Guide to Riding Singapore Cable Car

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The Singapore cable car is one of the top things to do in Singapore, regardless whether you’re a local or a visitor. Even though I have been on the cable car numerous times in the past, it still gives me the thrill whenever I ride it.

First-timers may feel overwhelmed with the cable car system in Singapore because there are 2 different lines, and there are several types of tickets.

I hope this article will help answer some of your questions and clear any confusion about riding cable car.

In this guide, I will share about a brief history of the cable car, cable car route and map, how to get to each station and what to do near each station, as well as sights along the journey.

Do let me know if you have any question in the comments.

Brief History of Singapore Cable Car

Singapore Cable car was opened on 15 February 1974 by then Deputy Prime Minister Goh Keng Swee.

The cable car was an effort by the government to improve accessibility to Sentosa, and to convert Sentosa from its history as a naval base to an island getaway for both tourists and locals¹.

The first generation of Singapore cable car (1974 to 1994) had a seating capacity of 6 guests per cabin and required staff to manually open and close the doors.

It became popular when they were featured in Hawaii Five-O, a popular American detective TV show.

Over the years, the cable car system has been upgraded to allow for a higher passenger capacity, better ventilation, automated doors and to host sky-dining experience.

The 4th generation, which is the latest generation, can sit 8 guests in a cabin.

During pandemic, because of the prevailing safe distancing measure, only people from the same group can be seated in the same cabin.

Cable Car Route

The Singapore Cable Car Sky Network consists of 2 lines: Mount Faber Line and Sentosa Line.

Mount Faber Line connects Singapore’s mainland to Sentosa Island. Meanwhile, Sentosa Line connects various places within Sentosa Island.

Both of these lines are not physically connected. The nearest intersection of these lines is at Sentosa Station (of Mount Faber Line) and Imbiah Lookout Station (of Sentosa Line); these 2 stations are 5 mins walking distance away.

How long is Singapore cable car ride?

A round-trip on the Mount Faber Line is about 26 to 30 minutes, which translates to approximately 6.5 to 7.5 minutes between each station.

Meanwhile, a round trip on the Sentosa Line is about 12 to 15 minutes, which translates to approximately 3 to 3.5 minutes between each station.

The exact duration depends on the weather and speed of the cabin.

How much is a cable car ride?

You can buy Singapore cable car ticket on the spot or online (here and here).

Basically, Cable Car Sky Pass is a ticket that allows visitor to ride BOTH Mount Faber Line and Sentosa Line.

A Round Trip ticket allows visitor to ride the entire route just once. You don’t have to ride the entire route at once, you can break it into multiple legs. In other words, you can board only once at each station, and alight only once at each station.

Meanwhile Unlimited ticket allows visitor unlimited rides in whichever direction. You can board and alight unlimited number of times at each station.

For example, if you hold a Mount Faber Line (Round Trip) ticket and you start your journey from Harbourfront Station:

• Allowed:
  • Board at Harbourfront -> alight at Mount Faber
  • Board at Mount Faber -> bypass Harbourfront -> alight at Sentosa
  • Board at Sentosa -> alight at Harbourfront
• Allowed:
  • Board at Harbourfront -> alight at Sentosa
  • Board at Sentosa -> bypass Harbourfront -> alight at Mount Faber
  • Board at Mount Faber -> alight at Harbourfront
• NOT allowed:
  • Board at Harbourfront -> alight at Mount Faber
  • Board at Mount Faber -> alight at Harbourfront
  • Board at Harbourfront again (this leg is not allowed)
• NOT allowed:
  • Board at Harbourfront -> alight at Sentosa
  • Board at Sentosa -> bypass Harbourfront -> alight at Mount Faber
  • Board at Mount Faber -> bypass Harbourfront -> alight at Sentosa again (this leg is not allowed)

If you love the cable car so much and you want to ride it frequently, you might want to consider a membership.

It costs S$ 45 per person (or S$ 155 per family) per year, and it allows you unlimited cable car ride throughout the entire year.

Operating Hours

Singapore cable car’s opening hours are from 8:45am to 10:00pm daily (last boarding at 9:30pm).

The opening hours may be subjected to revision by the operator, you can check the latest opening hours here.

Redeeming ticket

Depending on where you purchase your ticket, you may or may not need to redeem the physical ticket.

If your ticket provider says that redemption is compulsory, you can redeem your ticket at the ticketing counter at ANY of the cable car stations, on the day of your visit.

Upon redemption, you will be given a wrist tag which has a QR code. Each time you want to board a cable car, the staff will be scanning the QR code on your wrist.

If your ticket provider says that physical ticket redemption is not necessary, then you can simply proceed to cable car boarding platform and show the QR code in your ticket (or e-ticket) for the staff to scan.

Mount Faber Line

Mount Faber Line is the original cable car route built in 1974.

The Mount Faber line connects Singapore mainland and Sentosa island. It has 3 stations: Mount Faber Station, Harbourfront Station and Sentosa Station.

You can board at any station. The most popular station to board the cable car is Harbourfront Station because it’s the most accessible station for people staying on Singapore mainland.

For people who stay at Sentosa island, the most logical starting point is Sentosa Station.

Below are directions on how to get to each station of Mount Faber Line, as well as things to do and see at each station.

Harbourfront Station

How to get to Harbourfront cable car station:

• By car or taxi: Head to 3 Harbourfront Place, HarbourFront Tower Two, Singapore 099254 (location on Google Map).
• By MRT: Take MRT to Harbourfront Station, take exit B. Walk to Harbourfront Tower 2 Ground Floor, follow the signboard pointing to Cable Car.
• By bus: Take bus 10, 30, 57, 61, 97, 100, 131, 143, 145, 166, 188R, 963R and alight at Opp HarbourFront Int. Walk to Harbourfront Tower 2 Ground Floor, follow the signboard pointing to Cable Car.

