Things to Do

Theme Park & Zoo Guides

Rides, animals and night safaris: plan the big family days out and save on tickets.

This page collects EatStays guides to Singapore theme parks, zoos and wildlife parks. Use it to plan a big family day at Universal Studios Singapore, the zoo or the Night Safari. Below, we compare the main parks and share tips on tickets, timing and beating the queues.

Plan it with EatStays: Night Safari and Family Fun.

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Singapore theme parks and wildlife parks at a glance

Singapore theme parks and zoos fit easily into a short trip. Most sit in two areas. Sentosa, a resort island off the south coast, has Universal Studios Singapore and several smaller attractions. Mandai, in the green north of the island, has the zoo, the Night Safari, River Wonders and Bird Paradise. Each big park needs most of a day or an evening, so plan one main park per day.

Sentosa: Universal Studios and more

Universal Studios Singapore is a film-themed park with rides, shows and themed zones. Teenagers and adults come for the thrill rides, and younger children have gentler rides too. Allow a full day.

Other Sentosa options include:

Mega Adventure Park, with a zip line and high ropes.
Madame Tussauds Singapore, a wax figure museum.
Wings of Time, an evening show by the sea with water, light and fire effects.
Palawan Beach, a free beach for a slower afternoon.

Reach Sentosa on the Sentosa Express monorail from VivoCity, beside HarbourFront MRT station. You can also walk across the Sentosa Boardwalk. The Singapore Cable Car is a scenic option. For a full plan, see Sentosa Island Day Out.

Mandai: the zoo, Night Safari and more

Singapore Zoo: an open-style zoo where many animals live in natural-looking areas with hidden barriers. Allow half a day.
Night Safari: a wildlife park you visit after dark, by tram and on walking trails. It shows animals that are active at night.
River Wonders: a river-themed wildlife park with animals from famous rivers around the world.
Bird Paradise: a bird park with large walk-through aviaries.

You can pair the zoo or River Wonders by day with the Night Safari in the evening. There is no MRT station at Mandai. Most visitors take a shuttle bus or public bus from a nearby MRT station, or a taxi.

How to choose a park and save on tickets

Which park suits you?

Thrill rides and films: Universal Studios Singapore.
Young children and animal lovers: Singapore Zoo or Bird Paradise.
Something different: the Night Safari.
Free and quirky: Haw Par Villa, an outdoor park of statues and scenes from Chinese myths and legends.

Ticket tips for Singapore theme parks

Buy online from the official park websites before you go. Online tickets are often cheaper and let you skip the ticket counter.
Look for combined tickets if you plan to visit more than one Mandai park.
Universal Studios Singapore sells an express pass for shorter ride queues, at extra cost.
Prices change often, so check the latest prices before you buy.

Tips for a smooth day out

Arrive at opening time. Queues are shortest early in the day.
Go on a weekday. Avoid weekends, public holidays and school holidays if you can.
Plan for heat and rain. Bring a hat, sunscreen, water and a rain poncho. Some outdoor rides pause during lightning.
Eat early or late. Park food outlets get busy at lunch.
Stay nearby. A Sentosa hotel such as Hotel Michael (Resorts World Sentosa) cuts travel time to Universal Studios. See Sentosa Resorts for more options.

For more family ideas, read Things to Do With Kids in Singapore: 12 Family Ideas.

FAQs about Singapore theme parks and zoos

How many days do I need for Singapore's theme parks and zoos?

Plan one full day for Universal Studios Singapore. The zoo and the Night Safari fit into one long day together. Add another day for Bird Paradise or River Wonders.

Can you visit the zoo and the Night Safari on the same day?

Yes. Both are in Mandai, close to each other. Many visitors spend the afternoon at the zoo, have dinner, then enter the Night Safari.

Is Universal Studios Singapore good for young children?

Yes. There are gentle rides and shows for younger children. Some rides have height limits, so check them before you go.

How do I get to Singapore Zoo?

Take the MRT to a nearby station, then a shuttle bus or public bus to Mandai. A taxi or ride-hailing car is quicker from the city centre.

Are there free theme parks in Singapore?

Haw Par Villa is free to enter. It is an older park of colourful statues and scenes from Chinese myths and legends.