The Best Rides in Singapore

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
Riders on the Battlestar Galactica rollercoaster at Universal Studios Singapore.

Adrenaline junkies rejoice! If there’s one thing Singapore isn’t short of, it’s a world-class thrill ride or six, from the frankly terrifying rollercoasters at Universal Studios to the towering Singapore Flyer observation wheel that overlooks Marina Bay. So saddle up and get ready for the time of your life as we reveal the best rides in Singapore, including:

  • Battlestar Galactica at Universal Studios Singapore
  • The Sentosa SkyHelix
  • The Singapore Flyer
  • The Sentosa cable car
  • AJ Hackett’s giant swing and bungee rope
  • Riptide Rocket at Adventure Cove water park

 

Universal Studios Singapore

Let’s not beat about the bush: around 90% of the best rides in Singapore are to be found at Universal Studios (USS) on Sentosa Island. There are nearly 30, so to list all of them here would take waaay too long, but here are three of our faves to give you a little taster...

Battlestar Galactica

Hold on to your hats: this one’s a beast. Based on the much-loved sci-fi TV series, it sees an evil Cylon robot coaster do battle with its human nemesis as the dueling rides twist, turn, intertwine and come within inches of colliding several times over. Cylon is the faster and more frightening of the two, an inverted rollercoaster that includes a corkscrew, a cobra roll and a (literally) hair-raising zero-gravity drop. The Human ride is – and we use this term advisedly – slightly more sedate; a traditional rollercoaster with no inversions but reaching higher speeds of up to 56mph. At 139 feet, these are the highest dueling rollercoasters on the planet, so it's fair to say that neither is recommended for the faint of heart.

Puss In Boots’ Giant Journey

Emerge from the ivy-clad turret and go in search of Mother Goose’s golden eggs with our heroes Puss and Kitty on this exciting family-friendly rollercoaster that will leave the kids screaming for more. You’ll find it inside the Shrek-themed Far Far Away Land, where King Harold’s Castle and the Enchanted Airways coaster are also popular attractions. Be aware that this kid-friendly zone is among the busiest in the park, so be prepared to queue or, better still, get there early!

Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure

There are hungry dinos galore on the loose at this Jurassic World-inspired facility where a drenching is all but guaranteed. Board your circular raft and ride the rapids past cute animatronic mum-and-baby stegosauruses and into the restricted zone, where hissing velociraptors and radio reports of an escaped T-rex will have you quaking in your boats. Will you escape uneaten and unsoaked? Spoiler alert: yes, you will and no, you won’t.

Sentosa’s Other Hot Tickets

Sentosa Cable Car

The very act of getting to Universal Studios requires you first to get to Sentosa. And what better way to do so than aboard the iconic Singapore cable car, one of the island’s more gentle rides, to be sure, but also one of its most essential. Awestruck passengers soar 200 feet above sea level on an epic 15-minute journey over the bay, taking in sweeping views of lush tropical foliage and Sentosa’s fine beaches along the way. You can even book a private sunset ride with dinner and drinks!

Sentosa SkyHelix

In case it isn’t already apparent, the majority of Singapore’s best rides are to be found on the island playground of Sentosa, and the SkyHelix is no exception, with its sky-high vantage point on Imbiah Lookout affording stunning views across the bay to the Southern Islands. This one’s a favorite with Instagrammers seeking the ultimate sunset snap as the rotating gondola spins skywards, reaching heights of around 260 feet above sea level.

Riptide Rocket

Also on Sentosa, the Adventure Cove water park comes with a fish-filled reef and stacks of rides, the most thrilling of which is the Riptide Rocket, a ride every bit as electrifying as its name suggests. This one is best done in pairs, with floats designed to maximize the speed with two people on board as you whip around gravity-defying loops and over stomach-churning drops before being ejected at very high speed (and no doubt still screaming) into a giant splash pool at the bottom.

AJ Hackett Sentosa

Ever fancied bungee jumping above the palm-fringed golden sands of a tropical beach paradise? Well, now’s your chance! AJ Hackett’s Sentosa attraction on sunny Siloso Beach is strictly for those with a head for heights. Get your bearings on the SkyBridge, a knee-trembling 150 feet above terra firma, before braving the bungee or having a go at the main event: a giant swing for up to three people that soars over the Siloso sands at potentially lunch-losing speeds of up to 120kph.

Last But Not Least...

Singapore Flyer

One of the tallest observation wheels in the world, the Singapore Flyer is – gasp! – not on Sentosa but in Marina Bay. Its vantage point (and height) affords 360-degree views right across Singapore and (ahem) Sentosa, and even as far as Indonesia and Malaysia on clear days. The wheel soars to a nerve-jangling 541 feet;, which is not far off half the height of the Empire State Building or Eiffel Tower so, yeah, pretty high. Book a ticket that includes a glass of champagne or Singapore Sling if you think you might require a little something to steady your nerves.

