City Hall to Chinatown by MRT
Quick answer: Take the North South Line (towards Jurong East) to Dhoby Ghaut, change at Dhoby Ghaut to the North East Line (towards HarbourFront) to Chinatown. That is 3 stops with one change, about 15 minutes on the train, and the adult card fare is S$1.28.
Step by step from City Hall to Chinatown
- At City Hall board the North South Line towards Jurong East and ride 1 stop to Dhoby Ghaut.
- At Dhoby Ghaut change to the North East Line towards HarbourFront and ride 2 stops 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: City Hall is EW13/NS25 and Chinatown is DT19/NE4. See the interactive MRT map to check the route on the network.
Fare from City Hall to Chinatown
| Fare type | Adult card fare |
|---|---|
| Standard adult fare (card, contactless or phone wallet) | S$1.28 |
| Early bird, tapping in before 7.45am on a weekday | S$0.78 |
| From 26 December 2026, after the announced fare rise | S$1.40 |
The fare is based on the 3.1 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 15 minutes on the train from City Hall 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 North South Line runs from about 5:16 AM until about 11:48 PM at its first station, and the North East Line from about 5:39 AM until about 11:55 PM. Times at City Hall 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 City Hall
- At Chinatown board the North East Line towards Punggol Coast and ride 2 stops to Dhoby Ghaut.
- At Dhoby Ghaut change to the North South Line towards Marina South Pier and ride 1 stop to City Hall.
The return trip takes about 15 minutes and costs the same S$1.28.
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 City Hall station guide does the same for the start of the trip.
Places to visit at either end
- How to Get to Chinatown by MRT
- How to Get to National Gallery Singapore by MRT
- How to Get to Raffles Hotel and Chijmes by MRT
Frequently asked questions
How many MRT stops from City Hall to Chinatown?
3 stops, with one change at Dhoby Ghaut.
How much is the MRT fare from City Hall to Chinatown?
S$1.28 for an adult paying by card or phone, S$0.78 before 7.45am on weekdays, and S$1.40 from 26 December 2026.
How long is the train ride?
About 15 minutes, not counting the walk to and from the stations.
Do I need to change trains?
Yes, once, at Dhoby Ghaut. 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 City Hall?
Follow the signs for the North South Line platform towards Jurong East. The platform screens show the next train and its destination.
More routes from City Hall and Chinatown
Bayfront to Chinatown | Bugis to Chinatown | Changi Airport to Chinatown | Changi Airport to City Hall | City Hall to Ang Mo Kio | City Hall to Bayfront | City Hall to Bedok | City Hall to Bishan | City Hall to Boon Lay | City Hall to Bugis | City Hall to Choa Chu Kang | City Hall to Clementi | City Hall to Dhoby Ghaut | City Hall to HarbourFront
All station pairs are on the MRT routes hub, and the fare calculator covers any pair of stations.