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8.2 km • ~13 mins

How to Get from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) to District 1 (Ben Thanh Market)

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is about 8.2 km north-west of District 1, so the trip to Ben Thanh Market can take as little as 13 minutes by car but usually 25-45 minutes in traffic. Options range from cheap city buses (around €0.20 per person) to official taxis and pre-booked private transfers (around €5.00-€8.50 per vehicle).

✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026 • 8.2 km road distance

Pre-Booked Private Transfer

Door-to-Door
13 mins •24/7 on Demand
€5.00 - €8.50 (Per Vehicle)
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. After baggage claim and customs, exit the Arrivals Hall of your terminal (T2 for international, T3 for most domestic flights).
  2. Look for your driver near the designated meeting point or follow the transfer company's instructions from your confirmation.
  3. Confirm the vehicle number and destination (District 1, Ben Thanh Market) before boarding.
  4. The driver takes you directly to Ben Thanh Market or your hotel; the 8.2 km drive takes about 13 minutes without traffic and 25-45 minutes at peak.
  5. Pay as arranged in advance or directly to the driver.
Book Fixed-Price Transfer

Official Airport Taxi

Metered
13 mins •24/7 at Official Queue
€5.00 - €8.50 (Per Vehicle)
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Exit Arrivals and follow signs to the official taxi queue outside your terminal (T2 international, T1/T3 domestic).
  2. Only use Vinasun, Mai Linh, or Green SM taxis from the official queue; ignore touts inside the hall.
  3. Tell the driver 'District 1, Ben Thanh Market' and insist on the meter or agree the total fare before leaving.
  4. Ask for a receipt and pay with VND small notes or by card if available.
  5. Get off directly at Ben Thanh Market or your District 1 accommodation.

Airport Bus 109 to Pham Ngu Lao / Ben Thanh

Best Bus
45 mins •Runs 05:30-Late Evening (Check Timetable)
€0.20 - €0.50 / Person
Luggage: Limited Luggage Space
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Exit Arrivals at your terminal. If you are at T2 (international) or T1 (other domestic airlines), take the free inter-terminal shuttle to Terminal 3; T3 passengers go directly to the bus stop.
  2. At Terminal 3, follow signs for bus 109 / city bus stops.
  3. Board bus 109 and pay the driver in cash with small VND notes.
  4. Ride about 45-60 minutes; get off at Saigon Bus Station / Pham Ngu Lao (next to 23/9 Park).
  5. Walk south about 10 minutes along Le Lai or Pham Ngu Lao to Ben Thanh Market.

City Bus 152 via Ben Thanh Market

Cheapest
50 mins •Roughly 05:15-19:00
€0.20 / Person
Luggage: Little Luggage Space; Extra Charge Possible
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Exit Arrivals. Bus 152 stops near T2 (international) and the domestic area; if you land at T3, take the free inter-terminal shuttle to T2/T1.
  2. Find the bus 152 stop outside Arrivals.
  3. Board bus 152 and pay the driver in cash with small notes; large luggage may attract an extra fee.
  4. Ride about 50-70 minutes and get off at the Ben Thanh Market stop.
  5. Walk a few minutes to the market entrance.

Airport Shuttle Bus 49 to Central District 1

Shuttle
45 mins •Check at Airport Bus Stop
€1.40 / Person
Luggage: Limited Luggage Space
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Exit Arrivals at the international terminal (T2), where bus 49 starts.
  2. Find the airport shuttle bus 49 stop outside T2.
  3. Pay the driver about 40,000 VND in cash.
  4. Tell the driver you want to get off near Ben Thanh Market or a central District 1 hotel.
  5. Alight in District 1 and walk to Ben Thanh Market.

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⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips

  • Only take taxis from the official queue outside Arrivals; drivers approaching you inside the terminal are touts who often overcharge.
  • Insist the taxi meter is used or the total fare is agreed before the car departs; prepaid fixed-price counters inside the terminal can be more expensive than metered taxis.
  • Have small VND notes ready for buses and taxis; a driver or bus conductor may claim to have no change for large notes.
  • Bus 109 no longer stops at the international terminal (T2). If someone at T2 tells you to wait there for bus 109, they are mistaken - use the free shuttle to T3.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a taxi from Tan Son Nhat Airport to District 1?

A metered taxi typically costs about 150,000-250,000 VND (roughly €5.00-€8.50) depending on traffic and time. Use the official taxi queue and agree on the meter.

What is the cheapest way to get from SGN to Ben Thanh Market?

City bus 152 is the cheapest at about 5,000-6,000 VND (€0.20 per person), but it runs only until around 19:00 and has limited luggage space. Bus 109 is a better balance of cost and speed.

Is there a metro from the airport to District 1?

No, there is no metro or train from Tan Son Nhat airport. Metro Line 1 runs from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien but does not serve the airport.

Can I use Grab or Green SM at SGN airport?

Yes, Grab, Green SM and Be operate from designated ride-hailing pickup zones at each terminal. The app gives an upfront price and card payment is possible.

How long does it take to get from SGN to District 1?

The fastest car journey takes about 13 minutes without traffic, but 25-45 minutes is more realistic in daily traffic or rain. Bus 109 takes about 45-60 minutes.

What is the best option for a family with luggage?

A pre-booked private transfer or official taxi is best because it is door-to-door and has space for luggage. Bus 109 works for light luggage but requires a short walk from Pham Ngu Lao to Ben Thanh Market.

Nearby places

More transfers from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

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