Public Bus from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Center

Getting from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to downtown Ho Chi Minh City is easy and affordable thanks to several public bus options. Depending on your destination, budget, and luggage, you can choose Bus 109, 119, 152, or 49. This article will show you the details of route, distance, operating hours and ticket fares, etc. 

Bus 109 – Most Popular

Best option for: This is the most recommended public bus for first-time visitors, epecially those staying in District 1.

Comfort level: Good (airport-style bus)

Overview

• Route: Terminal T3  → Terminal T3 → Aloe Company → Pico Plaza → Ut Tich Intersection → Maximart → Cong Hoa Supermarket → Hoang Van Thu Park → Eastern Museum → Military Zone 7 Gas Station → Phu Nhuan District Hospital → Railway Gate → Phu Nhuan District → Cultural Center → Tran Huy Lieu Intersection → Vinh Nghiem Pagoda → Tran Quoc Toan Street → Pasteur Institute → Dien Bien Phu Street → Coop Mart Nguyen Dinh Chieu → Le Quy Don High School →  People’s Court → Ong Pagoda → Cao Thang College of Technology → Ham Nghi Transfer Station → New World Hotel → Nguyen Thi Nghia Street → Ton That Tung Street → Saigon Bus Station
• Travel time: 45 minutes
• Operating hours: ~05:30 AM – 22:40 PM
• Frequency: 15 – 25 minutes
• Ticket price: 15,000 VND
• Distance: 9 km

Why Bus 109?

• Air-conditioned;
• Luggage space available;
• Direct to city center;
• Tourist-friendly;

Bus 152 – Cheapest Option to Ben Thanh Area

Best option for: Budget travelers with light luggage

Comfort level: Basic city bus

Overview

• Route: Tan Son Nhat Airport → Tan Son Nhat Domestic Terminal → Ngo Sy Lien School → Super Bow Supermarket → Tran Quoc Hoan Street → Lang Cha Ca Roundabout → Eastern Museum → Military Zone 7 Gas Station → Phu Nhuan District Hospital → Railway Gate → Phu Nhuan District Cultural Center → Tran Huy Lieu Intersection → Vinh Nghiem Pagoda → Tran Quoc Toan Street → Pasteur Institute → Dien Bien Phu Street → Coop Mart Nguyen Dinh Chieu → Le Quy Don High School → City People’s Court → Ong Pagoda → Cao Thang College of Technology → Ham Nghi Transfer Station → New World Hotel → Nguyen Thi Nghia Street → Tran Hung Dao Street → Tran Hung Dao Dormitory → Hung Dao Cinema → Dental and Maxillofacial Hospital → Tran Dinh Xu Street → Samco Corporation → Nanci Market → Duong Ba Trac School → Rach Ong School → Him Lam Bridge Roundabout → Trung Son Residential Area
• Travel time: 50 – 55 minutes
• Frequency: 12-18 minutes
• Distance: 14 km
• Operating hours: ~05:15 AM – 19:00 PM
• Ticket price: 5,000 VND

Why Bus 152?

• Cheapest airport transport option;
• Good for light backpacks;
• Direct to central area;

Note:

• No dedicated luggage rack;
• Can be crowded during rush hour;

Bus 119 – To Mien Tay Coach Station (Western Districts)

Best for: Travelers heading to Mekong Delta or Western districts. Final stop Mien Tay Bus Station is the main hub for buses to Can Tho, My Tho, Chau Doc and other Mekong Delta cities and provinces.

Comfort level: Standard city bus

Overview

• Route: Tan Son Nhat Airport (International Arrivals Terminal → Domestic Arrivals Terminal) → Truong Son → Tran Quoc Hoan → Hoang Van Thu → Xuan Dieu → Xuan Hong → Truong Chinh → Ly Thuong Kiet → Bac Hai → Thanh Thai → Nguyen Tri Phuong → Nguyen Chi Thanh → Nguyen Thi Nho → Hong Bang → Kinh Duong Vuong → Western Bus Station (Mien Tay Bus Station).
• Travel time: 60 – 65 minutes
• Operating hours: ~04:00 AM – 21:00 PM
• Frequency: 25 – 30 minutes
• Ticket price: 12,000 – 20,000 VND (depend on the distance)
• Distance: 15 km

Why Choose Bus 119?

• Very affordable
• Ideal for intercity bus connections
• Serves western Ho Chi Minh City

Bus 49 – Premium Airport Bus 

Best for: Travelers wanting extra comfort

Comfort level: High

Overview

• Route: Tan Son Nhat Airport (International Terminal) → Tan Son Nhat Airport (Domestic Terminal) → Truong Son → Tran Quoc Hoan → Hoang Van Thu → Nguyen Van Troi → Nam Ky Khoi Nghia → Le Duan → Cong Xa Paris → Dong Khoi → Dong Du → Hai Ba Trung → Ton Duc Thang → Ham Nghi → Ben Thanh → Pham Ngu Lao → Nguyen Trai → Le Lai → Nguyen Thi Nghia → Cach Mang Thang 8 → Dien Bien Phu → Nam Ky Khoi Nghia → Nguyen Van Troi → Phan Dinh Giot → Truong Son → Tan Son Nhat International Terminal.
• Operating hours: ~05:00 AM – 01:30 AM
• Travel time: 45 – 60 minutes
• Frequency: 20 – 30 minutes
• Ticket price: ~40,000 VND

Why Bus 49?

• Free Wi-Fi;
• Comfortable seating;
• Space for luggage;

Where to Catch the Public Bus at Tan Son Nhat Airport

At Tan Son Nhat International Airport, bus stops are located outside International Terminal (T3) and Domestic Terminal (T1).

After landing and complete customs procedures:

• Follow signs for Public Bus;
• Pay the conductor directly in VND (small bills recommended) to buy the ticket;

Quick Comparison of Public bus from Tan Son Nhat Airport to HCMC Center

If you are concerning which bus to choose, here are our final recommendations:

• Staying in District 1: Choose Bus 109 (best value) or Bus 49 (most comfortable).
• On a tight budget: Bus 152 is the cheapest.
• Heading to the Mekong Delta: Bus 119 is your best option.

Public buses offer a safe, reliable, and budget-friendly way to travel from Tan Son Nhat Airport into Ho Chi Minh City without overspending. For smooth trip and transfer, here are some tips for you:

• Traffic in Ho Chi Minh City can be heavy during rush hours (07- 09 AM & 16:30 – 19:00 PM);
• Keep Vietnamese Dong ready with you for buying tickets;
• If carrying large suitcases, choose Bus 109 or 49;
• Watch personal belongings on crowded buses;
• Use our Airport VIP Fast Track and car transfer. For details, check here or contact us via Hotline/ WhatsApp/ Viber/ Zalo +84 86 517 8972, or email sales@vmetravel.net. 

You may aslo need:

• Arrival guide at Tan Son Nhat Airport;
• Transfer between International and Domestic Terminal of Tan Son Nhat Airport;

Disclaimer: While we put an effort to ensure that the provided information is correct and up-to-date, there are probably changes which we are unaware of.