Step into the enchanted world of Totoro, Kiki, and Chihiro – Studio Ghibli’s first exhibition in Singapore brings beloved animated films to life at the ArtScience Museum. It’s a must-see for fans of all ages, featuring life-sized sets, iconic characters, and immersive displays that transport you straight into Ghibli’s stories. Planning to visit with a bunch of friends, your anime club, or family?

The best way to keep the day stress-free and full of wonder is to travel together. Here’s how book a bus to the Studio Ghibli exhibition in Singapore can make your group outing to ArtScience Museum smooth and easy, plus tips to get the most out of this magical experience.

The Magic of the Studio Ghibli Exhibition

The Studio Ghibli Exhibition at ArtScience Museum is a dream come true for fans of films like My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle. Inside the museum, you’ll find 16 large-scale set pieces from 11 Ghibli films – from a life-sized Catbus you can hop on, to the famous Totoro bus stop scene perfect for photos. The exhibition is interactive and family-friendly, sparking joy and nostalgia as you wander through scenes of flying machines and fantasy landscapes.

This exhibition has been wildly popular. Weekends see crowds of families, cosplayers, and Ghibli enthusiasts lining up to enter. If you’ve booked tickets for a time slot, make sure your group arrives on schedule so you don’t miss your entry window. That’s where planning transport becomes crucial.

The ArtScience Museum is located at Marina Bay Sands, and while it’s accessible via public transport (Bayfront MRT station is about a 10-minute walk), navigating a large group through the MRT crowds or multiple taxis can be challenging. A chartered bus will bring everyone right to the museum’s doorstep together, ready to dive into the Ghibli universe without delay.

Getting to ArtScience Museum as a Group

ArtScience Museum sits in the heart of Marina Bay, a busy area with heavy foot traffic and limited nearby parking. Here are the typical ways to get there and their challenges for groups:

• MRT and Public Buses: The closest MRT is Bayfront (Circle/Downtown Line). It’s convenient for individuals, but imagine 15 of you trying to squeeze into a train carriage on a weekend. Public buses stop around Marina Bay Sands too, but navigating transfers and keeping everyone together can be tough. Plus, public transport can be tiring for kids or elderly attendees, especially after a long day at the exhibition.
• Taxis or Ride-Hailing: Booking multiple Grab or Gojek cars for a group can get complicated and expensive. You might end up split into separate vehicles. Coordinating pickups for the ride home (perhaps in the evening when rates surge) is even trickier, often resulting in long waits.
• Driving in Separate Cars: Parking at Marina Bay Sands comes with high fees, and there’s no dedicated parking at the museum itself (visitors use the MBS parking garage which can fill up during events or weekends). If your group takes several cars, you’ll incur multiple parking charges and some drivers will have the added stress of navigating downtown traffic and finding parking spots.

In contrast, booking a private bus with driver solves all these issues in one go. Your group can gather at a single meeting point (be it a community center, school, or someone’s house), hop on the bus, and enjoy a direct ride to ArtScience Museum. No one gets lost, left behind, or exhausted before the fun even begins. The bus will use the designated coach drop-off point near the museum, so you’ll get out right where you need to be.

Advantages of a Chartered Bus for a Museum Visit

Why choose a chartered bus or mini coach for your ArtScience Museum trip? Here are the key advantages, especially when heading to a blockbuster exhibition like Studio Ghibli:

• Convenience: A private bus is door-to-door service. You decide the pickup time and place that suits your group. The driver handles the route and parking logistics. You simply relax en route to the museum. This is particularly great if you have young children or elderly grandparents coming along – no long walks or standing in public transport required.
• All Together, All The Time: The experience is more fun when everyone travels together. Start the Ghibli mood on the bus – you can chat about your favorite films or even play a movie soundtrack to set the atmosphere. On the way home, the group can share what they loved most. Travelling together keeps the day cohesive and minimizes the risk of someone running late or getting lost.
• Storage and Comfort: Visiting an exhibition, you might bring along things like umbrellas, extra jackets for the cold AC, or even picnic mats if you plan a break by the bay after. With a chartered bus, you can leave items on the bus securely during your museum visit (just check with the driver). The buses are air-conditioned and have comfortable seats, so you’re fresh arriving and you have a cozy place to rest on the return trip.
• Flexible Schedule: Want to grab lunch after the exhibition at the food court or take group photos by the Marina Bay waterfront? A private bus schedule is flexible to your plan. Unlike a fixed train timetable or a hired driver who might be on the clock, you can often arrange with the bus service for a reasonable waiting time or a later pickup. This means you enjoy the day at your own pace.
• Cost-Effective Group Travel: While a single taxi might be cheaper for one or two people, if you have, say, 15 people, you would need three or four cars. The total cost (plus parking or surge pricing) adds up. A single 20-seater mini bus could likely accommodate your group in one vehicle. When you split the charter cost among everyone, it usually comes out to an affordable per-person rate, comparable to public transport fares but with exponentially more convenience and comfort.

Tips to Plan Your Group Visit

To make your group’s day at the Studio Ghibli exhibition truly memorable, keep these planning tips in mind:

• Book Tickets in Advance: The exhibition may require advance ticket booking for specific time slots, especially on weekends. Ensure your group’s entry tickets are booked together if possible, so you all have the same entry time. This will make coordinating transport and everything else much easier.
• Choose Off-Peak Timing if Possible: If you have flexibility, consider visiting on a weekday or an early morning slot to avoid the thickest crowds. Your bus can navigate traffic faster at off-peak hours too. Of course, if a weekend is the only option, just plan for a bit of traffic buffer in your timing.
• Plan a Meetup Time: Have everyone meet at the pickup point at least 15 minutes before the bus departure. It’s better to arrive a bit early at the museum than to risk being late. This also gives you some padding for any last-minute delays (we all know one friend who might be running behind!).
• Enjoy the Surroundings: The ArtScience Museum is in a beautiful area. After exploring the Ghibli exhibition, your group could take a short stroll outside to see Marina Bay Sands’ fountains or walk to the Helix Bridge for a group photo with the skyline. Since you have a private bus, you could even ask to make a quick stop at Merlion Park or Gardens by the Bay after the museum visit if everyone is up for it. Make it a full outing!
• Internal Link – More to Explore: For more ideas on group outings to attractions, you can refer to WaveBus’s other guides like Book a Bus to ArtScience Museum for a Team Outing (focused on team-building but with handy tips about the museum) or Book a Bus to Gardens by the Bay for inspiration. These might give you additional pointers on what to do around Marina Bay.
• Stay Hydrated & Comfy: Museums can involve a lot of walking and standing. Encourage everyone to wear comfortable shoes. The bus ride helps here – you won’t start the day already tired from commuting. Carry a water bottle (the museum allows them if capped) or take advantage of water coolers on-site to stay hydrated. You can leave heavier bags on the bus to avoid lugging them around the galleries.

Book a Bus to Studio Ghibli Exhibition

Visiting the Studio Ghibli exhibition is like stepping into a storybook, and it’s even more special when you share that experience with others. Arranging a bus for your group ensures that the journey to and from the museum is as delightful as the exhibition itself. No one has to worry about directions or driving – you can all immerse yourselves in the Ghibli spirit from start to finish.

Ready to embark on this whimsical adventure? Make it a breeze by securing your group’s transport early. Reach out to WaveBus.sg for a quick quote on a private bus and lock in your preferred date. With the logistics sorted, you can look forward to a movie-magic day out. Don’t wait until the last minute – plan your bus booking now, and get ready to enjoy the Studio Ghibli exhibition together with full hearts and zero worries!