Jalan Besar MRT Station
Jalan Besar MRT station is an underground station on the Downtown Line, numbered DT22, in the Rochor district of central Singapore. It sits beneath Jalan Besar where the road meets Weld Road, and it takes its name from the main road above it. Rochor and Bugis stations are both within walking distance, so the station is part of a closely spaced group of rail stops on the northern edge of the city centre.
Jalan Besar on the Downtown Line map
Jalan Besar MRT station at a glance
| Station codes | DT22 |
|---|---|
| Lines | Downtown Line |
| Line colour | Blue line (Downtown Line) |
| Interchange | No, single line station |
| Chinese name | 惹兰勿刹 |
| Tamil name | ஜாலான் புசார் |
| Opened | 21 October 2017 (9 years ago) |
| Operator | SBS Transit |
| Station type | Underground |
| Platforms | 2 (1 island platform) |
| Address | 90 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208826 |
| Daily ridership | About 9,291 passengers a day (2024) |
| Next stations | |
| Train times | Downtown Line: first train leaves the terminus at 5:30 AM, last train 11:40 PM Full first and last train guide |
Opening date, operator and ridership figures are LTA data as recorded on Wikipedia.
See Jalan Besar on the map. The interactive map opens with this station highlighted, so you can trace the route from where you are.
Passengers include residents of the surrounding neighbourhood, including the River Peaks I and II public housing blocks built nearby after this stretch of the line was finished, along with shoppers bound for the electronics and retail centres a few minutes away. Visitors heading to the museums and heritage centres of Little India and Kampong Glam also use the station.
History of Jalan Besar MRT station
When the stations of Downtown Line Stage 3 were unveiled on 20 August 2010, this stop was announced under the name Sungei Road, after the Sungei Road Thieves’ Market that once operated right beside it. It was a late addition to the original plans for that stage of the line. The public could look around the station at an open house on 15 October 2017, and it began carrying passengers on 21 October 2017.
Inside Jalan Besar MRT station
Because Rochor station is so close, passengers have been able to transfer between the two on foot without paying a fare penalty since March 2018. This lets you avoid riding the full loop of the Downtown Line when your journey would otherwise double back through the city centre.
For most visitors, Jalan Besar MRT station is a practical base for exploring the older districts north of the city centre. Sim Lim Square, known for computers and electronics, is about six minutes on foot, and Tekka Place is a similar distance away. Culture seekers can reach the Indian Heritage Centre in around six minutes and the Malay Heritage Centre in about nine, while the colourful House of Tan Teng Niah and the food stalls and market of Tekka Centre are also an easy walk. Photography and film enthusiasts can continue a little further to the Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film, roughly twelve minutes from the station.
Around Jalan Besar MRT station
Jalan Besar station sits in a mixed neighbourhood that combines heritage shophouses, residential blocks and retail activity. The area is well known for its multicultural character, with attractions such as the Indian Heritage Centre and Malay Heritage Centre reflecting the district's layered history. Shopping options including Sim Lim Square and Tekka Centre are also within easy walking distance.
| Place | Type | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithe House | Attraction | About 320 m (~5 min walk) | Visit Lithe House for a unique cultural or creative experience in a heritage setting. |
| Indian Heritage Centre | Museum | About 370 m (~6 min walk) | Explore the Indian Heritage Centre to learn about the history and culture of Indian communities in Singapore. |
| Tekka Place | Shopping mall | About 370 m (~6 min walk) | Head to Tekka Place for a modern retail and dining experience in the Little India area. |
| Sim Lim Square | Shopping mall | About 380 m (~6 min walk) | Browse Sim Lim Square for electronics, gadgets and related accessories. |
| House of Tan Teng Niah | Attraction | About 550 m (~9 min walk) | See the House of Tan Teng Niah, a colourful heritage villa that is a popular sight in Little India. |
| Malay Heritage Centre | Museum | About 550 m (~9 min walk) | Visit the Malay Heritage Centre to discover the history and traditions of the Malay community in Singapore. |
| Tekka Centre | Shopping mall | About 570 m (~9 min walk) | Go to Tekka Centre for a lively wet market and a wide variety of local hawker food. |
| Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film | Museum | About 730 m (~12 min walk) | Visit Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film for exhibitions and programmes focused on visual arts. |
Places and straight-line distances from OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Actual walking routes may be longer.
How to get to Jalan Besar 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 Tampines (4 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from Tampines to Jalan Besar (10 stops). About 14 stops with 1 change. |
|---|---|
| From Orchard | Take the Thomson East Coast Line from Orchard to Outram Park (3 stops), then change to the North East Line from Outram Park to Chinatown (1 stop), then change to the Downtown Line from Chinatown to Jalan Besar (3 stops). About 7 stops with 2 changes. |
| From City Hall | Take the East West Line from City Hall to Bugis (1 stop), then change to the Downtown Line from Bugis to Jalan Besar (8 stops). About 9 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 Chinatown (1 stop), then change to the Downtown Line from Chinatown to Jalan Besar (3 stops). About 12 stops with 2 changes. |
| From Woodlands | Take the Thomson East Coast Line from Woodlands to Stevens (8 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from Stevens to Jalan Besar (12 stops). About 20 stops with 1 change. |
| From HarbourFront | Take the North East Line from HarbourFront to Chinatown (2 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from Chinatown to Jalan Besar (3 stops). About 5 stops with 1 change. |
Fares from Jalan Besar MRT station
A trip from Jalan Besar to Changi Airport (about 21 km) costs S$2.33 on an adult SimplyGo or EZ-Link card. Fares are charged by distance, so the table below shows the estimated adult card fare from Jalan Besar 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 21 km, 14 stops | S$2.33 | S$1.83 | S$2.46 |
| Orchard | about 7 km, 7 stops | S$1.68 | S$1.18 | S$1.81 |
| City Hall | about 8 km, 9 stops | S$1.82 | S$1.32 | S$1.95 |
| Raffles Place | about 6 km, 6 stops | S$1.59 | S$1.09 | S$1.72 |
| Jurong East | about 18 km, 12 stops | S$2.20 | S$1.70 | S$2.33 |
| Woodlands | about 29 km, 20 stops | S$2.46 | S$1.96 | S$2.59 |
| HarbourFront | about 7 km, 5 stops | S$1.68 | S$1.18 | S$1.81 |
| Marina Bay | about 6 km, 7 stops | S$1.59 | S$1.09 | S$1.72 |
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 Jalan Besar MRT station
- Lithe House, the Indian Heritage Centre and Tekka Place are all roughly 5 to 6 minutes away on foot, making them convenient first stops after exiting the station.
