Saigon Transportation 2026: Airport, Metro & Grab Guide

To get from Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) to central Saigon, take a Grab or Xanh SM car (about 25–45 minutes, roughly 120,000–250,000 VND) or airport bus 109 to the Saigon bus station near Ben Thanh (about 45 minutes, 8,000–15,000 VND). In the city, use Metro Line 1 (6,000–20,000 VND), ride-hailing apps and your feet.

Status (checked October 2026): Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien) has been running since 22 December 2024 and carried about 20.5 million passengers in 2025. Airport bus 109 now runs to the new domestic Terminal 3. Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai, about 40 km east, is proposed to open for commercial flights on 1 December 2026; Tan Son Nhat stays open. A joint bus–metro fare scheme is under discussion, so check fares before you ride.

Key takeaways:

Tan Son Nhat is only about 6–8 km from the centre; allow 25–45 minutes by car, longer at rush hour.
Grab, Xanh SM and Be are the easiest way to get around: fixed prices shown in the app.
Metro Line 1 has 14 stations over 19.7 km, from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien, with day passes of 40,000 VND.
Do not ride a motorbike without a valid licence: fines for unlicensed riders are 2–8 million VND under Decree 168/2024.
Most day trips (Cu Chi, Mekong Delta) are easiest with a private car or a guided tour.

Saigon Transportation at a Glance

Main airport	Tan Son Nhat International (SGN): T2 international, T1 and T3 domestic
Airport to centre	About 6–8 km; 25–45 min by car, about 45 min by bus
Airport car (Grab / Xanh SM)	About 120,000–250,000 VND (US$5–10)
Airport bus	Route 109 (T3 ↔ Saigon bus station): 8,000–15,000 VND; route 152 for T1/T2
Metro	Line 1 Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien, 14 stations, 19.7 km; 6,000–20,000 VND per ride
Metro hours	About 05:00–22:00 weekdays, to 23:00 at weekends and holidays
Metro passes	1 day 40,000 VND; 3 days 90,000 VND
City buses	About 5,000–7,000 VND per ride (subsidised fares)
Ride-hailing	Grab, Xanh SM (electric), Be: cars and motorbike taxis
Railway	Saigon Station, for the Reunification Express to Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hue and Hanoi
New airport	Long Thanh (Dong Nai), about 40 km east; commercial opening proposed for 1 Dec 2026

How Do I Get from Tan Son Nhat Airport to the City Centre?

The quickest way is a Grab or Xanh SM car booked in the app, which takes about 25–45 minutes to old District 1 (now Saigon and Ben Thanh wards). The cheapest is bus 109 for 8,000–15,000 VND. Traffic can double the journey time at rush hour.

International flights use Terminal 2. Domestic flights use Terminal 1 and the new Terminal 3, which opened in April 2025 and handles Vietnam Airlines’ domestic flights. See Tan Son Nhat International Airport for terminal background, and always check your ticket for the terminal.

Option	Price (VND)	Time to centre	Best for
Grab / Xanh SM / Be car	About 120,000–250,000	25–45 min	Most travellers; fixed app price
Metered airport taxi (Vinasun, Mai Linh)	Similar to app cars, plus airport fee	25–45 min	No app or data on arrival
Bus 109 (T3 ↔ Saigon bus station)	8,000–15,000	About 45 min	Budget travellers with light luggage
Bus 152 (T1/T2 ↔ centre)	About 5,000–15,000	45–60 min	Cheapest; runs only until about 19:00
Private transfer with driver	About 250,000–450,000	25–45 min	Families, late arrivals, groups

Bus 109 runs roughly every 15–25 minutes, from about 05:30 to 22:40 from Terminal 3, via Nam Ky Khoi Nghia and Ham Nghi to the Saigon bus station near Ben Thanh Market. After 19:00, when route 152 stops, combine bus 109 with a short Grab ride or take a car directly.

Airport arrival tips

Buy a local SIM or activate an eSIM before leaving the terminal so you can book a car in the app.
Follow signs to the ride-hailing pick-up area; ignore touts in the arrivals hall offering “taxi”.
If you take a metered taxi, use the official rank and make sure the meter is on.
Rush hours (about 07:00–09:00 and 16:30–19:00) can push the ride to an hour.

