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8.9 km • ~14 mins

How to Get from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) to Bui Vien Walking Street

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is about 8.9 km north-west of Bui Vien Walking Street in Ho Chi Minh City's main backpacker area. The journey takes from 25 to 70 minutes depending on traffic and whether you choose a taxi, transfer or public bus.

✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026 • 8.9 km road distance

Private Airport Transfer

Door-to-Door
25 mins •Pre-Booked (Meets Flight)
€10.00 - €15.00 (Per Vehicle)
Luggage: Door-to-Door; Standard Bags Included
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. After landing, collect your bags and follow signs to the Arrivals hall exit.
  2. Look for your pre-booked driver holding a name board in the arrivals hall or at the designated pickup point.
  3. Confirm the vehicle and the exact Bui Vien Walking Street address before departure.
  4. Ride for about 25 minutes in normal traffic, using the most direct route into central District 1.
  5. Arrive directly at your hotel or a drop-off point on Bui Vien Walking Street.
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Official Metered Taxi (Vinasun, Mai Linh, Green SM)

24/7 Official Queue
25 mins •Available 24/7
€5.50 - €8.50 (Metered, Per Vehicle)
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free (Confirm with Driver)
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Follow the signs to the official taxi queue outside the Arrivals exit of your terminal.
  2. Ignore touts inside the terminal and only use the marked Vinasun, Mai Linh or Green SM queue.
  3. Tell the driver 'Bui Vien Walking Street, Pham Ngu Lao' and insist on the meter or use an app with an upfront price.
  4. Pay the metered fare of roughly 150,000–250,000 VND (€5.50–€8.50) plus any small airport entry fee.
  5. Get out on Bui Vien Walking Street or at your hotel after a 25–45 minute drive.

Airport Bus 109 to Saigon Bus Station / Pham Ngu Lao

Budget Bus
50 mins •Until Late Evening (See Timetable)
Under €0.70 / Person
Luggage: Limited Space; Cash Only
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. From Terminal 3 (T3), follow signs to the public bus stop outside Arrivals.
  2. If you landed at T2 or T1, first take the free inter-terminal shuttle to T3.
  3. Board bus 109 towards Saigon Bus Station / Pham Ngu Lao and pay a low cash fare in small VND notes.
  4. Ride for about 45–60 minutes through Nam Ky Khoi Nghia / Ham Nghi to the Pham Ngu Lao area.
  5. Get off near 23/9 Park / Saigon Bus Station and walk 5–10 minutes to Bui Vien Walking Street.

Airport Shuttle Bus 49 to Central District 1

Hotel Shuttle
40 mins •See Timetable (Check at Airport Bus Stop)
€1.40 / Person
Luggage: Hotel Shuttle; Space for Bags
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. From the international terminal (T2), look for the bus 49 stop near Arrivals.
  2. Confirm the current route, fare and last departure at the airport bus stop, as timetables are not officially published online.
  3. Pay about 40,000 VND in cash to the driver or conductor.
  4. Ask to be dropped near Pham Ngu Lao / Bui Vien or the nearest central District 1 hotel stop.
  5. Walk a few minutes to Bui Vien Walking Street or take a short taxi if your stop is farther.

City Bus 152 via Ben Thanh Market

Cheapest
70 mins •Daytime Only (About 05:15–19:00)
€0.20 / Person
Luggage: Little Space; Extra Charge Reported
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. From Terminal 2 or the domestic area, follow signs to the city bus stop.
  2. If you are at T3, use the free inter-terminal shuttle to T2 or the domestic terminal first.
  3. Board bus 152 towards Ben Thanh Market and pay a small cash fare of about 5,000–6,000 VND.
  4. Ride for about 50–70 minutes with many stops through the city.
  5. Get off at Ben Thanh Market and walk 10–15 minutes to Bui Vien Walking Street.

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Tours & activities: Bui Vien Walking Street

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⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips

  • Use only the official taxi queue outside Arrivals and ignore touts inside the terminal who may rig meters or overcharge.
  • Insist on the meter or use an app with an upfront price; fixed-price counters inside the terminal tend to be dearer than the meter.
  • Have small VND notes ready for buses, as drivers often cannot give change and card payment is not accepted on city buses.
  • At T3 ride-hailing pickups are on the ground floor of the PNA parking building; do not follow unofficial touts claiming to be Grab or Green SM.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a metro or train from SGN airport to Bui Vien Walking Street?

No, there is no metro or train from the airport. Use bus 109, a taxi or an app car. Metro Line 1 runs from Ben Thanh eastwards only and is not connected to the airport.

What is the cheapest way to get from SGN to Bui Vien Walking Street?

City bus 152 is the cheapest at about 5,000–6,000 VND (about €0.20), but it is slow, daytime only and has little luggage space. Bus 109 costs under €0.70 and stops closer to Bui Vien.

How long does it take from SGN to Bui Vien?

By taxi, Grab or private transfer it normally takes 25–45 minutes depending on traffic. Bus 109 takes about 45–60 minutes plus a short walk from Saigon Bus Station.

Can I pay by card on airport buses?

No, buses take cash only in small VND notes. Taxis and ride-hailing apps usually accept card payment in the app or by meter, but it is wise to carry some VND cash.

Is it safe to take a taxi from SGN at night?

Yes, official Vinasun, Mai Linh and Green SM taxi queues operate 24/7. Use the official queue, insist on the meter or an app, and note the taxi number before you get in.

Which option is best for families with luggage?

A private transfer or official metered taxi is easiest with luggage because it is door-to-door. Bus 109 can work for small bags, but bus 152 has very little space and is not ideal.

Nearby places

More transfers from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

District 1 (Ben Thanh Market) · 8.2 km Independence Palace · 7.9 km War Remnants Museum · 6.8 km Nguyen Hue Walking Street · 8.9 km Notre-Dame Cathedral Saigon · 7.7 km Saigon Railway Station · 6.5 km Landmark 81 · 10 km Cho Lon (Binh Tay Market) · 9.2 km Phu My Hung (District 7) · 14.9 km Thao Dien (District 2) · 12.5 km