The first time I walked the OCBC Skyway, I did it for the wrong reason. A friend visiting from Jakarta had been told by three different people that the "tree walk" was the thing to do at Gardens by the Bay, and I, a person who had lived in Singapore long enough to be smug about it, nodded along without having done it myself in years. We went on a Tuesday afternoon, it started to drizzle halfway across, and we ended up standing under one of the Supertree canopies, forty-odd metres from anywhere dry, laughing like idiots because the whole city had gone silver and blurry around us. That is the walk I remember. Not the photos. The drizzle, the hum of the Supertrees, and the weird feeling of being in a forest that somebody designed on a drawing board.
This guide is what I wish I had read before that first visit, and what I now tell friends when they ask. It covers how the Skyway actually works, what is free and what is not, how to fit it into a half day or a full day at Gardens by the Bay, when to go, what it costs to put the rest of the day together, and the small practical things nobody puts on the signboards. I have also corrected a few details that older versions of this page got wrong, so if you read the earlier edition, treat this one as the replacement.
What the OCBC Skyway actually is
Let us start with the plain facts, because a lot of the confusion online comes from people mixing the Skyway up with other things at Gardens by the Bay.
The OCBC Skyway is an elevated walkway that links two of the giant Supertrees in the Supertree Grove. It is roughly 128 metres long and hangs about 22 metres above the ground. You are not on the very top of the Supertrees, which rise to around 50 metres, but you are high enough that the canopy of the shorter trees sits at about eye level, and you can look down onto the tops of the grove, the paths, and the people who look suddenly very small. It is a walkway, not a ride. There is no queue for a vehicle, no harness, and no schedule. You climb up (by lift, which is the sensible way), you walk across, you look around, you walk back or down.
Two things worth getting straight early. First, the Skyway is a separate paid entry from the rest of the grove. Walking among the Supertrees at ground level costs nothing, and so does the evening light show. The Skyway, the two big climate-controlled conservatories (Flower Dome and Cloud Forest), and the other paid zones each have their own ticketing. Second, the Skyway is not part of the visitor centre, and it is not connected to the Cloud Forest dome. Earlier versions of this article suggested you could see the Cloud Forest waterfall from the walkway. You can see the big glass domes in the distance, but the waterfall is inside the dome, so no.
If I had to describe it in one line: it is the cheapest way at Gardens by the Bay to get a bird's-eye feeling of the place, and it works best as a short, deliberate stop in a longer day rather than the main event.
| Quick facts | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Length | About 128 metres end to end |
| Height | Around 22 metres above ground |
| Time needed | 20 to 40 minutes including the lift and photo stops |
| Ticketing | Separate from the conservatories and from the free grove |
| Weather | Open air, partly sheltered; the canopy does not keep out a proper storm |
| Best for | Views, photos, families with kids who like heights, people who like being outdoors |
| Skip if | You are uneasy with heights or want something strenuous |
Opening times and the exact entry price change from time to time, and the Skyway can close at short notice for weather or maintenance, so check the day before you go and do not trust a number you saw on a blog post from two years ago, including this one. What I can tell you is that the walkway generally operates during the daytime and into the evening, and that the staff will turn you around if lightning is nearby. That has happened to me once, and it was the right call.
Getting there without wasting your energy
Gardens by the Bay sits in Marina Bay, and the easiest way to arrive is by MRT. Take the train to Bayfront station and follow the signs. The underground link from Bayfront runs through the Marina Bay Sands complex and pops you out beside the Gardens. Here is the part that costs people twenty minutes: the walk from Bayfront to the Supertree Grove through the covered link is perfectly pleasant, but it is long and it is easy to get turned around in the mall. If you just want the Grove, follow the Gardens by the Bay signs, not the shopping signs.
Another option is Gardens by the Bay station on the Thomson-East Coast line, which drops you closer to the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome side. From there it is a stroll along the water to the Grove. I prefer arriving this way when I plan to see the conservatories first, because you move naturally from one area to the next without doubling back.
If you are coming from a hotel with children or older relatives, and the heat is heavy, a direct transfer can save a lot of grumbling. HolidaySG lists a door-to-door transfer between hotels and the big Singapore attractions, including Gardens by the Bay, which is worth a look if you are travelling with a group. You can see it here: Singapore hotel transfers to major attractions, from S$39.37.
A final point on getting around: Singapore taxis and ride-hailing cars can drop you right at the Gardens' main entrance, but the traffic around Marina Bay builds up in the evening before the light show. If you plan to leave right after the show, expect to queue for a ride or walk to the station with several thousand other people. I will come back to this in the evening section.
