Short answer: From Tân Sơn Nhất airport (SGN) to central Saigon around Bến Thành, a ride-hailing car such as Grab or Xanh SM usually costs around 150,000–250,000đ (about US$6–10) and takes 25–45 minutes; a metered taxi is similar or a little more; public bus 109 costs about 15,000–20,000đ and takes 45–60 minutes. Once you have checked in, make your first meal simple and nearby: a banh mi, a bowl of noodles or rice, plus plenty of water.
Arrival day sets the tone for a food trip. You are tired, possibly dehydrated, and surrounded by new sounds, smells and currencies. The aim is to get to your hotel smoothly, without overpaying, and then eat something good that does not require a big expedition. This guide covers both halves.
Which terminal, and the Long Thành question
Tân Sơn Nhất sits inside the city, roughly 7–8 km north of the old District 1 centre, which is why transfers are short by Asian capital standards. International flights use Terminal 2. Domestic flights use Terminal 1 and the newer Terminal 3, which opened in 2025 and handles many domestic services. Check your boarding pass and airline app for the terminal, particularly if you connect from a domestic flight.
A big change is coming. The new Long Thành International Airport, in Đồng Nai province east of the city, is due to begin commercial operations in stages. In July 2026 the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam proposed 1 December 2026 as the start date, with some long-haul international flights moving first and more following from the summer 2027 schedule, while shorter routes stay at Tân Sơn Nhất. The date has already moved more than once. If you fly in from December 2026 onwards, check whether your ticket says Tân Sơn Nhất (code SGN) or Long Thành, because Long Thành is much further from the centre and transfers will take far longer than described here.
Transfer options compared
| Option | Approx. cost to Bến Thành area | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grab / Xanh SM car (app) | 150,000–250,000đ (US$6–10) | 25–45 min | Most travellers; fixed fare shown before booking |
| Metered taxi (major brands) | 170,000–280,000đ, plus surcharges late at night | 25–45 min | No data on your phone; official taxi rank |
| Motorbike ride-hail | 90,000–140,000đ | 20–35 min | Solo, small backpack only, dry weather |
| Bus 109 | 15,000–20,000đ | 45–60 min | Budget travellers, light luggage, daytime |
| Bus 152 | Under 10,000đ, luggage may cost extra | 50–70 min | Very tight budgets, no rush |
| Hotel or pre-booked transfer | Around 400,000–700,000đ | 25–45 min | Late-night arrivals, families, peace of mind |
Fares are rough ranges compiled from travel guides updated in 2026 and change with traffic, demand and fuel prices. Traffic is the big variable: at evening rush hour, roughly 16:30–19:00, the same drive can take an hour or more.
Ride-hailing apps
Grab is the most widely used app among visitors, and Xanh SM, an electric taxi brand, is a common alternative. Both show the fare before you confirm. At Terminal 2, ride-hailing pick-up is in a designated zone in the multi-storey car park area beside arrivals; follow the signs and the app's instructions, and check the number plate before you get in. Install the app and add a payment method before you fly, or choose cash in the app.
Metered taxis
Use the official taxi queue outside arrivals and choose a major company. Make sure the meter is on when you set off. Late-night surcharges are normal. Avoid anyone who approaches you inside the hall offering a "taxi" without a marked car, and be wary of prepaid counters whose prices sit well above what the apps show.
Bus 109
Bus 109 is the airport's dedicated bus to the centre, ending near 23/9 Park and the Bến Thành area, a short walk from the backpacker streets around Đề Thám and Bùi Viện. Pay in cash on board, so carry small notes. It runs from early morning into the evening; last departure times quoted by guides differ, so do not count on it after about 22:00. It is a good option in daylight if you are travelling light.
Families, heavy luggage and late arrivals
If you are travelling with children, several large suitcases or a pushchair, skip the bus and the motorbike options. Book a seven-seat car in the app or arrange a hotel pick-up so the driver can meet you outside arrivals. Child seats are not standard in Vietnamese taxis or ride-hail cars; if you need one, ask your hotel or a private transfer company in advance and get confirmation in writing. For arrivals after about 22:00, a pre-booked transfer costs more but removes the need to negotiate anything while tired, and it gives you a named contact if your flight is delayed. Share your flight number so the driver can track it.
