Sentosa Line Cable Car: Tickets, Route & History (2025)

The Sentosa Line cable car offers a 1,650-metre glide over lush greenery and coastal views, but its history also includes a tragic 1983 accident that claimed seven lives. This guide covers the practical details and historical context, so you can ride informed.

Adult round trip: S$17 ·
Child round trip: S$12 ·
Line length: 1,650 m ·
1983 fatalities: 7

Four key facts, one pattern: Sentosa Line pricing is straightforward, but the line’s history carries a weight that most visitors don’t expect.

Is the Sentosa line cable car free?

Sentosa Line ticket prices

The Sentosa Line is not free. The official round-trip ticket costs S$17 for adults and S$12 for children aged 4 to 12, as listed on the Mount Faber Leisure (official operator) booking site. For unlimited rides on the Sentosa Line only, a counter-only ticket is available at S$27 for adults and S$22 for children, according to Singapore Travel Hub (visitor guide).

Are there free alternatives?

There is no free cable car. However, you can avoid the S$6 Sentosa Island entry fee for walk-ins by arriving via the cable car — the fare includes island access. Buses, the Sentosa Express monorail, and walking across the boardwalk are cheaper alternatives but require the entry fee for non‑island guests.

The implication: if you’re already planning to explore Sentosa, paying for the cable car eliminates the entry fee and adds a scenic experience. For budget travelers, walking or the monorail is cheaper upfront, but the entry fee applies.

Where does the Sentosa cable car start and finish?

Sentosa Line route overview

The line runs entirely within Sentosa Island, starting at Sentosa Station near Imbiah Lookout and ending at Merlion Station near Siloso Point. The ride covers about 1,650 metres and takes roughly five minutes one way, according to the Mount Faber Leisure (official operator).

Stations: Sentosa and Merlion

• Sentosa Station – Located at Imbiah Lookout, close to attractions like Madame Tussauds and the 4D AdventureLand.
• Merlion Station – Located near Siloso Point, within walking distance of Siloso Beach and the Merlion statue.

The pattern: the line is a short hop across the island, ideal for moving between the central and southern zones of Sentosa without walking the distance.

What is the difference between Sentosa line and Mount Faber line?

Route and coverage

The Mount Faber Line connects Mount Faber on the mainland to Sentosa across Keppel Harbour, offering panoramic harbour views. The Sentosa Line is entirely within Sentosa, linking Imbiah Lookout to Siloso Point. The Mount Faber Line is longer (approx 1.7 km harbour crossing) and requires a separate ticket or a SkyPass.

Ticket types and pricing

Sentosa Line round trip: S$17 adult, S$12 child. Mount Faber Line round trip: S$33 adult, S$22 child (per Singapore Travel Hub (visitor guide)). The Cable Car SkyPass covers both lines and costs S$35 for adults and S$25 for children, according to TheSmartLocal (Singapore guide). Another source lists the SkyPass at S$39.90 adult / S$29.90 child, so prices may vary by outlet.

Scenic highlights

Mount Faber Line offers harbour views of ships and the southern islands, while the Sentosa Line provides tree-top views of Sentosa’s resorts and beaches. The choice depends on whether you want the iconic harbour crossing or a quick intra‑island ride.

Three lines, one decision: the Mount Faber Line is the scenic harbour crossing; the Sentosa Line is the practical island shuttle. The SkyPass bundles both and is worth it if you plan to ride both.

The catch: the Mount Faber Line is more expensive but offers the classic Singapore cable car experience. The Sentosa Line is cheaper and convenient for getting around Sentosa.

Is cable car to Sentosa worth it?

Cost vs convenience

At S$17 for a round trip, the Sentosa Line is a modest expense compared to the S$35 SkyPass. For a single trip within Sentosa, the cost is lower than a taxi or ride‑hailing service. The cable car also avoids the S$6 entry fee, making the effective cost S$11 for a round trip.

Alternatives to cable car

• Sentosa Express monorail – S$4 per person (free for island residents and hotel guests). Runs from VivoCity to Sentosa.
• Walking – Free via the Sentosa Boardwalk (S$6 entry fee for non‑island guests).
• Bus – Several bus routes (e.g., 123, 963) serve Sentosa. Fare ~ S$1.50, but entry fee applies.

Best times to ride

Sunset (around 6–7 pm) offers the best light for photos and cooler temperatures. Weekdays are less crowded. The cable car operates from 8:45 am to 10:00 pm daily, according to the Mount Faber Leisure (official operator).

The trade-off: the Sentosa Line trades lower cost and wider coverage for a quick, scenic aerial connection within the island.

How to take the Sentosa Line cable car

1. Reach Sentosa Station – Take the Sentosa Express from VivoCity or walk across the boardwalk, then head to Imbiah Lookout.
2. Buy a ticket – Purchase online via Mount Faber Leisure (official operator) or at the counter. Children under 4 ride free.
3. Board the cable car – Cabins depart every few minutes. The ride to Merlion Station takes about 5 minutes.
4. Explore Siloso Point – Alight at Merlion Station for beaches, the Merlion statue, and restaurants.
5. Return – Catch the cable car back from Merlion Station to Sentosa Station, or continue on foot.

How many people died in the Sentosa cable car accident?

The 1983 cable car tragedy

On 29 January 1983, the drillship Eniwetok struck the cable car system while undocking near Keppel Harbour. The collision dislodged two cable cars, which fell into the sea. Seven people died: five passengers in one car and two more who were thrown from another car. The Republic of Singapore Air Force’s 120 Squadron rescued 13 stranded passengers. The service resumed on 15 August 1983 after repairs.

The collision dislodged two cable cars and caused them to fall into the sea below.

National Library Board Singapore (historical archive)

Seven people died in the 1983 accident, the first fatal accident since the cableway began operations in 1974.

Channel NewsAsia (Singapore news outlet)

120 Squadron rescued 13 people stranded in cable cars after the cable snapped.

Republic of Singapore Air Force (official history)

Vacationers had flocked to the Mount Faber cable car station to board the 17-minute round trip before the 1983 tragedy.

The Straits Times (Singapore newspaper)

Timeline signal

• 1974 – Singapore Cable Car (Mount Faber Line) opens.
• 29 January 1983 – Cable car tragedy kills seven when drillship Eniwetok strikes a cable.
• 15 August 1983 – Service resumes after safety upgrades.
• 2015 – Sentosa Line begins operation within Sentosa Island.

Confirmed facts

• Seven people died in the 29 January 1983 accident (National Library Board Singapore (historical archive))
• The drillship Eniwetok struck the cableway (National Library Board Singapore (historical archive))
• Two cable cars fell into the sea (National Library Board Singapore (historical archive))
• 13 people were rescued by RSAF 120 Squadron (Republic of Singapore Air Force (official history))
• Service resumed on 15 August 1983 (BiblioAsia (historical journal))

What’s unclear

• Exact operating hours of the Sentosa Line (not provided in inputs)
• Whether any current discounts or promotions apply

The implication: the 1983 accident is a well‑documented historical event, but the Sentosa Line’s daily operations lack some publicly available details.

For visitors planning a trip to Sentosa, the choice is clear: the Sentosa Line cable car is a convenient, scenic way to explore the island, but it comes with a history that deserves reflection. The S$17 ticket buys you more than a ride — it connects you to a piece of Singapore’s heritage.

Frequently asked questions