Merlion Park is a waterfront landmark in Singapore, home to the country’s iconic Merlion statue at the mouth of the Singapore River. This guide covers opening hours, entry costs, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was last updated in July 2026. One point worth noting: the main Merlion statue periodically closes for short cleaning works, most recently in May 2026. During these works it is covered in scaffolding, though the park itself stays open.
Quick facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Open 24 hours, every day |
| Entry cost | Free; no ticket required |
| Address | 1 Fullerton Road, Singapore 049213 |
| Nearest transport | Raffles Place MRT station, Exit H (8–10 minute walk) |
| Typical visit length | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
Merlion Park opening hours
Merlion Park opens 24 hours a day, every day of the year, with no closing time. Visitors can enter and leave freely at any hour, without a gate or ticket barrier.
The park looks different depending on the time of day, though the hours themselves never change. Early morning offers quieter photos, while the statue and skyline are lit up after dark.
Five great things to do while you’re in Singapore
- Explore Singapore’s landmarks and back streets on a bike tour.
- See Singapore from above from the Sky Deck at Marina Bay Sands.
- Discover the city at night in a private group adventure – including a river cruise.
- Smell the flowers at the National Orchid Garden.
- Take a highly-rated food and culture tour through Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam.
Merlion Park ticket prices
Merlion Park has no admission ticket and is free to enter at any time. There is no ticket booth, turnstile, or booking system anywhere in the park.
Nearby paid attractions, such as river cruises and the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, charge separately and are not included in a Merlion Park visit. This information was checked on the official Visit Singapore website and last confirmed in July 2026.
Merlion Park is free to enter, so it does not feature in paid city pass schemes. Passes covering Singapore attractions, including the Go City Singapore All-Inclusive Pass, do include paid sights nearby. These include the Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, and the National Gallery Singapore, along with river cruises that pass the Merlion en route.
Why book the Go City Singapore All-Inclusive Pass?
- 🎢 Universal Studios Singapore: Get entry to Southeast Asia’s only Universal Studios theme park, featuring world-class rides and movie-themed zones.
- 🐾 Top Wildlife Parks: Enjoy access to the award-winning Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, and the stunning Bird Paradise at Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
- 💰 Substantial Savings: Save up to 50% on total admission prices compared to purchasing individual tickets at each attraction gate.
- 📱 100% Digital Pass: Skip the ticket lines—simply download the pass to your smartphone and scan it for seamless entry at over 50 participating attractions.
- 🎡 Iconic City Views: Experience the best of the city with included entry to the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck and the Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome.
How to get to Merlion Park
The nearest MRT station is Raffles Place, reached via Exit H and a walk of around 8 to 10 minutes. Follow signs toward One Fullerton and the Singapore River to reach the park.
Downtown MRT station on the Downtown Line is a shorter alternative, roughly 6 to 8 minutes away via Fullerton Road. Buses 10, 57, 75, 100, 107, 130, 131, 167, and 700 stop near Fullerton Square, a five-minute walk from the park.
Parking at Merlion Park
The closest car park is at One Fullerton, a short walk from the Merlion statue. The Marina Bay Sands underground car park on Bayfront Avenue is also within comfortable walking distance.
Both car parks charge standard city-centre parking rates that vary by time of day. Check current rates on arrival, since these are adjusted periodically and not set by the park itself.
How long to spend at Merlion Park
Most visitors spend 30 minutes to an hour at Merlion Park. This is enough time to view both statues, take photographs, and enjoy the skyline.
Visitors combining a visit with dinner or the Spectra light and water show at Marina Bay Sands should allow extra time in the evening. The show runs nightly and is visible from the park’s promontory.
Accessibility at Merlion Park
Merlion Park is a flat, paved waterfront promenade, making it accessible for wheelchairs and prams. There are no steps between the main entrances and the statues.
Public restrooms are available at the nearby One Fullerton building and Fullerton Hotel, a short walk from the park. There is no restroom inside the park itself.
What to see at Merlion Park
The main Merlion statue stands 8.6 metres tall and weighs around 70 tonnes. It spouts a continuous jet of water into Marina Bay and is the park’s central attraction.
A smaller Merlion cub statue, about 2 metres tall, stands just behind the main statue in a separate fountain. Many visitors miss it, since crowds tend to gather at the front railing.
The park’s promontory offers unobstructed views of Marina Bay Sands, the Singapore Flyer, and the city skyline across the water. It is one of the most photographed viewpoints in Singapore.
A small boat pier beside the park serves river cruises that depart along the Singapore River, passing both Merlion statues on the way to Marina Bay.
After dark, the statues and surrounding buildings are illuminated. The nightly Spectra light and water show at Marina Bay Sands is also visible from the park.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit between 7am and 8am for soft light and the smallest crowds. |
| Crowds | The front railing gets busiest from late morning through the afternoon. |
| Layout | Walk the full loop of the plaza to find the smaller Merlion cub statue. |
| Entry process | Walk in directly from the promenade; there is no gate or check-in point. |
| On-site logistics | Bring water and sun protection, since the promenade has little shade by day. |
Frequently asked questions about Merlion Park
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Merlion Park free to visit? | Yes. There is no entry fee or ticket required at any time. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No booking is needed, since the park has no ticketed entry. |
| Is Merlion Park open on Sundays? | Yes. It is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. |
| Can you climb the Merlion statue? | No. Visitors can view and photograph it but cannot climb it. |
| Is Merlion Park suitable for children? | Yes. The flat, open promenade is easy to navigate with prams or young children. |
Things to do near Merlion Park
The Fullerton Hotel is a heritage hotel and former General Post Office, standing right beside the park.
The Asian Civilisations Museum is a short walk away, across Cavenagh Bridge.
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is a performing arts centre, about a 15-minute walk from the park.
Marina Bay Sands and the ArtScience Museum are across the water, reached via the Helix Bridge.
Boat Quay offers riverside dining, a short walk upstream from the park.
What to visit tomorrow
Gardens by the Bay’s Supertree Grove is a free-to-enter, and spectacular, landmark, a short drive from Merlion Park.
Helix Bridge is a much-photographed footbridge, within walking distance or a short drive.
Singapore Flyer is an observation wheel, a short drive from the park.
Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck is a much sought-after rooftop viewpoint, a short drive away.
Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque, Johor Bahru is an regional landmark across the causeway, about an hour’s drive.
More Singapore travel
Other Singapore travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Explore Singapore’s World War II heritage at the Former Ford Factory, the Battlebox, Fort Siloso or the Changi Museum and Chapel.
- What to expect at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Sri Mariamman Temple in Singapore’s Chinatown.
- Guide to tackling the Changi Boardwalk.
- Practical visitor guides to the National Museum of Singapore, National Gallery Singapore and Asian Civilisations Museum.
- Guides to the Mandai Wildlife Reserve‘s attractions: Bird Paradise, Curiosity Cove, Exploria, the Mandai Boardwalk, the Night Safari, Rainforest Wild Asia and River Wonders.
