How to Get to Sentosa Island: The 5 Best Ways Explained

Planning your Singapore trip and wondering how to get to Sentosa Island? You’ve come to the right place! Singapore’s famous island playground has a way in for every budget and style. This guide from TravelThru breaks down all five amazing options so you can choose the perfect one for your trip.

Below is a quick comparison table to help you decide in a flash, followed by a detailed look at each method.

1. Sentosa Express

Want to get from the city buzz to the island fun in a flash? The Sentosa Express is your best bet. This sleek and modern monorail is the most popular way to get to the island for a good reason. It's fast, simple, and gets you right into the heart of the action. Best of all, your train ticket also covers your island admission fee.

The Sentosa Express is a perfect choice for:

• Families with young children and strollers who need convenience.
• Anyone short on time who wants to maximize their island adventure.
• First-time visitors are looking for the most straightforward and hassle-free option.

How to Take the Sentosa Express

Getting on board is a breeze. Just follow these simple steps:

• Get to HarbourFront MRT Station. You can reach it via the North-East Line (Purple Line) or the Circle Line (Orange Line).

   

• Head into VivoCity Mall. From the MRT, follow the signs into the huge shopping mall and take the escalators up to Level 3.

   

• Find the Sentosa Express station. Simply tap your EZ-Link card or any contactless credit/debit card to pay and enter. You can also buy a standard ticket at the ticketing counters.

   

• Hop on the monorail. The train will take you directly onto the island, stopping at Resorts World, Imbiah, and Beach stations.

Cost & Ticketing

A standard ticket costs just $4 SGD per person.

The best part? This one-time fee covers your ride into Sentosa, your island admission fee, and all your future monorail rides for the day, including travel between the island stations and your trip back to VivoCity. 

You can pay with:

• An EZ-Link Card
• A contactless credit or debit card (like Visa or Mastercard)
• A standard ticket bought at the counter

Travel Time & Operating Hours

This is where the "Express" part really shines. The entire journey from VivoCity to the final stop, Beach Station, takes only about 4 minutes.

The monorail runs daily from 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM (midnight), giving you plenty of time to enjoy a full day and evening on the island.

>>> Planning the rest of your trip? Check out our guide to the best things to do in Singapore!

2. Singapore Cable Car

The Singapore Cable Car offers jaw-dropping, 360-degree views of the city skyline, the bustling harbour, and the lush greenery of Mount Faber. It’s less of a commute and more of an experience that starts your trip before you even arrive.

The Singapore Cable Car is perfect for:

• Couples looking for a romantic start to their island date.
• First-time visitors who want to see Singapore from a unique perspective.
• Photographers hunting for that perfect aerial shot of the city and sea.
• Anyone who believes the journey is just as important as the destination.

The cable car system has two lines:

• The Mount Faber Line is the main line that takes you from the mainland directly to Sentosa Island.
• The Sentosa Line is a smaller line that lets you hop between different attractions within the island itself.

You can board the Mount Faber Line from two main stations:

• HarbourFront Station: This is the most popular choice. Take the MRT to HarbourFront and look for Exit B, which leads you to HarbourFront Tower Two.

   

• Mount Faber Peak Station: For the best possible views, start your journey here at one of Singapore's oldest hilltop parks.

Cost & Ticketing

A Cable Car Sky Pass, which includes a round-trip journey on both lines, costs around $35 SGD for adults and $25 SGD for children. Your cable car ticket covers your entry to Sentosa Island, which is a great deal for your vacation.

Travel Time

The journey from the HarbourFront station to Sentosa takes about 15 minutes. This gives you plenty of time to relax, soak in the stunning scenery, and snap some amazing photos for your Instagram feed.

3. Private Car or Taxi

Sometimes, you just want to get there without any fuss. For the ultimate door-to-door convenience, a private car or taxi is your best option. It's perfect if you're traveling in a group, carrying lots of beach gear, or simply want a comfortable and private ride.

