Last updated . Facts checked against LTA announcements.
Are you planning to visit Marina Bay Sands or Gardens by the Bay and want to know the best MRT route? The answer depends on your exact destination.
To reach Marina Bay Sands (MBS) and the ArtScience Museum, take the Circle Line or the Downtown Line to Bayfront MRT Station (CE1/DT16) and use Exit C or D. If you are heading straight to the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest or Supertree Grove, take the Thomson-East Coast Line to Gardens by the Bay station (TE22) and take Exit 1.
Both stations serve the wider Marina Bay area, but picking the right one saves you from a sweaty walk in the tropical heat. Read on for the full 2026 breakdown.
Quick Takeaways
- Best for Marina Bay Sands: Bayfront MRT Station (CE1/DT16). Use Exit C or D for direct, air-conditioned access to the mall and hotel.
- Best for Gardens by the Bay: Gardens by the Bay MRT Station (TE22). Exit 1 puts you right beside the conservatories.
- The underground linkway: You can walk between MBS and the Gardens via an air-conditioned underpass accessed from Bayfront Exit B.
- Paying for your ride in 2026: Tap in with a contactless bank card, mobile wallet or EZ-Link/SimplyGo card. No need to queue for a ticket.
How to Choose Your MRT Route to Marina Bay Sands and Gardens
Singapore’s Marina Bay precinct is large. Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay together cover a lot of ground, and getting off at the wrong station can add a long, humid walk to your day.
In 2026 you have two solid options. You can use the well-established Bayfront interchange, which puts you under MBS itself, or the more recent Gardens by the Bay station on the Thomson-East Coast Line, which drops you right at the Gardens entrance. Knowing which suits your itinerary makes a real difference.
Getting around Singapore? Find any station on the interactive MRT map, or save the PDF map to use offline.
The Classic Route: Bayfront MRT Station (CE1/DT16)
Bayfront MRT Station sits directly beneath the Marina Bay Sands complex and is served by both the Circle Line and the Downtown Line. It has been the main entry point for this part of the city for years.
It is the best all-round choice if your day spans several attractions. Shopping at The Shoppes, the ArtScience Museum, the casino, and then a stroll over to the Supertrees in the evening, all flow naturally from this station.
Best exits to use at Bayfront MRT
Follow the overhead signs when you alight, as the station is large. Here is where each relevant exit takes you:
- Exit C and D (Marina Bay Sands): These give you direct, air-conditioned access into The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Exit D is closer to the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, while Exit C leads towards the hotel towers and ArtScience Museum.
- Exit B (Gardens by the Bay linkway): If you arrive at Bayfront but want to head to the Gardens, take Exit B. It connects to an air-conditioned underground linkway, and once you come up above ground you can cross into the Gardens from there.
- Exit E (waterfront promenade): A good choice if you want to step outside straightaway and take in views of Marina Bay before heading into the mall.
If it is raining, stick to Exits C or D. You can spend the whole afternoon dining, shopping and visiting the ArtScience Museum without stepping outside at all.
The Direct Route: Gardens by the Bay MRT Station (TE22)
The Gardens by the Bay MRT Station (TE22), which opened as part of the Thomson-East Coast Line Stage 3, is now the easiest way to reach the park. If you are heading to the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, Floral Fantasy or Satay by the Bay, this station beats Bayfront. You skip the shopping mall crowds entirely and arrive right at the garden’s edge.
Using TE22
The Thomson-East Coast Line (brown on the MRT map) runs directly to this station. Exit 1 brings you to ground level beside Satay by the Bay, with a flat, mostly shaded walk of around 5 minutes to the main conservatory ticket counters. Families with young children or elderly visitors will find this walk considerably shorter than the bridge-crossing approach from Bayfront.
Step-by-Step Routes from Major Tourist Hubs
Here are the fastest MRT routes from Singapore’s most popular starting points.
From Orchard Road
Fastest route: Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), no transfer needed.
Board at Orchard MRT (TE14/NS22) and take the brown Thomson-East Coast Line towards Bayshore. Ride directly to Gardens by the Bay (TE22). The journey takes around 12 minutes.
From Chinatown
Fastest route: Downtown Line (DTL), no transfer needed.
Board the blue Downtown Line at Chinatown MRT (DT19/NE4) towards Expo. Alight three stops later at Bayfront (DT16), which puts you directly below Marina Bay Sands. The ride takes under 10 minutes.
From Changi Airport
Fastest route: East West Line to Expo, then transfer to the Downtown Line.
Board the green East West Line at Changi Airport (CG2) and ride one stop to Expo (CG1/DT35). Transfer to the blue Downtown Line and ride to Bayfront (DT16). The total journey is around 45 minutes with one transfer.
For train timings and schedules, check our guide to Singapore MRT timings and schedules.
Ticketing and Payment
Singapore’s MRT network uses the SimplyGo system, which accepts several payment methods at every fare gantry.
How to Pay for Your Ride
- Contactless bank cards: Tap your Visa, Mastercard or AMEX directly at the gantry. No registration needed.
- Mobile wallets: Apple Pay, Google Wallet and Samsung Pay all work on the network. Make sure your phone has enough battery for the return trip.
- EZ-Link or SimplyGo cards: If you prefer a physical card, pick one up at any passenger service centre or convenience store.
The Singapore Tourist Pass is worth considering if you plan to ride frequently throughout the day. For most visitors making a handful of trips, tapping a contactless bank card is straightforward and fares are calculated by distance. For current fare information and any foreign card policies, check directly with the SimplyGo website or the Land Transport Authority.
