Changi Airport to Dhoby Ghaut 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 City Hall, change at City Hall to the North South Line (towards Jurong East) to Dhoby Ghaut. 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 Dhoby Ghaut

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 9 stops to City Hall.
At City Hall change to the North South Line towards Jurong East and ride 1 stop to Dhoby Ghaut.

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 Dhoby Ghaut is NS24/NE6/CC1. See the interactive MRT map to check the route on the network.

Fare from Changi Airport to Dhoby Ghaut

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 20.3 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 Dhoby Ghaut. 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 South Line from about 5:16 AM until about 11:48 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: Dhoby Ghaut to Changi Airport

At Dhoby Ghaut board the North South Line towards Marina South Pier and ride 1 stop to City Hall.
At City Hall change to the East West Line towards Pasir Ris and ride 9 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 Dhoby Ghaut

Dhoby Ghaut sits at the edge of the Orchard Road shopping belt and the green slopes of Fort Canning, making it a mix of retail, cultural and leisure uses. Plaza Singapura is immediately beside the station, while the National Museum of Singapore and the Battlebox Visitor Centre sit a short walk away on the hill. The area draws shoppers, museum visitors and those heading into the parkland around Fort Canning.

Close to the station:

Plaza Singapura (shopping mall, about 2 min on foot)
The Cathay (shopping mall, about 4 min on foot)
Istana Heritage Gallery (museum, about 4 min on foot)
Fort Canning Tree Tunnel (attraction, about 4 min on foot)
Battlebox Visitor Centre (museum, about 6 min on foot)

The Dhoby Ghaut 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 Dhoby Ghaut?

12 stops, with 2 changes.

How much is the MRT fare from Changi Airport to Dhoby Ghaut?

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 Dhoby Ghaut

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