Little India MRT Station
Little India MRT station is an interchange station in central Singapore, serving the historic Little India district. It operates on two lines: the North East Line, where it carries the code NE7, and the Downtown Line, where its code is DT12. The area around the station is a well-established residential and commercial neighbourhood, known for its concentration of shops, restaurants, and places of worship catering largely to the South Asian community.
Little India on the Downtown Line map
Little India station at a glance
| Station codes | DT12NE7 |
|---|---|
| Lines | Downtown Line North East Line |
| Interchange | Yes, change between 2 lines here |
| Chinese name | 小印度 |
| Tamil name | லிட்டில் இந்தியா |
| Next stations | |
| Train times | Downtown Line: first train leaves the terminus at 5:30 AM, last train 11:35 PM North East Line: first train leaves the terminus at 5:42 AM, last train 11:55 PM Full first and last train guide |
See Little India on the map. The interactive map opens with this station highlighted, so you can trace the route from where you are.
Passengers can transfer between the North East Line and the Downtown Line at this station without leaving the paid zone. On the North East Line, neighbouring stations are Dhoby Ghaut to the south and Farrer Park to the north. On the Downtown Line, the adjacent stations are Rochor and Newton. Dhoby Ghaut is itself an interchange station connecting to the Circle Line and the North South Line, extending your journey options considerably from a single starting point.
The station sits at the edge of the Little India conservation area, where Serangoon Road and its surrounding streets are lined with textile shops, flower garland stalls, and South Indian restaurants. The Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple on Serangoon Road is within easy walking distance and is one of the most recognisable religious buildings in the neighbourhood. The broader area also has a covered market at Tekka Centre, which is a short walk from the station exits.
Around Little India station
Little India station sits at the heart of Singapore's historic South Asian district, surrounded by a lively mix of cultural attractions, wet markets, and shopping options. Tekka Centre draws visitors with its busy food and retail offerings, while the Indian Heritage Centre provides a deeper look at the area's rich heritage. The neighbourhood blends traditional shophouses with modern amenities, making it one of the most culturally distinct parts of the city.
| Place | Type | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tekka Centre | Shopping mall | About 140 m (~2 min walk) | Visit for its popular hawker food, fresh produce, and everyday retail shopping. |
| House of Tan Teng Niah | Attraction | About 180 m (~3 min walk) | A well-preserved Peranakan villa known for its colourful exterior and historical character. |
| Colourful house in little India | Attraction | About 190 m (~3 min walk) | A brightly painted residential building that makes for an interesting visual stop. |
| Indian Heritage Centre | Museum | About 340 m (~6 min walk) | Explore exhibits on the history and culture of Indian communities in Singapore. |
| Tekka Place | Shopping mall | About 400 m (~7 min walk) | A shopping mall offering a range of retail and dining options in the area. |
| Lithe House | Attraction | About 420 m (~7 min walk) | An attraction worth visiting for those interested in local architecture and creative spaces. |
| Sim Lim Square | Shopping mall | About 570 m (~9 min walk) | A large mall known for electronics, IT products, and tech accessories. |
| Objectifs - Centre for Photography and Film | Museum | About 820 m (~13 min walk) | A centre dedicated to photography and film, with gallery spaces and programmes. |
Places and straight-line distances from OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Actual walking routes may be longer.
How to get to Little India by MRT
Worked out from the network map. Stop counts are station to station and do not include walking or waiting time.
| From Changi Airport | Take the East West Line from Changi Airport to Bugis (10 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from Bugis to Little India (2 stops). About 12 stops with 1 change. |
|---|---|
| From Orchard | Take the North South Line from Orchard to Newton (1 stop), then change to the Downtown Line from Newton to Little India (1 stop). About 2 stops with 1 change. |
| From City Hall | Take the North South Line from City Hall to Dhoby Ghaut (1 stop), then change to the North East Line from Dhoby Ghaut to Little India (1 stop). About 2 stops with 1 change. |
| From Jurong East | Take the East West Line from Jurong East to Buona Vista (3 stops), then change to the Circle Line from Buona Vista to Botanic Gardens (3 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from Botanic Gardens to Little India (3 stops). About 9 stops with 2 changes. |
| From Woodlands | Take the Thomson East Coast Line from Woodlands to Stevens (8 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from Stevens to Little India (2 stops). About 10 stops with 1 change. |
| From HarbourFront | Take the North East Line from HarbourFront to Little India (4 stops). About 4 stops, no changes. |
Tips for using Little India station
- Most places on this list are within a short walk of the station, so exploring on foot is practical for the majority of visits.
- Sim Lim Square and Objectifs are further away, so allow extra time or consider taking a connecting train or bus rather than walking.
