Changi Airport to Punggol 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 Serangoon, change at Serangoon to the North East Line (towards Punggol Coast) to Punggol. That is 15 stops with 3 changes, about 55 minutes on the train, and the adult card fare is S$2.42.
Step by step from Changi Airport to Punggol
- 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 4 stops to Serangoon.
- At Serangoon change to the North East Line towards Punggol Coast and ride 5 stops to Punggol.
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 Punggol is NE17/PTC. See the interactive MRT map to check the route on the network.
Fare from Changi Airport to Punggol
| Fare type | Adult card fare |
|---|---|
| Standard adult fare (card, contactless or phone wallet) | S$2.42 |
| Early bird, tapping in before 7.45am on a weekday | S$1.92 |
| From 26 December 2026, after the announced fare rise | S$2.55 |
The fare is based on the 25.9 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 55 minutes on the train from Changi Airport to Punggol. 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: Punggol to Changi Airport
- At Punggol board the North East Line towards HarbourFront and ride 5 stops to Serangoon.
- At Serangoon change to the Circle Line towards Dhoby Ghaut and ride 4 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 55 minutes and costs the same S$2.42.
Arriving at Punggol
Punggol station sits at the heart of a large planned residential new town in the north-east of Singapore, with a significant retail and transport hub immediately surrounding it. Waterway Point shopping mall and Punggol Bus Interchange are both within a couple of minutes of the station, making the area a busy local centre. Further afield, Punggol Waterway Park adds a natural, recreational dimension to the neighbourhood.
Close to the station:
- Waterway Point (shopping mall, about 2 min on foot)
- Punggol Bus Interchange (bus interchange, about 2 min on foot)
- Encik Tan (food centre, about 3 min on foot)
- NTWU Canteen (food centre, about 3 min on foot)
- Cookhouse (food centre, about 3 min on foot)
The Punggol 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
- How to Get to Punggol Waterway Park and Coney Island by MRT
- How to Get to Changi Airport by MRT: Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4
- How to Get to Jewel Changi Airport by MRT
Frequently asked questions
How many MRT stops from Changi Airport to Punggol?
15 stops, with 3 changes.
How much is the MRT fare from Changi Airport to Punggol?
S$2.42 for an adult paying by card or phone, S$1.92 before 7.45am on weekdays, and S$2.55 from 26 December 2026.
How long is the train ride?
About 55 minutes, not counting the walk to and from the stations.
Do I need to change trains?
Yes, 3 times, 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 Punggol
Bayfront to Punggol | Changi Airport to Ang Mo Kio | Changi Airport to Bayfront | Changi Airport to Bedok | Changi Airport to Bishan | Changi Airport to Boon Lay | Changi Airport to Bugis | Changi Airport to Chinatown | Changi Airport to City Hall | Changi Airport to Clarke Quay | Changi Airport to Clementi | Changi Airport to Dhoby Ghaut | Changi Airport to Expo | Changi Airport to HarbourFront
All station pairs are on the MRT routes hub, and the fare calculator covers any pair of stations.