The Marina Bay Sands rooftop is the reason half the Singapore photos you’ve ever seen look like they were taken in the same place. You’ve made it here and want to know: can you go up without staying at the hotel? Yes — but not the way most people imagine. The famous infinity pool is exclusive to hotel guests with a room key; if you’re not staying there, you go up via the Sands SkyPark Observation Deck, the public viewing platform at the top, open to any visitor with a ticket.
The Sands SkyPark Observation Deck, on the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands, is the public viewing platform (the pool is for hotel guests only). Tickets from S$35 (~R$140), open from 10am to 10pm, accessible via Bayfront MRT (Exit B) — a 5-minute walk.
How to get to Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands is at 10 Bayfront Avenue, in central Singapore, right next to Gardens by the Bay. By MRT (subway), get off at Bayfront station (Circle and Downtown lines), take Exit B, ride the escalator on your left up to street level, and follow the exterior walkway from Tower 1 to Tower 3 — that’s where the Observation Deck entrance is.
On rainy days, take Exit C, head into the mall (level B2M), and walk to the Hugo Boss store, where an escalator on the right leads straight to Tower 3. By taxi or ride-hailing app (Grab), you’ll be dropped off at the hotel entrance on Bayfront Avenue — about 15 to 20 minutes from the historic center (Chinatown or Little India) outside peak hours. An MRT ride to Bayfront station costs between S$1.20 and S$2.20, depending on where you start.
Best time to visit and how long to allow
The quietest time is right at opening, 10am, or early afternoon on weekdays — shorter lines and softer light for photos. To watch the skyline light up at dusk, arrive about an hour before sunset (in Singapore, that’s usually between 6:45pm and 7:15pm throughout the year) and stay until dark: that’s when the deck gives you both views, day and night, on a single ticket.
Allow 45 minutes to 1.5 hours on the deck — the space is smaller than it looks in photos, and most of your time will go to photos and watching the Spectra light show, which happens at the base of the towers at night and is visible from above.
What to see on the rooftop: Observation Deck vs. infinity pool
There are two distinct spaces at the top of Marina Bay Sands, and confusing them is the most common mistake people make when planning their trip: the infinity pool is reserved exclusively for hotel guests, with access controlled by room key — there’s no day pass, single ticket, or way in without a confirmed reservation. The Sands SkyPark Observation Deck, next to the pool but in a separate area, is open to any visitor with a ticket.
From the deck, the view covers Gardens by the Bay and its Supertrees, the financial district (CBD), the harbor, and on clear days, even the coast of Indonesia. Parts of the floor are glassed over in some sections of the deck, and there’s a bar (CÉ La Vi) and a restaurant on the same level if you want to extend your visit with a drink.
Tickets have two price tiers: off-peak hours (10am to 4:30pm, last entry 4pm) start at S$35 for adults and S$31 for children/students/people with disabilities; during peak hours (5pm to 10pm, last entry 9:30pm) the price goes up a bit. Check the exact price and availability on the official Marina Bay Sands website before buying, since prices are reviewed periodically (prices checked in August 2026).
What to pair with your visit
Gardens by the Bay is less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel and pairs well on the same day: the Supertrees look even better from above, from the SkyPark, than from below. On the other side, the ArtScience Museum, shaped like a lotus flower, sits at the entrance to the hotel complex. If you have more time, Merlion Park, the city’s symbol, is a 15-minute walk around the bay — a good fit for late afternoon, before heading up to the Observation Deck for sunset.
If your trip also takes you to other Southeast Asian cities, see how to fit Singapore and neighboring Malaysia into your itinerary in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur on the same trip, or check out the full relaxed Kuala Lumpur itinerary if you’re planning to visit both cities.
Where to eat nearby
Inside the Marina Bay Sands complex itself, The Shoppes mall has everything from a reasonably priced food court to chef-driven restaurants — worth booking a table with a view at CÉ La Vi (on the same floor as the Observation Deck) or at LAVO, on the rooftop next door. For a more budget-friendly option, Rasapura Masters, a hawker center inside the mall, serves local dishes like laksa and char kway teow for under S$10. Book your table with a view at CÉ La Vi at least 2 days in advance — the best time slots sell out fast on weekends.
Where to stay near Marina Bay Sands
Staying at Marina Bay Sands itself is the only way to use the infinity pool, but nightly rates typically start above S$700 (~R$2,800) in the low season, with prices from August 2026. It’s worth booking well in advance: rooms with bay views sell out first, and the hotel has only about 2,560 units to meet a demand that keeps the complex full year-round.
For those who prefer to save a little money and still stay in the area, the Chinatown neighborhood and the Tanjong Pagar area are just 2-3 MRT stops from Bayfront, with mid-range hotels and easy access to the line that goes straight to the complex. If you’re after nightlife and a wide variety of restaurants without relying on taxis, consider the Clarke Quay area, also just a few minutes by metro from Marina Bay Sands, with accommodation options in every price range.
Practical Tips
Book your Observation Deck ticket in advance through the official website or a tour operator — on weekends and holidays, the on-site line can stretch past 40 minutes. Arriving 10 minutes before your reserved time slot helps you avoid missing your entry window, since access is managed in timed batches. Bring a light jacket: even in Singapore, the wind at the top is stronger than at street level.
Documents: Brazilians don’t need a visa to enter Singapore for tourist stays of up to 30 days — double-check the current rules on the official Singapore Immigration (ICA) website before you travel. Currency: the local currency is the Singapore dollar (SGD), and the exchange rate as of August 2026 is around R$4 per S$1 — it’s worth checking the daily rate before locking in your travel budget. Photography: if your main goal is that classic shot with the skyline behind you, head to the west side of the deck, where you can capture both the CBD and the Supertrees of Gardens by the Bay in a single frame.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get into the Marina Bay Sands pool without staying at the hotel?
No. The Infinity Pool at Marina Bay Sands is exclusive to hotel guests, with access granted only via your room key card. There’s no single-entry ticket, day pass, or paid way to get into the pool without a confirmed hotel reservation.
How much does a Sands SkyPark Observation Deck ticket cost?
Observation Deck tickets start at S$35 per adult during off-peak hours (10am to 4:30pm), with a slightly higher price during peak hours (5pm to 10pm). Children, students, and people with disabilities get a reduced rate. Check the current price on the hotel’s official website before purchasing.
What are the observation deck’s opening hours?
The Sands SkyPark Observation Deck is open daily from 10am to 10pm, with last entry at 9:30pm. There are two time blocks (off-peak and peak) with different pricing.
How do I get to Marina Bay Sands by metro?
The nearest MRT station is Bayfront, served by the Circle and Downtown lines. Exit through Exit B, and it’s about a 5-minute walk to the Observation Deck entrance at Tower 3.
Is it worth going up Marina Bay Sands, or should I check out another Singapore viewpoint instead?
Marina Bay Sands is worth it because it’s the only viewpoint with that classic view of the Gardens by the Bay Supertrees right below — an angle no other rooftop in the city can replicate. If you’re after a 360° view without that specific frame, you could consider alternatives like the Pinnacle@Duxton viewpoint, which is cheaper but doesn’t have that iconic Marina Bay postcard shot.
Conclusion
Going up to the Marina Bay Sands rooftop doesn’t require booking a hotel room: the Observation Deck delivers the same breathtaking view of the pool that appears in every Singapore photo, at a fraction of the cost of a night’s stay. Book your ticket in advance, aim for late afternoon to catch both day and night in a single visit, and round out your itinerary with Gardens by the Bay right next door. You’ll find more Singapore and regional tips right here on VoyageVoyage.