What you will see from the walkway
Everyone tells you the view is great and then fails to describe it, so let me try. The walkway runs over the Supertree Grove, so the first thing you notice is the canopies of the trees around you. They are covered in living plants, thousands of ferns, orchids and climbers, and from the Skyway you are close enough to see that they are not decorative plastic. The leaves have the slightly dusty look of real plants growing in the tropics. On a still day you can hear the hum of the ventilation and, in the late afternoon, the cicada-like buzz of the garden's insects.
Look one direction and you see the Marina Bay Sands towers with the boat-shaped SkyPark balanced across the top. Look another and you see the Singapore Flyer and the downtown towers. On a clear day, the line of container ships waiting out in the Singapore Strait is visible past the Marina Barrage. If you have visited the observation deck on top of the big hotel, you will find the Skyway view is the opposite sort of experience: lower, greener, more intimate, and you are looking at the Supertrees themselves rather than over everything.
Below you, the Grove spreads like a stage set. You can watch people lying on the ground looking up, kids running between the trunks, and the occasional wedding photographer positioning a couple. In the evening, you are looking at the same space but with the lights coming up. We will get to that.
One honest note: the walkway is narrow, and the floor is a mesh that lets you see through it in places. Most people are fine with this. A small number look down once, feel their stomach lurch, and walk very quickly. If you know you are one of them, go early when it is quiet so you can take it at your own speed, and keep your eyes on the horizon.
The best time to go, tested the hard way
I have walked the Skyway at nine in the morning, at one in the afternoon, at sunset and after dark, and each is a different experience. Here is how I would rank them for different kinds of visitors.
Early morning. If you want the walkway almost to yourself, go when it opens. The light is soft, the heat has not built up, and you can take photos without strangers in them. The downside is that the sun is lower in the east, which puts the Marina Bay Sands skyline in slightly flat light for photos. Still, for calm and comfort, it is hard to beat. This is also my recommendation for families with young children who melt down by lunchtime.
Midday. I would avoid it unless the sky is overcast. The sun is brutal, the metal rails get warm, and there is little shade on the walkway itself. Singapore sun at noon is not an abstract concept. Bring water and a hat if you have no choice.
Late afternoon into dusk. This is the sweet spot for most people. The heat drops, the light turns golden, and if you time it right you can be on the Skyway as the lights come on. You will share it with more people, so expect a short wait to get onto the walkway at busy times, but the payoff is the transition from day to night over the Supertrees.
After dark. The Supertrees are lit up and the whole garden feels theatrical. It is the most photogenic time. It is also the most crowded, and the walkway can feel tight at peak. If you want the evening mood without the crush, aim for a weekday.
| Time of day | Crowds | Heat | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening time | Light | Mild | Soft, a bit flat |
| Late morning | Building | Hot | Harsh shadows |
| Afternoon | Moderate | Hottest | Bright, contrasty |
| Golden hour | Busy | Easing | Warm, excellent |
| Evening | Busiest | Comfortable | Dramatic, lit trees |
On the season, Singapore does not have four of them. It has a drier stretch, roughly February to April, and a wetter stretch toward the end of the year, with showers that can appear without warning at any time. I have been caught in a downpour in July and sunbaked in December. The practical advice is the same all year: carry a compact umbrella, which doubles as sun cover, and have a plan B for the hour you lose if the Skyway pauses for lightning.
The free evening show you should not skip
Every evening, the Supertree Grove runs a light and music show called Garden Rhapsody. It is free, it lasts around fifteen minutes, and it is performed twice a night, usually at 7.45 pm and 8.45 pm, though you should check the day's schedule because times can shift. The Supertrees pulse and change colour in time to a soundtrack that rotates between film themes and classical pieces. It is a gentle, slightly cheesy, thoroughly enjoyable thing.
Here is where people go wrong. Most visitors stand at the base of the Grove and lie back on the ground to look up. That is a great way to see it, and I recommend doing it at least once. But if you also want to be on the Skyway while the show is running, you need to plan the timing. The walkway has limited capacity, and in the half hour before the show it can be quite busy. Arrive early, get up onto the walkway before the show starts, and stay put. Bear in mind that you will be seeing the show from above and to the side, which is a different, less symmetrical view than from the ground, and some people prefer the ground view.
My compromise, and what I would suggest to a friend: do the Skyway at golden hour, come down, grab a drink or something light to eat, then lie on the ground for the show. You get both perspectives and neither feels rushed.