Before you leave the airport
- Cash: withdraw some dong at an airport ATM. Small notes are vital for street food; ask for 50,000đ and 100,000đ notes if exchanging cash.
- Data: buy a local SIM or set up an eSIM so you can use maps and ride-hailing; airport kiosks sell tourist SIMs, and you will need your passport.
- Water: buy a bottle before you queue for transport; Saigon is hot year-round.
- Address: have your hotel address written in Vietnamese with the ward name, since wards were redrawn in 2025 and drivers may use new names.
Your first meal: keep it close and simple
After a long flight you do not need the most famous restaurant in the city. You need something fresh, filling and within ten minutes' walk. In central Saigon that is easy at almost any hour. Here are reliable first-meal choices:
- Banh mi: the obvious arrival snack. It is portable, cheap, and you can eat it in your hotel room if you are exhausted. Street banh mi is often around 20,000–40,000đ; premium shops charge more.
- Phở or bún: a noodle soup is hydrating and gentle. Simple shops serve bowls for roughly 50,000–90,000đ.
- Cơm tấm (broken rice): a classic Saigon plate with grilled toppings, pickles and broth, widely available from morning to late.
- Fresh fruit or juice: sliced mango, pineapple or sugarcane juice helps with dehydration.
If you land late, central Saigon still has food. The areas around Bến Thành Market and the backpacker streets by Bùi Viện are busy well after midnight. Our Saigon food guide covers what is open by area and time.
Arriving late at night or vegan
Late arrivals are where planning pays off. Street stalls thin out after midnight, and hotel restaurants may be closed. A 24-hour option near your accommodation saves you wandering. Bánh Mì XANH, a fully vegan banh mi chain, has five shops in central Saigon that are all open 24/7, including 38 Lê Thị Riêng near Bến Thành Market and 148B Đề Thám in the backpacker area, both close to where bus 109 ends. It also takes delivery orders online, with the shop calling back to confirm, which is useful if you would rather not go out at 2 a.m. For travellers who eat plant-based, a fully vegan menu removes the fish sauce and egg questions on a night when you are too tired to ask; our guide to eating vegan in Vietnam explains those pitfalls.
Common arrival-day mistakes
- Changing all your money at the airport. Change or withdraw enough for a day or two; rates in the city are often similar or better.
- Accepting a ride from someone inside the terminal. Use the app, the official taxi queue or the bus.
- Booking a big food tour on arrival evening. Delayed flights and fatigue make this risky; book it for day two.
- Forgetting water and food on a long immigration queue. Waits can be long at busy times; keep a snack in your bag.
- Not checking the airport on your ticket from December 2026 onward, given the Long Thành transition.
Sources
- Vietnam Airlines – vietnamairlines.com (terminal information)
- VnEconomy – en.vneconomy.vn (Long Thành airport proposed to begin operations on 1 December 2026, July 2026)
- Vietnam Tourism – vietnamtourism.com (Tân Sơn Nhất to District 1 transfer prices, updated 2026)
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Grab from Tân Sơn Nhất to District 1?
Usually around 150,000–250,000đ, about US$6–10, depending on traffic and demand. The app shows the fare before you book, so you can compare with a taxi.
Does bus 109 go to Bến Thành?
Yes, bus 109 runs from the airport to the central area near 23/9 Park and Bến Thành. The fare is about 15,000–20,000đ in cash, and the trip takes roughly 45–60 minutes.
Will my flight land at Long Thành instead of Tân Sơn Nhất?
Possibly, if you fly from December 2026 on a long-haul international route. Authorities proposed 1 December 2026 for the start of commercial operations, with dates subject to change. Check your ticket and airline app.
What should I eat on my first night in Saigon?
Something simple and close: a banh mi, a noodle soup or broken rice. Save famous restaurants and food tours for the next day when you are rested.
Is there food open late near Bến Thành?
Yes, the Bến Thành and Bùi Viện areas stay lively late, and some shops are open 24 hours. Delivery apps also work through the night in central Saigon.
Landed late? Your first banh mi is still waiting
Whatever time your flight gets in, Bánh Mì XANH is open: fully vegan banh mi at five central shops running 24/7, two of them a short walk from where bus 109 drops you. Too tired to walk? Order delivery online to your hotel and the shop will call to confirm.
Find the shop nearest your hotel · 24/7 hotline / Zalo +84 923 183 183
