Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is Singapore’s huge waterfront garden next to Marina Bay Sands, famous for its giant Supertrees and two cooled glass conservatories, the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. Much of it costs nothing: the outdoor gardens, the Supertree Grove and the nightly light show are free. The main paid ticket covers both conservatories.

The short version: come in the late afternoon, see the two conservatories while it’s still light, then stay in the Supertree Grove for the free evening show. Skip the extras unless they fit your group. This guide covers what’s free and what isn’t, which paid add-ons are worth it, how to get there by MRT, a simple afternoon-to-evening plan, and, because the grounds are big, how to make the visit easy on parents, grandparents and small kids.

Highlights: what to see

The Gardens mix free outdoor areas with a handful of ticketed attractions. You don’t need to see everything. Most first-timers pick the two conservatories plus the Supertree Grove at night.

Supertree Grove (free)

The tree-shaped vertical gardens you’ve seen in every Singapore photo. The tallest rise up to 50 meters, and walking among them costs nothing. The outdoor gardens are open 05:00–02:00, and the Supertree lights switch off at 23:30 each night. This is also where the free light shows take place (see below).

Flower Dome

A cooled glass conservatory full of flowers and plants, laid out on terraces under a huge glass roof. It’s a welcome break from the heat. Both conservatories are cooled to between 23 and 25 °C, and Cloud Forest is kept humid (80–90%), so bring a light layer; they are a comfortable escape from the heat and rain outside.

Cloud Forest

The second conservatory is built around a planted “mountain” with an indoor waterfall 35 meters tall. Mist rolls through at set times each day: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00. Cloud Forest currently features Jurassic World, The Experience, with life-sized animatronic dinosaurs placed among the plants; it is included in the conservatory ticket. The official site warns of loud sound effects and flashing lights, so guests who are sensitive to them should plan for it.

OCBC Skyway

An aerial walkway 128 meters long, strung between Supertrees 22 meters above the ground. Plan on about 15 minutes up there. It’s a paid add-on, and it’s weather-dependent: OCBC Skyway entry can be suspended in rain or when there is a lightning risk; ticket holders affected are sent to the Supertree Observatory instead.

Supertree Observatory

A separately ticketed lookout in the Supertree Grove. It’s also where Skyway ticket holders are sent when the Skyway closes for bad weather, so it’s the more weather-proof of the two viewpoints.

Floral Fantasy

A separately ticketed floral attraction with themed displays; the current one is Disney Garden of Wonder. It’s open 10:00–21:00. Tripods are never allowed inside, so leave yours at home.

Far East Organization Children’s Garden (free)

If you’re traveling with kids, this is the free playground they’ll remember. The Far East Organization Children's Garden is free and made for children aged 12 and under, with a Toddler Play Zone for ages 1 to 5, water play, tree houses and a sheltered amphitheatre. Adults may enter only with a child. It opens Thursday to Sunday and on public holidays (Tuesday to Sunday in school holidays). Opening hours on those days are 09:00–19:00, so check the day of the week before you promise water play.

Free evening shows: Garden Rhapsody and Borealis

Garden Rhapsody plays daily at 19:45, 20:45 in the Supertree Grove. Garden Rhapsody, a free light and sound show, lights up the Supertrees twice a night. The music changes with the season (October 2026 is Opera in the Gardens, November is Garden Waltz, and The Christmas Special runs from 29 November). The Supertree Grove can charge admission during ticketed events such as Christmas Wonderland.

Borealis runs 20:00–20:30. Borealis, a free Northern Lights installation of light and mist, plays at Supertree Grove every Saturday, Sunday and Monday evening and is cancelled when it rains.

Tickets: free vs paid, and which one to buy

Start with what’s free: The outdoor gardens are free, including Supertree Grove, Serene Garden, the Heritage Gardens, World of Plants, Sun Pavilion, The Canyon, Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lakes, Kingfisher Wetlands, Active Garden with the PropNex Family Zone and Bay East Garden. The main paid attractions are the two conservatories, Floral Fantasy, OCBC Skyway and Supertree Observatory.

