Was this page helpful?
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
* We earn a commission from some links on this page.
Singapore Zoo Summary
| Opening hours: |
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Public website: | www.mandai.com |
Singapore – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type G
Type G:
 Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Singapore Dollar (SGD) £1 ≈ SGD 1.71 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 5/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted in Singapore, and many establishments prefer cashless transactions.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not common in Singapore, as service charges are usually included in the bill. However, small tips for excellent service are appreciated. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, though it is prohibited in certain public spaces after 10:30 PM. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces and many outdoor areas, but designated smoking zones are available. |
| National Day (9 August) |
Celebrates Singapore's independence |
|---|---|
| Christmas (25 December) |
A festive season of celebrations |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Numbers: 999 (Police), 995 (Fire, Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Grab, Gojek |
| Other: | Singapore is known for its cleanliness, modernity, and diverse cultural scene. It offers a mix of natural beauty and urban attractions. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Singapore Zoo, Singapore
Night Safari next door opens evenings only, ideal for escaping daytime heat
Don't miss
- 🍌 Join the Jungle Breakfast with orangutans
- 🌳 Explore the immersive Fragile Forest biodome
- 🦓 Watch animal feedings and keeper talks daily
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Singapore Zoo opened in 1973 and has since earned acclaim as one of the best zoos worldwide for its innovative open-concept design. Encompassing over 26 hectares, the zoo hosts more than 2,800 animals from 300 species, many in carefully recreated habitats that encourage natural behaviors and viewing experiences without traditional cages.
Visitors enjoy interactive keeper talks, feeding experiences and specialized zones such as the Fragile Forest featuring lemurs and sloths and the Australasian area with kangaroos and cassowaries. The zoo is also known for its focus on wildlife conservation and education, with programs for both children and adults.
The Singapore Zoo can involve extensive walking and the tropical climate means visitors should prepare for heat and humidity. Facilities are excellent, including shaded pathways, cafes and gift shops, but peak times can be crowded and tickets are best purchased in advance.
Overall, the zoo offers a captivating mix of wildlife adventure, learning and nature appreciation in a beautifully maintained setting that’s a highlight of Singapore’s nature and family-friendly attractions.
Why travel to Singapore Zoo?
Knowledge before you go
- Arrive at opening 8:30 AM for active animals.
- Book tickets online; tram ride included to cover the large 28-hectare grounds efficiently.
- Catch Splash Safari sea lion show at 10:30 AM and 5:00 PM at Shaw Amphitheatre.
- Download Mandai Wildlife app for real-time show schedules, feeding times and animal location maps.
How to travel to Singapore Zoo
Singapore Zoo is located in the Mandai area, about 25 minutes from the city center. Visitors can reach the zoo by taxi, bus or scheduled shuttle services from major MRT stations such as Ang Mo Kio or Khatib. International travelers arrive via Changi Airport, followed by public or private transport to the zoo.
Access summary
- From Changi Airport (SIN): Taxi about 30–40 min; MRT+bus roughly 70–80 min.
- From central Singapore/Orchard: Taxi around 25–30 min; MRT+bus about 60–70 min.
- From Marina Bay/Suntec: Mandai shuttle or MRT+bus options, usually 60–75 min total.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay near Singapore Zoo
Most visitors choose accommodation in Singapore’s city center or northern suburbs, which offer a variety of hotels and easy access to Mandai Wildlife Reserve including the Singapore Zoo.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
We couldn't find any nearby hotels for now.
Packing recommendations for Singapore Zoo
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🧥
Waterproof jacket
🎒
Small rucksack
🔋
Power bank
👒
Sun hat
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in the region are around 58% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to SGD) is 2% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Safety information overview
General safety
Singapore Zoo is exceptionally safe, with strict security protocols, well-trained staff and comprehensive emergency plans. Visitors rarely encounter crime; the park’s CCTV coverage, frequent patrols and clear signage ensure a secure environment for families and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
Accessibility
Singapore Zoo offers excellent accessibility: wheelchair‑friendly paths, elevators and accessible restrooms throughout. Staff are helpful and audio guides cater to visually impaired visitors. However, some older exhibits lack ramps and the large crowds can make navigation challenging for those with mobility issues.
Related articles & guides for Singapore Zoo
Nearby recommended places
Looking for inspiration?
Discover
Best wildlife destinations in Asia
Asia holds some of the most extraordinary wildlife on earth, from the great apes of equatorial rainforest to marine ecosystems of exceptional richness, endemic island species found…
Read more
Discover
Top zoo destinations and wildlife parks
Zoo travel has evolved considerably beyond its traditional format, with the most progressive institutions operating as conservation centres, breeding programmes and research…
Read more
Discover
Amazing wildlife encounters and natural habitats
Wildlife encounters of real quality are becoming rarer and finding them requires more intention than it once did. The destinations that still offer genuine, undisturbed wildlife in…
Read more
Discover
Best zoo destinations in Asia
Asia's zoological institutions range from the world-leading conservation facilities and research centres of the more developed countries to basic collections where welfare…
Read more
Discover
Most beautiful beaches and coastal escapes
For a lot of people, a beach is the whole point of a holiday, but what makes a beach day perfect really depends on personal taste. Some travellers want isolation and the feeling…
Read more
Discover
Stunning national parks and wilderness areas
National parks exist because someone decided that certain landscapes were too important to lose. The best of them protect ecosystems, wildlife and natural processes that would…
Read more
Discover
Intimate escapes and romantic getaways
The most memorable trips for couples tend to have less to do with luxury and more to do with the quality of shared experience. A place that slows you down, removes the usual…
Read more
