Changi Airport to Chinatown 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 Outram Park, change at Outram Park to the North East Line (towards Punggol Coast) to Chinatown. That is 15 stops with 2 changes, about 50 minutes on the train, and the adult card fare is S$2.36.

Step by step from Changi Airport to Chinatown

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 12 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: Changi Airport is CG2 and Chinatown is DT19/NE4. See the interactive MRT map to check the route on the network.

Fare from Changi Airport to Chinatown

Fare type	Adult card fare
Standard adult fare (card, contactless or phone wallet)	S$2.36
Early bird, tapping in before 7.45am on a weekday	S$1.86
From 26 December 2026, after the announced fare rise	S$2.49

The fare is based on the 23.1 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 50 minutes on the train from Changi Airport 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 East West Line (Changi Airport branch) runs from about 5:31 AM until about 11:18 PM at its first station, and the North East Line from about 5:39 AM until about 11:55 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: Chinatown to Changi Airport

At Chinatown board the Downtown Line towards Bukit Panjang and ride 5 stops to Bugis.
At Bugis change to the East West Line towards Pasir Ris and ride 8 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 50 minutes and costs the same S$2.36.

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 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 Chinatown?

15 stops, with 2 changes.

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

S$2.36 for an adult paying by card or phone, S$1.86 before 7.45am on weekdays, and S$2.49 from 26 December 2026.

How long is the train ride?

About 50 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 Chinatown

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