Find Tours
Cu Chi Tunnels

How to Get to Cu Chi Tunnels

The network spans 250 km beneath the Cu Chi District, 70 km outside central Ho Chi Minh City. Most tourists arrive via organized group tours that include a 6-hour round trip with District 1 hotel pickup.

Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City

Getting There

🚌

Public Bus

From Ben Thanh Station (District 1)
2.5 hours 14,000 VND ($0.60 USD)

Take Bus #13 from Ben Thanh Station to the Cu Chi Bus Station. The ride takes about an hour and a half through dense city traffic before reaching the terminal. Step off and transfer to either Bus #79 to reach the larger Ben Duoc site or Bus #63 for the Ben Dinh tunnels. Keep exact change ready for the conductors. Ignore drivers offering private rides at the transfer point; walk directly to the connecting bus bays.

+ Cheapest available option+ Immerses you in local daily life - Takes up to 2.5 hours each way- Requires a transfer at Cu Chi Bus Station
🚤

Speedboat

From Tan Cang Pier
1.5 hours 2,500,000 VND ($100 USD)

Speedboats depart from Tan Cang Pier and travel 60 kilometers up the Saigon River. This water route bypasses the gridlocked streets of Ho Chi Minh City entirely. The ride cuts through patches of water hyacinth and passes industrial ports before reaching the rural riverbanks near the tunnels. Operators typically serve a light breakfast or lunch onboard. Morning departures align well with arriving at the site before the large tour groups show up at 10:00.

+ Bypasses all road traffic+ Scenic views of the Saigon River - Most expensive transport method- Fixed departure schedules limit flexibility
🚕

Private Car / Grab

From Ho Chi Minh City Center
1.5 - 2 hours 1,500,000 VND ($60 USD)

Hiring a private car or booking a Grab secures a direct 55 to 70-kilometer drive to the site. The quoted fare covers a round-trip journey and includes the driver waiting in the parking lot while you explore. Leave the city center by 06:30 to arrive at the tunnels right when the ticket counters open at 07:00. Negotiate the waiting time and total fixed price before getting into the vehicle to avoid disputes later.

+ Complete control over departure time+ Direct route with no transfers - Subject to heavy rush-hour traffic- Requires upfront negotiation for waiting time
🚐

Organized Group Tour

From Hotel Pickup (District 1)
6 hours 400,000 - 650,000 VND ($16 - $26 USD)

Minibuses collect passengers directly from District 1 hotels starting around 07:30. The package bundles round-trip transportation, the 125,000 VND entrance fee, and an English-speaking guide into a single booking. The drive takes about two hours each way, often with a mandatory 30-minute stop at a designated handicraft center. Most tours head straight for the closer Ben Dinh site, skipping the larger Ben Duoc tunnels entirely. Confirm the exact drop-off location, as some buses terminate at central landmarks rather than individual hotels.

+ Includes entrance fees and an English-speaking guide+ Door-to-door service from District 1 - Often includes forced shopping stops- Usually skips the larger Ben Duoc site

Parking & Arrival

Private cars and Grab vehicles drop passengers at the ticketing area, where ramps provide initial wheelchair access. Drivers wait on-site for the duration of the 2–3 hour visit, with round-trip private fares of 1,500,000 VND covering this waiting time. Avoid unofficial taxis at the nearby Cu Chi bus station to prevent scams.

Quick Reference

From Mode Time Cost Tip
Ben Thanh Station (District 1) Public Bus 2.5 hours 14,000 VND Take Bus 13 to Cu Chi Bus Station, then transfer to Bus 79 for Ben Duoc or Bus 63 for Ben Dinh. Ignore private taxi drivers at the transfer station.
Tan Cang Pier Speedboat 1.5 hours 2,500,000 VND Bypass city traffic entirely via the Saigon River. Fares typically include breakfast or lunch.
HCMC Center Private Car or Grab 1.5 to 2 hours 1,500,000 VND Fares cover round-trip travel and driver waiting time. Negotiate a fixed price before entering any vehicle to avoid scams.
District 1 Hotels Organized Group Tour 6 hours 400,000 to 650,000 VND Base price covers transport, the 125,000 VND entrance fee, and a guide. Expect to arrive alongside large crowds around 10:00.

Travel Tips

01

Arrive Before Eight

Beat the large tour groups by arriving between 07:00 and 08:00. Most organized buses reach the site around 10:00, creating bottlenecks at the narrow tunnel entrances. The ticket counters open at 07:00 daily.

02

Navigate the Bus Transfer

Ride Bus #13 from Ben Thanh Station to the Cu Chi Bus Station for 14,000 VND. Ignore drivers pushing private taxi rides at the transfer point. Board Bus #79 to reach the Ben Duoc site or Bus #63 for Ben Dinh.

03

Choose Your Entrance

Head to Ben Dinh for a shorter 50-kilometer drive and concrete-reinforced tunnels widened for tourists. Travel 20 kilometers further to Ben Duoc for a site five times larger with fewer crowds. Ben Duoc also houses the Memorial Temple containing 44,000 names of fallen soldiers.

04

Carry Small VND Bills

Pay the 125,000 VND entrance fee using local cash. Ticket counters and the National Defense Sport Shooting Range routinely reject credit cards. Bullets cost 60,000 VND each, requiring a mandatory minimum purchase of ten rounds per weapon.

05

Negotiate Private Transport

Book a Grab or private car from the city center for approximately 1,500,000 VND. This price covers the 55 to 70-kilometer round trip and waiting time while you explore. Beware of drivers at the Cu Chi bus station running private taxi scams.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to the tunnels using public buses?

Take Bus #13 from Ben Thanh Station in District 1 directly to the Cu Chi Bus Station. The 70-kilometer ride takes about 2.5 hours and costs 14,000 VND. Transfer there to Bus #79 for the Ben Duoc site or Bus #63 for Ben Dinh.

Should I drive to the Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc site?

Ben Dinh sits 50 kilometers from the city center and features widened concrete tunnels built specifically for tourists. Ben Duoc requires driving 70 kilometers but offers an original layout five times larger with fewer crowds. Choose Ben Duoc to see the Memorial Temple honoring 44,000 fallen soldiers.

How much does a private car or Grab cost from Ho Chi Minh City?

Expect to pay around 1,500,000 VND for a round-trip booking that includes driver waiting time at the site. The 55 to 70-kilometer drive takes 1.5 to 2 hours each way. Negotiate a fixed price before closing the car door to avoid meter spikes.

Is there a way to avoid city traffic on the way there?

Speedboats depart from Tan Cang Pier and travel 60 kilometers up the Saigon River. The 1.5-hour river route costs 2,500,000 VND. Most operators include breakfast or lunch in the ticket price.

Can I explore the site without booking a guided transport tour?

Independent travel via public bus or private car is completely fine, but park rules require all visitors to walk the grounds with an official site guide. This guide is included in the 125,000 VND entrance fee. Carry small VND bills because the ticket windows routinely reject credit cards.

What time of day is best to arrive?

Arrive between 07:00 and 08:00 to walk the dirt paths before large tour buses flood the site at 10:00. The complex opens at 07:00 daily and takes 2 to 3 hours to explore. Ticket counters lock up exactly at 16:00.

Are there any transport scams to watch out for upon arrival?

Drivers pushing 'private taxi' services aggressively target tourists stepping off Bus #13 at the Cu Chi bus station. Ignore them and use Grab to cover the final distance to the tunnel entrances. Always agree on a final price before getting into an unmetered vehicle.

Ready to visit Cu Chi Tunnels?

Browse verified tours with free cancellation and instant confirmation.

Find Tours