This is the complete guide on how to get to Singapore Night Safari by MRT. We have written this article to make sure that you have a stress-free and fast transit to the Night Safari. This is one of Singapore’s best and most famous attractions (Tickets available online).
The one thing that we have learned about travelling in Singapore is that the MRT and public transportation network is phenomenal. We highly recommend that you try to avoid getting into private vehicles in Singapore. Staying beside an MRT station and taking the MRT not only is more environmentally friendly but you can also save some serious cash by opting for public transportation.
It actually isn’t possible to make it directly to the Night Safari by only using the MRT. Consequently, we will provide you with a thorough overview of how to take the MRT to specific stations in the city and then how to transfer to a bus. The bus will then transport you to the Safari for a night of great experiences.
Why should you visit Singapore Night Safari?
Singapore Night Safari is considered to be the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park. It is one of Singapore’s best and most famous family attractions. The Safari attracts around 1.3 million annual visitors and definitely a must-see while you are in the city!
Not only is Singapore Night Safari considered to be a truly innovative attraction, it is also massive and features a wide selection of animals. At the time of writing the Safari has approximately 900 animals and 100 different species. The Safari spans 35-hectares leaving plenty of room for animals to move around.
Similar to the Singapore Zoo, the Night Safari has a clear focus on conservation and biodiversity.
Almost 41% of the species present in Singapore night safari are considered to be threatened. The park emphasizes the importance of breeding threatened species. There are numerous threatened species that the park has bred over the last decade. Some examples include Asian elephants, Malayan tapirs, Asian lions Malayan tigers among others.
Orientation and Experience
The Singapore Night Safari experience consists of a 40-minute tram ride. While on the tram you will travel through six distinct regions. A few examples include the Himalayan Foothills and Southeast Asian Jungle. As you move through the park you will see animals from different areas around the world. Not only is this an exciting experience, but it also educates visitors as well.
An interesting activity that you might want to check out at Singapore Night Safari is the experiential dining called the “Gourmet Safari Express”. This is a highly recommended and memorable experience for sure!
Awards and Recognition for Singapore Night Safari
Singapore Night Safari has a very positive reputation throughout Southeast Asia. Actually, many visitors to the city have this as #1 on their ‘to-do list’.
It has also received countless awards over the years.
Some examples include the Singapore Experience Award for Best Visitor Attraction and Singapore Superbrand Award. In 2010 it received the Asian Attraction Award.
All of these Awards suggest that you were going to get a very organized and well-planned experience when you visit Singapore Night Safari.
Now, we will outline how to get to Singapore Night Safari directly below!
BOOK SINGAPORE NIGHT SAFARI TICKETS ONLINE
Getting to Singapore Night Safari using MRT
Step 1: Find a hotel within 1-2 minutes of an MRT Station.
One cool thing about getting to Singapore Night Safari is that there are multiple ways to get there using public transportation. Therefore, you cannot get there directly using MRT, but a combination of train and bus.
Regardless of which way you get to the safari, it is a very smart idea to stay as close as possible to an MRT station. Singapore’s public transportation network is cheap, safe, and fast.
When you book a hotel near an MRT station you also save valuable time because you are avoiding traffic in the downtown area of the city. And let’s not forget about the environment as well.
There are countless properties within walking distance of stations throughout the city. Keep in mind that you want to be the only one or two minutes away so that you avoid Singapore’s extreme heat during the afternoon hours.
Included a few suggestions below that we know are very very close to MRT stations. As you can see by the reviews for it listed below they are also well-managed and well-received by guests.
Fairmont Singapore (5-star, rated 9/10 based on reviews). Very close to Esplanade Station.
The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore (5-star, rated 9.3/10 based on reviews. One minute from City Hall Station.
We do not have a direct partnership with any of these properties, but we are willing to share them to get you thinking about where you should stay.
There are also tons of other options available so make sure that you check out the map of Singapore accommodation before you book.
Step 2: Get an MRT Ticket to Khatib, Choa Chu Kang, or Ang Mo Kio Station.
When you leave your hotel or apartment and you are ready to go to Singapore night Safari you have to get your ticket organized.
Technically, there are three different MRT stations that you can go to in order to eventually reach the Night Safari:
Khatib Station
Choa Chu Kang Station
Ang Mo Kio Station
All three of these stations are located on the North-South Line. This line is represented the in red colour on Singapore’s train map.
The station that you choose really depends on your location when you were staying in Singapore. We often recommend going to Khatib Station because there is a dedicated shuttle from there to Singapore Night Safari.
Types of Tickets/Cards to Choose From
We have summarized them below for your convenience.
- Singapore Tourist Passes
- Stored-value cards
We have written a complete guide on how to buy MRT tickets in Singapore. Read this if you want very specific information about each one of these options.
***Inside tip: Try to use a stored-value card (such as an EZlink Card for this journey) because it works for both buses and the MRT.
Regardless of what kind of ticket you end up using, make sure you are traveling to one of the three aforementioned stations on the way to the Night Safari.
We strongly recommend buying a Multiple Attraction Pass to go along with your Tourist Pass. You can save up to 52% when you buy several passes at the same making it an awesome deal. At this point, over 200,000 of these passes have been sold!
Step 3: Take the North-South Line to Khatib, Choa Chu Kang, or Ang Mo Kio Station
Ride the MRT along the North-South Line until you reach one of the following stations: Khatib, Choa Chu Kang, or Ang Mo.
