Get to Singapore Musical Box Museum super fast and affordably with this detailed guide.
Welcome to the complete guide on how to get to Singapore Musical Box Museum by MRT.
This article will summarize all the most important steps to reach this interesting Museum in downtown Singapore.
Regardless of whether you are visiting for a few days or staying in Singapore, it’s important to know which MRT lines and stations are best for accessing it. The MRT network is extremely well-connected and sets a high standard for public transport around the world.
Getting to Singapore Musical Box Museum via MRT will also save you some cash along the way.
Taxi services and ride-hailing are not required if you ride the MRT because there are several stations within walking distance of the Museum. You also won’t have to think about the parking or traffic headaches on the way to the Musical Box Museum.
Visiting Singapore Musical Box Museum
Singapore Musical Box Museum officially opened its doors to the public on November 3rd, 2015.
If you visit here, you will learn about the historical boxes and how they made their way to Singapore during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Currently, Singapore Musical Box Museum features over 40 antique musical boxes from Switzerland, Germany and the United States of America. If you’re planning a visit here, take note that you can’t just drop into the Museum.
Instead, you must book in advance, and a guided tour is compulsory. Typically, the tour takes around 40 minutes and will be led guide or curator. Admission is free for children, and adults can enter for about $12 at the time of writing.
Getting to Singapore Musical Box Museum using MRT
Step 1: Map out your route to Singapore Musical Box Museum.
When you are ready to travel to Singapore Musical Box Museum by MRT, you have to know which line(s) to take and which station is the most convenient.
We want you to be able to walk to the Museum from the nearest station in only a few minutes because Singapore’s weather can get really hot.
The closest and most convenient station for getting to Musical Box Museum using MRT is
Telok Ayer Station (DT18)
According to its station code, Telok Ayer Station is located along the Downtown (Blue) Line.
Step 2: Find the closest MRT Station.
Once you have mapped out your route to Telok Ayer Station and Singapore Musical Box Museum, the next step is accessing the closest MRT station.
Singapore is well stocked with convenient, clean, world-class hotels to choose from.
We suggest staying within 200-300 metres from a station (if possible) to eliminate the need to get taxis or ride-hailing services all the time.
Here are a few properties that we recommend based on their location beside stations and their high review score from verified guests:
Fairmont Singapore (8.9/10 Review Score) (Esplanade Station)
The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore (9.3/10 Review Score) (City Hall Station)
We have listed the MRT stations beside the hotel review scores (above) for your convenience.
Read More: Best Hotels in Bugis Singapore – The Complete Guide
Step 3: Buy a metro card to reach Singapore Musical Box Museum.
There are two main types of cards for getting to the Box Museum via MRT:
Stored Value Cards
We have experience using both types of cards in Singapore.
But we used a stored value card while figuring out how to get to Singapore Musical Box Museum by MRT. The main thing is to have a balance on the card and then you can use it for bus and train rides around Singapore.
Tourist Passes can also be used on buses and trains. They are designed for foreign tourists and offer unlimited trips for a set period (typically 1-3 days).
Step 4: Take the MRT to Telok Ayer Station (DT18).
Ride the MRT to Telok Ayer Station (DT18).
Refer to the metro map in stations or on trains along the way.
The two closest interchange stations for getting to Telok Ayer Station on the Downtown Line are Chinatown (DT19/NE4) and Bayfront (CE1/DT16).
Step 5: Alight at Telok Ayer Station and access the best station exit.
Alight from the train when you arrive at Telok Ayer Station (DT18).
Bring all of your belongings and prepare to find the most convenient exit for walking to Singapore Musical Box Museum.
Exiting Telok Ayer Station
Telok Ayer MRT Station (DT18) is built underground at the junction of Cross Street and Telok Ayer Street.
It consists of three main levels
Level 1 – Street Level
B1 – Concourse
B2 – Train Platforms A and B
Travel up from the B2 Train Platforms using the elevator, escalator or stairs to access Street Level (Level 1).
