Sentosa Travel Guide

In a nutshell

Dubbed ‘Asia’s Favourite Playground’, Sentosa Island is Singapore’s 500 hectare, manmade resort getaway; just a few minutes away from the bustling hub of the city centre.

Why go to Sentosa

Designed and built exclusively for enjoyment, entertainment and recreation, Sentosa Island has a wide range of themed activities and attractions on offer for those seeking fun and entertainment. These exciting attractions include Madame Tussaud’s Singapore, Singapore Butterfly and Insect Kingdom, Universal Studios Singapore, Wings of Time (a sensational night show set on the open sea), an aquarium and Tiger Sky Tower.

For those looking for relaxation over excitement, Sentosa Island also has first-class spa and beauty retreats, sandy, palm-fringed beaches, a thriving rain forest and upmarket and luxurious accommodation.

How to get to and from Sentosa

Not just a fun hotspot for families, Sentosa Island is an ideal destination for solo travellers and couples as well. Situated south of the city centre, Sentosa Island is an easily accessible and convenient destination for locals and visitors wanting a reprieve from the hullabaloo of city life for a few days. Just 28 kilometres from Changi Airport, Sentosa Island can be reached in a variety of ways and although it is possible to get in via car or taxi, there’s plenty of excellent public transport options available too. For travellers who are interested in making use of a taxi or car to enter the island, there are vehicle fees ranging from SGD 2 to SGD 7 as well as a fee of SGD 3 upon leaving the island.

There is an assortment of public transport options for those wanting to enter Sentosa Island, and not surprisingly, these transport options are as well-run and reliable as the rest of Singapore’s public transport networks.

Taking the Singapore MRT service is probably the quickest, easiest and most affordable option of reaching Sentosa’s manmade paradise. The best way would be to take the North-East Line of the MRT to HarbourFront Station and from there head to Level 3 of Vivocity Mall which is conveniently attached to the station. Upon reaching the third floor, head to Lobby L and you can purchase your Sentosa Pass.

This pass costs SGD 4 and covers the round trip journey, entrance onto the island and unlimited usage of the Sentosa Express around the island. These passes can be purchased with the Singapore EZ-Link Card, cash and major credit cards. The train runs this route every five to eight minutes from 7am to 10pm Monday to Friday and 7am to midnight Friday to Sunday and public holidays.

The Sentosa Express Monorail makes 4 stops; namely, Sentosa Station, (VivoCity Shopping Mall), Waterfront Station (Resorts World Sentosa and Universal Studios Singapore), Imbiah Station and Beach Station.

Another means of entering the island is via the Cable Car service. Picturesque, fun and the most expensive means of entering Sentosa; the Cable Car offers passengers an exceptional panoramic view of the harbor, renowned skyline, the island and all of Sentosa’s activities and attractions.

Visitors who wish to take this fun mode of public transportation to the island will need to head to HarbourFront MRT Station and take Exit B, marked as HarbourFront Center. From this point it’ll be easy to follow the signs leading to the HarbourFront Tower 2, where you’ll find the Singapore Car Station at the top. The cable car stops at Imbiah Lookout and a return ticket costs SGD 29 for adults and SGD 18 for children between 3 and 12 years of age. The cable car operates from 8:45am with the last boarding at 9:30pm every day.

Another means of entering Sentosa Island can be achieved on foot from VivoCity Shopping Mall via the Sentosa Boardwalk. The boardwalk is covered by a canopy and has a pretty, garden-themed trail featuring five tropical landscapes found in Singapore as well as viewpoints along the way. Access to the boardwalk is available 24/7 but the ticket counter is only open from 9am to 10pm with a ticket costing a meagre SGD 1.

How to get around Sentosa

Once on Sentosa Island all internal transport is free and can be done via bus, tram, train or on foot.

There are three coloured bus services; namely the Yellow Line, Blue Line and the Red Line connecting Imbiah Station and other various spots on the island. Buses run from 7am to 11pm during the week and until 12:30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Beach trams are also another handy means of transportation on Sentosa with shuttles leaving about every 20 minutes. One of the shuttle services links Beach Station to Silos Beach, while another links Beach Station to Palawan and Tanjong Beaches.

Getting around on the train of the Sentosa Express is also an option when moving between Imbiah Station and the beaches.