SGN Ho Chi Minh City Airport Taxi Strategy
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Kam Leng; Two Dragons GH
Posts: 1,615
SGN Ho Chi Minh City Airport Taxi Strategy
What are the current best practices for arranging a non-rip off price on a taxi into Ho Chi Minh city from the airport? Usually the taxi fares quoted in 3rd world settings are pretty ridiculous.
My usual practice in similar places is to wave off the touts and find a cab cruising for a fare, somewhat away from the airport mafia, but everyplace has its own little ways. Advice welcome.
Thanks.
Rich
My usual practice in similar places is to wave off the touts and find a cab cruising for a fare, somewhat away from the airport mafia, but everyplace has its own little ways. Advice welcome.
Thanks.
Rich
#3
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles PM/2MM, AA Plat, IC Diam. Amb., Peninsula regular, amanjunkie
Posts: 5,848
Tan Son Nhut has no greeters hall. Once you clear immigration (a long process even if the lines seem short, thanks to the scrutiny applied to all pax), collect your luggage, and clear customs, you've got about thirty feet of the terminal building remaining before you're out on the curb with throngs of family members awaiting arrivals alongside the taxi pushers. IIRC, a taxi from the airport into Zone 1 of the city shouldn't cost more than $10 or $15 at most. BUT, the pushers are agressive, are likely to speak only Vietnamese, and could take you for a ride to places you don't want to go. The most direct roads into Zone 1 are choked with traffic at the best times and very confusing to navigate. Even with a terrific sense of direction and a map in had, it would be very difficult to know your whereabouts. For all that, I opted for a pricey ($28) transfer via hotel limousine complete with English-speaking greeter who chatted us up, pointed out sights along the road, and offered us tea and water. It was a very comforting way to arrive in a foreign country I'd never been to. We took a taxi back to Tan Son Nhut without incident from the hotel upon departure.
Following my experience in Saigon, an official hotel transfer has become my prefered method when arriving in a foreign city I've never visited if I have any level of concern about getting lost, getting taken for a ride, etc. In Singapore, I took a cab. Elsewhere, I'll overpay for the transfer or bargain to get it included in the room rate. Even if you're not as skittish as I am, Saigon is a place where I'd recommend the hotel transfer method.
Following my experience in Saigon, an official hotel transfer has become my prefered method when arriving in a foreign city I've never visited if I have any level of concern about getting lost, getting taken for a ride, etc. In Singapore, I took a cab. Elsewhere, I'll overpay for the transfer or bargain to get it included in the room rate. Even if you're not as skittish as I am, Saigon is a place where I'd recommend the hotel transfer method.
#4
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Chapel Hill, NC - UA Nobody (sigh)/0.925MM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 3,510
Originally Posted by MegatopLover
Following my experience in Saigon, an official hotel transfer has become my prefered method when arriving in a foreign city I've never visited if I have any level of concern about getting lost, getting taken for a ride, etc.
Of course on a recent limo transfer in Rome I had real concerns about becoming a victim as the driver was an absolute speed lunatic.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Kam Leng; Two Dragons GH
Posts: 1,615
Thanks for the advice. I'm sure I'll have fun, starting in the terminal.
Maybe we should start a thread about taxis in relatively undeveloped Asian cities, just for calibration. My experience, for instance, is something like, off the top of my head:
Vientiane: asking: $5/person or some such nonsense; will take (easily) $3 for car
Luang Prabang: ridiculous asking price, easy to get for $3/load, though you can probably walk in 30 minutes
Yangon: cartel sets price at $3, though some hope of going outside and getting a ride for $1 or $2
Phnom Penh: ask $3-5, though you can probably get your hotel to do a free pickup, if you arrange in advance (I mean cheapo US$20 hotels)
Siem Reap: mafia squared. Don't believe any price asked. Just get a moto for $1 or $2. Have them let you off at a cafe so the hotel/guesthouse doesn't have to pay commission. Other possibility is to get a car from the airport and check out 3 or so places to stay, then pay the guy off. Arrange for moto transport separately.
Denpasar: cartel based on distance. I don't even know what rational rates are here, since I've linked up with a guy I like. Perama bus is possible, as are bemos.
Beijing: is the airport bus for the masses still running? I think it costs < $1. Don't try this in winter, folks.
Of course for Bangkok, just go to the outside queue, not the more expensive desk inside the terminal, "highway ok." Singapore, just get in any cab in the queue. Don't bother with the S$7 share ride, which always lets you out last. MRT is a pain and takes forever. In HKG, the Airport Express is ok, but if it's not raining the airport bus is fine and you might get a view across the Tsing Ma bridge. Don't bother with the cheapo bus alternative with transfer to the MRT unless you're staying in the Northern part of Kowloon, well away from TST.
Well, that leaves out a lot of 2nd & 3rd tier places, I guess, where you just have to use your Asian taxi warrior skills. (And don't bother arguing about 20 baht.)
