Clarke Quay MRT Station
Clarke Quay MRT station is an underground station on the North East Line, carrying the code NE5. It lies beneath The Central building on Eu Tong Sen Street, close to where Merchant Road and North Canal Road meet. The station sits on the southern side of the Singapore River, which places it within easy reach of the riverside quays in the heart of the city.
Clarke Quay on the North East Line map
Clarke Quay MRT station at a glance
| Station codes | NE5 |
|---|---|
| Lines | North East Line |
| Line colour | Purple line (North East Line) |
| Interchange | No, single line station |
| Chinese name | 克拉码头 |
| Tamil name | கிளார்க் கீ |
| Opened | 20 June 2003 (23 years ago) |
| Operator | SBS Transit |
| Station type | Underground |
| Platforms | 2 (1 island platform) |
| Address | 10 Eu Tong Sen Street, Singapore 059815 |
| Daily ridership | About 12,505 passengers a day (2024) |
| Next stations | |
| Train times | North East Line: first train leaves the terminus at 5:39 AM, last train 11:55 PM Full first and last train guide |
Opening date, operator and ridership figures are LTA data as recorded on Wikipedia.
See Clarke Quay on the map. The interactive map opens with this station highlighted, so you can trace the route from where you are.
Most passengers use it to reach Clarke Quay and Boat Quay, the two riverfront areas it was built to serve. It is also the stop for nearby landmarks such as Hong Lim Park, The Riverwalk and the Swissotel Merchant Court. Because the station is directly under The Central, many people arrive here simply to shop or eat in the building above the platforms.
History of Clarke Quay MRT station
The station was named in March 1996 as one of sixteen stops on the planned North East Line, and it formed part of a wider effort to redevelop the Singapore River area. Its site was once occupied by Ellenborough Market, whose stallholders had to leave by 31 March 1997 so the market could be demolished. Clarke Quay MRT station opened to passengers on 20 June 2003, on the same day as the rest of the North East Line.
Inside Clarke Quay MRT station
The station is designated as a Civil Defence shelter. Its entrances have curving forms meant to suggest the flowing water of the Singapore River, and inside you can see The Reflections, an Art in Transit artwork by Chua Ek Kay.
For day to day use, Clarke Quay MRT station is a practical base for both shopping and culture. Clarke Quay Central is only about 30 metres away, roughly a one minute walk, and Funan is around 470 metres from the station, or about eight minutes on foot.
Visitors interested in art and history can walk to the Asian Civilisations Museum in about nine minutes, with National Gallery Singapore a similar distance away and the Peranakan Museum around eleven minutes on foot. Speakers’ Corner is also close by, about four minutes away, making the station a sensible choice for a walking route that takes in the river, the museums and the shopping centres around the quays.
Around Clarke Quay MRT station
Clarke Quay station sits in a lively riverside entertainment and cultural district along the Singapore River. The area is dominated by dining, nightlife and shopping, with Clarke Quay Central mall just steps away. Several museums and galleries, including the Asian Civilisations Museum and National Gallery Singapore, are within walking distance, giving the neighbourhood a strong arts and heritage character.
| Place | Type | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarke Quay Central | Shopping mall | About 30 m (~1 min walk) | Visit for a wide range of shops, food outlets and everyday retail under one roof. |
| Eagle’s Eye Gallery | Gallery | About 210 m (~3 min walk) | Browse contemporary art exhibitions and works from local and regional artists. |
| Gallery Thirty Three | Gallery | About 210 m (~3 min walk) | Explore art displays and creative works in an intimate gallery setting. |
| Speakers' Corner | Attraction | About 270 m (~4 min walk) | A public space designated for events, performances and free public assembly. |
| Funan | Shopping mall | About 470 m (~8 min walk) | A larger shopping destination with a broad mix of retail and dining options. |
| Asian Civilisations Museum | Museum | About 540 m (~9 min walk) | Discover artefacts and exhibits tracing the history of Asian civilisations. |
| National Gallery Singapore | Museum | About 560 m (~9 min walk) | View an extensive collection of visual art from Singapore and Southeast Asia. |
| Peranakan Museum | Museum | About 670 m (~11 min walk) | Learn about the culture, heritage and history of the Peranakan community. |
Places and straight-line distances from OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Actual walking routes may be longer.
