The Most Expensive Carparks in Singapore (And What to Do Instead)
Some carparks in Singapore charge over $10/hr. Here's where the worst offenders are — and the cheaper alternatives hiding just minutes away.
Not all carparks are created equal. While HDB lots charge $0.60 per half hour, some carparks in Singapore's prime areas charge 10–20 times that amount. If you're not paying attention, a casual dinner outing can come with a $30+ parking bill.
Here are Singapore's most expensive carparks — and the smarter alternatives just minutes away.
1. Marina Bay Sands — Up to $12/hr
MBS is consistently the most expensive carpark in Singapore. Weekend rates can hit $12/hr, and event-day flat rates of $20–30 are common. Even with Sands Rewards spend-based rebates, you're paying a steep premium.
What to do instead
- Marina One or Asia Square — $2–3/hr on evenings and weekends, connected via underground walkways
- Tanjong Pagar HDB — $0.60/30min, one MRT stop away. Free on Sundays
2. Orchard Road Mall Carparks — $3.50–5/hr
ION Orchard, Paragon, and Ngee Ann City all charge $3.50–5/hr. On weekends, finding a lot is a battle on top of the cost.
What to do instead
- Somerset/Killiney Road HDB — $0.60/30min, 5–10 minute walk to Orchard
- Claim mall rebates — ION gives 2hrs free with $50 spend (Capitaland card)
3. Raffles Place / CBD Commercial — $4–7/hr
Office tower carparks in the financial district charge $4–7/hr during business hours. A full workday can cost $30–50. That's over $600/month if you commute daily.
What to do instead
- Chinatown HDB — $0.60/30min, 8-minute walk to Raffles Place MRT
- Park-and-ride — HDB season parking (~$110/month) + MRT beats any CBD rate
4. Sentosa — $6–10/hr
Resorts World Sentosa charges $6–10/hr depending on the day, and the beach carparks aren't much cheaper. A family day out can easily rack up $40+ in parking alone.
What to do instead
- VivoCity carpark — Much cheaper rates, free parking with spend, and a short walk across the Sentosa Boardwalk
- HarbourFront area HDB — Standard HDB rates, then take the Sentosa Express or walk
5. Airport Carparks — $4–5/hr (short-term)
Changi Airport's Terminal carparks charge $4–5/hr for short-term parking. If you're picking someone up and they're delayed, the meter runs fast.
What to do instead
- Use the free 15-min pickup bays — coordinate arrival times via messaging
- Open-air carpark (T2/T4) — Cheaper than the basement carparks
6. Hospital Carparks — $3–5/hr
SGH, TTSH, and NUH all charge premium rates. Long outpatient visits can cost $15–20 in parking.
What to do instead
- Nearby HDB carparks — most major hospitals have HDB estates within a 5-minute walk
- Ask the hospital — some offer subsidised parking for patients with long appointments
The Pattern
Notice the trend? The expensive carparks are almost always attached to malls, hotels, or attractions. The cheap alternatives are almost always HDB or URA carparks within a 5–10 minute walk.
The savings are massive. Choosing an HDB carpark over MBS for a 3-hour visit saves you $32.40. Do that twice a month and you've saved $780 a year.
Use ParkingGoWhere to find these alternatives instantly — we show every HDB, LTA, and URA carpark on the map with real-time availability, so you can find the cheapest option before you leave home.