By The Eye desk · Last verified 4 October 2026
The National Gallery Singapore opens daily from 10am to 7pm (last admission 6.30pm). As of October 2026, general admission is free for Singapore citizens and permanent residents and $20 for other visitors. An All Access ticket, which adds the paid special exhibitions, costs $15 for citizens and PRs and $30 for others. Concessions (children aged 7 to 12, seniors 60 and above, full-time national servicemen, and overseas students and teachers) get $5 off, while children aged 6 and under, Singapore-based students and teachers, and persons with disabilities plus one caregiver enter free. Start with the DBS Singapore Gallery, home to modern Singapore classics.
Housed in the former Supreme Court and City Hall, the Gallery is a grand building and a generous one. Here is how to get the most from a visit.
Quick facts
- Hours: daily, 10am to 7pm; last admission 6.30pm.
- General admission: free for citizens and PRs; $20 for other visitors.
- All Access: $15 for citizens and PRs; $30 for others.
- Free for all areas: Gallery Insiders (members), children 6 and under, Singapore-based students and teachers, and persons with disabilities with one caregiver.
- Guided tours are free with an admission ticket, subject to availability.
- Nearest MRT: City Hall, about seven minutes’ walk via the Art Connector.
What does each ticket cost?
| Ticket | Singapore citizens and PRs | Other visitors | Concession |
|---|---|---|---|
| General admission | Free | $20 | $5 off |
| Special exhibition | See each exhibition | $25 | $5 off |
| All Access (general plus special exhibitions) | $15 | $30 | $5 off |
Worked example: a visiting couple buying general admission pays 2 × $20 = $40. If one of them is 65, that ticket is $20 − $5 = $15, so the pair pays $35. A Singaporean family of two parents and children aged 5 and 10 pays nothing for general admission. Our guides to free museum entry and the SG Culture Pass show other ways to save.
What should you see?
- DBS Singapore Gallery (City Hall Wing, Level 2): the story of art in Singapore. The Gallery’s own must-see list includes Liu Kang’s Artist and Model (1954), by a pioneer of the Nanyang style, and Chua Mia Tee’s National Language Class (1959), which it calls one of its most recognisable works.
- Lai Foong Moi: Crossings opened in the DBS Singapore Gallery on 14 August 2026, with general admission.
- Art Remembers opened on 21 August 2026 in the Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery 1 and the City Hall Chamber, also with general admission.
- The building itself: the old courtrooms and the City Hall Chamber are part of the experience.
- Note: the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery is temporarily closed and is due to reopen in late 2027.
Exhibitions change through the year, so check the Gallery’s What’s On page before you go.
How do you plan a good visit?
- Book online and check which exhibitions your ticket covers.
- Arrive at 10am on a weekday for the quietest galleries.
- Join a free guided tour; it brings the collection to life.
- Leave big bags in the basement lockers; bags may be inspected.
- Mind the rules: no flash photography or videography, and no food or drink, including bottled water, in the galleries.
- Allow two to three hours for the permanent galleries and one current exhibition.
The WahLiao Verdict
If you are a Singapore citizen or PR, go: general admission is free, and the DBS Singapore Gallery is one of the best introductions to who we are. Visitors should budget $20, or $30 for All Access if a special exhibition appeals. Go on a weekday morning, take the free tour, and finish in the old City Hall Chamber, which is worth the trip on its own.
Questions people ask
Is the National Gallery Singapore free?
General admission is free for Singapore citizens and PRs, children aged 6 and under, Singapore-based students and teachers, and persons with disabilities with a caregiver. Other visitors pay $20.
What does the All Access ticket include?
General admission plus the ticketed special exhibitions. It costs $15 for citizens and PRs and $30 for others, with $5 off for concessions.
Can I take photos?
Yes, without flash. Flash photography and videography are not allowed in the galleries, and some exhibitions may have their own rules.
How do I get there?
Take the MRT to City Hall and follow the Art Connector, about a seven-minute walk.
Sources: National Gallery Singapore, visitor information, hours and admission; National Gallery Singapore, must-see artworks; National Gallery Singapore, what’s on. The Eye explains; it does not endorse.
Read next: Free Museum Entry in Singapore: Who Gets In Free, and When · Singapore Art Week and ART SG 2027 · Back to The Eye
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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