Getting There with a Stroller or Wheelchair
Singapore’s MRT network is well set up for wheeled access, but the Marina Bay area has a few things worth knowing before you arrive.
Bayfront MRT has large lifts connecting the concourse directly to the Marina Bay Sands shopping levels. If you are continuing to Gardens by the Bay via the underground linkway, you will need to use a lift to reach the Dragonfly Bridge level, so factor that in.
Gardens by the Bay MRT (TE22) is often the easier option for strollers and wheelchairs. Exit 1 brings you onto a flat, wide, paved path that leads directly towards the conservatories and Supertree Grove area, without any overhead bridges to deal with.
Bayfront vs. Gardens by the Bay MRT: Quick Comparison
Not sure which station suits your plans? This table lays out the key differences so you can decide based on your itinerary.
| Feature | Bayfront MRT Station (CE1/DT16) | Gardens by the Bay MRT Station (TE22) |
| MRT Lines Served | Circle Line (Yellow) & Downtown Line (Blue) | Thomson-East Coast Line (Brown) |
| Best Used For | Marina Bay Sands, ArtScience Museum, Casino | Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, Satay by the Bay |
| Walking Time to MBS | 1-3 minutes (Direct underground connection) | 15-20 minutes (Outdoors through the park) |
| Walking Time to Conservatories | 12-15 minutes (Via underground link & bridge) | 5-7 minutes (Direct, flat outdoor path) |
| Dining Proximity | MBS Food Court (Rasapura Masters), Celebrity Chef Restaurants | Satay by the Bay (Hawker center), Shake Shack |
| Weather Protection | Excellent (Fully integrated indoor mall access) | Moderate (Short outdoor walk required) |
Once you have your route sorted, the Singapore MRT Map on this site can help you plan connections to other attractions.
A Suggested Walking Itinerary for a Full Day
If you want to see both the Gardens and Marina Bay Sands without doubling back, this rough plan works well in practice.
Morning (9:00 AM): Take the Thomson-East Coast Line to Gardens by the Bay MRT (TE22). Use Exit 1 and head straight to the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest while it is still relatively quiet. Both conservatories are air-conditioned, so you will be comfortable regardless of the weather.
Lunch (1:00 PM): Grab lunch at Satay by the Bay or one of the cafes near the Supertree Grove area.
Afternoon (3:00 PM): When the afternoon heat peaks, cross via the Dragonfly Bridge and head into Marina Bay Sands through the underground linkway. The air-conditioned mall makes a welcome break.
Evening (7:00 PM): Have dinner at The Shoppes, visit the ArtScience Museum, then take the Downtown Line or Circle Line home from Bayfront MRT (CE1/DT16). The whole day follows a single linear path, so you never retrace your steps.
Tip: On weekdays, try to avoid Bayfront between around 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM. Evening peak hour brings a lot of commuters through from the financial district, and the station gets busy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a direct MRT to Gardens by the Bay?
Yes. Take the Thomson-East Coast Line to Gardens by the Bay MRT (TE22) and use Exit 1. The exit puts you onto a flat path with a short walk to the conservatories and Supertree Grove.
Can you walk from Marina Bay Sands to Gardens by the Bay?
Yes. An underground linkway connects Marina Bay Sands to Bayfront MRT, and from there you can follow the path to a lift and escalators that bring you up to the Dragonfly Bridge, which leads directly into the Gardens.
What MRT line is Marina Bay Sands on?
Marina Bay Sands is served by Bayfront MRT (CE1/DT16), which is on both the Circle Line and the Downtown Line. Certain exits connect directly to the mall, hotel and convention centre.
How much is the MRT fare to Marina Bay Sands?
Fares are calculated by distance, so the cost depends on where you start. You can pay by tapping a contactless bank card, mobile wallet, or an EZ-Link/SimplyGo card at the gantry.
Does the Singapore Tourist Pass cover these MRT routes?
Yes. The Singapore Tourist Pass gives unlimited travel on MRT and bus services, including the Downtown Line, Circle Line and Thomson-East Coast Line, all of which serve this area.
Frequently asked questions
Can I walk between Gardens by the Bay MRT and Bayfront MRT?
Yes. The walk takes about 15 to 20 minutes through the gardens, or you can follow the underground linkway from Bayfront station to Marina Bay Sands and cross into the gardens from there. Many visitors arrive at one station and leave from the other.
Which MRT line goes to Marina Bay Sands from the East West Line?
There is no East West Line stop at Marina Bay Sands, so change to the Downtown Line at Bugis and ride two stops to Bayfront. From the east you can also change to the Circle Line at Paya Lebar and stay on until Bayfront.
Is the Circle Line now a full loop in 2026?
Yes, the Circle Line became a complete loop on 12 July 2026 when Stage 6 opened with three new stations: Keppel, Cantonment and Prince Edward Road, linking HarbourFront to Marina Bay. This means you can now travel around the loop in either direction, which gives you more flexibility when approaching Bayfront from different parts of the city.
How do I get to Marina Bay Sands from the North East Line?
Board the North East Line and transfer to the Downtown Line at Chinatown station, then ride three stops to Bayfront. The transfer at Chinatown is straightforward as both lines share the same station, and the Downtown Line journey to Bayfront takes under 10 minutes.
Do I need an EZ-Link card to ride the MRT to Marina Bay Sands?
No, you can tap in and out using a contactless bank card or mobile wallet such as Apple Pay or Google Wallet, so a physical card is not required. If you prefer a card you can hold, EZ-Link and SimplyGo cards are available at passenger service centres across the network, as is the Singapore Tourist Pass for visitors planning multiple trips.