Singapore Botanical Gardens—officially the Singapore Botanic Gardens—is a large, free-to-enter green space in Singapore, with the National Orchid Garden as a separately ticketed attraction. About 4.2 km from a two-star hotel in Little India, it makes a change of pace from the neighbourhood’s streets, with several entrances and MRT options to plan around.
- Open daily from 5am to 12 midnight
- Napier MRT serves the Tanglin Entrance; Botanic Gardens MRT serves the Bukit Timah Entrance
- General garden entry is free
- National Orchid Garden: open daily from 8:30am to 7pm, with last entry and ticket sales at 6pm
Getting to the gardens
The best MRT station depends on which entrance you want to use: Napier serves Tanglin, while Botanic Gardens serves Bukit Timah. From Quay Little in Little India, confirm the route and entrance that suit your plans before setting out.
NParks lists bus services 7, 75, 77, 105, 106, 123, 174, 174E and 502 for stops along Holland and Napier roads near the Tanglin Entrance. For stops along Bukit Timah and Dunearn roads, services 48, 66, 67, 153, 154, 156 and 170 run nearby.
The gardens have five named entrances: Tanglin, Bukit Timah, Nassim, Tyersall and Gallop. Nassim is served by Evans Road and Cluny Road; Tyersall and Gallop are served by Tyersall Avenue. If you plan to meet someone or visit a particular section, choose the entrance first rather than assuming all gates lead to the same starting point.
Choosing a garden route
Choose an entrance based on the part of the gardens you want to reach, then use the grounds’ routes to shape a walk around it. The National Orchid Garden’s trail takes an estimated 30–45 minutes on foot, so you can allow that time separately from exploring the rest of the gardens.
If you’re combining the visit with a Little India outing, this Little India walking guide covers a contrasting neighbourhood route.
Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden is intended for children up to 14 years old, who must be accompanied by an adult. It opens from 8am to 7pm, with last entry at 6:30pm, and closes on Mondays unless Monday is a public holiday.
The Learning Forest is open from 7am to 7pm. The SPH Walk of Giants, Keppel Discovery Wetlands, Botanist Boardwalk and Pulai Marsh Trail close from 7pm to 7am daily.
Mount Emily Park is another nearby green space; the Mount Emily Park guide can help you compare the feel of a smaller park walk with a Botanic Gardens visit.
National Orchid Garden and ticketed areas
The National Orchid Garden is the main ticketed attraction within the otherwise free Singapore Botanic Gardens. It opens daily from 8:30am to 7pm, with last ticket sales and entry at 6pm, so plan to arrive before the cutoff if you want to include it.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 5:00–24:00
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Standard adult admission is S$15; local adults pay S$5. Seniors aged 60 and above and eligible local students pay S$3 at the standard rate or S$1 at the local rate.
Children under 12 enter free. Local eligibility includes Singapore citizens and permanent residents, as well as people living in Singapore, including holders of employment passes, Work Permits or Dependant passes.
The National Orchid Garden opened in 1995 and was expanded in 2021 with the Tropical Montane Orchidetum. The gardens’ orchid collection has more than 1,500 species and 3,000 hybrids. The Orchidetum includes the Lowland Habitat Trail, Secret Ravine and three specialised display houses. NParks describes the garden as wheelchair accessible.
Facilities, weather and timing
NParks staff are available daily from 8am to 5:30pm at information desks for first aid, lost-and-found enquiries and wheelchair loans. Routine maintenance affects specific attractions each month, so check the attraction listings when planning which areas to visit.
Keep the garden rules in mind: smoking, feeding wildlife, cycling, scooters, skating and skateboarding are not allowed. Pets must be leashed and controlled, and cannot enter the National Orchid Garden or several other attractions.
If you’re driving, the eight parking zones charge S$0.02 per minute. Car parks generally operate daily from 5am to 12 midnight, and overnight parking is not permitted.
Before you go: Opening hours, attraction access and ticket details can change; check the NParks official site before you go.
FAQs
Is entry to Singapore Botanic Gardens free?
Yes. Entry to the gardens is free; admission charges apply only to the National Orchid Garden.
Which MRT station should you use?
Use Napier station for the Tanglin Entrance or Botanic Gardens station for the Bukit Timah Entrance.
How long does the National Orchid Garden trail take?
NParks estimates 30–45 minutes to walk the trail.
When is the last entry to the National Orchid Garden?
Last ticket sales and entry are at 6pm, although the garden remains open until 7pm.