TOP 9 Cheapest Museums in Singapore (free or under S$20)
I wrote this guide to help tourists and visitors to Singapore figure out great value attractions that they can visit. The prices I discuss here reflect what visitors to Singapore will typically pay. I’ve included free and cheap museums in this guide.
The cheapest museums are:
| Museum | Google Rating | Ticket Price |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore City Gallery | 4.6 (>2000 reviews) | Free |
| Singapore Maritime Gallery | 4.4 (>200 reviews) | Free |
| Indian Heritage Centre | 4.5 (>1500 reviews) | S$8 |
| Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall | 4.5 (>600 reviews) | S$8 |
| Peranakan Museum | 4.4 (>1800 reviews) | S$12 |
| Red Dot Design Museum | 4.4 (>5000 reviews) | S$12 |
| National Museum | 4.6 (>13,000 reviews) | S$15 |
| Children’s Museum | 4.6 (>500 reviews) | S$16.35 |
| Hell’s Museum | 4.9 (>900 reviews) | S$20 |
More detail on location, price (including family discounts), and what you can find at each museum is included in my guide below. This has been part of a series of guides I’ve written on museums in Singapore, if you want to find out what the BEST museums are, check out my guide here: reachingsingapore.com/top-rated-museums
1. Singapore City Gallery: Free
| Basic Facts | |
|---|---|
| Location | 45 Maxwell Road (in the URA Centre, near Maxwell MRT) |
| Entrance Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9am to 5pm Mondays to Saturdays (closed Sundays and Public Holidays) |
| Google Rating | 4.6 from over 2000 reviews |
I like bringing first time visitors here to see the map and get a feeling for what Singapore looks like. It’s also very close to Maxwell Hawker Centre where we eat the famous Tian Tian chicken rice after visiting.
The Singapore City Gallery is home to this incredible map and display of how modern Singapore was built. The gallery is hosted by the Urban Renewal Authority of Singapore - the body responsible for some of the better looking designs we have in Singapore.
Free entry is available to all visitors to the Singapore City Gallery, including foreigners and children.
Opening hours for the Singapore City Gallery are 9am to 5pm Monday through Saturday. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Expect to spend 1 hour here.
Find out more about the Singapore City Gallery on their website here.
2. Singapore Maritime Gallery: Free
| Basic Facts | |
|---|---|
| Location | Marina South Pier - 31 Marina Coastal Drive (near the Cruise Terminal and Marina South Pier MRT) |
| Entrance Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9am to 6pm Tuesdays to Sundays (closed on Mondays) |
| Google Rating | 4.4 from over 200 reviews |
I like recommending the Singapore Maritime Gallery to anyone who is coming in from a cruise and doesn’t have an excursion booked.
The Singapore Maritime Gallery is located at Marina South Pier - it’s somewhat close to the cruise terminal where most cruise ships in visiting Singapore dock (it’s the next closest building to the terminal, but it’s about a 400m walk). Marina South Pier is the closest MRT station to the cruise terminal.
Displays at the Singapore Maritime Gallery include ship models, Singapore’s maritime history, and interactive games to get a feel of Singapore’s maritime prowess.
Free entry is available for all visitors to the Singapore Maritime Gallery. When I first wandered by, taking photos of the ships, one of the helpful ladies inside came out and offered to bring me in as entrance is free. Foreigners are more than welcome to come in and take a look around.
To get to the Maritime Gallery, head to the Marina South Pier building and go up the stairs or lift to find the gallery.
Opening hours for the Maritime Gallery are 9am to 6pm Tuesday through Sunday. The gallery is closed on Mondays (unless Monday is a public holiday, then it’s open). Expect to spend less than an hour here.
Find out more about the Maritime Gallery on their website here.
3. Indian Heritage Centre: S$8
| Basic Facts | |
|---|---|
| Location | 5 Campbell Lane (Little India, near Rochor MRT) |
| Entrance Price | S$8 |
| Opening Hours | 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Sunday (closed every Monday, even public holidays) |
| Google Rating | 4.5 from over 1500 reviews |
The Indian Heritage Centre traces the history and Indian and South-Asian communities in Singapore and wider South-East Asia.
Located in the heart of the Little India district, I like recommending the heritage centre as a starting destination for visitors interested in exploring Little India.