Take Exit B at Telok Ayer Station to access Singapore Musical Box Museum.
Step 6: Walk from Telok Ayer Station to Singapore Music Box Museum.
Exit B will bring you onto Telok Ayer Street (known for its beautiful architecture and temples).
Walk south along Telok Ayer Street.
You will see Singapore Musical Box Museum on the western side of the road, right after you pass by Thian Hock Keng Temple.
How long is the walk from Telok Ayer Station to the Museum?
Conveniently, the walk from Telok Ayer Station to Singapore Musical Box Museum is super fast.
It will only take you about 2 minutes, and the total distance is 180 m.
Other MRT Stations to Singapore Musical Box Museum?
The city’s extensive MRT network does offer commuters the opportunity to access Singapore Musical Box Museum from other MRT stations.
They are slightly farther than Telok Ayer Station, but they are still good alternatives. Keep in mind that transferring lines to get to the closest station can often take just as long as walking from the first station.
Here is a summary of the walking times (and distances) to Singapore Musical Box Museum from the closest stations:
Station Name |
Walking Distance toThe Musical Box Museum |
Walking Distance toThe Musical Box Museum |
| Telok Ayer (DT18) | 180 m | 2 minutes |
| Maxwell (TE18) | 600 m | 8 minutes |
| Shenton Way (TE19) | 650 m | 8 minutes |
| Raffles Place (NS26/EW14) | 700 m | 9 minutes |
| Downtown (DT17) | 800 m | 11 minutes |
Telok Ayer is the best one, but all five of these stations are within practical walking distance of the Museum.
Best Places to Visit near Singapore Music Box Museum
Once you are in the vicinity of Singapore Music Box Museum, you should have no problem walking to other points of interest during the same day.
Telok Ayer Street is quite scenic, with a nice selection of restaurants, pubs, cafes and cultural sites.
The closest point of interest relative to the Music Box Museum is Thian Hock Keng Temple (Directions). It is less than a minute northeast of the Museum on the same side of Telok Ayer Street.
Other popular cultural attractions, such as Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (Directions) and Sri Mariamman Temple (Directions) are further west in the heart of Chinatown.
Singapore City Gallery (Directions) and Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre are two other places you can visit.
If you’re looking for delicious hawker food, walk to Lau Pa Sat (Directions) or Maxwell Food Centre.
Best Places to Stay near the Museum
If you stay near Singapore Music Box Museum, you will have direct MRT access and be within walking distance of Chinatown.
Some of the most convenient places to stay near the Museum include:
Wink @ McCallum Street
Ann Siang House
The Clan Hotel Singapore
Travel east if you want to stay in Marina Bay. Here you will find several world-class luxury hotels offering breathtaking views of Singapore’s skyline.
We highly recommend Marina Bay if you have the budget and want a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Singapore.
Some of the best properties near Marina Bay include:
The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore (5-star, rated 9.2/10)
Marina Bay Sands (5-star, rated 9/10)
Remember to always take your time before selecting a place to stay. Prioritize being close to an MRT station to save time and money getting around.
Learn More: Best Hotels in Singapore for Families
Conclusion
Hopefully, this step-by-step guide on how to get to Singapore Musical Box Museum you will get you there smoothly!
As mentioned earlier in the article, there are several MRT stations to choose from when heading to this Museum in downtown Singapore.
Telok Ayer Station is, without question, the closest one to the Musical Box Museum. The walk only takes 2 minutes, and it’s less than 200 meters away.
Maxell and Shenton Way Station are two new stations on the Thomson-East Coast Line. They are both 8 minutes away from the Museum.
The most challenging part of the trip to the Singapore Musical Box Museum is transferring to the correct MRT line to reach your desired terminal station. Telok Ayer is on the Downtown Line, but this is only one of several lines you can take downtown.
Taking a bus from the closest stations to Singapore Musical Box Museum is likely not a practical decision. You’re better off walking because your wait time for a bus time will take even longer than the entire walk.