When Will Long Thanh Airport Open?

Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai province, about 40 km east of Saigon, is proposed to start commercial operations on 1 December 2026, according to the airport operator ACV. Tan Son Nhat will remain open for domestic and some international flights.

In the first phase, Vietnam Airlines has proposed international routes from Long Thanh to cities such as Beijing, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Manila, plus domestic flights to Hanoi. Always check your ticket for the airport code: SGN is Tan Son Nhat; Long Thanh has its own airport code. Allow at least 1–1.5 hours by road from Long Thanh to central Saigon until rail links are built.

How Does the Ho Chi Minh City Metro Work?

Metro Line 1 runs 19.7 km from Ben Thanh in the centre to Suoi Tien in Thu Duc, with 14 stations (3 underground, 11 elevated). Single fares are 7,000–20,000 VND in cash or 6,000–19,000 VND cashless, depending on distance.

Trains run from about 05:00 to 22:00 on weekdays and until 23:00 at weekends and on public holidays, every 6–8 minutes at peak times and 10–12 minutes off-peak. You can buy tickets at station machines and counters, or use the HURC metro app. Useful stops for visitors include Ben Thanh (Ben Thanh Market), Opera House (Nguyen Hue walking street), Ba Son (riverside), Van Thanh (near Landmark 81) and Thao Dien (Thao Dien expat area).

Ticket	Price (VND)	Notes
Single journey, cash	7,000–20,000	By distance
Single journey, cashless	6,000–19,000	QR / card / app
1-day pass	40,000	Unlimited rides for one day
3-day pass	90,000	Good for a short city stay
Monthly pass	300,000	Students 150,000

The metro is clean, air-conditioned and avoids traffic jams, but it covers only one corridor. Combine it with walking or a short Grab ride. More lines are planned, including a link to Tan Son Nhat Airport, but none is open yet. See Metro Line 1 on Wikipedia for the full station list.

How Do I Get Around Saigon?

For most visitors, the best way to get around Saigon is a mix of walking in the centre, Metro Line 1 along the Thu Duc corridor and ride-hailing cars or motorbike taxis for everything else. Each option suits different trips.

1. Grab, Xanh SM and Be

Ride-hailing apps show a fixed price before you book, which removes the risk of overcharging. Grab is the best known; Xanh SM operates electric taxis and bikes; Be is a local alternative. A 3–5 km car ride in the centre usually costs about 40,000–90,000 VND, and a motorbike taxi about half that. You can pay in cash or link a card.

2. Metered taxis

Vinasun (white) and Mai Linh (green) are the most reliable metered taxi brands. Ask your hotel to call one, or flag one down, and make sure the meter is running.

3. City buses

Saigon has an extensive bus network with subsidised fares of about 5,000–7,000 VND. The BusMap app shows routes and real-time positions. Buses are cheap but slow in traffic and can be hot and crowded.

4. Walking

Old District 1 is walkable: the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Nguyen Hue walking street and Ben Thanh Market are within about 20 minutes on foot of each other. Pavements are often blocked by parked motorbikes, so walk carefully.

5. Crossing the street

Walk slowly and steadily, make eye contact with riders and never run or step back suddenly: motorbikes flow around predictable pedestrians. Use pedestrian crossings and traffic lights where available.

6. Saigon Waterbus

The Saigon Waterbus runs along the Saigon River from Bach Dang pier in the centre towards Thu Duc. It is more of a scenic ride than practical transport, and fares are low (about 15,000 VND for a single trip at last check). Services can be affected by weather and tides.

7. Cyclo

Cyclos (pedal rickshaws) are now mainly a sightseeing activity. Book through your hotel or a tour company and agree the route, time and price in advance.

Can Tourists Rent a Motorbike in Saigon?

