Changi Airport to Bishan by MRT

Quick answer: Take the East West Line (Changi Airport branch) to Tanah Merah, change at Tanah Merah to the East West Line (towards Tuas Link) to Paya Lebar, change at Paya Lebar to the Circle Line (towards Prince Edward Road) to Bishan. That is 12 stops with 2 changes, about 45 minutes on the train, and the adult card fare is S$2.30.

Step by step from Changi Airport to Bishan

At Changi Airport board the East West Line (Changi Airport branch) and ride 2 stops to Tanah Merah.
At Tanah Merah change to the East West Line towards Tuas Link and ride 4 stops to Paya Lebar.
At Paya Lebar change to the Circle Line towards Prince Edward Road and ride 6 stops to Bishan.

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: Changi Airport is CG2 and Bishan is NS17/CC15. See the interactive MRT map to check the route on the network.

Fare from Changi Airport to Bishan

Fare type	Adult card fare
Standard adult fare (card, contactless or phone wallet)	S$2.30
Early bird, tapping in before 7.45am on a weekday	S$1.80
From 26 December 2026, after the announced fare rise	S$2.43

The fare is based on the 20.8 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 45 minutes on the train from Changi Airport to Bishan. 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 East West Line (Changi Airport branch) runs from about 5:31 AM until about 11:18 PM at its first station, and the Circle Line from about 5:37 AM until about 11:56 PM. Times at Changi Airport 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 Changi Airport

At Bishan board the Circle Line towards Dhoby Ghaut and ride 6 stops to Paya Lebar.
At Paya Lebar change to the East West Line towards Pasir Ris and ride 4 stops to Tanah Merah.
At Tanah Merah change to the East West Line (Changi Airport branch) and ride 2 stops to Changi Airport.

The return trip takes about 45 minutes and costs the same S$2.30.

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 Changi Airport 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 Changi Airport to Bishan?

12 stops, with 2 changes.

How much is the MRT fare from Changi Airport to Bishan?

S$2.30 for an adult paying by card or phone, S$1.80 before 7.45am on weekdays, and S$2.43 from 26 December 2026.

How long is the train ride?

About 45 minutes, not counting the walk to and from the stations.

Do I need to change trains?

Yes, twice, as listed in the steps above. 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 Changi Airport?

Follow the signs for the East West Line (Changi Airport branch) platform towards Tanah Merah. The platform screens show the next train and its destination.

More routes from Changi Airport and Bishan

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