Paid tickets aren’t priced by date, but prices do change, so check the current visitor price on Klook with the ticket button on this page. Most paid attractions sell adult and child (ages 3 to 12) tickets:

• Flower Dome & Cloud Forest: one ticket for both conservatories.
• Floral Fantasy, OCBC Skyway and Supertree Observatory: each is ticketed separately.
• Shuttle: one ticket covers two rides.
• Garden Cruiser Audio Tour: tickets are sold by the tour captain.
• Bundle: both conservatories, Floral Fantasy and the shuttle together. It’s a limited-time promotion on the official site that runs until March 14, 2027.

A few rules worth knowing before you pay:

• Tourists pay the Non-Resident price. Tourists pay the Non-Resident price. Singapore Resident rates are for citizens, permanent residents and people living in Singapore on an Employment Pass, Work Permit or Dependant's Pass, and proof of residency may be asked for at purchase or at the gate.
• There’s no senior discount for visitors. Senior prices (60 years and older) exist only for Singapore residents, so grandparents pay the adult price.
• One date, one entry. A conservatory ticket is for the visit date you choose, admits one person once, and cannot be refunded. There is no re-entry, and you may stay up to one hour in each conservatory.
• Where to buy: Tickets are sold on the official website, in the Gardens by the Bay mobile app and at the ticketing counters at The Canopy (opposite the Flower Dome main entrance) and Floral Fantasy, open daily 9 am to 9 pm. The official online store takes credit cards only.

Child prices start at age 3. The official pages we read don’t say in words whether younger children enter the conservatories free, so ask at the counter or check when you book.

Which ticket should you buy?

• Most first-timers: the Flower Dome & Cloud Forest ticket, plus the free gardens and the evening show. That’s the core of the visit.
• Families who’d also like Floral Fantasy and the shuttle: the bundle on the official site, while the promotion lasts. Allow about 3 hours for it, according to the Gardens.
• Tight budget or short on time: skip the paid attractions entirely. The Supertree Grove, the outdoor gardens and Garden Rhapsody are free.
• Views and photos: add the OCBC Skyway or the Supertree Observatory on top of whichever ticket you choose.

Paid add-ons: which are worth it, and when to skip them

There’s no skip-the-line pass here. The real question is which extras are worth paying for, for your group.

Add-on	Worth it if…	You can skip it if…
Flower Dome & Cloud Forest	It’s your first visit, the day is hot or rainy, or someone in your group loves plants or dinosaurs	You only have an evening, or you came just for the Supertrees and the light show
Bundle with Floral Fantasy and shuttle	You’d buy Floral Fantasy and the shuttle anyway, or you’re fans of the Disney display	You have less than about 3 hours, or nobody in your group needs the shuttle
OCBC Skyway	You want the walk among the Supertree canopies and the weather is clear	Someone is uneasy with heights, rain is coming, or you’re happy seeing the Supertrees from the ground for free
Supertree Observatory	You want a viewpoint and the weather looks uncertain	You already have Skyway tickets and the sky is clear
Shuttle	You’re with grandparents, small kids or a wheelchair user (who rides free)	Everyone is comfortable walking, or it’s after the last ride at 20:45
Garden Cruiser Audio Tour	Someone can’t walk far but wants to see the gardens with commentary	You arrive late in the day: it only runs until the afternoon

Getting there

By MRT (most people): Bayfront MRT station (CE1/DT16, Circle and Downtown lines). Take Exit B, follow the underground linkway, then cross the Dragonfly Bridge or Meadow Bridge into the Gardens. The official site doesn’t publish a walking time from the station, so allow some extra time if you’re with older relatives. The shuttle (see below) starts at Bayfront Plaza, by Exit B.

From the other side: Gardens by the Bay MRT station (TE22, Thomson–East Coast line); Exit 1 leads into the Gardens on the Marina Gardens Drive side.

From Marina Bay Sands: From Marina Bay Sands, walk across the Garden Bay Bridge at the hotel (open 8 am to 11 pm) or take the underground linkway through Bayfront MRT Exit B.

By bus: From Tanjong Pagar MRT (EW15), take Exit C to bus stop 03223 at International Plaza, then bus 400 to stop 03371 on Marina Gardens Drive.

By taxi: taxis stop at the Main Gate entrance, a handy drop-off if walking is hard for someone in your group.

