Singapore Botanic Gardens became Singapore's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, and it is still free to enter. It opens at 5am and closes at midnight, so you can walk in the cool of the early morning or the evening. Here is how to get the most from a visit.
Getting there
- Botanic Gardens MRT (Circle and Downtown lines) brings you to the Bukit Timah Entrance on Bukit Timah Road and Cluny Park Road.
- Napier MRT (Thomson-East Coast line) is next to the Tanglin Entrance, the closest entrance to Orchard Road.
- Buses: 7, 75, 77, 105, 106, 123, 174, 174E and 502 stop on Holland Road and Napier Road (Tanglin Entrance); 48, 66, 67, 153, 154, 156 and 170 stop on Bukit Timah Road and Dunearn Road.
Enter at one end and leave at the other: the Gardens are long and narrow, so walking from Napier to Botanic Gardens MRT (or the reverse) saves you walking back.
Two easy routes
One hour from the Tanglin Entrance
Start at Napier MRT, walk past Swan Lake and up to the Bandstand, then loop through Palm Valley before returning to Tanglin. It is a good choice for a first visit or an early-morning walk.
Half a day, end to end
Start at Botanic Gardens MRT, visit the Eco-Lake and the Learning Forest, then head south to the National Orchid Garden and the Rain Forest before leaving by the Tanglin Entrance. Use the Gardens' map at the entrances to choose paths, as some are closed from time to time for works.
The National Orchid Garden
The only part of the Gardens that charges admission. It opens 8.30am-7pm, with last tickets and entry at 6pm. Standard tickets cost S$15 for adults and S$3 for students and seniors (60 and above); local residents pay S$5 and S$1. Children under 12 enter free.
With children
The Jacob Ballas Children's Garden is designed for children up to 14, who must be accompanied by an adult. It opens 8am-7pm (last entry 6.30pm) and is closed on Mondays, unless Monday is a public holiday.
Free guided tours
Free option: volunteer guides lead free walking tours on Saturdays (except the fifth Saturday of the month) - for example the Rain Forest Tour on the 1st Saturday, the Heritage Tour on the 3rd Saturday and a National Orchid Garden Tour on the 3rd Saturday. Registration opens 15 minutes before each session at the meeting point. Check the Gardens' events page for the latest schedule.
Good to know
- Cycling is not allowed inside the Gardens; park bicycles at the entrances.
- Dogs are welcome on a leash, but not in the National Orchid Garden or indoor attractions.
- Drones, kites, ball games, smoking and feeding wildlife are not allowed.
FAQs
Is Singapore Botanic Gardens free?
Yes. Entry to the Gardens is free. Only the National Orchid Garden charges admission.
What time does the Botanic Gardens open?
The Gardens are open from 5am to midnight every day.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on a leash and under control, but not into the National Orchid Garden or indoor attractions.
Related guides
Sources
- Singapore Botanic Gardens: general information (checked 9 November 2026)
- Singapore Botanic Gardens: guided tours by volunteers (checked 9 November 2026)
- NParks: Singapore Botanic Gardens (checked 9 November 2026)