I flew into Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City again the other day. A lot of members in my Saigon travel planning Facebook group have recently asked how to get from HCMC airport to District 1 or other areas, so I thought a first-hand guide would be helpful.
The Ho Chi Minh City airport is the busiest airport in Vietnam, and it can be overwhelming to navigate. It’s usually chaotic outside the arrivals area. Many people will be shouting at you, asking if you need a ride. There are a lot of taxi scams. It’s unfortunate that travelers have to deal with this right after arriving in Vietnam, but it is what it is.
The best way to navigate this is to have a plan ahead of time (pre-book an airport transfer or learn how to use the Grab app) and not stand around looking lost, waiting for someone who seems kind to come help you. This will open you up to being scammed.
If you’re coming to Vietnam, check out my common travel FAQs guide, the visa requirements, and how to get around Ho Chi Minh City. Here’s a Saigon travel itinerary with things to do to help with your planning.
The immigration line for international arrivals can sometimes take over two hours. The departure line is hit or miss, too. Look into booking an airport fast-track service to skip the immigration lines.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport is in Tan Binh District (Google Maps). With light traffic, the trip from the airport to District 1 will take 20 to 30 minutes.
Book an Airport Transfer
The easiest and most hassle-free way to get from the airport to your hotel is to pre-book an airport transfer through Klook. The driver will be waiting outside the arrival area, usually holding a sign with your name. It will depend on the company, some have a board with names shown. Either way, you’ll receive clear instructions beforehand.
These screenshots are from Klook. I selected different numbers of passengers. All examples are going to the Hotel Continental Saigon in District 1. This is a very central area and a great location to stay in Ho Chi Minh City.
The cost of this service is slightly more expensive than using the Grab app to book a ride. But it’s also more convenient. If you’re tired after your flight, you won’t have to mess with the Grab app upon landing and then going to find your driver outside in the parking area.
Pre-booking an airport transfer will save you the hassle of dealing with random taxi drivers outside the arrivals area. You can simply grab your luggage and then exit the arrivals area where your driver will be waiting.
Use the Grab App
If you decide to pre-book your airport transfer, you still want to use the Grab app for getting around Ho Chi Minh City or elsewhere in Vietnam.
When giving advice to first-timers traveling to Vietnam, the first thing I always tell them is to download the Grab app—it’s the Uber of Vietnam. You can see my other recommended apps for traveling in Vietnam.
In order to use the Grab app from HCMC airport, you’ll need to connect to the airport’s Wi-Fi or have a cell phone plan. Learn how to get a SIM card or eSIM for Vietnam.
You can get some idea of the cost from the airport to D1 or D3 in my screenshots above. Keep in mind that Grab rates will vary depending on time of day and demand. Between 100.000 VND and 200.000 VND is fair. You may be asked to pay an airport ticket fee of 10.000 VND to 15.000 VND.
Important: When using Grab, make sure the driver’s license plate matches what’s shown in the app after you book. There are fake Grab drivers who show you a phony booking screen on their phones to get you to ride with them. Sometimes, they’ll ask to look at your phone and then cancel your booking. So check the details: driver’s picture, car make/model, and license plate.
I took these photos exiting the domestic arrivals area and heading to meet my Grab driver in the parking garage. The international arrivals area is similar. There are signs all over. You’ll follow the path outside and head to the car park area. You’ll notice other travelers doing the same. There will be many other travelers using Grab.
Again, these photos show the domestic arrival path to meeting your Grab driver. There is a similar flow with signs and other tourists heading to meet their Grab drivers in the international area.
You can also stop and snag a regular taxi if you want. Just make sure they turn on the meter. Some taxi drivers will try to get you to agree to a price beforehand (it’s usually inflated). My two recommended companies for regular taxis in Ho Chi Minh City are Mai Linh (green) and Vinasun (white).
Using the Grab app is the best way to get back to the airport from anywhere in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s very easy to order a ride in the app from your hotel to the airport. You can also ask your hotel to help with arrangements.
