By The Diary desk · Last verified 4 October 2026
A Singapore River Cruise on a traditional-style bumboat takes about 40 minutes and, as of October 2026, costs S$28 for an adult and S$18 for a child aged 3 to 11 at the operator’s published rates. Singaporeans who show their pink NRIC at a ticket counter pay a discounted walk-in rate, listed at S$17 for an adult. The standard loop, which the operator calls “The tale of 2 Quays”, runs past Clarke Quay, Boat Quay and Marina Bay. You can board at three jetties: Clarke Quay, Bayfront South (Clifford Pier) and Read Bridge, each with its own hours, running from late morning to around 10pm. Walk-ins are welcome and tickets are sold at the counters.
It is one of the gentlest ways to see the city: the old godowns, the bridges and then the bay opening up in front of you. Here is what it costs, where to board and when to go.
Quick facts
- Operator: Singapore River Cruise, which runs the bumboats on the river.
- Fares: S$28 adult, S$18 child (3 to 11 years).
- Singaporean rate: walk-in only, with pink NRIC, one discounted ticket per person per purchase.
- Duration: about 40 minutes on the standard route.
- Jetties: Clarke Quay, Bayfront South (Clifford Pier) and Read Bridge.
- Booking: walk in and buy at the counter, or book online through the operator.
How much does a bumboat ride cost?
The operator’s published rates are simple. The Singaporean discount is the one worth knowing about if you hold a pink IC, because it takes a large slice off the adult fare.
| Ticket | Published rate | Singaporean walk-in rate |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | S$28 | S$17 |
| Child (3 to 11 years) | S$18 | S$11 |
The Singaporean rates come from the operator’s offer as listed on the government’s Families for Life portal: show your pink NRIC before you pay, walk-in only, one discounted ticket per Singaporean at a time, and tickets are non-transferable. Children below 15 do not yet hold an NRIC, so ask at the counter how the child rate is applied before you count on it. Prices can change; the counter has the final word.
Worked example. Two Singaporean adults walk up to the Clarke Quay counter with their pink ICs. At the published rate they would pay 2 × S$28 = S$56. At the Singaporean rate they pay 2 × S$17 = S$34, a saving of S$22.
Where do you board, and what are the times?
Each jetty keeps its own hours. These are the operator’s published times as of October 2026.
| Jetty | Departures | Nearest MRT |
|---|---|---|
| Clarke Quay | Mon to Thu 11am to 10pm; Fri to Sun 10am to 10.30pm | Clarke Quay (North East Line) or Fort Canning (Downtown Line) |
| Bayfront South (Clifford Pier) | 10.30am to 9pm daily | Downtown or Raffles Place |
| Read Bridge | 1pm to 10pm daily | Clarke Quay |
Clarke Quay is the easiest place to start: it has the main counter and the longest hours. Clifford Pier suits you if you are already in the Marina Bay area. The operator’s booking page notes that you may get off at a jetty along the way, but you cannot board again on the same ticket.
What will you see on the route?
The standard 40-minute loop runs between the two quays and the bay. In order, the sights usually include:
- Clarke Quay, the old warehouses now full of restaurants and bars.
- The river bridges, including Read Bridge, Elgin Bridge and Cavenagh Bridge.
- Boat Quay, the row of shophouses on the curve of the river where cargo once came ashore.
- Raffles Landing Site, the Asian Civilisations Museum and the Fullerton Building.
- Marina Bay, with the Merlion, the Esplanade’s “durian” domes and Marina Bay Sands across the water.
The operator also runs a separate Laser Show Cruise timed around the evening light show on the bay. Its schedule and price are listed separately, so check those before you book that one.
When is the best time to go?
Late afternoon into dusk is the favourite: you see the skyline in daylight and watch the lights come on as you return. Weekday afternoons are quieter than weekend evenings. Boats are partly open at the sides, so rain blows in during a heavy downpour; plan around the afternoon storms that are common in the inter-monsoon months. In some years Marina Bay is closed to boats for a few evening hours on National Day and on selected Saturdays before it, for parade rehearsals, so check the operator’s notices if you are going in July or August.
The WahLiao Verdict
Go. Start at Clarke Quay about an hour before sunset on a weekday, and if you are Singaporean, walk up to the counter with your pink IC rather than booking online, because the walk-in discount is the best deal on the river. Visitors pay the full S$28, which is fair for 40 unhurried minutes and the best view of the old river in one sitting. Bring a light rain jacket, sit on the side facing the city, and you will step off at the bay smiling.
Questions people ask
Do I need to book a Singapore River Cruise in advance?
Usually not. Walk-ins are welcome and tickets are sold at the jetty counters. Booking ahead helps on busy holiday evenings, but the Singaporean discount is walk-in only.
How long is the bumboat ride?
About 40 minutes for the standard route between Clarke Quay, Boat Quay and Marina Bay.
Can I hop on and off?
You can get off at a jetty along the way, but the operator’s booking page says you cannot re-board on the same ticket. Treat it as a single ride rather than a hop-on, hop-off pass.
Is it suitable for young children and prams?
Children are welcome, and the child fare covers ages 3 to 11. Jetties have steps down to the water, so a foldable pram is easier than a large one; ask the crew for help boarding.
Sources: Singapore River Cruise, fares, jetties and departure times; Families for Life (MSF), Singaporean walk-in discount; Singapore River Cruise booking site, route and re-boarding terms. The Diary explains; it does not advise.
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