If you want a guided evening that takes in the show alongside the rest of the Marina Bay waterfront, there is a night walk that is timed for exactly this: Marina Bay night walk with Spectra and Garden Rhapsody, from S$77.21. It suits people who would rather have a guide handle the route and the timing than figure out the crowds on their own.
Building the rest of your day at Gardens by the Bay
The Skyway on its own is a short activity. Most people combine it with something else, and the way you combine it matters, because Gardens by the Bay is large and the walking adds up. Here are the three combinations I would actually recommend.
The relaxed half day
Go in the late afternoon. Spend an hour wandering the outdoor gardens, which are free, walk the Skyway at golden hour, then settle in for the evening show. This costs the least and suits couples, solo travellers and anyone who has seen the conservatories before. If you want a ticket that covers the general entry to the Gardens' paid zones, there is an option listed here: Gardens by the Bay tickets, from S$33.94.
The full day with the domes
Start with the two conservatories in the morning when you are fresh. The Flower Dome is the cooler, calmer one, a huge glass greenhouse with plants from Mediterranean-type climates. The Cloud Forest is the one with the indoor waterfall and the misty walkways, and it is genuinely cool in temperature, which feels wonderful in the middle of the day. Have lunch, rest for an hour, then take the Skyway in the late afternoon and finish with the show. A combination ticket covering both domes is the practical way to do it, and the one HolidaySG lists also bundles a ride on an open-top bus: Gardens by the Bay 2 Domes with a FunVee open-top bus ride, from S$41.46.
The family adventure
With kids, I would add something that makes them run around and feel like they are doing something rather than just looking. There is a treasure hunt at the Gardens that turns the whole site into a puzzle for about an hour and a half: Treasure Race at Gardens by the Bay, from S$24.57. I have seen groups of cousins and friends take it far too seriously, which is half the fun. Follow it with the Skyway, and the children will feel they earned the view.
| Plan | Time | Best for | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relaxed half day | 3 to 4 hours | Couples, solo, repeat visitors | Low |
| Full day with domes | 6 to 8 hours | First-timers, plant lovers | Medium |
| Family adventure | 4 to 5 hours | Kids, groups of friends | Medium to high |
| Guided walk with a local | 3 to 4 hours | Visitors who want the story behind it | Low |
What it really costs to do the day
The old version of this article quoted a single price range for the Skyway and told you to look on the official site. I would rather give you a feel for how the budget works, because the walkway is only one of several line items. The general pattern is this: the grove and the outdoor gardens cost nothing, the Skyway is a modest add-on, the conservatories cost more, and the guided or combined options cost more again but save you planning.
Prices move with promotions and seasons, so treat the figures below as starting points and confirm them when you book. They are the "from" prices currently listed on HolidaySG for the activities that pair naturally with a Skyway visit.
| Activity | From | Why add it |
|---|---|---|
| Gardens by the Bay general entry | S$33.94 | Covers the main paid zones |
| Two domes plus open-top bus | S$41.46 | The classic full-day combination |
| Treasure Race | S$24.57 | Turns the visit into a game |
| Marina Bay night walk with the shows | S$77.21 | Guided, timed for the light show |
| SkyPark Observation Deck | S$35.00 | The high-rise counterpart to the Skyway |
| ArtScience Museum | S$20.00 | A rainy-hour backup next door |
| Sampan ride | S$11.00 | A short, quirky add-on |
Beyond tickets, budget for food and drink. Inside the Gardens, you will find a few cafes and a couple of sit-down restaurants, and the prices are what you would expect for a major tourist site: higher than a hawker centre, lower than a hotel. If you want to save money and eat better, walk over to the food centre near the bay, or plan your meal at a hawker stall before or after the Gardens. I have never regretted eating satay somewhere other than the most obvious spot.
A note on how to buy. If you book through HolidaySG, you choose your date, your tickets are confirmed by our team, and e-tickets are emailed once that confirmation is done. That means you should book ahead rather than hoping to sort it out at the gate, especially on weekends and public holidays. Please do not leave it to the same afternoon: there is a lead time on most attraction bookings, so plan at least a day ahead.
The high-rise alternative: SkyPark, and why I do both
People ask me whether they should do the Skyway or the SkyPark Observation Deck at Marina Bay Sands. My honest answer is that they are different, and if you have the time and the budget, do both, on different days or at different times.
The SkyPark is up on the 57th floor, so you see the entire city, the harbour, the ships, and the Gardens below you. It gives you scale, the big sweeping picture. The Skyway gives you intimacy, the sense of being among the trees. If you are choosing only one and you care about greenery and photography with the Supertrees in the frame, pick the Skyway. If you care about the skyline and the harbour, pick the SkyPark. The deck ticket is here: SkyPark Observation Deck at Marina Bay Sands, from S$35.00.
