Telok Ayer MRT Station
Telok Ayer MRT station (DT18) is part of the Downtown Line, one of Singapore's newer rail lines running across the city. The station sits within the Central Business District, serving workers, residents and visitors travelling to and from the dense cluster of offices and shophouses in this part of the city centre.
Telok Ayer on the Downtown Line map
Telok Ayer station at a glance
| Station codes | DT18 |
|---|---|
| Lines | Downtown Line |
| Interchange | No, single line station |
| Chinese name | 直落亚逸 |
| Tamil name | தெலுக் ஆயர் |
| Next stations | |
| Train times | Downtown Line: first train leaves the terminus at 5:30 AM, last train 11:35 PM Full first and last train guide |
See Telok Ayer on the map. The interactive map opens with this station highlighted, so you can trace the route from where you are.
From Telok Ayer, Downtown Line trains run directly to Downtown station (DT17) in one direction and to Chinatown station (DT19) in the other. Chinatown is an interchange with the North East Line, giving you straightforward access to stations along that line without needing to change lines at a larger interchange first. Downtown connects onward towards the Marina Bay area.
The station is within walking distance of Telok Ayer Street, a conservation area lined with historic Chinese temples, clan houses and traditional shopfronts. The Thian Hock Keng Temple, one of Singapore's oldest Hokkien temples, stands along this street. The surrounding neighbourhood also contains a mix of office buildings and heritage architecture typical of the old business district.
Around Telok Ayer station
Telok Ayer station sits in the heart of Singapore's central business district, surrounded by office towers, heritage shophouses and financial institutions. The area blends modern commerce with cultural history, as seen in nearby landmarks such as the Nagore Durgha Indian Muslim Heritage Centre and the popular hawker destination Lau Pa Sat. Chinatown is also within walking distance, giving the neighbourhood a rich mix of business and heritage character.
| Place | Type | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nagore Durgha Indian Muslim Heritage Centre | Museum | About 110 m (~2 min walk) | Visit to explore the history of Indian Muslim culture and heritage in Singapore. |
| Icon Link @ Club Street | Shopping mall | About 190 m (~3 min walk) | A small mall along Club Street suited for a quick browse or errand. |
| Lau Pa Sat | Food centre | About 310 m (~5 min walk) | A historic hawker centre well regarded for local food and a lively atmosphere. |
| Buddha Tooth Relic Museum | Museum | About 440 m (~7 min walk) | Home to Buddhist artefacts and exhibits on Buddhist culture and history. |
| Singapore City Gallery | Museum | About 470 m (~8 min walk) | Learn about Singapore's urban planning and the city's development over time. |
| OUE Downtown | Shopping mall | About 550 m (~9 min walk) | A commercial and retail development in the Tanjong Pagar area. |
| Chinatown | Attraction | About 570 m (~9 min walk) | Explore heritage streets, temples, shops and traditional culture in Chinatown. |
| Guoco Tower | Shopping mall | About 670 m (~11 min walk) | A large mixed-use tower with retail options near Tanjong Pagar. |
Places and straight-line distances from OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Actual walking routes may be longer.
How to get to Telok Ayer 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 Telok Ayer (4 stops). About 14 stops with 1 change. |
|---|---|
| From Orchard | Take the North South Line from Orchard to Dhoby Ghaut (2 stops), then change to the North East Line from Dhoby Ghaut to Chinatown (2 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from Chinatown to Telok Ayer (1 stop). About 5 stops with 2 changes. |
| From City Hall | Take the East West Line from City Hall to Bugis (1 stop), then change to the Downtown Line from Bugis to Telok Ayer (4 stops). About 5 stops with 1 change. |
| From Jurong East | Take the East West Line from Jurong East to Bugis (12 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from Bugis to Telok Ayer (4 stops). About 16 stops with 1 change. |
| From Woodlands | Take the Thomson East Coast Line from Woodlands to Stevens (8 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from Stevens to Telok Ayer (8 stops). About 16 stops with 1 change. |
| From HarbourFront | Take the North East Line from HarbourFront to Chinatown (1 stop), then change to the Downtown Line from Chinatown to Telok Ayer (1 stop). About 2 stops with 1 change. |
Tips for using Telok Ayer station
- Nagore Durgha Indian Muslim Heritage Centre and Icon Link are both within a short walk of the station, making them easy first stops.
- Lau Pa Sat is roughly a five-minute walk away and can be busier during weekday lunch hours, so allow extra time if visiting then.
- Chinatown, Buddha Tooth Relic Museum and Singapore City Gallery are all reachable on foot but involve a longer walk, so wear comfortable shoes.
- Guoco Tower is the furthest point on this list at around eleven minutes on foot; if you are combining several stops, plan your route to avoid backtracking.
All stations on the Downtown Line
In order along the line, with Telok Ayer 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 | DT / NE |
| DT13 | Rochor | – |
| DT14 | Bugis | DT / EW |
| DT15 | Promenade | CC / DT |
| DT16 | Bayfront | CE / DT |
| DT17 | Downtown | – |
| DT18 | Telok Ayer (you are here) | – |
| 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.
Telok Ayer station: common questions
Which line is Telok Ayer MRT station on?
Telok Ayer is on the Downtown Line. Its station code is DT18.
Is Telok Ayer an interchange station?
No. Telok Ayer is served by the Downtown Line only. The nearest interchange is shown in the next stations row above.
What time is the first and last train at Telok Ayer?
Times below are for the first and last train leaving the line terminus; trains reach Telok Ayer a few minutes later depending on its position on the line. Downtown Line first train 5:30 AM, last train 11:35 PM. Check the operator for holiday changes.
What is near Telok Ayer MRT station?
The station is close to a range of destinations including the Nagore Durgha Indian Muslim Heritage Centre at approximately 110 metres, Lau Pa Sat food centre at approximately 310 metres, and Chinatown at approximately 570 metres, among others.
Which food centre or mall is closest to Telok Ayer station?
Icon Link @ Club Street is the closest mall at approximately 190 metres, while Lau Pa Sat is the nearest food centre at approximately 310 metres away.
How far is the Buddha Tooth Relic Museum from Telok Ayer station?
The Buddha Tooth Relic Museum is approximately 440 metres from the station, which is roughly a seven-minute walk.
How do I get to Telok Ayer 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 Telok Ayer (4 stops). About 14 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 Telok Ayer
- Singapore MRT Art in Transit Programme Explained 13 Aug 2026
Plan the rest of the trip
Every station on the Downtown 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.