- Sim Lim Square is also around 6 minutes away on foot and is best reached by walking directly from the station rather than taking public transport.
- The Malay Heritage Centre, House of Tan Teng Niah and Tekka Centre are around 9 minutes away on foot; allow a little extra time if you plan to visit all of them in one trip.
- Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film is the furthest verified destination at roughly 12 minutes on foot, so consider whether you have enough time before heading there, especially during peak hours when the surrounding streets can be busy.
All stations on the Downtown Line
In order along the line, with Jalan Besar marked. Stations with their own guide are linked.
| Code | Station | Interchange |
|---|---|---|
| DT1 | Bukit Panjang | DT / BP |
| DT2 | Cashew | None |
| DT3 | Hillview | None |
| DT4 | Hume | None |
| DT5 | Beauty World | None |
| DT6 | King Albert Park | None |
| DT7 | Sixth Avenue | None |
| DT8 | Tan Kah Kee | None |
| DT9 | Botanic Gardens | DT / CC |
| DT10 | Stevens | DT / TE |
| DT11 | Newton | NS / DT |
| DT12 | Little India | DT / NE |
| DT13 | Rochor | None |
| DT14 | Bugis | DT / EW |
| DT15 | Promenade | CC / DT |
| DT16 | Bayfront | CE / DT |
| DT17 | Downtown | None |
| DT18 | Telok Ayer | None |
| DT19 | Chinatown | DT / NE |
| DT20 | Fort Canning | None |
| DT21 | Bencoolen | None |
| DT22 | Jalan Besar (you are here) | None |
| DT23 | Bendemeer | None |
| DT24 | Geylang Bahru | None |
| DT25 | Mattar | None |
| DT26 | MacPherson | CC / DT |
| DT27 | Ubi | None |
| DT28 | Kaki Bukit | None |
| DT29 | Bedok North | None |
| DT30 | Bedok Reservoir | None |
| DT31 | Tampines West | None |
| DT32 | Tampines | EW / DT |
| DT33 | Tampines East | None |
| DT34 | Upper Changi | None |
| DT35 | Expo | DT / CG |
Read the full Downtown Line guide.
Jalan Besar MRT station: common questions
Which line is Jalan Besar MRT station on?
Jalan Besar is on the Downtown Line. Its station code is DT22.
Is Jalan Besar an interchange station?
No. Jalan Besar is served by the Downtown Line only. The nearest interchange is shown in the next stations row above.
What time is the first and last train at Jalan Besar?
Times below are for the first and last train leaving the line terminus; trains reach Jalan Besar a few minutes later depending on its position on the line. Downtown Line first train 5:30 AM, last train 11:40 PM. Check the operator for holiday changes.
What is near Jalan Besar MRT station?
Several attractions and shopping options are within walking distance, including the Indian Heritage Centre, Sim Lim Square, Tekka Place and the Malay Heritage Centre. Distances are approximate, but most of these are within a 6 to 9 minute walk of the station.
Which mall is closest to Jalan Besar MRT station?
Tekka Place and Sim Lim Square are among the closest shopping malls, both approximately 370 to 380 metres from the station, or roughly a 6 minute walk.
How far is the Malay Heritage Centre from Jalan Besar station?
The Malay Heritage Centre is approximately 550 metres from Jalan Besar station, which is roughly a 9 minute walk. Please note this is a straight-line distance and the actual walking route may be a little longer.
How do I get to Jalan Besar from Changi Airport by MRT?
Take the East West Line from Changi Airport to Tampines (4 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from Tampines to Jalan Besar (10 stops). About 14 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 Jalan Besar
- シンガポール地下鉄（MRT）路線図 2026（日本語ガイド） 4 Oct 2026
- Singapore MRT Art in Transit Programme Explained 13 Aug 2026
- Downtown Line Map 11 Aug 2023
- Tamil 11 Aug 2023
Plan the rest of the trip
Every station on the Downtown 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 Jalan Besar station
Jalan Besar has 2 mapped exits (A to B). 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
- Exit B
Bus stops within 250 m of Jalan Besar station
| Bus stop | Stop code | Services | From station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jalan Besar Station Exit A | 07529 | 23, 64, 65, 67, 130, 139, 147, 147A, 857, 857B | 123 m |
| Opposite Veerasamy Road | 07419 | 23, 64, 65, 67, 130, 139, 147, 147A, 857, 857B | 137 m |
| Church of Our Lady of Lourdes | 07589 | 2N, 4N, 48, 57, 130, 851, 851e, 960, 960e | 238 m |
| Queen Street Terminal | 01109 | 170 | 243 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 Jalan Besar station
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.
Hungry? See food near Jalan Besar MRT: hawker centres, food courts and cafes with walking times.