How to get to Clarke Quay by MRT
Worked out from the network map. Stop counts are station to station and do not include walking or waiting time.
| From Changi Airport | Take the East West Line from Changi Airport to Outram Park (14 stops), then change to the North East Line from Outram Park to Clarke Quay (2 stops). About 16 stops with 1 change. |
|---|---|
| From Orchard | Take the North South Line from Orchard to Dhoby Ghaut (2 stops), then change to the North East Line from Dhoby Ghaut to Clarke Quay (1 stop). About 3 stops with 1 change. |
| From City Hall | Take the North South Line from City Hall to Dhoby Ghaut (1 stop), then change to the North East Line from Dhoby Ghaut to Clarke Quay (1 stop). About 2 stops with 1 change. |
| From Jurong East | Take the East West Line from Jurong East to Outram Park (8 stops), then change to the North East Line from Outram Park to Clarke Quay (2 stops). About 10 stops with 1 change. |
| From Woodlands | Take the North South Line from Woodlands to Dhoby Ghaut (15 stops), then change to the North East Line from Dhoby Ghaut to Clarke Quay (1 stop). About 16 stops with 1 change. |
| From HarbourFront | Take the North East Line from HarbourFront to Clarke Quay (3 stops). About 3 stops, no changes. |
Fares from Clarke Quay MRT station
A trip from Clarke Quay to Changi Airport (about 24 km) costs S$2.38 on an adult SimplyGo or EZ-Link card. Fares are charged by distance, so the table below shows the estimated adult card fare from Clarke Quay 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.
| To | Distance | Adult card | Before 7.45am | From 26 Dec 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Changi Airport | about 24 km, 16 stops | S$2.38 | S$1.88 | S$2.51 |
| Orchard | about 3 km, 3 stops | S$1.28 | S$0.78 | S$1.40 |
| City Hall | about 3 km, 2 stops | S$1.28 | S$0.78 | S$1.40 |
| Raffles Place | about 4 km, 3 stops | S$1.38 | S$0.88 | S$1.51 |
| Jurong East | about 15 km, 10 stops | S$2.07 | S$1.57 | S$2.20 |
| Woodlands | about 23 km, 12 stops | S$2.36 | S$1.86 | S$2.49 |
| HarbourFront | about 4 km, 3 stops | S$1.49 | S$0.99 | S$1.62 |
| Marina Bay | about 5 km, 4 stops | S$1.49 | S$0.99 | S$1.62 |
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 Clarke Quay MRT station
- Clarke Quay Central is the closest major destination and is reachable on foot in about a minute from the station.
- For the museums along St Andrew's Road, such as National Gallery Singapore and Asian Civilisations Museum, allow around 9 to 11 minutes of walking and extra time during hot midday hours.
- The area around the Singapore River can be busy on weekend evenings, so expect slower walking times when crowds are present.
- If you plan to visit several places in the verified list in one trip, start with the nearer ones such as the galleries and Speakers' Corner before walking further to the museums.
All stations on the North East Line
In order along the line, with Clarke Quay marked. Stations with their own guide are linked.
| Code | Station | Interchange |
|---|---|---|
| NE1 | HarbourFront | CC / NE |
| NE3 | Outram Park | TE / EW / NE |
| NE4 | Chinatown | DT / NE |
| NE5 | Clarke Quay (you are here) | None |
| NE6 | Dhoby Ghaut | NS / NE / CC |
| NE7 | Little India | DT / NE |
| NE8 | Farrer Park | None |
| NE9 | Boon Keng | None |
| NE10 | Potong Pasir | None |
| NE11 | Woodleigh | None |
| NE12 | Serangoon | CC / NE |
| NE13 | Kovan | None |
| NE14 | Hougang | None |
| NE15 | Buangkok | None |
| NE16 | Sengkang | NE / STC |
| NE17 | Punggol | NE / PTC |
| NE18 | Punggol Coast | None |
Read the full North East Line guide.
Clarke Quay MRT station: common questions
Which line is Clarke Quay MRT station on?
Clarke Quay is on the North East Line. Its station code is NE5.
Is Clarke Quay an interchange station?
No. Clarke Quay is served by the North East Line only. The nearest interchange is shown in the next stations row above.