Exhibits change and rotate, though the history exhibit is permanent, highlights include:
- Pre-19th centry - evidence and artifacts of interaction between South Asia and South-East Asia
- Origins and migration - carvings and displays of early settlers arriving from South Asia
- Pioneers - stories of the early Indian communities in Singapore and their achievements
Also check out: Mustafa is a giant department store in Little India famous for selling everything - from pharmaceuticals to food to appliances and more. It used to open 24-hours a day, but now opens from 9:30am to 2:00am every day.
Costs of visiting the Indian Heritage Centre are S$8 per person for foreign visitors.
Opening hours for the Indian Heritage Centre are 10am to 6pm Tuesdays through Sundays including public holidays (closed Mondays, including public holidays that fall on a Monday). Expect to spend around 1 hour here.
Find out more about the Indian Heritage Centre on their website here.
4. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall: S$8
| Basic Facts | |
|---|---|
| Location | 12 Tai Gin Rd (behind Zhongshan Mall in Balestier) |
| Entrance Price | S$8 |
| Opening Hours | 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday |
| Google Rating | 4.5 from over 600 reviews |
The Sun Yat-Sen Memorial hall details the revolutionary activities of Sun Yat Sen during his time in Singapore and South-East Asia.
I found it fascinating that Singapore had such a prominent role in overthrowing imperial China (despite its distance of over 5000km from the imperial city of Nanjing). Sun Yat Sen spent significant time in this specific building (where the memorial hall is now) building support amongst Chinese in the region for his rebellion back in China.
As it was a house first, the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall is a little difficult to get to, it’s tucked away at the back of the Balestier area, only really accessible by bus. It is possible to cycle there as well.
Entrance fee for the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall is S$8 per person for foreign visitors.
Opening hours are 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Sunday including public holidays. The hall is closed on Mondays. Expect to spend 1 hour here.
Find out more about the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall on their website here.
5. Peranakan Museum: S$12
| Basic Facts | |
|---|---|
| Location | 39 Armenian St (near City Hall MRT) |
| Entrance Price | S$12 |
| Opening Hours | 10am to 7pm every day (open until 9pm on Fridays) |
| Google Rating | 4.4 from over 1800 reviews |
I like recommending the Peranakan Museum to visitors who are here for work and short of time. It opens late on Fridays (until 9pm) giving people the chance to go after work (and noting that many flights back to Europe and Australia depart around midnight - plenty of time to check out the museum before heading to Changi).
Peranakan is the name given to early Chinese settlers in the Malaya-Indonesia area. Many of these early settlers pre-date the colonial period in these areas. Over generations, they have inter-married with other ethnic groups giving them more local features rather than traditional Han-Chinese features typically observed in other migrant groups.
The Peranakan Museum is dedicated to telling the story of Peranakan people in this region, including their history, traditions, food, and values. It features permanent exhibits on clothing, jewellery, lifestyle, and history of Peranakan people.
Entrance fee for the Peranakan museum is S$12 per person for foreign visitors.
Opening hours are 10am to 7pm daily, with late-night opening until 9pm on Fridays. This is one of the later-opening museums in Singapore and I like that you can visit after work. Expect to spend around an hour here.
Find out more about the Peranakan museum on their website here.
6. Red Dot Design Museum: S$12
| Basic Facts | |
|---|---|
| Location | 11 Marina Boulevard (near MBS and Bayfront MRT) |
| Entrance Price | S$12 |
| Opening Hours | 11am to 7pm (Monday to Friday); 10am to 7pm (Saturday & Sunday) |
| Google Rating | 4.4 from over 5000 reviews |
Located right next to the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, the Red Dot Design Museum showcases the design concepts that embody the Red Dot Design Awards. These can be beautiful, clever, unique or striking designs that some very creative people have come up with.
There are interactive exhibits that allow you to create your own design and a permanent exhibit that showcases modern product design trends and communication.
I like recommending the Red Dot Design Museum to visitors who are already roaming around the Marina Bay area and are curious about sticking their head in for a look at interesting design. It also has a nice cafe where you can sit out and enjoy the open space next to Marina Bay, and a shop where you can buy the well-designed products.
