Tampines to Chinatown by MRT

Quick answer: Take the Downtown Line (towards Bukit Panjang) to Chinatown. That is 13 stops with no change of train, about 35 minutes on the train, and the adult card fare is S$2.15.

Step by step from Tampines to Chinatown

At Tampines board the Downtown Line towards Bukit Panjang and ride 13 stops to Chinatown.

This is a direct ride on one line, so once you are on the train you can stay seated until Chinatown. Station codes: Tampines is EW2/DT32 and Chinatown is DT19/NE4. See the interactive MRT map to check the route on the network.

Fare from Tampines to Chinatown

Fare type	Adult card fare
Standard adult fare (card, contactless or phone wallet)	S$2.15
Early bird, tapping in before 7.45am on a weekday	S$1.65
From 26 December 2026, after the announced fare rise	S$2.28

The fare is based on the 16.3 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 35 minutes on the train from Tampines to Chinatown. That assumes roughly 2 to 3 minutes per stop, 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 Downtown Line runs from about 5:30 AM until about 11:40 PM at its first station. Times at Tampines 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 Tampines

At Chinatown board the Downtown Line towards Expo and ride 13 stops to Tampines.

The return trip takes about 35 minutes and costs the same S$2.15.

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 Tampines station guide does the same for the start of the trip.

Places to visit at either end

How to Get to Chinatown by MRT

Frequently asked questions

How many MRT stops from Tampines to Chinatown?

13 stops on the Downtown Line with no change.

How much is the MRT fare from Tampines to Chinatown?

S$2.15 for an adult paying by card or phone, S$1.65 before 7.45am on weekdays, and S$2.28 from 26 December 2026.

How long is the train ride?

About 35 minutes, not counting the walk to and from the stations.

Do I need to change trains?

No. Stay on the Downtown Line all the way.

Which platform do I need at Tampines?

Follow the signs for the Downtown Line platform towards Bukit Panjang. The platform screens show the next train and its destination.

More routes from Tampines and Chinatown

All station pairs are on the MRT routes hub, and the fare calculator covers any pair of stations.