Raffles Place to Bishan by MRT

Quick answer: Take the North South Line (towards Jurong East) to Bishan. That is 9 stops with no change of train, about 25 minutes on the train, and the adult card fare is S$1.90.

Step by step from Raffles Place to Bishan

At Raffles Place board the North South Line towards Jurong East and ride 9 stops to Bishan.

This is a direct ride on one line, so once you are on the train you can stay seated until Bishan. Station codes: Raffles Place is NS26/EW14 and Bishan is NS17/CC15. See the interactive MRT map to check the route on the network.

Fare from Raffles Place to Bishan

Fare type	Adult card fare
Standard adult fare (card, contactless or phone wallet)	S$1.90
Early bird, tapping in before 7.45am on a weekday	S$1.40
From 26 December 2026, after the announced fare rise	S$2.03

The fare is based on the 10.6 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 25 minutes on the train from Raffles Place to Bishan. That assumes roughly 2 to 3 minutes per stop, 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 North South Line runs from about 5:16 AM until about 11:48 PM at its first station. Times at Raffles Place 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: Bishan to Raffles Place

At Bishan board the North South Line towards Marina South Pier and ride 9 stops to Raffles Place.

The return trip takes about 25 minutes and costs the same S$1.90.

Arriving at Bishan

Bishan station sits at the heart of a mature residential town that also serves as a busy local shopping hub. Junction 8 shopping mall and Food Junction are immediately adjacent to the station, making the area a popular destination for residents and visitors alike. The neighbourhood also has community amenities such as Bishan Public Library within easy walking distance.

Close to the station:

Food Junction (food centre, about 1 min on foot)
Junction 8 (shopping mall, about 1 min on foot)
Bishan Cafeteria (food centre, about 1 min on foot)
Bishan Public Library (library, about 2 min on foot)
Gourmet Express (food centre, about 3 min on foot)

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

Places to visit at either end

How to Get to the Merlion by MRT

Frequently asked questions

How many MRT stops from Raffles Place to Bishan?

9 stops on the North South Line with no change.

How much is the MRT fare from Raffles Place to Bishan?

S$1.90 for an adult paying by card or phone, S$1.40 before 7.45am on weekdays, and S$2.03 from 26 December 2026.

How long is the train ride?

About 25 minutes, not counting the walk to and from the stations.

Do I need to change trains?

No. Stay on the North South Line all the way.

Which platform do I need at Raffles Place?

Follow the signs for the North South Line platform towards Jurong East. The platform screens show the next train and its destination.

More routes from Raffles Place and Bishan

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