Tickets for the Red Dot Design Museum cost S$12 per person with an S$5 voucher included in the ticket price. Group savings are available, a 4-person group ticket costs S$30 and includes an S$10 voucher. Children older than 6 require their own ticket.
Opening hours for the Red Dot Design Museum are:
- Monday to Friday: 11am to 7pm
- Saturday & Sunday: 10am to 7pm
Expect to spend at least an hour here.
Find out more about the Red Dot Design Museum on their website here.
7. National Museum: S$15
| Basic Facts | |
|---|---|
| Location | 93 Stamford Rd (near Bras Basah MRT) |
| Entrance Price | S$15 |
| Opening Hours | 10am to 7pm daily |
| Google Rating | 4.6 from over 13,000 reviews |
The National Museum of Singapore stands out as an icon amongst its space - you can’t help but notice the majesty of the building every time you go past (at least that’s how I feel). It’s located at the base of Fort Canning Park, near the Singapore Management University.
There are permanent exhibits on the history of Singapore, and the nature and wildlife that call Singapore home.
I like recommending the National Museum to anyone visiting Singapore. Its proximity to public transport, central location, and exhibits on the history and modern culture of Singapore make it a must-see attraction. The price is also pretty good as well.
Tickets for the National Museum cost S$15 per person for foreign visitors.
Opening hours are daily from 10am to 7pm, including public holidays. Expect to spend 1-2 hours here.
Find out more about the National Museum of Singapore on their website here.
8. Children’s Museum: S$16.35
| Basic Facts | |
|---|---|
| Location | 23-B Coleman St (near City Hall MRT) |
| Entrance Price | S$16.35 for adults and S$10.90 for children |
| Opening Hours | 9am to 5:45pm Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays) |
| Google Rating | 4.6 from over 500 reviews |
The Children’s Museum is full of fun activities targeted towards the young and their care givers. Activities and exhibits change regularly, but highlights have included Easter egg hunts, the different types of birds and flowers found in Singapore, and the modern harmony of Singapore’s culture (I saw this portrayed as a celebration of birthdays, including tasty treats for the kids). There is also a permanent exhibit on Singapore’s modern history.
Please note that you must book a ticket in advance for the Children’s Museum, and arriving on time is important. Unlike other attractions in Singapore, the Children’s Museum is likely to turn you away if you are late for your booking slot. I imagine this rule is enforced to ensure the museum is not too crowded (the building is historic, and hence comparatively small).
Tickets for the Children’s Museum cost S$16.35 for adults and S$10.90 for children. A discounted family ticket is available for S$43.60 that includes 2 adults and 2 children. The amounts I quote include the calculation for sales tax (2024 rate).
Opening hours are 9am to 5:45pm Tuesday to Sunday including public holidays (closed on Mondays), but you must visit strictly within the booking slot on your ticket. Walk-in is possible, particularly if there are no-shows for that booking slot; the museum is closed between 12:45pm and 2pm for cleaning.
Expect to spend 1-2 hours (strictly speaking up to 1 hour and 45 minutes) at the Children’s Museum.
Find out more about the museum on their website here.
9. Hell’s Museum: S$20
| Basic Facts | |
|---|---|
| Location | 262 Pasir Panjang Rd (near Haw Par Villa MRT) |
| Entrance Price | S$20 |
| Opening Hours | 10am to 6pm Tuesdays to Sundays (closed Mondays unless Monday is a public holiday) |
| Google Rating | 4.9 from over 900 reviews |
I include the Hell’s Museum despite the price because Haw Par Villa is one of my favourite places to send visitors to Singapore. It’s uniquely quirky and gives an interesting perspective on some of the beliefs cultures of this region have in the afterlife.
Hell’s Museum explores how the different cultures of Singapore view the afterlife, complete with statues and dioramas vividly depicting these beliefs. The museum is not recommended for children younger than 9.
Haw Par Villa, the free theme park within which Hell’s Museum is located, I highly recommend to visit as well. Since it’s free, why not take a stroll around the displays depicting stories from Chinese mythology.
Entrance to Hell’s Museum costs S$20 for an adult. Complimentary tours are available throughout the day.
Opening hours for Hell’s Museum are 10am to 6pm Tuesdays through Sundays including public holidays (closed on Mondays). Expect to spend 1-2 hours here, including Haw Par Villa.
Find out more about Hell’s Museum on their website here.
