Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station

Dhoby Ghaut MRT station sits underground beneath the eastern end of Orchard Road, in the Dhoby Ghaut area of the Museum Planning Area in central Singapore. It is an interchange served by three lines: the North South Line (NS24), the North East Line (NE6) and the Circle Line (CC1), where it is the first station on the line. The station is built into the commercial development The Atrium@Orchard, so you can walk from the platforms into shops and offices without going outside.

Dhoby Ghaut on the North South Line map

Dhoby Ghaut MRT station at a glance

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

Because three lines meet here, a large share of passengers use the station simply to change trains. Many others are heading to the malls at this end of Orchard Road, to Fort Canning, or to the museums a short walk away. Landmarks around the station include The Istana, MacDonald House, Plaza Singapura and Dhoby Ghaut Green.

History of Dhoby Ghaut MRT station

The station first welcomed passengers on 12 December 1987 as part of the first phase of the MRT network, and it has been on the North South Line since the network was split into separate lines on 28 October 1989. North East Line platforms followed on 20 June 2003, and the Circle Line platforms opened on 17 April 2010, which made Dhoby Ghaut the first station on the network to link three lines. Building the North East Line section was no small task: the Stamford Canal, which ran straight through the site, had to be moved, and part of the hill at Mount Sophia was cut away to make room.

Inside Dhoby Ghaut MRT station

This is one of the deepest and largest stations on the network, spread over five underground levels and reaching 28 metres below ground at its lowest point, so allow a few extra minutes when changing between lines. Lifts have provided step-free access since September 2000. Look out for the artwork along the way: there are three Art-in-Transit pieces in the North East Line and Circle Line areas, a set of Art Seats on the Circle Line platforms, and an artwork above the North South Line platforms.

For most people, Dhoby Ghaut MRT station is the starting point for shopping and sightseeing at the quieter end of Orchard Road. Plaza Singapura is about 100 metres away, roughly a two minute walk, and The Cathay is around four minutes on foot. If you prefer history and green space, the Istana Heritage Gallery and the Fort Canning Tree Tunnel are each about a four minute walk, while the National Museum of Singapore is around seven minutes away. Further along, Orchard Central and the restored shophouses of Emerald Hill can be reached in under a quarter of an hour on foot.

Around Dhoby Ghaut MRT station

Dhoby Ghaut sits at the edge of the Orchard Road shopping belt and the green slopes of Fort Canning, making it a mix of retail, cultural and leisure uses. Plaza Singapura is immediately beside the station, while the National Museum of Singapore and the Battlebox Visitor Centre sit a short walk away on the hill. The area draws shoppers, museum visitors and those heading into the parkland around Fort Canning.

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

How to get to Dhoby Ghaut by MRT

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

Fares from Dhoby Ghaut MRT station

A trip from Dhoby Ghaut to Changi Airport (about 20 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 Dhoby Ghaut 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 Dhoby Ghaut MRT station

• Plaza Singapura is the closest major destination and is reachable on foot within a couple of minutes, making it ideal if you want to head straight from the train to shops or food.
• The Fort Canning Tree Tunnel, Battlebox Visitor Centre and National Museum of Singapore are all uphill from the station, so allow a little extra time and energy for those walks, particularly in the midday heat.
• Dhoby Ghaut is an interchange between the North South Line and the North East Line, so plan your onward journey in advance to make the most of the connections available here.
• For Orchard Central and Emerald Hill, the walking distance is roughly 10 to 13 minutes, so consider riding one stop north on the North South Line to Orchard station to shorten your walk if you are heading specifically to those destinations.

All stations on the North South Line

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

Read the full North South Line guide.

All stations on the North East Line

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

Read the full North East Line guide.

All stations on the Circle Line

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

Read the full Circle Line guide.

Dhoby Ghaut MRT station: common questions

Which line is Dhoby Ghaut MRT station on?

Dhoby Ghaut is on the North South Line and the North East Line and the Circle Line. Its station codes are NS24 and NE6 and CC1.

Is Dhoby Ghaut an interchange station?

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

What time is the first and last train at Dhoby Ghaut?

Times below are for the first and last train leaving the line terminus; trains reach Dhoby Ghaut a few minutes later depending on its position on the line. North South Line first train 5:16 AM, last train 11:48 PM. North East Line first train 5:39 AM, last train 11:55 PM. Circle Line first train 5:37 AM, last train 11:56 PM. Check the operator for holiday changes.

What is near Dhoby Ghaut MRT station?

The area around Dhoby Ghaut has a mix of shopping malls, museums and leisure attractions. Nearby places include Plaza Singapura, The Cathay, the Istana Heritage Gallery, the Fort Canning Tree Tunnel, the Battlebox Visitor Centre, the National Museum of Singapore, Orchard Central and Emerald Hill.

Which shopping mall is closest to Dhoby Ghaut MRT station?

Plaza Singapura is the closest shopping mall, approximately 100 metres away and roughly a 2-minute walk from the station.

How far is the National Museum of Singapore from Dhoby Ghaut MRT station?

The National Museum of Singapore is approximately 460 metres from Dhoby Ghaut station, which is roughly a 7-minute walk.

How do I get to Dhoby Ghaut from Changi Airport by MRT?

Take the East West Line from Changi Airport to City Hall (11 stops), then change to the North South Line from City Hall to Dhoby Ghaut (1 stop). 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 Dhoby Ghaut

• Vomit on MRT: What to Do When Your Cabin Is Soiled 6 Nov 2026
• Travelling with luggage on Singapore MRT: lifts, wide gates and quiet times 6 Nov 2026
• Deepavali Eve Train Extensions: Which Lines Run Later on 8 November 6 Nov 2026
• SBS Transit Disability Support Training: 70% of Staff by 2030 6 Nov 2026

Plan the rest of the trip

Every station on the North South Line and 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.