marker shown in the app. A GrabCar to District 1 usually costs about 150,000 to 250,000 dong in normal traffic, rising in rain or late at night, and takes 25 to 45 minutes. GrabBike costs about 90,000 to 140,000 dong but only suits a backpack (Vietnam Tourism).
Metered taxis from Vinasun and Mai Linh queue outside arrivals and typically cost about 170,000 to 280,000 dong to District 1, plus the airport gate fee. Use the official queue rather than drivers who approach you inside.
Photo: Tbaonguyen221, CC0; cropped and resized.
For one person with a backpack, the bus costs a small fraction of a Grab fare. Once you add the shuttle ride from Terminal 2, the walk to the stop and a possible luggage charge, the saving still exists but the trip takes much longer. For two or more people, one Grab at around 150,000 to 250,000 dong is usually the better deal, and it drops you at the hotel.
The airport's location also favours a car. Because District 1 is only about 7 km away, a Grab fare here is low compared with many Asian airports, which narrows the case for the bus.
Bus 109's last departure from Terminal 3 is around 10:40 pm and bus 152 stops much earlier, so late international arrivals should plan on Grab or a metered taxi. Expect higher Grab prices and a night surcharge on taxis after 11 pm.
Check which terminal your flight uses, especially for domestic connections, because Terminal 3 and Terminal 1 are different buildings. If you plan to use Grab, install the app, add a payment method and save your hotel address before you fly. If you plan to take the bus, carry small dong notes.
A co:sim data-only eSIM can be installed before departure so Grab and maps work as soon as you land. It provides data only, without a Vietnamese phone number, so keep your home SIM active for SMS codes if your phone supports two lines. If you are also flying into Hanoi, see our Noi Bai bus 86 vs Grab guide.
Decide by terminal, luggage and arrival time first, then compare co:sim for the rest of your Vietnam trip.
No. Since late April 2025, bus 109 runs between Terminal 3 and Saigon Bus Station. International arrivals at Terminal 2 need the free terminal shuttle to Terminal 3, or can take bus 152 during the day.
Usually about 150,000 to 250,000 dong for a GrabCar in normal traffic, with higher prices in rain or late at night. The app shows the fare before you book.
About 25 to 45 minutes by car, and around 45 minutes or more by bus 109 from Terminal 3. Traffic at peak hours can stretch both.
You need data to book a Grab and find the pickup zone. The bus needs only cash, but data helps you follow the route and walk to your hotel.
A co:sim data-only eSIM provides data without a phone number, calls or SMS. You can set it up before departure and use it as soon as you land. Compare network and validity details on co:sim's Vietnam plan page before choosing.
Instant delivery by email · Install before you fly
Travel TipsTake the MRT if you are one or two people staying near a train line: it costs about S$2 to S$3 and takes 35 to 50 minutes with one change. Take a Grab or taxi if three or more of you are sharing, you land at Terminal 4 or after the last train, because a car to the city takes about 30 minutes and usually costs S$25 to S$45.
Travel TipsTake the Keisei Skyliner if your hotel is in Ueno, Asakusa or north-east Tokyo: it reaches Nippori in as little as 36 minutes for ¥2,580. Take the Narita Express if you are staying near Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya or Yokohama, because it runs straight there, and the ¥5,200 round-trip ticket brings each leg close to the Skyliner fare.
Travel TipsTake bus 86 if you are travelling light, land before mid-evening and are staying near Hoan Kiem Lake: it costs about 45,000 dong and takes 50 to 70 minutes. Take a Grab if there are two or more of you, you have big bags or you land late, because one car to the Old Quarter usually costs about 230,000 to 320,000 dong and drops you at the door.
co:sim Team