Transport from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Ho Chi Minh City is inexpensive by almost any international standard. Here is what each option actually costs.
Airport bus — under $1 USD
Route 109 costs 20,000 VND (under $1 USD) and runs to the city center. It is air-conditioned, runs every 15-20 minutes, and operates until about 1:30 AM. The cheapest option by far, but only practical if you travel light and know where to get off.
Grab (ride-hailing) — $3-6 USD
Grab car fares to District 1 typically range from 80,000-150,000 VND ($3-6 USD). GrabBike is even cheaper at 30,000-50,000 VND ($1-2 USD) but not practical with luggage. Prices fluctuate with demand — during peak hours or rain, expect the higher end of the range.
Metered taxi — $5-8 USD
Vinasun and Mai Linh metered taxis to District 1 run 120,000-200,000 VND ($5-8 USD). The variation depends on traffic conditions and exact destination within the district. Ensure the meter is running and the driver is taking a direct route.
Pre-booked transfer — $12-25 USD
Private transfers from SGN to District 1 cost $12-25 USD depending on vehicle type. A standard sedan is at the lower end; a larger vehicle or premium car is higher. The price is fixed regardless of traffic or time of day.
Costs to other districts
- District 2 (Thu Duc City/Thao Dien): Grab $5-9, taxi $7-12, transfer $15-30
- District 7 (Phu My Hung): Grab $4-7, taxi $6-10, transfer $15-25
- District 3: Grab $3-5, taxi $4-7, transfer $12-20
- Binh Thanh District: Grab $3-6, taxi $5-8, transfer $12-22
- Vung Tau (beach town): Transfer $60-90, about 2 hours drive
The real cost comparison
The absolute differences are small. The gap between the cheapest car option (Grab at $3) and the most expensive (transfer at $25) is about $20. For travelers coming from countries where an airport taxi costs $50-100, all the Vietnam options feel cheap.
Where costs add up is if you are repeatedly taking taxis during your stay. But for the airport transfer specifically, even the premium option is modest.
Currency and payment
Vietnam uses the dong (VND). The large numbers can be confusing — 100,000 VND is about $4 USD. ATMs at the airport dispense dong at reasonable rates. Grab accepts cards through the app. Metered taxis usually expect cash in dong. Transfer services typically accept both cash and card.
Avoid exchanging money at the airport currency desks if possible — the rates are poor compared to ATMs or in-city exchange shops. Withdraw just enough for your taxi fare if you need cash immediately.