Getting Around Ho Chi Minh City: Free Bus, Metro, Grab
City buses are free on 134 routes until 31 December 2026, with a card, e-wallet or app check from 1 October. Bus 152 to the airport is free. Metro Line 1 costs VND 7,000 to VND 20,000 a trip in cash. The waterbus costs VND 15,000.
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City buses on 134 routes in Ho Chi Minh City are free until 31 December 2026. Since 1 October the free fare is tied to a check with a bank card, an e-wallet or an app. Have one ready before you board.
The metro, the waterbus and ride-hailing all charge fares.
Quick picks
- Cheapest around town: a free city bus on one of the 134 routes.
- Along the Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien corridor: Metro Line 1, 19.7 km with 14 stations.
- On the river: the waterbus on route 1 between Bach Dang and Linh Dong, about 11 km.
- Door to door: ride-hailing; GrabBike costs VND 12,273 for the first 2 km.
- From the airport: bus 152 or 109, both on the free list, or a car.
- On your own two wheels: a driving licence valid for the vehicle class.
Free city buses until 31 December 2026
The city made 134 bus routes free from 1 July 2026, and the programme runs to 31 December 2026. Interprovincial routes, open-top sightseeing buses and airport shuttles are not covered.
The list of 134 routes includes the airport routes 152 and 109. It also has route 155 from Ben Thanh station to the Municipal Theatre and route 13 to Cu Chi bus station. The notice’s exclusion for airport shuttle services does not apply to 152 or 109, and bus 152 is confirmed free.
The rules for how you board changed on 1 October.
Since 1 October: verify when you board
From 1 October to 31 December 2026 the free fare is linked to verification. The listed methods include a citizen ID card, VNeID, a bank card, an e-wallet and the MultiGo app. On the first day of this phase most passengers had a bank card, a Public Transport Card, a QR code or an e-wallet ready.
Foreign passengers were seen on route 04 tapping a phone that held a Visa card on the validation device when boarding. That is the centre’s observation from 1 October 2026, not a list of accepted cards.
The centre said on 14 July that a scan only records the trip and deducts no money. Passengers without ID can tell the attendant to be recorded. A local bank card is covered in Open a Bank Account in Ho Chi Minh City as a Foreigner.
Help, luggage and boarding rules
In phase 2 drivers and onboard staff must not refuse to serve passengers, and must guide those who need help with verification. A city bus takes baggage of up to 10 kg and 30 x 40 x 60 cm, subject to space on the bus. On routes connecting to Tan Son Nhat airport, carry-on baggage is not subject to size restrictions.
Metro Line 2 detours on 13 routes
From 10 October 2026, 13 bus routes temporarily change their path for construction of Metro Line 2, from Ben Thanh to Tham Luong. The change lasts until a new notice. The affected routes are 5, 6, 13, 14, 28, 30, 38, 65, 69, 103, DL01, DL02 and DL04.
Metro Line 1: Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien
Line 1 is 19.7 km long with 14 stations, from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien Bus Station. A single trip costs VND 7,000 to VND 20,000 in cash, or VND 6,000 to VND 19,000 without cash. A day pass costs VND 40,000 and a three-day pass VND 90,000.
The latest timetable found covers 6 to 16 August 2026. Trains ran from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Passengers buy tickets at the station, in the HCMC Metro app and in e-wallets such as MoMo and ZaloPay, or pay contactless with a bank card. From 15 October 2026 tickets are also sold in the VNeID app. Fares, free groups and all 14 stations are in Metro Line 1 in Ho Chi Minh City: Fares, Hours, Stations.
Ben Thanh, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Open Ben Thanh station in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Saigon Waterbus on the river
Saigon Waterbus route 1 links Bach Dang pier and Linh Dong, about 11 km. Boats run 7:00 to 21:00 Monday to Friday, and 7:00 to 23:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
A ride costs VND 15,000 at all piers, and a return ticket VND 30,000. Tickets are sold at the piers, on the website and in the iOS and Android app. People aged 70 and over, babies under 1, people with disabilities and war invalids ride free.
Ride-hailing and taxis
Grab publishes its Ho Chi Minh City fares in a table last updated on 8 July 2026. GrabCar 4 seats costs VND 28,473 for the first 2 km, then VND 9,818 per km and VND 442 per minute. GrabBike costs VND 12,273 for the first 2 km, then VND 4,222 per km and VND 344 per minute.
Xanh SM Car, a VinFast electric taxi, lists VND 30,500 for the first 2 km. It lists VND 15,200 per km to km 12 on its own page.
beCar 4 seats costs VND 31,501 for the first 2 km, on a fare table dated 1 July 2023 with no newer one. The beBike fare is VND 13,817 for the first 2 km or 7 minutes.