This option is the clear winner for:

• Planners who love a stress-free journey and prefer everything arranged in advance.
• Visitors arriving at Changi Airport who want a direct, comfortable transfer to their Sentosa hotel.
• Families with strollers and lots of bags who need a guaranteed vehicle size.

How to Book Your Ride

You have a couple of great choices for a private ride:

• Pre-Booked Your Private Transfer with TravelThru: For a planned-in-advance experience, our transfer services are a reliable choice. You can book your specific vehicle size beforehand and have a professional driver waiting for you at your hotel or Changi Airport. It removes all the guesswork and is perfect for a stress-free start to your island trip.

   

• On-Demand Ride-Sharing & Taxis: If you prefer to book on the spot, you can use Singapore's popular ride-sharing apps, or simply flag down a city taxi. Just input your destination on Sentosa, and a driver will take you right there.

Cost Breakdown

The cost structure varies slightly depending on your choice:

• With TravelThru: You just need to check the price of your ride on our website. The price you see is the amount you’ll pay, so there are no surprises when you arrive.

   

• With Taxis or Ride-Sharing: Your total cost is the Ride Fare + a separate Sentosa Gantry Fee. This gantry fee is charged per vehicle upon entry and usually ranges from $2 to $6 SGD, depending on the time of day.
   

Travel Time

A ride with TravelThru is the fastest way to get to the island, as our local drivers know the shortest way to get you there. Without heavy traffic, a trip from the city center to Sentosa takes only about 10 to 15 minutes. Just be aware that this can take longer during peak morning or evening hours.

>>> Helpful for your trip: How to Get from Changi Airport to Marina Bay Sands

4. Walk via Sentosa Boardwalk

If you enjoy a pleasant stroll and want to save money, the Sentosa Boardwalk is the perfect choice for you. This beautiful, sheltered walkway connects the VivoCity waterfront directly to the island entrance, offering lovely sea views along the way. It’s the only way to get onto Sentosa Island completely free of charge.

Finding your way is incredibly easy:

• First, make your way to VivoCity mall, located right next to the HarbourFront MRT station.
• Head down to Level 1 and walk outside to the stunning waterfront promenade.
• You'll easily spot the broad, wooden entrance to the boardwalk. Just start walking!

The entire path is sheltered from the sun and rain. Plus, it features two-way travelators (moving walkways) that help you cover the distance effortlessly.

The walk itself takes about 15 to 20 minutes at a relaxed and leisurely pace. It’s such a scenic stroll that you probably won't even notice the time passing.

5. Public Bus

Looking for another super affordable way to get to Sentosa? You can hop on a regular public bus! It’s a great way to see a bit of the city on your way to the island fun, and it’s very easy on the wallet.

Travel time can vary a lot depending on traffic and where you board the bus. From a central spot like Orchard Road, the journey to Sentosa will likely take around 20 to 30 minutes.

Taking the bus is a smart move for:

• Die-hard budget travelers are looking for the cheapest public transport option.
• Visitors staying along the Bus 123 route who want a direct connection.
• Adventurous travelers who enjoy using local transport to see more of the city.

How to Take the Bus to Sentosa

The main service you need to know is Bus 123.

This bus travels from the central part of Singapore, making it convenient if you're staying near Orchard Road, Tiong Bahru, or Fort Canning. Your best bet is to use an app like Google Maps to find the nearest Bus 123 stop.

Once you're on board, the bus will cross the gantry onto the island and drop you off at key locations, including Resorts World Sentosa.

Cost

The bus fare is based on the distance you travel, just like any other bus in Singapore. Expect your one-way trip to cost between $1 and $2.50 SGD. You can easily pay by tapping your EZ-Link card or a contactless credit/debit card.

Important Note: Unlike the Sentosa Express or Cable Car, the standard bus fare does not include the island admission fee. A separate island entry fee will be charged when the bus enters Sentosa.

>>> Read more: Easy Ways to Get Around Singapore

Getting to Sentosa is the first easy step in your amazing day out. You can pick the fast monorail for convenience, the boardwalk for savings, or the cable car for incredible views. Whichever you choose, a fantastic time awaits you. Hope you have a great experience on the beautiful Sentosa Island!