Post-concert hacks at National Stadium & Indoor Stadium

From Western pop stars like Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars to Mandopop singers Jay Chou and Andy Lau, we can’t catch a break with the back-to-back concerts this year. We’re not complaining though… until we get caught in the post-concert mob all rushing to go home at the same time. Well, leaving the National Stadium or Indoor Stadium afterwards doesn’t have to be stressful; with these post-concert hacks, we’ll have you in bed dreaming about your favourite artists in no time.

– Transport tips & tricks –

1. Enter Stadium MRT via Exit B instead of Exit A

After a concert, there are typically long queues outside Stadium Exit A when the staff filters the crowds entering the platform, and it takes anywhere from 15-30 minutes to enter the station.

Skip the queues by walking towards Exit B which is towards Stadium Boulevard. Though a slightly longer walk, there are fewer people, so there isn’t any filtering. Note that I was able to tap into the station immediately after a concert at the Indoor Stadium, so there may be a slight crowd after bigger events at the National Stadium.

Note that Stadium MRT Exit B is also close to one of the taxi stands. If you’re fine with skipping the last 2 songs of a concert and leaving early, this is the stand you want to head to to book a ride quickly.

2. Call a Grab from the apartments nearby

Pebble Bay condo.

Not just at concerts; the cabbing situation is always chaotic after every large-scale event. And most of us would prefer to stay until the last song is performed. Instead of fighting with everyone to book a Grab at pick-up points outside the stadium, walk over to nearby housing estates.

There’s a higher chance you’ll be able to get one quicker since you’re away from the crowds and at a lower price as well. Just ensure you’re not making too much noise or disturbing the residents at the estate.

Bonus: you’ll probably be able to avoid the traffic jam at the stadiums too as the drivers can take a different route.

3. Change to East-West Line at Paya Lebar MRT instead of Buona Vista MRT

For my fellow westies staying along the East-West Line, change lines via Paya Lebar MRT instead of taking the Circle Line from Stadium MRT to Bouna Vista MRT.

It’s 2 stops before Kallang MRT station, which means you’ll be able to beat the crowds of people who walk over and are going in the same direction as you. The trains are also mostly empty during this time, so you might even be able to get a seat on your journey home.

Simply take the yellow line from Stadium MRT to Paya Lebar MRT and then switch over to the green line.

4. Take Bus 158 from Tanjong Rhu Station Exit 2 bus stop

Concert-goers heading home to the east can hop aboard Bus 158 from the Tanjong Rhu Stn Exit 2 bus stop. It is an 8-minute walk from the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Cross the Tanjong Rhu Suspension Footbridge and continue straight to reach your destination.

Bus 158 ends its journey at Serangoon Interchange. It also stops by various MRT stations along the way: Mountbatten, Aljunied, Matter, Macpherson, Tai Seng, and Bartley.

5. Utilise bike-sharing services to Mountbatten MRT station

Those heading to further MRT stations should opt for bike-sharing services. You can find Anywheel and Hello Ride bikes near Stadium Exit A. A quick 6-minute ride will take you to Mountbatten MRT station. Or, if you can’t ride a bike like me, the station is a 16-minute walk away.

Here are other MRT stations you can bike or walk to:

6. Park your cars at Kallang Decathlon & public car parks nearby

Leisure Park Kallang basement car park.

Finding a parking spot at the Sports Hub car parks might be tricky if you’re planning to drive down to the venue. Besides, it’s a common area for traffic jams with cars leaving and Grab services entering to pick up passengers.

Old Airport Road Open Car Park.
Image credit: Flo Yeow via Google Maps

You can park at nearby car parks and then walk to the concert venue instead. Kallang Carpark 1 is one of them; it’s right outside Kallang Decathlon and a 12-minute walk from the stadiums. The rates are also cheaper, at $0.60 for 30 minutes, compared to parking at Singapore Sports Hub, which costs $0.63 every 30 minutes.

Head down earlier to secure parking slots nearer to the exits. Some other parking options are:

– Other tips & tricks –

7. Shop at NTUC Fairprice instead of Cheers

The ‘no bringing of your own water’ rule equals hoarse voices and sore throats after hours of screaming over your favourite songs. Most will buy from Cheers since it’s outside Kallang Wave Mall and near Stadium MRT. Instead, head to Fairprice Xtra (#01-29) inside the mall. The store’s opening hours are from 8am-11 pm, and there are cheaper options as well as self-checkout counters for faster payments.

A bottle of water at Cheers costs $1.90, while the same one at Fairprice costs $0.55. If you need electrolytes, Cheers sells a bottle of 100PLUS for $3, while Fairprice sells it for $1.52.

8. Pack light, or nothing at all

Try to pack light for the concert. Concert-goers without bags can enter the venue quickly without going through security checks. Items such as cameras, outside food and drinks, and banners over the size limit are not allowed, so remember to check the Sports Hub website for all the deets.

This way, you’ll save yourself from queueing at the bag drop kiosk afterwards to collect your things. There is also usually a non-refundable fee of $10 for bag drops; you’ll save some money while at it.

Since electronics are strictly prohibited, those coming straight from work or school may want to find alternatives, like leaving their laptops at work or with a friend who lives on campus.

9. Purchase merchandise before the concert

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When it comes to buying merchandise, the booths are typically set up before and after the concert. We recommend going down early to queue so you won’t have to rush after the show. The mornings also typically see more stock and choices available.

Timings differ for each concert, so check the Live Nation IG page for updates on the ones you attend.

Use these post-concert hacks when leaving the stadiums

So, the next time you’re headed for a concert, remember to plan the necessary routes for a smooth sailing journey home.

If there’s nothing much going on for you the next day, another option is to hang around and wait until the majority of the crowd eases off. You can take a lovely walk along Gardens by the Bay East with views of Marina Barrage, Supertree Grove, and Singapore Flyer.

Besides, concerts in Singapore usually end around 10pm, and with the efficient management and crowd control of the SMRT staff, you’ll most probably be able to reach home by midnight anyway.

For more tips and hacks, read:

• How to secure concert tickets
• HDB renovation tips
• Navigating missed flights
• Guide to P1 registration in Singapore

Photography by Jaslyn Tan.