Want to get from the Airport to Sentosa Island using MRT? This is the complete guide based on our personal experience landing at Changi airport and navigating the MRT all the way to Sentosa.
As you might have heard Changi Airport is regarded as one of the best airports in the world. It’s super organized and well managed which makes it stress-free when you land. One of the clear benefits of landing here is that you will be able to directly access the MRT system from the airport. This eliminates the need of taking an expensive taxi or shuttle into the city center to access attractions such as Sentosa Island, Chinatown and Marina Bay Sands. Because of Singapore’s extensive MRT network, you can actually avoid stepping foot in a single-vehicle the entire time you are here.
Why is Sentosa Island a popular place to visit in Singapore?
Sentosa Island is without question one of Singapore’s primary attractions. One of the reasons why it is so popular is that it has a wide range of things to see and do. In other words, it caters to a lot of different types of travellers.
This island in Singapore has multiple beaches, golf courses and famous family attractions such as Singapore Cable Car, S.E.A Aquarium and waterparks. Let’s not forget the yachting marina and world-class resorts and hotels. This is one of the top family destinations in Singapore and it welcomes millions of people every year. Since Sentosa is so popular there are actually multiple ways of getting there!
This article will focus on train transportation from Changi Airport.
Getting to Sentosa Island from the Airport
Step 1: Access the MRT at the airport by walking to Changi Station
When you land at Changi International Airport in Singapore you will have to first pass through immigration, collect your luggage and then clear customs. Once you have finished these steps follow the airport signs (or ask airport personnel to guide you) directly to Changi MRT Station.
Changi Station will be the first place where you access the MRT system when you land in Singapore. This is where you will have to decide which type of ticket you want to purchase when you are trying to get to Sentosa Island.
Ultimately, there are three main ticket options for the MRT in Singapore:
- Buy a single journey trip ticket using a ticketing machine, or…
- Buy and load up a stored value card
- Purchase a Singapore Tourist Pass
The Singapore Tourist Pass is a type of ‘stored’ card that is designed for tourists visiting Singapore. Therefore, it is marketed to visitors and not residents of Singapore. This card allows you to get unlimited trips for a certain number of days. This also applies to use of buses in Singapore as well.
A stored-value card is another solid option. You buy the card, top it up and then can use it for multiple trips (until the load is used up). Single trip tickets are not usually the best option unless you only use the MRT once or twice. Trips with the stored values card are cheaper than standard single journey tickets. Also, keep in mind that you can bypass lines at ticketing machines if you already have a ‘loaded’ card.
Step 2: Purchase your MRT Ticket to HarbourFront Station
When you are ready to start your journey to Sentosa Island, purchase your ticket (or card) and plan on going to HarbourFront Station. This is the station that you will eventually exit when you want to get to Sentosa.
Step 3: Take the MRT East-West Line to Tanah Merah Station
Get on the train with your luggage and travel two stations west to Tanah Merah MRT Station. This is the second station on the East-West Line after passing Expo Station.
Alight at Tanah Merah if the train is not going further along the East-West Line.
Step 4: Travel along the East-West MRT Line to Outram Park Station
When you arrive at Tanah Merah Station you want to board a train that is heading west along the East-West Line. You will stay on the train for 12 stops until you reach Outram Park Station.
As you approach Outram Park on the MRT you should listen for audio announcements and take a look above the exits. They provide passengers with announcements about upcoming stations on the line. Get close to an exit with your luggage before you arrive. In case you’re wondering, the preceding station to Outram Park is Tanjong Pagar.
Step 5: Transfer at Outram Park from the East-West Line to the North-East Line.
HarbourFront Station is not located on the East-West Line, therefore, you will have to complete one transfer before reaching there.
When you arrive at Outram Park alight from the train and transfer to the North-East Line. This is represented in purple colour on the Singapore MRT Map.
Step 6: Travel one station to HarbourFront, exit and walk to Sentosa Express Monorail Station.
After you have transferred at Outram Park simply take the North-East line one station southwest to HarbourFront. HarbourFront Station is where you will exit Singapore’s MRT system.