You can, but it is only legal if you hold a valid Vietnamese licence or an International Driving Permit issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention together with your home licence. Under Decree 168/2024 (in force since 1 January 2025), riding without a valid licence is fined 2–4 million VND for bikes up to 125cc and 6–8 million VND for larger bikes.

Travel insurance often refuses claims for unlicensed riders. Saigon traffic is dense and fast, so most visitors are safer using Grab or Xanh SM motorbike taxis. Helmets are compulsory for riders and passengers.

How Do I Travel from Saigon to Other Destinations?

For long distances, fly; for nearby destinations such as the Mekong Delta, Mui Ne or Vung Tau, use a limousine van, bus or private car. The Reunification Express train is a scenic but slow option along the coast.

Destination	Best option	Approx. time	Approx. price (VND)
Hanoi	Flight	About 2 h 10 min flying	About 1,200,000–3,000,000
Da Nang / Hoi An	Flight	About 1 h 20 min flying	About 900,000–2,500,000
Nha Trang	Flight or train	1 h flying / about 7–9 h by train	About 500,000–1,500,000
Mui Ne / Phan Thiet	Limousine van, bus or train	About 3.5–5 h	About 200,000–400,000
Da Lat	Flight or sleeper bus	50 min flying / 6–8 h by road	About 300,000–1,500,000
Can Tho (Mekong Delta)	Limousine van or bus	About 3–4 h	About 180,000–300,000
My Tho / Ben Tre	Private car or tour	About 1.5–2 h	Tour or car hire
Cu Chi Tunnels	Private car or tour	About 1.5–2 h	Tour or car hire
Vung Tau	Fast boat or limousine van	About 2–2.5 h	About 200,000–400,000

Trains leave from Saigon Station; book on the official Vietnam Railways website. Long-distance buses use the new Mien Dong bus station (Thu Duc side) for routes north and the Mien Tay station for the Mekong Delta. Read our Mui Ne transportation guide, Da Lat transportation guide and Mekong Delta transportation guide for route details.

How Do I Get to the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta from Saigon?

The easiest way is a guided tour or a private car with driver, which takes about 1.5–2 hours each way to either destination. Public buses exist but involve several changes.

The Cu Chi Tunnels (Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc sites) charge foreign visitors 135,000 VND from 1 February 2026. Many travellers combine the tunnels with a Saigon River speedboat trip. For the delta, our Mekong Delta day trip from Saigon covers My Tho and Ben Tre; overnight trips continue to Can Tho for the floating market.

What Transport Scams Should I Avoid in Saigon?

The most common scams are unofficial taxis at the airport, rigged or “fast” meters, and cyclo or motorbike drivers who change the price at the end. Using ride-hailing apps avoids almost all of them.

Ignore touts in the arrivals hall; book in the app or use the official taxi rank.
Check the company name and phone number on taxis; copycat brands imitate Vinasun and Mai Linh.
Agree cyclo prices per person and per hour in writing before setting off.
Keep phones away from the kerb: bag and phone snatching by passing motorbikes happens in busy areas.
Count change carefully: the 20,000 and 500,000 VND notes are both blue and easy to confuse.

Local Expert Tips for Getting Around Saigon

These tips come from years of arranging Saigon tours for international travellers.

Avoid travelling to the airport between 16:30 and 19:00; leave an extra 30–45 minutes for check-in at rush hour.
Use the metro to reach Thao Dien or Landmark 81 at rush hour; it is faster than a car.
Choose a car rather than a motorbike taxi when it rains: May–November downpours are heavy and streets can flood briefly.
Save your hotel address in Vietnamese in your phone to show drivers.
For Cu Chi, start before 08:00 to beat the heat and the tour groups.
Book Tet (Lunar New Year) transport early: Tet 2027 falls on 6 February, and buses, trains and flights sell out.
Check whether your flight uses Tan Son Nhat (SGN) or the new Long Thanh airport from December 2026.
Carry small notes for buses and the waterbus; drivers rarely have change for large notes.

Plan Your Saigon Trip

Once you know how to get around, build your itinerary: the Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum are a short walk apart, Landmark 81 is close to Van Thanh metro station, and Cholon’s Binh Tay Market is a 20-minute ride from the centre. Read our Saigon food guide, where to stay in Saigon and Saigon travel tips. Heading north later? See our Hanoi transportation guide.