Save on attractions and activities in Singapore

Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
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You don’t need the excuse of New Year to take a dip there - nor to come aboard to indulge in the luxury of Marina Bay Sands’ premier bar. Book your spot in the VIP area of the CÉ LA VI Skybar and sip your complimentary drink whilst you take in the stunning 360o city panorama. New Year’s Day is also the final day of the Great Bay Fiesta, Marina Bay’s winter playground, complete with snow and ice attractions, breathtaking circus shows, carousels, carnival games, food stalls and loads more. Throw yourself into the fun throughout December, knowing that New Year’s Day is a national holiday in Singapore when you can kick back, make like the locals and celebrate with a foodie feast, champagne brunch or afternoon tea. Pongal Time your visit for the middle of January to join in the joyous celebrations for the Tamil Hindu harvest festival when farmers give thanks to Surya (the Sun God), Mother Nature and the farm animals. 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Gardens by the Bay Even though local markets and shops are shut for at least a week, the major malls, tourist areas and entertainment attractions will all be buzzing. Join the crowds for River Hongbao, one of the most popular New Year celebrations, featuring live stage performances and amusement rides. It takes place at Gardens by the Bay, the stunning natural park recognizable around the world as a symbol of Singapore. Make the most of the photo ops whilst the gardens are decorated with good luck symbols, positive messages, giant coin pouches and particularly giant lanterns. But, whatever the time of year, you can Pick up a Gardens by the Bay ticket that also includes access to the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest featuring Avatar: The Experience. For New Year the Flower Dome showcases Dahlia Dreams, a breathtaking floral display of over 2000 dahlias, which appear alongside other auspicious New Year blooms like azaleas and chrysanthemums. Chinatown Not just in January but all year long, Singapore’s Chinatown is a heady mix of heritage, culture and architecture, where historic temples sit alongside hip bars and colorful street art. Testament to Singapore’s multi-ethnic society, it is the only Chinatown that is home to a Buddhist temple, a mosque and a Hindu temple along the same street.Share the peace and beauty of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum, with its tranquil rooftop garden, pagoda and beautiful interior designed in the form of a mandala.Or compare the architecture of Masjid Jamae (the Big Mosque) with the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. Though Chinatown is not all tradition. After dark the streets come alive with music, so make the most of the bustling bars and food ranging from traditional flavors to modern fusion. Singapore Wildlife Attractions As the holiday season comes to a close and the crowds die down, January can be a peaceful time to enjoy some of Singapore’s main attractions at your own pace. Jurong Bird Park Wing your way to Bird Paradise, Asia's largest bird park, to discover over 3,500 birds, as well as the tallest artificial waterfall in the world. Singapore Zoo Over at the Singapore Zoo you can watch orangutans swing high above their platforms, not to mention sloths, chimpanzees, meerkats, a komodo dragon, white tigers, kangaroos and many more. Over 300 species living amid lush vegetation have ensured the zoo’s reputation as the world’s best rainforest zoo and an important center for conservation. Night Safari When night falls, take the Night Safari; you can’t fail to be fascinated by over 100 species in the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park. Follow one of the four walking trails or take the tram to see the natural habitats and learn the secrets of native and endangered species including the Malayan tiger, Malayan tapir and Asian elephant. Singapore Indoor Attractions And you needn’t let the rainy season put a damper on your adventures since Singapore has plenty of undercover attractions too. From culture to family fun, there’s something for every age and taste. Perhaps you’ll choose to get a handle on the country’s rich culture and history via the captivating installations at The National Museum of Singapore. Head over to Madame Tussauds Singapore to pose for a selfie with Taylor Swift, David Beckham and a galaxy of other stars of Hollywood, Bollywood, TV and sport. Your ticket offers an exciting 5-in-1 experience, with other attractions including the Spirit of Singapore Boat Ride and a Marvel 4D Experience. Or escape reality at the unique virtual adventure that is Virtual Room Singapore. Enjoy multi-player fun in the world’s best team-based virtual reality experience, where 3D cinematic effects are combined with an escape room concept. Immerse yourself in high-tech, high definition gameplay as you interact, walk, talk and problem-solve your way through each activity. Phew! It’s only the beginning of the year and there’s already so much to see and do. Whether you choose to throw yourselves into the colourful celebrations, pack in the attractions, or prefer a peaceful natural retreat, remember that picking up an All-Inclusive Pass or an Explorer Pass is the best way to sight-see and save in Singapore. Happy new year and happy adventuring - with Go City.
Jo Cooke

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