Tan Son Nhat sits inside the city, about 7–8 km from the old District 1 centre (since 1 July 2025 it is split into new wards such as Saigon and Ben Thanh, but everyone still calls it "District 1"). With clear roads the ride takes 20–30 minutes; in the morning and evening rush hours, or in heavy rain, it can take 45–60.
Four ways into the city
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi at the exit | Solo travellers with light luggage who want to leave right away | Only take a car from the official taxi queue, with a meter |
| Ride-hailing (Grab, Be, Xanh SM…) | App users who want to know the fare upfront | Needs data and often a phone number for a code; pick-up is in a dedicated area — follow the signs |
| Bus | Budget travellers with compact bags and time to spare | Slower, awkward with big suitcases |
| Pre-booked car | Families, groups, lots of luggage, late arrivals | Book before you fly; someone is already waiting in the arrivals hall |
Taxi: use the official queue
Leaving the arrivals hall, follow the signs to the taxi queue. Choose a metered car from a known company, and ask about airport and toll fees upfront. Say no to people offering rides inside the hall — their prices are usually far higher and there is no meter.
Ride-hailing: get online first
Grab, Be and Xanh SM all pick up at Tan Son Nhat, in a dedicated area signposted at the exit. The apps need data, and signing up usually needs a phone number for a one-time code. So get connected before you leave the terminal: the Newway SAS SIM & eSIM counter is right by baggage carousel 8, so you can collect a SIM while you wait for your bags. A plan with a Vietnamese number also lets your driver call you.
Bus: cheapest, slowest
Buses link the airport and the city centre at the lowest fare of the four options. In return they stop often, take longer and are not easy with large suitcases. Routes and timetables can change, so check the signs in the arrivals hall.
Pre-booked car: nothing to sort out when you land
Travelling as a family or group, with plenty of luggage, or landing at midnight? Pre-booking a car with Newway SAS is the least stressful way in:
- A uniformed driver waits in the arrivals hall with a name sign.
- An all-inclusive fare by area, including airport fees and tolls, known before you book.
- We track your actual landing time: if your flight is late, the driver still waits at no extra cost.
- Cars from 4 to 16 seats, premium cars too, and child seats on request.
Tip: save your hotel address in Vietnamese with accents (a screenshot works) to show the driver. Many streets in Ho Chi Minh City have similar names in different areas.