Shuttle inside the Gardens: A shuttle loops between Bayfront Plaza (Bayfront MRT Exit B), Active Garden and the Flower Dome every day from 9 am, last ride 8.45 pm. A ticket covers two rides. Passengers using a wheelchair ride free (foldable manual or lightweight foldable electric wheelchairs only, boarded with staff help; caregivers pay), and children under 3 ride free. It is suspended in heavy rain or lightning.

Plan your visit: afternoon into evening

The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest are open 09:00–21:00, but last entry is earlier: 20:00 for Cloud Forest and 20:30 for the Flower Dome. The official recommendation for both conservatories is about 2 hours. Here’s a plan that fits the domes, the gardens and the show into one afternoon and evening.

Before you go: check the closure list, because each paid attraction shuts for maintenance about once a month. Each paid attraction closes for maintenance about one day a month, and only one conservatory closes at a time. Coming dates are Cloud Forest on 26 October and 17 November 2026, Flower Dome on 16 November 2026, Floral Fantasy on 3 November 2026, OCBC Skyway on 4 November 2026 and Supertree Observatory on 5 November 2026. On those days a one-conservatory ticket is sold instead. Install the free official app too: Gardens by the Bay mobile app (free, iOS and Android), used to buy tickets, scan tickets at the conservatories, book the shuttle and check crowd levels at selected attractions.

Mid to late afternoon: arrive, ride the shuttle if anyone needs it, and head into the conservatories. You can stay up to 1 hour in each, and there’s no re-entry, so use the restroom and leave food outside first. If you can, time Cloud Forest for one of the misting sessions.

Early evening: walk the outdoor gardens or stop by Floral Fantasy if it’s on your ticket. Have dinner at one of the food outlets, or bring a picnic for the outdoor gardens (not inside the conservatories).

After dark: find a spot in the Supertree Grove for Garden Rhapsody at 19:45, 20:45. On Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, Borealis adds a second free show (20:00–20:30). Reviewers mention big crowds leaving after the evening show, so if you’re with seniors or a stroller, consider waiting a few minutes before heading to the station.

What visitors say

These are themes we summarized from public reviews, including the praise and the complaints.

Practical info and accessibility

Is it tiring for parents and grandparents? It can be. The grounds are large, and reviewers mention a lot of walking. The Gardens don’t publish walking distances, so we can’t rate it as easy or hard. The good news is that there are several official ways to cut the walking:

• The shuttle links Bayfront MRT, Active Garden and the Flower Dome. Wheelchair users ride free.
• The Garden Cruiser Audio Tour is a seated ride with commentary of about 20 minutes.
• Wheelchairs can be rented by the day at the Arrival Gift Shop and at the ticketing counters at The Canopy and Floral Fantasy.
• The official map marks a barrier-free route, lifts and accessible toilets. Check it online before you go.
• The conservatories stay at a steady, cool temperature, which helps anyone who struggles in the heat.

One note for sensitive visitors: the dinosaur experience in Cloud Forest has loud sound effects and flashing lights. If that may upset a young child or an older relative, plan a calm route through the dome or ask staff before going in.

Walking

Not confirmed

Places to sit

Not confirmed

Wheelchair rental

Available

Stroller rental

Not confirmed

Rides for small children

Not confirmed

Shuttle

A shuttle loops between Bayfront Plaza (Bayfront MRT Exit B), Active Garden and the Flower Dome every day from 9 am, last ride 8.45 pm. A ticket covers two rides. Passengers using a wheelchair ride free (foldable manual or lightweight foldable electric wheelchairs only, boarded with staff help; caregivers pay), and children under 3 ride free. It is suspended in heavy rain or lightning.

Seated audio tour

The Garden Cruiser Audio Tour is a seated ride with commentary around Bay South Garden, about 20 minutes long, leaving from Main Arrival (outside the Arrival Gift Shop) between 9 am and 5 pm. Tickets are sold by the tour captain, and the tour stops in heavy rain or lightning.

Barrier-free route

The official Gardens map marks a barrier-free route through Bay South Garden, along with lifts, accessible toilets, nursing rooms and first aid points.

