How to get a Grab from Tan Son Nhat airport? After landing, open the Grab app and go to the D1 pick-up area (L5-A5). The ride to the city center costs 5 -7 USD.
I found that getting a Grab at Tan Son Nhat Airport was quite easy if you knew the layout and went directly to the parking area instead of waiting in the arrival hall. It required a short walk, but it felt safer with transparent pricing and no taxi touting.
How to get a grab from Tan Son Nhat airport for travelers
After experiencing it myself, I found that booking a Grab in Vietnam is as simple and familiar as in other countries because it is the most popular ride-hailing service here in travel Vietnam. As soon as I landed at Tan Son Nhat airport, I followed these steps to leave the airport quickly and with transparent pricing:
- Open the Grab app immediately after leaving the airport: as soon as I exited the arrival gate, I opened the Grab app on my phone to book a ride. The app works globally, so I didn’t need to download it again or set up any other information.
- Select your pickup point at D1 – Domestic Terminal: on the ride-hailing interface, I selected D1 area (within the domestic terminal) as my destination. This is a location authorized by the airport for Grab to pick up passengers.
- Identify your destination: after verifying the pickup point, I selected the city center hotel as my destination, where I will be staying for the time being.
- Move to the correct position shown: when the driver’s license plate matched the information on the app, I got in and began my journey to explore the city.
Find your way to the Grab pickup point and get in the car.
After completing immigration procedures, I found that finding the Tan Son Nhat Airport Grab pickup point wasn’t too difficult if you carefully observed the signs. To help you visualize it, I’ll share my journey from the main hall to my seat in the car:
#1. Step 1: Exit from the international terminal
After landing at Terminal 2, I went down to the ground floor to complete immigration procedures. Next, I went through customs and the baggage claim area to collect my luggage. Once I was sure all my luggage was there, I proceeded through the final security checkpoint to the arrival hall at Gate A1 (you can also go to Gate A2).
Here, you’ll encounter quite a few taxi drivers who might offer you their services. However, I chose to go straight out and cross the lane reserved for private cars and traditional taxis. From there, I went straight ahead to reach the D1 ride-hailing pick-up point.
#2. Step 2: Identify the pick-up area
The most obvious sign of the Grab pickup area is the distinctive green tents with awnings. From the entrance of the reception hall, I walked about 100 meters and the area was clearly visible.
This is a popular Tan Son Nhat Airport Grab pick up spot for travelers and usually has Grab’s dispatch staff on hand, making it easier to identify the location. If you’re confused and can’t find your way, ask the Grab staff in their green jackets or the airport security personnel in their green uniforms for specific directions.
#3. Step 3: Wait and board the booked vehicle
Although the airport is always busy, I found the wait for my Grab here to be relatively short, ranging from 5 to 10 minutes. While waiting, the driver also proactively contacted me via text message or phone call through the app to confirm my exact location.
From what I’ve learned, to catch a Grab taxi at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you need to go to the correct public transportation area D1 and wait at columns L5 – A5 (corresponding to columns 1 to 12). I just needed to choose the correct column number, inform the driver, and wait for the car to arrive.
At this time, you need to observe the license plates of approaching cars to get on time, as each car is only allowed to stop for a maximum of 3 minutes. If you arrive late and miss the ride, the driver may be forced to leave or cancel the trip to make way for another vehicle.
Trip costs and on-board experience evaluation
Using Grab from Tan Son Nhat Airport is one of the safest and most transparent ways to reach the city center. If you are wondering how to get a Grab from Tan Son Nhat Airport, the process is simple and convenient, especially for first-time visitors to Saigon.
Regarding the cost, my journey was about 8km, and the fare shown on the app was 125,000 VND (approximately 5 USD). However, the final bill would include an additional 15,000 VND (approximately 0.6 USD) for airport toll fees. Therefore, I paid a total of 140,000 VND, or about 5-6 USD.
Drivers usually advance this toll fee at the toll booth, and the customer then pays the remaining amount. It’s worth noting that fares may increase slightly due to demand, but I can take advantage of airport discount codes, which offer up to 20% off trips costing 100,000 VND (approximately 4 USD) or more. I can also easily pay with my linked Visa international card or cash.
My trip from Tan Son Nhat Airport to District 1 takes about 15-20 minutes under stable traffic conditions. What I appreciate most is that the app clearly displays license plates to avoid confusion. Furthermore, although not all drivers are fluent in English, they can say basic phrases to confirm the destination.
The app also has an automatic translation feature in the chat section, so I can easily communicate with the driver even without knowing the local language.
During my trip, the driver was very polite, enthusiastically helped arrange my luggage in the trunk, and was quite careful when navigating crowded sections of road. This made me extremely satisfied, especially as I had already learned how to get a taxi in Vietnam in a simple and convenient way.
05 Important notes for travelers when booking Grab at Tan Son Nhat Airport
To ensure a safe journey and avoid unnecessary inconvenience upon arriving in Saigon, you should keep in mind a few important rules when using ride-hailing services. Below are 5 essential tips to help you take control of your trip and protect your rights at Tan Son Nhat Airport:
- Book a ride through the official app: please book your ride through the official Grab app. Also, avoid following those who solicit you or claim to be Grab drivers in the waiting area. Ensure all rides are recorded on the app to guarantee safety and fair pricing.
- Carefully check the license plate: before getting into the car, check that the license plate and driver’s name match the information displayed on the app to avoid being scammed or defrauded.
- StandardDo you have loose change or a card ready: if you choose to pay in cash, you should have small denomination bills ready to cover the fare, to avoid the driver not having change.
- Have your luggage ready at the pick-up point: since the airport only allows vehicles to stop for a maximum of 3 minutes, please move to the correct column number in lane D1 before the vehicle arrives to avoid cancellation.
- Buy a SIM card or eSIM with data: make sure your phone has an internet connection to track the driver’s route on the map and use the automatic translation chat feature when you need to communicate.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this detailed information about transportation routes, practical experiences using Grab at Tan Son Nhat Airport, and tips on how to get a Grab from Tan Son Nhat airport will help you have a smooth and worry-free start when you arrive in Saigon. Wishing you a fun and memorable journey exploring the city.