Use Exit B to leave HarbourFront Station. Enter VivoCity shopping mall and go up to the third floor of the mall to get to Sentosa Express Monorail Station.
Step 7: Purchase ticket for Sentosa Express to Sentosa Island
The last step in getting to Sentosa Island from the airport is paying for your Sentosa Express train ticket to Sentosa. Once your ticket is paid for, simply board the train for the very short ride over to Sentosa and you have arrived at your destination!
$$$ How much does it cost to get from the airport to Sentosa by train?
Changi to HarbourFront
The price to reach Sentosa Island from Changi Airport will depend on your age and status. In other words, not all passengers will pay the exact same amount for this journey.
If you are using a stored-value card from Changi to HarbourFront it will cost $1.98 for adults. Children and students will pay $0.63 where senior citizens and disabled travellers will pay $0.92. You can expect these prices to change over time.
These are ‘stored-value card’ prices. Expect to pay $2.80 from a ticketing machine for a standard ticket to reach HarbourFront from the airport.
Sentosa Express Monorail Station to Sentosa Island
Once you enter Sentosa Express Monorail Station the prices become much higher than the standard MRT fares, unfortunately. Relevant prices are listed below:
Adults: S$4
Selected TransitLink concession card holders (Senior citizens, persons with disabilities, workfare transport concession cardholders and for primary, secondary, junior college and ITE student concession card holders): S$2
Children under 3 years old: Free Admission
How long does it take to travel from Changi Airport to Sentosa Island?
If you are planning on taking the MRT and then the Sentosa Express all the way to Sentosa island then you have to add up the time for each component of this trip.
The MRT ride from Changi Airport to HarbourFront should take you about 58 minutes. Then, the ride from Sentosa Express Monorail Station to Sentosa Island should take around 20 minutes (this includes walking from the MRT, buying a ticket and riding the train).
Overall, expect the ride from the airport to Sentosa Island to take about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Keep in mind that this is just an approximation and this could change if trains are busy and lots of people are heading to Sentosa.
Where should you stay on Sentosa Island in Singapore?
There is no better way to relax in Singapore and then spending a few nights on Sentosa Island. There are multiple beaches for you to capture amazing ocean views. Also, the island is well-stocked with many world-class hotels and resorts for you to choose from. Obviously, a lot of families travel to Sentosa because of Resorts World and other premier attractions on the island that cater to children.
Consequently, where you stay will really depend on your budget and whether or not you’re travelling with children. The top-rated properties are quite expensive on Sentosa but they are super nice:
Capella Singapore (5-star, rated 9/10)
Capella The Club Residences Singapore (5-star, rated 8.8/10)
The Outpost Hotel Sentosa by Far East Hospitality (5-star, rated 8.9/10)
W Singapore – Sentosa Cove (5-star, rated 8.7/10)
These (above) are all top tier properties with awesome service standards. If you are looking for something more affordable and family-friendly, try:
Resorts World Sentosa Festive Hotel (5-star, rated 7.5/10)
Siloso Beach Resort Sentosa (4-star, rated 7.5/10)
There seems to be a bit of a mark up for hotel prices on Sentosa in general, so be sure to double-check prices within the city centre as well before finalizing your room. Also, take note that we don’t have a direct partnership with any of the properties listed above. Ratings are based on leading accommodation websites at the time of writing and therefore subject to change over time.
Any more questions about your trip?
One of the benefits of visiting Sentosa Island is that you are not going to run out of things to do. On the other hand, this is one of the most developed islands in the world for tourism.
When we first went to Sentosa we were amazed by the number of attractions. It actually seemed overwhelming because there are so many choices available. Should you go to the beach, waterpark, theme park or aquarium? I think you get the idea.
After you take the MRT from the airport to Sentosa for the first time maybe try to just explore the island during the first day to get an idea of where everything is. On day two make some more important decisions about where you should go and what you should do.
We have tried our best to outline the steps on how to get from the airport to Sentosa Island using MRT. If for some reason we have missed something please send us an email or a comment. We would be more than happy to assist you further.