Travel Guide
The Most Convenient Ways to Get Around Ho Chi Minh City as a Visitor
The most common question before a Ho Chi Minh City trip is not “where to go” but “how to get there”. The city is large, rush hours are heavy, and the same 5 km can take 15 minutes or nearly an hour depending on timing. The good news is that transport here has diversified a lot in recent years: besides taxis and ride-hailing, visitors now have the Metro, a bus network, the Water Bus and even a double-decker bus. At CityHouse we tell guests that the best transport is not the fastest one but the one that fits that day’s plan. This guide helps you choose by situation.
In this article
Quick chooser by situationMetro: fast, predictable and free of trafficBuses: economical if you are not in a hurryRide-hailing and taxis: the easiest with luggageWalking: the best way to feel the centerWater Bus and double-decker bus: travel as an experienceA few notes to make getting around less tiringChoose your stay by how you move aroundFrequently Asked Questions01 · Quick Guide
Quick chooser by situation
| Situation | Transport to consider |
|---|---|
| Airport to your stay | Ride-hailing, taxi, bus |
| Along the Ben Thanh to Thao Dien axis | Metro |
| Within the center | Walking |
| Relaxed sightseeing | Double-decker bus, Water Bus |
| Several scattered stops, luggage or small children | Ride-hailing, taxi |
| Rush hour | Metro or walking |
02 · City Guide
Metro: fast, predictable and free of traffic
Metro Line 1 from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien is the most dependable way to travel along the central axis to the east side without depending on road traffic. According to VnExpress, published in August 2026, the line is 19.7 km long with 14 stations and carries about 60,000 trips a day, and on weekends trains run about an hour later than on weekdays. Ben Thanh is the station easiest to reach by bus at all hours. Fares by distance are listed in the HCMC Metro app from HURC, so check there before you go, since prices can change.
For newcomers, three stations are worth remembering: Ben Thanh, the Municipal Theatre and Thao Dien. Our guide to exploring Ho Chi Minh City by Metro explains how to buy tickets, enter stations and plan a sample day. One small note: the line does not yet cover the whole city, so if you stay in District 7 or near the airport, the Metro is only part of your journey, not all of it.
03 · City Guide
Buses: economical if you are not in a hurry
Ho Chi Minh City's bus network is fairly dense, and according to the same VnExpress report, the city has waived 100% of fares on 134 routes from July 1, 2026 to the end of the year, so now is a good time to try it. Buses suit you when you are not tied to a schedule and want to save money. The things to weigh: buses may not arrive on time, and routes thin out in the evening, so do not rely on them for urgent appointments. Check the route and current fare policy before you go, as it may change after December.
Route information and updates: HCMC Public Transport Management Center
04 · City Guide
Ride-hailing and taxis: the easiest with luggage
When you carry suitcases, travel with young children or head somewhere far from a Metro station, ride-hailing such as Grab, Be or Xanh SM, or a traditional taxi, is the easiest option. The advantages are door-to-door pickup and seeing the price before you go. The drawbacks are higher prices and longer trips in rush hour, typically around 7:00 to 9:00 in the morning and 16:30 to 19:00 in the evening. If you choose your stay well, you can avoid most trips at these times. For the airport leg, our guide to getting from Tan Son Nhat Airport to central Ho Chi Minh City compares the options by terminal.
05 · City Guide
Walking: the best way to feel the center
The center of former District 1 has a very dense cluster of sights. From Ben Thanh to Nguyen Hue and on to Bach Dang Wharf, most of the route can be walked, and it is often more enjoyable than sitting in a car. Walking works best in the early morning and late afternoon, when it is cooler and the streets are less crowded. If you want to plan a walk by hour, a day in central HCMC has a sample route.
06 · City Guide
Water Bus and double-decker bus: travel as an experience
These two are not for speed but for seeing the city. The Saigon Water Bus takes you along the Saigon River, linking Bach Dang Wharf with the Thao Dien area, while the double-decker bus in Ho Chi Minh City circles the central sights from an open upper deck. Both are best in the late afternoon when it is cooler and the light is good.
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07 · City Guide
A few notes to make getting around less tiring
Avoid long trips at rush hour when you can. Bring a hat, water and a small umbrella, since showers can arrive suddenly in the wet season. Always check operating hours and fares on official channels, as policies can change. And if possible, choose where to stay based on the transport you will use most, rather than picking first and working out routes later.
CityHouse · Stay Ideas
Choose your stay by how you move around
Where you stay greatly affects how you travel. If you mainly walk and use the Metro around the center, CityHouse NEST LightHouse Saigon at 179 Co Giang, Cau Ong Lanh Ward (formerly District 1) is close to the riverside and the central sights. If you want the Metro as your main transport, CityHouse NEST Metro Thao Dien at 53A Vo Nguyen Giap, An Khanh Ward (formerly District 2) is about 200 meters from Thao Dien station. If your plans revolve around the airport, CityHouse TERA Kim Nguyen at 3 Truong Quoc Dung, Phu Nhuan Ward (formerly Phu Nhuan District) makes airport trips easier. You can check availability by area in the CityHouse system once you know how you will mainly travel.
NESTCityHouse NEST LightHouse Saigon179 Co Giang, Cau Ong Lanh WardView rooms →
NESTCityHouse NEST Metro Thao Dien53A Vo Nguyen Giap, An Khanh WardView rooms →
TERACityHouse TERA Kim Nguyen3 Truong Quoc Dung, Phu Nhuan WardView rooms →
09 FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the most convenient way for visitors to get around Ho Chi Minh City?+
It depends on your route: Metro along the Ben Thanh to Thao Dien axis, walking in the center, ride-hailing with luggage. Our guide to exploring Ho Chi Minh City by Metro explains how to ride.
2. How should I get from the airport to the center?+
Ride-hailing and taxis are the easiest with luggage, and getting from Tan Son Nhat Airport to central Ho Chi Minh City compares the options in detail.
3. Are buses easy for foreign visitors?+
They are doable, especially while fares are waived on many routes, but buses may not arrive on time. For tight schedules, use the Metro or ride-hailing.
4. Is there a way to tour the city without much walking?+
Yes, the double-decker bus in Ho Chi Minh City or the Saigon Water Bus lets you see the city without walking much.
5. How do I choose a stay that makes getting around easy?+
Choose based on the transport you will use most, and Choosing a CityHouse by Area in HCMC compares areas by trip purpose.
