Gardens by the Bay in Singapore: everything you need to know
Gardens by the Bay is not only a beautiful park containing more than 1.5 million plants from all over the world, but there is also plenty to do. It is therefore hardly surprising that Gardens by the Bay has already attracted more than 115 million visitors. With so many different attractions, you can easily spend several hours exploring Gardens by the Bay.
How do you get to Gardens by the Bay?
Gardens by the Bay is easy to reach from Singapore Changi Airport. You can also travel there conveniently by Grab from almost anywhere in the city.
Besides being easy to reach, Gardens by the Bay is conveniently located near Singapore’s waterfront and several other iconic attractions. This makes it easy to combine with other places during the same day. Chinatown and Little India are not too far away, and from Gardens by the Bay you can easily continue to Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade, the famous Marina Bay Sands hotel, the towering Singapore Flyer and ArtScience Museum.
Do you need tickets for Gardens by the Bay?
That depends on which parts of Gardens by the Bay you would like to visit. The outdoor gardens, including Supertree Grove, are free to explore. However, you need an admission ticket for attractions such as the OCBC Skyway, Supertree Observatory, Cloud Forest and Flower Dome.
Below, you will find an overview of the main attractions at Gardens by the Bay and whether you need a ticket to visit them.
Supertree Grove
The most famous sight at Gardens by the Bay is Supertree Grove. There are 18 Supertrees throughout Gardens by the Bay, ranging from 25 to 50 metres in height. Twelve of them can be found in Supertree Grove. The Supertrees are covered with more than 162,900 plants from over 200 species and varieties, turning the enormous structures into impressive vertical gardens.
During the day, you can walk between the trees or take the stairs to a higher part of the garden for a beautiful view of the Supertrees. In the evening, this is also the perfect place to watch the Garden Rhapsody light and sound show. The show normally takes place every evening at 7:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Different versions of the show are performed throughout the year. Supertree Grove is free to visit.
OCBC Skyway
The OCBC Skyway is a 128-metre-long aerial walkway located 22 metres above the ground. It connects two Supertrees in Supertree Grove. From the walkway, you can admire the Supertrees from much closer and enjoy a beautiful view of Marina Bay Sands and the surrounding gardens.
The OCBC Skyway is normally open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., with final admission at 8:30 p.m. It occasionally closes for maintenance, so check the current schedule before visiting. An admission ticket is required. At the time of writing, tickets for international visitors cost S$14 per adult and S$10 per child. You can buy tickets online, through the official Gardens by the Bay app or at the ticket counters.
Supertree Observatory
Another fun attraction in Supertree Grove is the Supertree Observatory. The observatory is located at the top of the tallest Supertree, in the centre of Supertree Grove. From its viewing platforms, you have an amazing view of the OCBC Skyway, Marina Bay Sands, Supertree Grove and the Singapore skyline. Unlike the OCBC Skyway, which is a bridge between two trees, the Supertree Observatory has both an indoor observation area and an open-air rooftop deck.
The observatory is normally open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., with final admission at 8:30 p.m. At the time of writing, admission for international visitors costs S$14 per adult and S$10 per child. Tickets can be ordered online.
Cloud Forest
A little farther into the park, you will find two enormous glass conservatories. Both domes can be visited with an admission ticket. The taller conservatory is Cloud Forest, a tropical indoor garden containing an impressive indoor waterfall and many plants from around the world. Despite its tropical appearance, Cloud Forest is not extremely warm. It is a cooled conservatory with a comfortable temperature, although the humidity inside is high. Cloud Forest also has regular misting sessions, when the entire indoor mountain is covered in a layer of mist. This creates a wonderfully magical atmosphere.
One of the most enjoyable things about Cloud Forest is that parts of the attraction are sometimes decorated around special themes, such as Avatar or Jurassic World. Take your time walking along the elevated walkways and exploring all the beautiful areas. Allow around one to one and a half hours for your visit.
Cloud Forest is normally open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., with final admission at 8:00 p.m. It closes on selected dates for maintenance. Tickets for international visitors are usually sold as a combined ticket for Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. Prices may vary depending on the current exhibition, so check the official ticket page before visiting.
Flower Dome
Flower Dome is the lower conservatory next to Cloud Forest. As its name suggests, you will mainly find an enormous variety of flowers and plants inside. Besides its large floral displays, the conservatory is divided into smaller gardens featuring plants from different parts of the world. These include Mediterranean, South African and Australian gardens.
You can easily spend around an hour exploring Flower Dome.
Like the other main attractions at Gardens by the Bay, Flower Dome is normally open from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Final admission is usually at 8:30 p.m. Flower Dome occasionally closes for maintenance, and exhibitions change throughout the year.
Facilities at Gardens by the Bay
Singapore would not be Singapore if a park such as Gardens by the Bay did not have excellent visitor facilities. There are several free public toilets throughout the park, which are naturally very clean. You will also find picnic areas, plenty of benches where you can enjoy the views and several restaurants and cafés.
But that is not all. Luggage lockers are available at selected locations, and there are also power-bank rental kiosks, free Wi-Fi in parts of the park and shuttle services between several areas. You can also refill your water bottle at various drinking-water points. In short, Gardens by the Bay is the perfect place for an enjoyable day out during your city break in Singapore!