Regardless of what station you are travelling to, keep in mind that there are a few things on the train that will remind you of upcoming stations.
The first and most obvious one is the verbal announcements that will be made. These should alert you of what is the next station on the line. Secondly, refer to the signs above the exit doors.
Step 4: Alight at Khatib, Choa Chu Kang, or Ang Mo Kio Station
Get off the train at your intended station. You have three stations to choose from and all of them have a bus that goes to the Singapore Night Safari.
There is a slight difference, however, between these stations.
Khatib Station has a dedicated shuttle that goes directly to Singapore Night Safari called the Mandai Katib Shuttle. If you get off at Choa Chu Kang and Ang Mo Station you will get on a public bus.
Exiting Khatib MRT Station…
Exiting Choa Chu Kang MRT Station…
Exiting Ang Mo Kio MRT Station…
Step 5: Take the bus from Choa Chu Kang, or Ang Mo Kio Station to Singapore Night Safari
Option 1: If you take the MRT to Choa Chu Kang Station then wait for bus number 927 to go to Singapore Night Safari.
Option 2: Alternatively, if you get off at Ang Mo Station, be prepared to take bus number 138.
Option 3: Khatib Station has the Mandai Katib Shuttle that transports passengers to Singapore Night Safari.
Try to pay for this bus ride with the same stored-value card that you used for the MRT.
Pay using an EZlink card or a NETS Flashpay card. Don’t plan on using cash for these bus rides!
Come prepared and have a card loaded with cash and ready.
Step 6: Get off at Singapore Night Safari and walk to the entrance.
Once you get off the bus, simply follow the signs to the Night Safari.
Since this one of Singapore’s premier attractions, you should have no problem figuring out where you need to go from the bus!
Common questions about taking the MRT to Singapore Night Safari
In the section below we answer some of the common questions that travellers have had when they are going to Singapore Night Safari using a combination of MRT and bus.
When does the Mandai Khatib shuttle open and close?
Heading from the station to the Night Safari:
The first bus leaves from Khatib MRT Station at 8:00 am.
Also, the last bus leaves from Khatib MRT Station at 7:00 am.
Heading from the Zoo to the station:
The first bus leaves from Singapore Night Safari at 8:20 am.
Also, the last bus leaves from Singapore Night Safari at 7:20 pm.
How much does it cost to take the Mandai Khatib shuttle bus to Singapore Night Safari?
The cost to ride the Mandai Khatib shuttle bus to Singapore Night Safari is $1 dollar. Therefore, the total roundtrip cost is $2 dollars. Take note that children below 3 years of age travel for free!!
How much time does it take from Khatib Station to Singapore Night Safari (and vice versa) on the bus?
Usually, it takes about 15-20 minutes to go from Khatib Station to Singapore Night Safari on the bus.
How often do buses depart Khatib Station for Singapore Night Safari?
According to the schedule, the shuttle bus is scheduled to depart every 20 minutes from Khatib Station en route to Singapore Night Safari. This is an approximation and subject to variables such as traffic conditions.
Of course, be open-minded if you have to wait a few minutes longer.
Is it a wise decision to stay at a hotel near the Singapore Night Safari?
Most tourists choose to stay in the downtown area, as opposed to the nearby Night Safari.
This is because the Safari is considered quite North relative to the other major attractions in Singapore. The only reason why tourists may stay up near the Safari is so that they can also check out the Zoo and River Safari over a two or three day period.
Where should you stay in Singapore to access sights such as the Singapore Night Safari?
Chinatown is always a solid choice if you want a convenient place to stay that is cheap by Singapore standards. In this area of the city, there are tons of markets that offer affordable food options as well. There is a cluster of hostels and boutique hotels that are within only two or three minutes of Chinatown Station.
If you are not a budget traveller then you might want to consider staying in Marina Bay. This is Singapore’s most scenic area with a breathtaking skyline and world-class hotels.
Two popular options within walking distance of Marina Bay include:
You can expect to pay a lot more in Marina Bay than in Chinatown but this really depends on your budget and what your personal preferences are when you travel.
More questions about getting to Singapore Night Safari by MRT?
We truly hope that this step-by-step guide on how to get to Singapore Night Safari by MRT has been detailed enough for you. In comparison to other attractions, Night Safari has a lot of different transportation options. This can make it slightly confusing as a tourist because you don’t know really which one is going to be the fastest.
Additional Transportation Considerations
We have included three different stations that you potentially could take the MRT before you transfer to a bus. It might be a wise idea to see where your hotel is located and what direction you will be travelling on the North-South line. This will give you an indication of what the most convenient station is to catch the bus.
Also, keep in mind that it is possible to take a shuttle bus directly to Singapore Night Safari as well.
We do not want you to feel like the MRT is the only way to get to this attraction.
You can also get there by private vehicle or buy a taxi as well. The decision that you make really comes down to your budget and how much time you want to spend getting to and from the Safari.
Furthermore, if you’re travelling with children, then it might be just easier getting a vehicle and going directly to the Safari. Transferring from the MRT to the bus and vice-versa may be a bit stressful for you if you have small children.
If you are staying in an area other than downtown please refer to the official website for Singapore Night Safari. This is the spot where you can learn more information about getting there from an alternative station in the city.