Orchard to Paya Lebar by MRT
Quick answer: Take the North South Line (towards Marina South Pier) to City Hall, change at City Hall to the East West Line (towards Pasir Ris) to Paya Lebar. That is 8 stops with one change, about 30 minutes on the train, and the adult card fare is S$1.82.
Step by step from Orchard to Paya Lebar
- At Orchard board the North South Line towards Marina South Pier and ride 3 stops to City Hall.
- At City Hall change to the East West Line towards Pasir Ris and ride 5 stops to Paya Lebar.
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 Paya Lebar is CC9/EW8. See the interactive MRT map to check the route on the network.
Fare from Orchard to Paya Lebar
| Fare type | Adult card fare |
|---|---|
| Standard adult fare (card, contactless or phone wallet) | S$1.82 |
| Early bird, tapping in before 7.45am on a weekday | S$1.32 |
| From 26 December 2026, after the announced fare rise | S$1.95 |
The fare is based on the 9.1 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 30 minutes on the train from Orchard to Paya Lebar. 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 East West Line from about 5:19 AM until about 11:23 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: Paya Lebar to Orchard
- At Paya Lebar board the East West Line towards Tuas Link and ride 5 stops to City Hall.
- At City Hall change to the North South Line towards Jurong East and ride 3 stops to Orchard.
The return trip takes about 30 minutes and costs the same S$1.82.
Arriving at Paya Lebar
Paya Lebar station sits at the heart of a busy commercial and retail district in eastern Singapore. The area is anchored by several shopping malls including Paya Lebar Square and Tanjong Katong Complex, drawing shoppers and office workers throughout the day. A number of food centres nearby also serve the surrounding residential community.
Close to the station:
- Kopitiam (food centre, about 1 min on foot)
- Cantine (food centre, about 2 min on foot)
- Paya Lebar Square (shopping mall, about 2 min on foot)
- Malaysia Chiak! (food centre, about 3 min on foot)
- Tanjong Katong Complex (shopping mall, about 4 min on foot)
The Paya Lebar 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 Paya Lebar?
8 stops, with one change at City Hall.
How much is the MRT fare from Orchard to Paya Lebar?
S$1.82 for an adult paying by card or phone, S$1.32 before 7.45am on weekdays, and S$1.95 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 City Hall. 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 North South Line platform towards Marina South Pier. The platform screens show the next train and its destination.
More routes from Orchard and Paya Lebar
Changi Airport to Orchard | Changi Airport to Paya Lebar | City Hall to Paya Lebar | 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 Buona Vista | Orchard to Chinatown | Orchard to Choa Chu Kang | Orchard to City Hall
All station pairs are on the MRT routes hub, and the fare calculator covers any pair of stations.