Places to rest

The official guides do not publish a seating map. The Gardens' own visitor story for autistic guests says there are places to rest, and names quieter spots in the Flower Dome (outside the toilets and next to the Flower Field); the Children's Garden has a sheltered amphitheatre.

Strollers

Strollers and prams are welcome, but for safety you should use the lifts instead of the escalators. No official stroller rental is listed.

Nursing rooms

Nursing rooms are at Golden Garden (near the Information Counter), The Canopy (near the Flower Dome entrance), inside Cloud Forest (after the escalator down from Crystal Mountain), inside the Floral Fantasy gift shop, at the Children's Garden and at The Meadow.

Accessible parking and taxis

Accessible parking lots are available at the Main Entrance basement car park, The Meadow and Bayfront Plaza (which also has family lots), plus Bay East Garden; taxis stop at the Main Gate entrance.

Food & drink rules

Picnics are allowed in most of the outdoor Gardens (no picnic furniture), but food and drinks are not allowed inside the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest.

Halal and vegetarian food

McDonald's at the Gardens is listed as halal-certified. Jurassic Nest Food Hall says it has halal and vegetarian options, but the official page does not call it halal-certified. Several other outlets list vegetarian options.

Wi-Fi and water

Free Wi-Fi (GBTB-FreeWifi) in the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, Supertree Grove, Golden Garden, the Children's Garden and Floral Fantasy; bottle-filling stations at Golden Garden, Supertree Grove, Active Garden, the Bayfront shuttle stop and Malay Garden.

Visiting rules

The Gardens are smoke-free. Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, drones and open fires are not allowed, tripods are not allowed on weekends and public holidays (and never in Floral Fantasy), and dogs may use the outdoor gardens but not the conservatories or other attractions, except guide dogs.

Common mistakes

1. Paying for things that are free. The Supertree Grove, the outdoor gardens and Garden Rhapsody cost nothing. Buy tickets only for the attractions you actually want.
2. Arriving too late for Cloud Forest. Its last entry is 20:00, earlier than the Flower Dome. If you arrive just before the show, you’ll miss it.
3. Stepping out “for a minute.” There’s no re-entry on conservatory tickets, and you can stay up to 1 hour in each.
4. Not checking the closure dates. Each paid attraction closes for maintenance about one day a month. A quick look at the official list saves a wasted trip.
5. Counting on the Skyway or the shuttle in bad weather. Both can stop in heavy rain or lightning. Keep the conservatories as your rainy-day plan.
6. Bringing coins for the lockers. The lockers take cash notes only, so carry some small notes. If no locker is free, the ticketing counter can hold your bag.

FAQ

Is Gardens by the Bay free?

Mostly, yes. The outdoor gardens, the Supertree Grove, the Children’s Garden and the Garden Rhapsody light show are free. You pay for the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, Floral Fantasy, the OCBC Skyway, the Supertree Observatory, the shuttle and the audio tour.

How do I check the price of Flower Dome and Cloud Forest tickets?

One ticket covers both conservatories, with separate adult and child prices for visitors (lower rates are for Singapore residents only). Prices can change, so check the current price on Klook with the ticket button on this page.

What time is the light show at Gardens by the Bay?

Garden Rhapsody plays daily at 19:45, 20:45 in the Supertree Grove, and it’s free. Borealis runs 20:00–20:30 on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, and is cancelled in the rain.

Is the OCBC Skyway worth it?

If the weather is clear and nobody minds heights, it’s a short paid add-on (about 15 minutes). If rain is likely, the Supertree Observatory is the safer pick, since the Skyway can close in bad weather.

How much time do you need at Gardens by the Bay?

About two hours for the two conservatories (the official recommendation), plus as much time as you like in the free outdoor gardens. Arriving in the late afternoon lets you see the domes in daylight and stay for the evening light show.

Is Gardens by the Bay good for seniors and wheelchair users?

Yes, with some planning. Use the shuttle (free for wheelchair users), rent a wheelchair, follow the barrier-free route on the official map, and spend the hottest hours in the cooled conservatories. There’s no senior discount for tourists.

What’s the nearest MRT station?

Bayfront, on the Circle and Downtown lines. Take Exit B and follow the underground linkway. The Gardens by the Bay station on the Thomson–East Coast line is the other option.