Punggol to Paya Lebar by MRT
Quick answer: Take the North East Line (towards HarbourFront) to Serangoon, change at Serangoon to the Circle Line (towards Dhoby Ghaut) to Paya Lebar. That is 9 stops with one change, about 30 minutes on the train, and the adult card fare is S$1.98.
Step by step from Punggol to Paya Lebar
- 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.
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: Punggol is NE17/PTC and Paya Lebar is CC9/EW8. See the interactive MRT map to check the route on the network.
Fare from Punggol to Paya Lebar
| Fare type | Adult card fare |
|---|---|
| Standard adult fare (card, contactless or phone wallet) | S$1.98 |
| Early bird, tapping in before 7.45am on a weekday | S$1.48 |
| From 26 December 2026, after the announced fare rise | S$2.11 |
The fare is based on the 12.8 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 Punggol 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 East Line runs from about 5:39 AM until about 11:55 PM at its first station, and the Circle Line from about 5:37 AM until about 11:56 PM. Times at Punggol 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 Punggol
- At Paya Lebar board 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.
The return trip takes about 30 minutes and costs the same S$1.98.
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 Punggol 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 Punggol to Paya Lebar?
9 stops, with one change at Serangoon.
How much is the MRT fare from Punggol to Paya Lebar?
S$1.98 for an adult paying by card or phone, S$1.48 before 7.45am on weekdays, and S$2.11 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 Serangoon. 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 Punggol?
Follow the signs for the North East Line platform towards HarbourFront. The platform screens show the next train and its destination.
More routes from Punggol and Paya Lebar
Bayfront to Punggol | Changi Airport to Paya Lebar | Changi Airport to Punggol | City Hall to Paya Lebar | City Hall to Punggol | HarbourFront to Punggol | Orchard to Paya Lebar | Orchard to Punggol | Raffles Place to Punggol | Serangoon to Punggol
All station pairs are on the MRT routes hub, and the fare calculator covers any pair of stations.