Woodlands to Tampines by MRT
Quick answer: Take the North South Line (towards Marina South Pier) to Bishan, change at Bishan to the Circle Line (towards Dhoby Ghaut) to MacPherson, change at MacPherson to the Downtown Line (towards Expo) to Tampines. That is 19 stops with 2 changes, about 60 minutes on the train, and the adult card fare is S$2.48.
Step by step from Woodlands to Tampines
- At Woodlands board the North South Line towards Marina South Pier and ride 8 stops to Bishan.
- At Bishan change to the Circle Line towards Dhoby Ghaut and ride 5 stops to MacPherson.
- At MacPherson change to the Downtown Line towards Expo and ride 6 stops to Tampines.
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: Woodlands is NS9/TE2 and Tampines is EW2/DT32. See the interactive MRT map to check the route on the network.
Fare from Woodlands to Tampines
| Fare type | Adult card fare |
|---|---|
| Standard adult fare (card, contactless or phone wallet) | S$2.48 |
| Early bird, tapping in before 7.45am on a weekday | S$1.98 |
| From 26 December 2026, after the announced fare rise | S$2.61 |
The fare is based on the 32.2 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 60 minutes on the train from Woodlands to Tampines. 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 Downtown Line from about 5:30 AM until about 11:40 PM. Times at Woodlands 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: Tampines to Woodlands
- At Tampines board the Downtown Line towards Bukit Panjang and ride 6 stops to MacPherson.
- At MacPherson change to the Circle Line towards Prince Edward Road and ride 5 stops to Bishan.
- At Bishan change to the North South Line towards Jurong East and ride 8 stops to Woodlands.
The return trip takes about 60 minutes and costs the same S$2.48.
Arriving at Tampines
Tampines MRT station sits at the heart of one of Singapore's largest new towns, surrounded by a dense mix of retail, dining and residential activity. The area is well served by shopping malls including Tampines 1 and Century Square, alongside numerous food centres catering to the local community. Public transport connections are strong, with Tampines Interchange located just beside the station.
Close to the station:
- Tampines Interchange (bus interchange, about 1 min on foot)
- Tampines 1 (shopping mall, about 2 min on foot)
- Hawkers' Street (food centre, about 2 min on foot)
- Malaysia Boleh (food centre, about 2 min on foot)
- NTWU Canteen (food centre, about 2 min on foot)
The Tampines station guide lists every exit, the lines it serves and first and last trains; the Woodlands 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 Woodlands to Tampines?
19 stops, with 2 changes.
How much is the MRT fare from Woodlands to Tampines?
S$2.48 for an adult paying by card or phone, S$1.98 before 7.45am on weekdays, and S$2.61 from 26 December 2026.
How long is the train ride?
About 60 minutes, not counting the walk to and from the stations.
Do I need to change trains?
Yes, twice, as listed in the steps above. 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 Woodlands?
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 Woodlands and Tampines
Bayfront to Tampines | Bayfront to Woodlands | Bugis to Tampines | Bugis to Woodlands | Changi Airport to Tampines | Changi Airport to Woodlands | City Hall to Tampines | City Hall to Woodlands | HarbourFront to Tampines | HarbourFront to Woodlands | Jurong East to Tampines | Jurong East to Woodlands | Orchard to Tampines | Orchard to Woodlands
All station pairs are on the MRT routes hub, and the fare calculator covers any pair of stations.