- Little India station is an interchange between the Downtown Line and the North East Line, so plan your onward journey accordingly to save time.
- The area can get very busy on weekends and public holidays, so allow extra time when travelling to and from the station during peak periods.
All stations on the Downtown Line
In order along the line, with Little India marked. Stations with their own guide are linked.
| Code | Station | Interchange |
|---|---|---|
| DT1 | Bukit Panjang | DT / BP |
| DT2 | Cashew | – |
| DT3 | Hillview | – |
| DT5 | Beauty World | – |
| DT6 | King Albert Park | – |
| DT7 | Sixth Avenue | – |
| DT8 | Tan Kah Kee | – |
| DT9 | Botanic Gardens | DT / CC |
| DT10 | Stevens | DT / TE |
| DT11 | Newton | NS / DT |
| DT12 | Little India (you are here) | DT / NE |
| DT13 | Rochor | – |
| DT14 | Bugis | DT / EW |
| DT15 | Promenade | CC / DT |
| DT16 | Bayfront | CE / DT |
| DT17 | Downtown | – |
| DT18 | Telok Ayer | – |
| DT19 | Chinatown | DT / NE |
| DT20 | Fort Canning | – |
| DT21 | Bencoolen | – |
| DT22 | Jalan Besar | – |
| DT23 | Bendemeer | – |
| DT24 | Geylang Bahru | – |
| DT25 | Mattar | – |
| DT26 | MacPherson | CC / DT |
| DT27 | Ubi | – |
| DT28 | Kaki Bukit | – |
| DT29 | Bedok North | – |
| DT30 | Bedok Reservoir | – |
| DT31 | Tampines West | – |
| DT32 | Tampines | EW / DT |
| DT33 | Tampines East | – |
| DT34 | Upper Changi | – |
| DT35 | Expo | DT / CG |
Read the full Downtown Line guide.
All stations on the North East Line
In order along the line, with Little India marked. Stations with their own guide are linked.
| Code | Station | Interchange |
|---|---|---|
| NE1 | HarbourFront | CC / NE |
| NE4 | Chinatown | DT / NE |
| NE5 | Clarke Quay | – |
| NE6 | Dhoby Ghaut | NS / NE |
| NE7 | Little India (you are here) | DT / NE |
| NE8 | Farrer Park | – |
| NE9 | Boon Keng | – |
| NE10 | Potong Pasir | – |
| NE12 | Serangoon | CC / NE |
| NE13 | Woodleigh | – |
| NE14 | Hougang | – |
| NE15 | Buangkok | – |
| NE16 | Sengkang | NE / STC |
| NE17 | Punggol | NE / PTC |
Read the full North East Line guide.
Little India station: common questions
Which line is Little India MRT station on?
Little India is on the Downtown Line and the North East Line. Its station codes are DT12 and NE7.
Is Little India an interchange station?
Yes. You can change between the Downtown Line and the North East Line inside the station without leaving the paid area.
What time is the first and last train at Little India?
Times below are for the first and last train leaving the line terminus; trains reach Little India a few minutes later depending on its position on the line. Downtown Line first train 5:30 AM, last train 11:35 PM. North East Line first train 5:42 AM, last train 11:55 PM. Check the operator for holiday changes.
What is near Little India MRT station?
The station is close to a range of attractions and shopping options, including Tekka Centre at approximately 140 m, the House of Tan Teng Niah at approximately 180 m, and the Indian Heritage Centre at approximately 340 m.
Which mall or food centre is closest to Little India station?
Tekka Centre is the closest option, at approximately 140 m from the station, or roughly a 2-minute walk.
How far is Sim Lim Square from Little India station?
Sim Lim Square is approximately 570 m from Little India station, which is roughly a 9-minute walk.
How do I get to Little India from Changi Airport by MRT?
Take the East West Line from Changi Airport to Bugis (10 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from Bugis to Little India (2 stops). About 12 stops with 1 change.
Sources: station codes, line colours and interchanges from the LTA rail system map; operating hours from SMRT and SBS Transit. Last reviewed September 2026.
News and guides mentioning Little India
- Most Instagram-Worthy MRT Stations in Singapore 28 Sep 2026
- Power Bank Fire at Little India MRT Station 14 Sep 2026
- Apple Pay Express Mode for Singapore MRT: Full Setup Guide 4 Sep 2026
- ComfortDelGro JV Wins S$3.4b Copenhagen Metro Deal 2 Sep 2026
Plan the rest of the trip
Every station on the Downtown Line and the North East Line is listed on its line guide, with the full route and interchanges. For times, see the first and last train guide, and for the whole network in one view use the interactive Singapore MRT map or the PDF map.