A practical pairing: do the SkyPark in the early evening for the sunset, and note the Supertree Grove glowing below you as it gets dark. Next day, come back and walk the Skyway so you get to stand in the spot you were looking at. It is a nice way to close the loop.
Photography tips from a lot of bad photos
I took a lot of poor photos on the Skyway before I figured out what works. Here is the short list.
Shoot toward the sun, not into it. In the afternoon the light flattens the Supertrees if you shoot with the sun behind the skyline. Walk to the other end of the walkway and the lighting changes.
Use the people for scale. The Supertrees look huge, but a photo with nobody in it can read as a model. Wait for a few people to walk across the lower paths so the scale comes through.
Do not hold your phone over the rail. This is a rule for your own sake. Phones fall, and the ground is twenty-two metres down. Use a wrist strap if you have one. I saw a phone fall once, and the owner's face is something I would rather not remember.
Wait for blue hour. The twenty minutes after sunset, when the sky is deep blue and the Supertrees are lit, produce the best images. A steady hand and a phone on night mode are enough. You do not need a tripod, and tripods are not welcome on a narrow walkway with other people on it.
Capture the walkway itself. From the ground, the Skyway looks like a delicate bridge between the trunks. A shot from below, a couple of minutes before you go up, is a nice companion to the view from the top.
Practical things nobody tells you
What to wear. Light clothes, comfortable shoes with grip, and a layer for the Cloud Forest if you plan to go in, because it is deliberately cool and damp inside. The walkway floor is mesh, so heels and thin sandals are a bad idea.
What to bring. Water, sunscreen, a compact umbrella, a small bag that sits on your front, and a charged phone. Singapore is a card-and-phone city, so a little cash is enough.
What to leave. Large bags and bulky items. The walkway is narrow, and you will be glad to be unencumbered.
Accessibility. The Gardens are generally well set up for wheelchairs and prams, with lifts and ramps across most of the site, and the Skyway is reached by lift. That said, details change, so contact the Gardens before you go if you have specific mobility needs, rather than relying on my memory or an old page. Quiet times are kinder for anyone who needs space and time.
Safety. Stay behind the rails, keep children by the hand, and follow staff instructions, especially if the walkway is cleared for weather. Do not lean, do not throw anything, and do not climb on anything that is not meant to be climbed.
Rain. The walkway pauses during lightning and may be closed in heavy storms. Singapore weather changes quickly, so build in a buffer. If you get rained out, the conservatories and the museum next door are your fallback.
Toilets and water. There are facilities spread across the Gardens, and you will not be far from one, but they get busy before the evening show. Go before you queue.
Visas. If you are coming from overseas, entry rules depend on your passport, and they change. Check with Singapore's immigration authority before you travel. If you would like help with the paperwork, HolidaySG offers visa assistance for many destinations. Ticket prices at the Gardens are the same whatever your nationality.
Making a longer Marina Bay day of it
Gardens by the Bay does not stand alone. It is one stop in a cluster of attractions around the bay, and with a bit of planning you can fold several into one trip without rushing. I like to think of it as three zones.
The first is the waterfront on the Gardens side, where you will find the Skyway, the Grove and the domes. The second is the Marina Bay Sands complex, with the SkyPark, the museum, the shops, and the little canal where you can take a sampan ride. If you want a quiet, quirky half hour, the canal ride is a pleasant surprise: Sampan rides at Marina Bay Sands, from S$11.00. The third zone is the waterfront promenade and the old city across the bridge, which you can reach on foot.
The museum next door is a good rainy-day insurance policy. If the weather turns, you can pivot to the exhibitions without losing a day: ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands, from S$20.00.
If you prefer a story to go with your sightseeing, a guided private tour combines the Gardens with a food stop at the satay stalls. It is a splurge, and it suits small groups or families who would like a local to handle the logistics and the explanations: Gardens and Satay by the Bay private guided tour, from S$236.15.
And if what you want is a gentler dose of greenery, the National Orchid Garden is worth a half day on its own, and it costs much less than you would expect: National Orchid Garden, from S$10.14. It makes a good counterpoint to the engineered Supertrees, since it shows you what plants look like when they simply grow.
