Bugis to Woodlands by MRT
Quick answer: Take the Downtown Line (towards Bukit Panjang) to Stevens, change at Stevens to the Thomson East Coast Line (towards Woodlands North) to Woodlands. That is 12 stops with one change, about 40 minutes on the train, and the adult card fare is S$2.33.
Step by step from Bugis to Woodlands
- At Bugis board the Downtown Line towards Bukit Panjang and ride 4 stops to Stevens.
- At Stevens change to the Thomson East Coast Line towards Woodlands North and ride 8 stops to Woodlands.
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: Bugis is DT14/EW12 and Woodlands is NS9/TE2. See the interactive MRT map to check the route on the network.
Fare from Bugis to Woodlands
| Fare type | Adult card fare |
|---|---|
| Standard adult fare (card, contactless or phone wallet) | S$2.33 |
| Early bird, tapping in before 7.45am on a weekday | S$1.83 |
| From 26 December 2026, after the announced fare rise | S$2.46 |
The fare is based on the 22.0 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 40 minutes on the train from Bugis to Woodlands. 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 Downtown Line runs from about 5:30 AM until about 11:40 PM at its first station, and the Thomson East Coast Line from about 5:36 AM until about 11:42 PM. Times at Bugis 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: Woodlands to Bugis
- At Woodlands board the Thomson East Coast Line towards Bayshore and ride 8 stops to Stevens.
- At Stevens change to the Downtown Line towards Expo and ride 4 stops to Bugis.
The return trip takes about 40 minutes and costs the same S$2.33.
Arriving at Woodlands
Woodlands MRT station sits at the heart of a busy regional centre in northern Singapore, surrounded by a mix of shopping, dining and community facilities. Causeway Point and STELLAR@TE2 make this a popular destination for retail and leisure, while the Woodlands Regional Library serves the broader residential population nearby. The area also functions as a major transport node, with the Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub connecting the station to bus services across the north.
Close to the station:
- Cantine by Kopitiam (food centre, about 2 min on foot)
- Woodlands Regional Library (library, about 2 min on foot)
- STELLAR@TE2 (shopping mall, about 2 min on foot)
- Food Republic (food centre, about 2 min on foot)
- Causeway Point (shopping mall, about 3 min on foot)
The Woodlands station guide lists every exit, the lines it serves and first and last trains; the Bugis station guide does the same for the start of the trip.
Places to visit at either end
- How to Get to Johor Bahru by MRT and Bus via Woodlands Checkpoint
- How to Get to Bugis Street by MRT
- How to Get to Kampong Glam, Sultan Mosque and Haji Lane by MRT
Frequently asked questions
How many MRT stops from Bugis to Woodlands?
12 stops, with one change at Stevens.
How much is the MRT fare from Bugis to Woodlands?
S$2.33 for an adult paying by card or phone, S$1.83 before 7.45am on weekdays, and S$2.46 from 26 December 2026.
How long is the train ride?
About 40 minutes, not counting the walk to and from the stations.
Do I need to change trains?
Yes, once, at Stevens. 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 Bugis?
Follow the signs for the Downtown Line platform towards Bukit Panjang. The platform screens show the next train and its destination.
More routes from Bugis and Woodlands
Bayfront to Bugis | Bayfront to Woodlands | Bugis to Chinatown | Bugis to Jurong East | Bugis to Tampines | Bugis to Tanjong Pagar | Changi Airport to Bugis | Changi Airport to Woodlands | City Hall to Bugis | City Hall to Woodlands | HarbourFront to Bugis | HarbourFront to Woodlands | Jurong East to Woodlands | Orchard to Bugis
All station pairs are on the MRT routes hub, and the fare calculator covers any pair of stations.