Rich
Maybe we should start a thread about taxis in relatively undeveloped Asian cities, just for calibration. My experience, for instance, is something like, off the top of my head:
Vientiane: asking: $5/person or some such nonsense; will take (easily) $3 for car
Luang Prabang: ridiculous asking price, easy to get for $3/load, though you can probably walk in 30 minutes
Yangon: cartel sets price at $3, though some hope of going outside and getting a ride for $1 or $2
Phnom Penh: ask $3-5, though you can probably get your hotel to do a free pickup, if you arrange in advance (I mean cheapo US$20 hotels)
Siem Reap: mafia squared. Don't believe any price asked. Just get a moto for $1 or $2. Have them let you off at a cafe so the hotel/guesthouse doesn't have to pay commission. Other possibility is to get a car from the airport and check out 3 or so places to stay, then pay the guy off. Arrange for moto transport separately.
Denpasar: cartel based on distance. I don't even know what rational rates are here, since I've linked up with a guy I like. Perama bus is possible, as are bemos.
Beijing: is the airport bus for the masses still running? I think it costs < $1. Don't try this in winter, folks.
Of course for Bangkok, just go to the outside queue, not the more expensive desk inside the terminal, "highway ok." Singapore, just get in any cab in the queue. Don't bother with the S$7 share ride, which always lets you out last. MRT is a pain and takes forever. In HKG, the Airport Express is ok, but if it's not raining the airport bus is fine and you might get a view across the Tsing Ma bridge. Don't bother with the cheapo bus alternative with transfer to the MRT unless you're staying in the Northern part of Kowloon, well away from TST.
Well, that leaves out a lot of 2nd & 3rd tier places, I guess, where you just have to use your Asian taxi warrior skills. (And don't bother arguing about 20 baht.)
Rich
#6
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: OW, *A, Bonvoy, WOH
Posts: 809
Since I don't think either SIN/HKG qualifies as "relatively undeveloped" , thought I'd chime in about KUL.
KUL: If only 1 person, take the KLIA Express (RM35/$9) to Sentral and then metered-cab/subway to destination in downtown KL (cheap). If more than 1, it's more convenient and cheaper to take taxi (RM65/$17) directly to destination in downtown KL.
As for SGN, I opted for pre-arranged transportation ($4/pp) as opposed to figuring out the cab situation. Turns out, there are no highways in SGN and the 30-45min journey (for less than 5mi!) was congested, polluted and slow-going. A/C solves everything, of course
In HAN, cabs are $10 flat-rate into the city which seems like a rip-off compared to SGN but then again, HAN is 45-60 minutes (28mi) from the city - most of which is travelling 50mph on a dual carriageway (of sorts).
I have found that metered taxis are the way to go for airport transfers and getting around town except for when the taxi rates are not standardized i.e. different companies charging different rates like in Vietnam (also depending on the size of the car). Even then, with a little bit of research, taxis can be super-convenient and ultra-cheap!
KUL: If only 1 person, take the KLIA Express (RM35/$9) to Sentral and then metered-cab/subway to destination in downtown KL (cheap). If more than 1, it's more convenient and cheaper to take taxi (RM65/$17) directly to destination in downtown KL.
As for SGN, I opted for pre-arranged transportation ($4/pp) as opposed to figuring out the cab situation. Turns out, there are no highways in SGN and the 30-45min journey (for less than 5mi!) was congested, polluted and slow-going. A/C solves everything, of course
In HAN, cabs are $10 flat-rate into the city which seems like a rip-off compared to SGN but then again, HAN is 45-60 minutes (28mi) from the city - most of which is travelling 50mph on a dual carriageway (of sorts).
I have found that metered taxis are the way to go for airport transfers and getting around town except for when the taxi rates are not standardized i.e. different companies charging different rates like in Vietnam (also depending on the size of the car). Even then, with a little bit of research, taxis can be super-convenient and ultra-cheap!
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Kam Leng; Two Dragons GH
Posts: 1,615
I didn't mean to imply that S'pore and HKG (or BKK) were undeveloped such as one might say of, I don't know, Vientiane, home of the baggage conveyor that dumps bags on the ground when full, as a way of handling overflow. I was just running though some SE Asian regional spots that came to mind (and I appreciate the info on KL).
Rich
Rich
#9
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: All the wrong places..
Programs: SQ TPP, BA Gold, Hyatt Life Glob, SPG/Marriott Life Plat,
Posts: 3,371
A taxi from SGN to District 1 should be no more than US$5. If you choose to be grabbed by one of the taxi guys waiting for you outside arrivals (usually in the middle of the crowd awaiting family members (don't go just before TET )) then they will generally quote you US$10. They will usually just smile when you inform them its US$5. Either way, it's hardly bank breaking stuff.
Enjoy SGN, a truly great City ^ .
Enjoy SGN, a truly great City ^ .
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Kam Leng; Two Dragons GH
Posts: 1,615
Ok, just to close the loop on this. $10 asked, $4 paid after some bargaining on the way in to District 1.
$5 prepaid by hotel on way out back to SGN. (Ok, ok, the hotel people were nice. I liked them. And they arranged for a 4am pickup so I figured their $1 fee was ok.)
On the return trip the taxi driver wanted to be paid on arrival so, for pre paid taxi, you may want to make sure the hotel people tell the driver the fare had already been paid.
Rich
$5 prepaid by hotel on way out back to SGN. (Ok, ok, the hotel people were nice. I liked them. And they arranged for a 4am pickup so I figured their $1 fee was ok.)
On the return trip the taxi driver wanted to be paid on arrival so, for pre paid taxi, you may want to make sure the hotel people tell the driver the fare had already been paid.
Rich
Last edited by rjh; Mar 14, 2005 at 8:33 pm