Orchard to Buona Vista by MRT
Quick answer: Take the Thomson East Coast Line (towards Woodlands North) to Caldecott, change at Caldecott to the Circle Line (towards Prince Edward Road) to Buona Vista. That is 8 stops with one change, about 30 minutes on the train, and the adult card fare is S$2.02.
Step by step from Orchard to Buona Vista
- At Orchard board the Thomson East Coast Line towards Woodlands North and ride 4 stops to Caldecott.
- At Caldecott change to the Circle Line towards Prince Edward Road and ride 4 stops to Buona Vista.
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: Orchard is TE14/NS22 and Buona Vista is EW21/CC22. See the interactive MRT map to check the route on the network.
Fare from Orchard to Buona Vista
| Fare type | Adult card fare |
|---|---|
| Standard adult fare (card, contactless or phone wallet) | S$2.02 |
| Early bird, tapping in before 7.45am on a weekday | S$1.52 |
| From 26 December 2026, after the announced fare rise | S$2.15 |
The fare is based on the 13.3 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 30 minutes on the train from Orchard to Buona Vista. 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 Thomson East Coast Line runs from about 5:36 AM until about 11:42 PM at its first station, and the Circle Line from about 5:37 AM until about 11:56 PM. Times at Orchard 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: Buona Vista to Orchard
- At Buona Vista board the East West Line towards Pasir Ris and ride 5 stops to Outram Park.
- At Outram Park change to the Thomson East Coast Line towards Woodlands North and ride 3 stops to Orchard.
The return trip takes about 30 minutes and costs the same S$2.02.
Arriving at Buona Vista
Buona Vista station sits at the edge of the one-north business and research district, surrounded by a mix of commercial, educational and residential uses. Nearby amenities include The Star Vista shopping mall and Rochester Mall, giving residents and workers convenient retail and dining options. The surrounding streets also feature established housing estates with local hawker fare at Holland Drive Market and Food Centre.
Close to the station:
- The Star Vista (shopping mall, about 3 min on foot)
- Rochester Mall (shopping mall, about 4 min on foot)
- Holland Drive Market and Food Centre (food centre, about 6 min on foot)
- NTU@one-north (university, about 7 min on foot)
- Ghim Moh Road Market (market / hawker centre, about 7 min on foot)
The Buona Vista station guide lists every exit, the lines it serves and first and last trains; the Orchard 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 Orchard to Buona Vista?
8 stops, with one change at Caldecott.
How much is the MRT fare from Orchard to Buona Vista?
S$2.02 for an adult paying by card or phone, S$1.52 before 7.45am on weekdays, and S$2.15 from 26 December 2026.
How long is the train ride?
About 30 minutes, not counting the walk to and from the stations.
Do I need to change trains?
Yes, once, at Caldecott. 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 Orchard?
Follow the signs for the Thomson East Coast Line platform towards Woodlands North. The platform screens show the next train and its destination.
More routes from Orchard and Buona Vista
Changi Airport to Orchard | Orchard to Ang Mo Kio | Orchard to Bayfront | Orchard to Bedok | Orchard to Bishan | Orchard to Boon Lay | Orchard to Bugis | Orchard to Bukit Panjang | Orchard to Chinatown | Orchard to Choa Chu Kang | Orchard to City Hall | Orchard to Clarke Quay | Orchard to Clementi | Orchard to Expo
All station pairs are on the MRT routes hub, and the fare calculator covers any pair of stations.