Plan your trip with our Saigon travel guide and Saigon tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about Saigon Transportation

1. How far is Tan Son Nhat Airport from Saigon city centre?

Tan Son Nhat Airport is about 6–8 km from central Saigon. The drive takes about 25–45 minutes, longer at rush hour.

2. How much is a Grab from Tan Son Nhat Airport to District 1 in Saigon?

A Grab or Xanh SM car from the airport to old District 1 in Saigon costs about 120,000–250,000 VND (US$5–10), depending on traffic and car size.

3. Which bus goes from Tan Son Nhat Airport to the Saigon city centre?

Bus 109 runs from Terminal 3 to the Saigon bus station near Ben Thanh Market for 8,000–15,000 VND, from about 05:30 to 22:40. Bus 152 serves T1/T2 until about 19:00.

4. Which terminal is international at Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat Airport?

Terminal 2 handles international flights at Tan Son Nhat. Terminals 1 and 3 handle domestic flights; Vietnam Airlines domestic flights use Terminal 3.

5. When does Long Thanh Airport near Saigon open?

Long Thanh International Airport, about 40 km east of Saigon, is proposed to begin commercial flights on 1 December 2026. Tan Son Nhat will stay open.

6. How much does the Saigon metro cost?

Saigon Metro Line 1 costs 7,000–20,000 VND per ride in cash or 6,000–19,000 VND cashless. A 1-day pass is 40,000 VND and a 3-day pass 90,000 VND.

7. What are the Saigon metro opening hours?

Saigon Metro Line 1 runs from about 05:00 to 22:00 on weekdays and until 23:00 at weekends and on public holidays, with trains every 6–12 minutes.

8. Where does the Saigon metro go?

Line 1 runs 19.7 km from Ben Thanh in central Saigon to Suoi Tien in Thu Duc, with 14 stations including Opera House, Ba Son, Van Thanh and Thao Dien.

9. Is Grab safe in Saigon?

Yes. Grab, Xanh SM and Be are widely used in Saigon, show a fixed price before you ride and record the driver’s details, which makes them safer than unofficial taxis.

10. Can tourists ride a motorbike in Saigon?

Only with a valid Vietnamese licence or a 1968-Convention International Driving Permit plus home licence. Unlicensed riders in Saigon face fines of 2–8 million VND.

11. Which taxi companies are reliable in Saigon?

Vinasun and Mai Linh are the most reliable metered taxi brands in Saigon. Check the logo and phone number to avoid copycats, and make sure the meter is on.

12. How do I get from Saigon to the Cu Chi Tunnels?

The easiest way from Saigon is a guided tour or private car, about 1.5–2 hours each way. Foreign visitors pay 135,000 VND entry from 1 February 2026.

13. How do I get from Saigon to the Mekong Delta?

Take a day tour or private car from Saigon to My Tho or Ben Tre (about 1.5–2 hours), or a limousine van or bus to Can Tho (about 3–4 hours).

14. How long is the train from Saigon to Hanoi?

The Reunification Express from Saigon to Hanoi takes roughly 30–36 hours, depending on the train. Flying takes about 2 hours 10 minutes.

15. How do I get from Saigon to Mui Ne?

Limousine vans, buses and trains run from Saigon to Mui Ne and Phan Thiet in about 3.5–5 hours, for about 200,000–400,000 VND.

16. Is the Saigon Waterbus worth taking?

The Saigon Waterbus is a cheap, scenic river ride from Bach Dang pier, best for sightseeing rather than fast transport. Check the schedule, as services vary with weather and tides.

17. Is it easy to walk around Saigon?

Old District 1 in Saigon is compact and walkable, with major sights within 20 minutes on foot. Pavements can be crowded with parked motorbikes, so walk carefully.

18. How do I cross the street in Saigon?

Walk slowly and steadily without stopping suddenly, so Saigon’s motorbike riders can predict your path. Use crossings and traffic lights where possible.