Orchard to Chinatown by MRT

Quick answer: Take the Thomson East Coast Line (towards Bayshore) to Outram Park, change at Outram Park to the North East Line (towards Punggol Coast) to Chinatown. That is 4 stops with one change, about 20 minutes on the train, and the adult card fare is S$1.38.

Step by step from Orchard to Chinatown

At Orchard board the Thomson East Coast Line towards Bayshore and ride 3 stops to Outram Park.
At Outram Park change to the North East Line towards Punggol Coast and ride 1 stop to Chinatown.

Follow the overhead signs for the next line at each interchange; the platforms are linked by escalators and lifts and the change takes 2 to 5 minutes on foot. Station codes: Orchard is TE14/NS22 and Chinatown is DT19/NE4. See the interactive MRT map to check the route on the network.

Fare from Orchard to Chinatown

Fare type	Adult card fare
Standard adult fare (card, contactless or phone wallet)	S$1.38
Early bird, tapping in before 7.45am on a weekday	S$0.88
From 26 December 2026, after the announced fare rise	S$1.51

The fare is based on the 3.9 km shortest rail distance between the two stations and is the same whichever route you take. Seniors, students and children pay concession fares that are much lower. Pay with a contactless Visa, Mastercard or American Express card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, or an EZ-Link card; the gates do not take cash. More in the guide to paying for the MRT and the fare calculator.

How long does it take?

Allow about 20 minutes on the train from Orchard to Chinatown. That assumes roughly 2 to 3 minutes per stop and about 5 minutes for each change, plus a few minutes waiting for the first train. Trains run every 2 to 3 minutes at peak times and every 5 to 7 minutes off-peak, so the wait is short. Add the walk at either end: most city-centre stations have several exits and the right one can save 5 minutes.

First and last trains

The Thomson East Coast Line runs from about 5:36 AM until about 11:42 PM at its first station, and the North East Line from about 5:39 AM until about 11:55 PM. Times at Orchard itself depend on how far it is from the end of the line, and the last connecting train at an interchange leaves earlier than the last train of the night, so for a trip after 11.30pm check the first and last train times before you set off. Services start about half an hour later on Sundays and public holidays.

Return journey: Chinatown to Orchard

At Chinatown board the North East Line towards Punggol Coast and ride 2 stops to Dhoby Ghaut.
At Dhoby Ghaut change to the North South Line towards Jurong East and ride 2 stops to Orchard.

The return trip takes about 20 minutes and costs the same S$1.38.

Arriving at Chinatown

Chinatown station sits at the heart of one of Singapore's most culturally rich heritage districts, surrounded by shophouses, temples, and cultural attractions. The area blends history and commerce, with landmarks such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Museum and the broader Chinatown precinct drawing visitors from across the city. It is also home to community spaces like Speakers' Corner, making it a lively mixed-use neighbourhood.

Close to the station:

library@chinatown (library, about 1 min on foot)
Smith Street (attraction, about 4 min on foot)
Speakers' Corner (attraction, about 4 min on foot)
Buddha Tooth Relic Museum (museum, about 5 min on foot)
Nagore Durgha Indian Muslim Heritage Centre (museum, about 7 min on foot)

The Chinatown station guide lists every exit, the lines it serves and first and last trains; the Orchard station guide does the same for the start of the trip.

Places to visit at either end

Frequently asked questions

How many MRT stops from Orchard to Chinatown?

4 stops, with one change at Outram Park.

How much is the MRT fare from Orchard to Chinatown?

S$1.38 for an adult paying by card or phone, S$0.88 before 7.45am on weekdays, and S$1.51 from 26 December 2026.

How long is the train ride?

About 20 minutes, not counting the walk to and from the stations.

Do I need to change trains?

Yes, once, at Outram Park. Keep your card or phone in your pocket at the interchange; you only tap at the start and end of the trip, and the fare counts as one journey.

Which platform do I need at Orchard?

Follow the signs for the Thomson East Coast Line platform towards Bayshore. The platform screens show the next train and its destination.

More routes from Orchard and Chinatown

All station pairs are on the MRT routes hub, and the fare calculator covers any pair of stations.