What time is the first and last train at Clarke Quay?
Times below are for the first and last train leaving the line terminus; trains reach Clarke Quay a few minutes later depending on its position on the line. North East Line first train 5:39 AM, last train 11:55 PM. Check the operator for holiday changes.
What is near Clarke Quay MRT station?
The station is surrounded by a mix of shopping, arts and heritage attractions. Nearby places include Clarke Quay Central mall, Eagle's Eye Gallery, Gallery Thirty Three, Speakers' Corner, Funan mall, the Asian Civilisations Museum, National Gallery Singapore and the Peranakan Museum.
Which shopping mall is closest to Clarke Quay MRT station?
Clarke Quay Central is the closest mall, at approximately 30 metres from the station, which is roughly a one-minute walk.
How far is the Asian Civilisations Museum from Clarke Quay MRT station?
The Asian Civilisations Museum is approximately 540 metres away in a straight line, which is roughly a nine-minute walk.
How do I get to Clarke Quay from Changi Airport by MRT?
Take the East West Line from Changi Airport to Outram Park (14 stops), then change to the North East Line from Outram Park to Clarke Quay (2 stops). About 16 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 Clarke Quay
- MRT shopping malls: Direct station connections in Singapore 6 Nov 2026
- Top 10 MRT attractions you can reach without changing lines 29 Oct 2026
- シンガポール地下鉄（MRT）路線図 2026（日本語ガイド） 4 Oct 2026
- Greater Southern Waterfront: MRT Access & Freehold Top Buyer Priorities 27 Jul 2026
Plan the rest of the trip
Every station on the North East 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.
Exits and buses at Clarke Quay station
Clarke Quay has 6 mapped exits (A to G). The letters match the signs inside the station; the landmark beside each one is the closest mapped place to that entrance, so pick the exit that comes up nearest to where you are going.
- Exit A: closest to Speakers' Corner (about 56 m from the entrance)
- Exit B
- Exit C: closest to Clarke Quay Central (about 56 m from the entrance)
- Exit E: closest to Clarke Quay Central (about 72 m from the entrance)
- Exit F: closest to Clarke Quay Central (about 99 m from the entrance)
- Exit G: closest to Clarke Quay Central (about 29 m from the entrance)
Bus stops within 250 m of Clarke Quay station
| Bus stop | Stop code | Services | From station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarke Quay Station Exit E | 04222 | 1N, 2, 2A, 2N, 3N, 4N, 5N, 6N, 12, 12e, 33, 51, 54, 61, 63, 80, 124, 145, 147, 166, 174, 174e, 190, 197, 851, 851e, 961, 961M, NR1, NR2, NR3, NR5, NR6, NR8 | 67 m |
| Opposite Clarke Quay Station | 04239 | 2, 12, 12e, 33, 54, 147, 147A, 190 | 89 m |
| Clarke Quay | 04211 | 32, 54, 195, 195A, NR1, NR2, NR3, NR5, NR6, NR8 | 195 m |
| Opposite Hong Lim Park | 05023 | 2, 2A, 12, 12e, 33, 51, 61, 63, 80, 174, 174e, 197, 961, 961M | 235 m |
| Hong Lim Park | 05059 | 2, 12, 12e, 33, 54, 147, 147A, 190 | 238 m |
| Boat Quay | 05029 | 1N, 2N, 3N, 4N, 5N, 6N, 51, 61, 63, 63A, 80, 124, 145, 166, 174, 174e, 197, 851, 851e, 961, 961M, NR1, NR2, NR3, NR5, NR6, NR8 | 246 m |
Exits and bus services come from OpenStreetMap and can change when roads or routes are revised; check the board at the stop or the operator app before relying on a service late at night. For the nearest station to where you are now, use the MRT near me finder.
Places to visit from Clarke Quay station
Step-by-step guides with the exit to use, the walk and the fare:
See every guide on how to get to Singapore's attractions, hospitals and malls by MRT, with routes and fares from Changi Airport, Orchard and the city.
MRT routes from Clarke Quay
Routes to Clarke Quay: Changi Airport to Clarke Quay | Orchard to Clarke Quay.
More on the MRT routes hub.
Hungry? See food near Clarke Quay MRT: hawker centres, food courts and cafes with walking times.