What to see and do near Harbourfront cable car station:

• VivoCity – one of the biggest shopping malls in Singapore
• Harbourfront Center – shopping mall which also serves as ferry terminal for ferries to Indonesia
• Seah Im Food Centre – a hawker centre where you can find cheap local food
• Marang Trail – a short but very challenging hiking trail with elevation of 70m (the equivalent of a 24-storey building)

Mount Faber Station

How to get to Mount Faber cable car station:

• By car or taxi: Head to 109 Mount Faber Road, Mount Faber Peak, Singapore 099203 (location on Google Map).
• By MRT: Take MRT to Harbourfront Station, take exit D, walk about 700m up the hill via Marang Trail for about 15 minutes and you’ll reach Mount Faber Station (caution: it’s a challenging hike with plenty of steps)
• By bus: Take bus 10, 30, 57, 61, 65, 80, 97, 100, 123M, 131, 143, 145, 166, 188R, 855, 963R and alight at Opp VivoCity. Walk about 700m up the hill via Marang Trail for about 15 minutes and you’ll reach Mount Faber Station (caution: it’s a challenging hike with plenty of steps)

What to see and do near Mount Faber cable car station:

• Poland’s Bells of Happiness – A picturesque set of giant bells and a row of mini wishing bells to pen down your wish
• Faber Point – A small park with a mini Merlion statue and scenic view of the southern waterfront area
• Mural walls at Faber Point – Murals depicting history of Singapore
• Henderson Waves – Iconic and Instagram-worthy bridge

For ideas on what to do at Mount Faber, read my detailed guide to Mount Faber.

Sentosa Station

How to get to Sentosa cable car station:

• By car or taxi: Head to Imbiah Road (location on Google Map).
• If you’re on the mainland, it’s easier to take cable car via Harbourfront station rather than Sentosa station
• If you’re on Sentosa island, you can walk or take shuttle bus to Sentosa Station

For ideas on what to do at Sentosa island, read my comprehensive guide on things to do in Sentosa.

Sights along Mount Faber Line

Sentosa Line

Sentosa Line is the newer cable car route that was built in 2015. The Sentosa Line connects the western part of Sentosa island (i.e. Siloso) to the northern part of Sentosa island (i.e. Resort World Sentosa).

Sentosa Line has 3 stations: Merlion Station, Imbiah Lookout Station and Siloso Point Station.

You can board at any station. Imbiah Lookout Station is just 5 mins walk away from Sentosa Station of the Mount Faber Line.

Meanwhile, Merlion Station is just 3 mins walk away from the Imbiah Station of the Sentosa Express monorail.

Unfortunately, Sentosa Line doesn’t cover the entire island of Sentosa. To reach other parts of Sentosa, you need to transfer to shuttle buses, beach trams or just walk.

Below are things to do and see near each of the Sentosa Line stations.

Merlion Station

What to see and do near Merlion cable car station:

• Resort World Sentosa Casino
• Universal Studios Singapore (read my USS Guide and USS ride list)
• Adventure Cove (read my Adventure Cove Guide)
• SEA Aquarium
• Royal Albatross (read my Royal Albatross review)

Imbiah Lookout Station

What to see and do near Imbiah Lookout cable car station:

• SkyHelix (read my SkyHelix experience)
• Madame Tussauds (read my Madame Tussauds review)
• Skyline Luge
• 4D Adventureland
• Imbiah Nature Trail

Siloso Point Station

What to see and do near Siloso Point cable car station:

• Siloso Beach
• Fort Siloso Skywalk
• Mega Adventure (Ziplining, Obstacle course and Trampoline)
• AJ Hackett (Bungy Jump, Giant Swing, Skybridge)
• Trick Eye Museum (read my Trick Eye review)
• Headrock VR
• Nestopia

Sights along Sentosa Line

Cable Car Sky Dining

If you’re planning to celebrate a special occasion, it’s worth considering the Cable Car Sky Dining experience.

Basically, you’ll be able to dine inside a special cable car cabin that’s fitted with dining table and chairs.

Don’t worry about not having enough time to eat, as you’ll be given 60 minutes of dining time (equivalent to 2 round trips on Mount Faber Line).

There are various dining packages you can choose from. The menu changes from time to time, you can see the latest menu here.

Suggested Itinerary

If you have a whole day to spend, I recommend getting a Cable Car Sky Pass because the price is not much different from a Mount Faber Line ticket.

Assuming you stay at mainland Singapore, here’s my suggested itinerary to make the best of your cable car riding experience.

8am: Breakfast at VivoCity
9am: Take Mount Faber Line from Harbourfront Station to Mount Faber Station
9.30am: Explore Mount Faber
12noon: Have lunch at Mount Faber
1pm: Take Mount Faber Line to Sentosa Station (passing by the Harbourfront Station)
1.30pm: Alight at Sentosa Station and explore Sentosa via Sentosa Line cable car
End of the day: Take Mount Faber Line from Sentosa Station back to Harbourfront Station

The above itinerary requires only a round-trip ticket. If you need to go back and forth multiple times (eg: you want to have lunch and dinner at Mt Faber but you want to spend your afternoon at Sentosa), simply get an unlimited ticket.

FAQ

Can we eat inside cable car? No, unless you go for the Cable Car Sky Dining experience.

Can we bring pram/strollers/wheelchairs to the cabin? Yes, you can.

Can we take cable car when it rains? It depends on the rain intensity. The operator will decide whether to continue or suspend the cable car operataion.

References

1. NLB
2. Mount Faber’s 45th Anniversary Press Release

Thank you Mount Faber Leisure for making this experience possible. All opinions are my own.

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