Grab fares move with supply and demand by area and time of day. A card issued abroad carries a 4% processing fee on Grab, on the final amount shown in the app without tips. Fees, surcharges and airport rules for the three apps are in Grab vs Xanh SM vs Be in Ho Chi Minh City: Fares Compared.
From Tan Son Nhat Airport
Tan Son Nhat has three terminals: T1 and T3 for domestic flights, and T2 for international services. T3 is nearly one kilometre from T1 and T2, so transferring passengers travel on roads outside the airport.
Bus 152 first departs at 5:15 and last departs at 22:00; a trip takes 50 to 55 minutes and buses run every 12 to 30 minutes. Since 28 April 2025 bus 109 serves T3 instead of T1 and T2. Dedicated airport shuttle services are outside the free fare, but the city routes 152 and 109 are not shuttles.
GrabCar has picked up at T3, as well as at T1 and T2, since 19 June 2025. A VND 9,000 airport surcharge applies to Grab trips going to T3, and none to trips from T3. At T3 level 1, taxis such as Mai Linh and Vinasun stand at columns 04 to 08.
Truong Son, Tan Son Hoa, Ho Chi Minh 705000, Vietnam · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Open Tan Son Nhat Airport in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
The full terminal and pickup guide is Tan Son Nhat Airport to the City: Bus, Grab, Taxi.
Motorbikes and driving licences
Operating a motor vehicle in road traffic without a driving licence as the law requires is a prohibited act. Class A1 covers two-wheeled motorbikes up to 125 cm3 or an electric motor up to 11 kW. Class A covers larger ones.
An international driving permit counts together with a national licence for the matching vehicle class. Riding a motorbike up to 125 cm3 without a valid licence is fined VND 2,000,000 to VND 4,000,000. For larger motorbikes the fine is VND 6,000,000 to VND 8,000,000. The full rules are in Driving Licence in Ho Chi Minh City: IDP, Conversion, Fines.
Before you go
- Carry a bank card or an e-wallet for the bus check from 1 October.
- Keep bus luggage within 10 kg and 30 x 40 x 60 cm.
- Check whether your route is one of the 13 bus routes detoured since 10 October.
- Pay the metro by contactless bank card or an e-wallet.
- Late metro rides: the last published timetable ends on 16 August, so later hours were not found.
- Expect a 4% fee when you pay Grab with a card issued abroad.
- Carry a licence valid for the vehicle class before you ride a motorbike.
Photos and clips uploaded to Google Maps (Ben Thanh Metro Station on Google Maps (opens in a new tab), Tan Son Nhat Airport on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)) by Tuan Kiet, tung bui.
Not confirmed: Foreign cards on buses: only a Visa card on a phone was seen working, on route 04. Passengers without ID can tell the attendant to be recorded. Metro Line 1 hours after 16 August 2026 were not found.
Common questions
Is the bus in Ho Chi Minh City free?
Fares are free on 134 city bus routes from 1 July to 31 December 2026. Interprovincial routes, open-top sightseeing buses and airport shuttles are not covered.
What check applies on the free bus from 1 October?
From 1 October to 31 December 2026 the free fare is linked to verification with a citizen ID card, VNeID, a bank card, an e-wallet or the MultiGo app.
Does a foreign Visa card work on the bus?
The public transport centre saw foreign passengers tap a phone holding a Visa card on route 04 when boarding. Passengers who forgot their ID can tell the attendant to be recorded, and the scan deducts no money.
How much is a Metro Line 1 ticket?
A single trip costs VND 7,000 to VND 20,000 in cash and VND 6,000 to VND 19,000 without cash. A day pass costs VND 40,000.
How much is the Saigon Waterbus?
A ride costs VND 15,000 at all piers, and a return ticket VND 30,000. Boats run 7:00 to 21:00 Monday to Friday.
Is there a free bus to Tan Son Nhat Airport?
Yes. Routes 152 and 109 are on the list of 134 free routes. Bus 152 first departs at 5:15 and last departs at 22:00.
Which licence covers a motorbike for a foreigner?
A foreign international driving permit counts together with a national licence for the matching vehicle class. Riding without a valid licence is fined VND 2,000,000 to VND 4,000,000 on a motorbike up to 125 cm3.
Does Grab charge extra for a foreign bank card?
Moca charges a 4% foreign-card processing fee on the final amount shown in the app, excluding tips.
How late does the metro run?
The latest timetable found covers 6 to 16 August 2026 and ran until 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 11 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
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General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
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