Bishan MRT Station

Bishan MRT station stands on Bishan Road in Bishan town centre and is an interchange between the North South Line (NS17) and the Circle Line (CC15). Junction 8 shopping centre and Bishan Bus Interchange are right next to it, and Bishan Stadium is a short walk away, so many journeys in this part of central Singapore start or end here.

Bishan on the North South Line map

Bishan MRT station at a glance

Opening date, operator and ridership figures are LTA data as recorded on Wikipedia.

The North South Line platforms are at ground level, which makes them the only ground-level MRT station on the network. Riders include residents of the surrounding housing estate, shoppers bound for Junction 8, commuters changing between the two lines, and students from nearby schools such as Raffles Institution, Catholic High School and Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School.

History of Bishan MRT station

Bishan MRT station began service on 7 November 1987 as one of the first five stations on the MRT network, after a public preview in late October that year. During planning it was known as Kampong San Teng and then San Teng, before being renamed Bishan in 1984 to match the new housing estate growing around it. The name comes from Peck San, a large Cantonese and Hakka burial ground that once covered the area, and the cleared cemetery is the reason local folklore says the station is haunted. The Circle Line platforms opened on 28 May 2009.

Inside Bishan MRT station

On the North South Line, northbound and southbound trains use separate side platforms. The southbound platform was added during the Circle Line works and is air-conditioned, and the original northbound platform was later upgraded with air-conditioning and platform screen doors. An entrance links directly to the basement of Junction 8, and the Circle Line station displays Move! by Soh Ee Shaun, part of the Art-in-Transit programme.

Most people use Bishan MRT station for everyday errands, meals and leisure in the town centre. Food Junction is about a minute’s walk from the station, and Junction 8 is just as close for shopping. Bishan Public Library is roughly two minutes away on foot, and Bishan Stadium is about an eight-minute walk for those heading to sports events or training. Visitors with a little more time can walk around 11 minutes to the Coral Park Magic Tree.

Around Bishan MRT station

Bishan station sits at the heart of a mature residential town that also serves as a busy local shopping hub. Junction 8 shopping mall and Food Junction are immediately adjacent to the station, making the area a popular destination for residents and visitors alike. The neighbourhood also has community amenities such as Bishan Public Library within easy walking distance.

Places and straight-line distances from OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Actual walking routes may be longer.

How to get to Bishan by MRT

Worked out from the network map. Stop counts are station to station and do not include walking or waiting time.

Fares from Bishan MRT station

A trip from Bishan to Changi Airport (about 21 km) costs S$2.30 on an adult SimplyGo or EZ-Link card. Fares are charged by distance, so the table below shows the estimated adult card fare from Bishan to the main hubs, the early bird fare for journeys that start before 7.45am on weekdays, and the fare that applies from 26 December 2026.

Estimated from the route distance between stations and the Public Transport Council fare table in force from 27 December 2025. The exact fare can differ by one band. Cash fares are higher. Use the fare calculator for any other journey, or check your fare on the SimplyGo app.

Tips for using Bishan MRT station

• Bishan is an interchange station served by both the North South Line and the Circle Line, so plan your route according to which line is more convenient for your onward journey.
• Junction 8 and Food Junction are within approximately one minute on foot from the station, so no extra time is needed to reach them even during a brief stop.
• An-Nahdhah Mosque, Bishan Stadium and Coral Park Magic Tree are all several minutes away on foot, so allow extra time if you plan to visit them, particularly during peak hours when the area around the station can be crowded.
• For places further from the station such as Bishan Stadium and Coral Park Magic Tree, consider using local bus services rather than walking, especially in hot or wet weather.

All stations on the North South Line

In order along the line, with Bishan marked. Stations with their own guide are linked.

Read the full North South Line guide.

All stations on the Circle Line

In order along the line, with Bishan marked. Stations with their own guide are linked.

Read the full Circle Line guide.

Bishan MRT station: common questions

Which line is Bishan MRT station on?

Bishan is on the North South Line and the Circle Line. Its station codes are NS17 and CC15.

Is Bishan an interchange station?

Yes. You can change between the North South Line and the Circle Line inside the station without leaving the paid area.

What time is the first and last train at Bishan?

Times below are for the first and last train leaving the line terminus; trains reach Bishan a few minutes later depending on its position on the line. North South Line first train 5:16 AM, last train 11:48 PM. Circle Line first train 5:37 AM, last train 11:56 PM. Check the operator for holiday changes.

What is near Bishan MRT station?

Bishan station has a range of amenities close by, including Junction 8 shopping mall, Food Junction, Bishan Cafeteria, Bishan Public Library and Gourmet Express, all within approximately three minutes on foot. Further out, you will also find An-Nahdhah Mosque, Bishan Stadium and Coral Park Magic Tree.

Which mall or food centre is closest to Bishan MRT station?

Food Junction is the closest, at approximately 10 metres from the station, followed by Junction 8 at approximately 60 metres and Bishan Cafeteria at approximately 80 metres, all roughly one minute away on foot.

How far is Bishan Stadium from Bishan MRT station?

Bishan Stadium is approximately 470 metres from the station in a straight line, which is roughly an eight-minute walk.

How do I get to Bishan from Changi Airport by MRT?

Take the East West Line from Changi Airport to Paya Lebar (6 stops), then change to the Circle Line from Paya Lebar to Bishan (6 stops). About 12 stops with 1 change.

Sources: station codes, line colours and interchanges from the LTA rail system map; operating hours from SMRT and SBS Transit. Last reviewed October 2026.

News and guides mentioning Bishan

• Vomit on MRT: What to Do When Your Cabin Is Soiled 6 Nov 2026
• Commuter Fatigue and the North-South Corridor Delay 6 Oct 2026
• Singapore MRT line colours: every line by colour 6 Oct 2026
• Sengkang West LRT Reopens Oct 4: What Riders Need to Know 5 Oct 2026

Plan the rest of the trip

Every station on the North South Line and the Circle Line is listed on its line guide, with the full route and interchanges. For times, see the first and last train guide, and for the whole network in one view use the interactive Singapore MRT map or the PDF map.