A sample day I would actually follow
If a friend asked me for an itinerary, this is the one I would give them, with the caveat that you should adjust for weather and energy.
| Time | Plan | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 9.00 am | Arrive, start with the conservatories | Cooler, calmer, fewer people |
| 12.00 pm | Lunch and rest in the shade | Avoid peak heat |
| 2.00 pm | Optional extra: museum or open-top bus | A flexible slot for rain or tired legs |
| 5.30 pm | OCBC Skyway at golden hour | Get up before the crowd |
| 7.00 pm | Snack, then find a spot at the Grove | Arrive early for a good patch of ground |
| 7.45 pm | Garden Rhapsody show | Lie back and look up |
| 8.30 pm | Walk to the station or the waterfront | Leave before the second show crowd, or after it |
One more suggestion on timing. The second show of the evening is usually quieter than the first. If you can stomach staying later, aim for the second one and you will have more elbow room. The trains also thin out a little after the second show finishes, though not as much as you would hope.
Mistakes I see first-timers make
I have watched enough visitors at Gardens by the Bay to spot the repeat mistakes. Here are the main ones, so you can avoid them.
Arriving at noon. The heat is at its worst and the walkway offers little shade. Move your Skyway visit to late afternoon, and use the middle of the day for the air-conditioned domes.
Trying to do everything. Gardens by the Bay is large. If you try to see every zone in one afternoon, you will end up tired and cranky. Choose two or three things and do them well.
Ignoring the free parts. Some visitors spend all their budget on tickets and never lie under the Supertrees at night, which is free and arguably the highlight. Leave time for the free things.
Skipping the booking. Weekends and school holidays fill up. Book your paid attractions a day or more ahead, and give yourself a buffer for the weather.
Forgetting the journey home. The evening exit is crowded. Decide in advance whether you will walk, take the train, or wait for a ride, and do not leave it to the last minute.
Wearing the wrong shoes. Between the walkway mesh and the long paths, flip-flops and heels are poor choices. Choose supportive shoes you do not mind getting a little damp.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the OCBC Skyway take?
The walk itself takes about ten to fifteen minutes at an unhurried pace. With the lift, a few photos and a pause to look around, most people spend between twenty and forty minutes. The earlier version of this guide said an hour, which is generous unless you are a keen photographer.
Is the Skyway included with other tickets at Gardens by the Bay?
Not automatically. The Skyway, the conservatories and other paid zones are ticketed separately, while the outdoor gardens and the Supertree Grove at ground level are free. Check what your chosen ticket covers before you buy, since combinations differ.
Can I watch the evening light show from the Skyway?
Yes, and many people do, but it is a different view from the ground and the walkway can be crowded. Arrive early to secure a spot. Many visitors prefer lying on the ground at the base of the Grove, so you may want to see the show once from each place on different nights.
Is the OCBC Skyway suitable for young children and older visitors?
Generally yes. It is reached by lift and the walkway is flat, but it is narrow and open to the air, and some children and adults dislike the height. Hold small children's hands, and use a baby carrier rather than a bulky pram if you can. Check current accessibility details with the Gardens before you go.
What happens if it rains?
Light rain is usually fine. During lightning or heavy storms the walkway may be paused or closed for safety. Keep a plan B, such as the air-conditioned domes or the museum, and carry a compact umbrella.
Do foreign visitors pay a different price?
No. Prices at the Gardens are the same whatever your nationality. Entry into Singapore is a separate matter and depends on your passport, so check the official immigration requirements before you travel. HolidaySG can help with visa assistance for many destinations.
Where can I book tickets?
You can book Gardens by the Bay tickets and combinations online with HolidaySG. Choose your date, and once our team confirms your booking, your e-tickets are emailed to you. Book at least a day ahead, and earlier for weekends and holidays.
Should I do the Skyway or the SkyPark?
They are different experiences. The Skyway puts you among the Supertrees at around 22 metres, while the SkyPark gives you a sweeping skyline view from the 57th floor. If you can, do both. If you can only choose one, pick the Skyway for greenery and the SkyPark for the skyline.
Featured experiences in this guide
Plan your Gardens by the Bay day
Pick your tickets, choose your date, and we will email your e-tickets once our team confirms your booking.
See Gardens by the Bay ticketsThe short version
If you take one thing from this guide, let it be this: the OCBC Skyway is a small, lovely thing that rewards good timing. Go when the light is soft, walk it slowly, and pair it with the free evening show and one or two well-chosen activities. Keep your plan loose enough to survive a rain shower, wear shoes with grip, and book your paid tickets a day or more ahead. Do that, and you will have a better time than most of the people standing around you checking their phones.
And if it starts to drizzle halfway across, do what we did. Stop, look around, and enjoy being up in a made-up forest in the middle of a city. It is a good place to be caught out.
