Little India MRT Station

Little India MRT station is an interchange station in central Singapore, serving the historic Little India district. It operates on two lines: the North East Line, where it carries the code NE7, and the Downtown Line, where its code is DT12. The area around the station is a well-established residential and commercial neighbourhood, known for its concentration of shops, restaurants, and places of worship catering largely to the South Asian community.

Little India on the Downtown Line map

Downtown Line map showing Little India MRT station (DT12)
Downtown Line highlighted. Little India is DT12 and NE7. To see the station itself highlighted, open the interactive map.

Little India station at a glance

Station codesDT12NE7
LinesDowntown Line
North East Line
InterchangeYes, change between 2 lines here
Chinese name小印度
Tamil nameலிட்டில் இந்தியா
Next stations
Downtown Line: Newton ← Little India → Rochor
North East Line: Dhoby Ghaut ← Little India → Farrer Park
Train timesDowntown Line: first train leaves the terminus at 5:30 AM, last train 11:35 PM
North East Line: first train leaves the terminus at 5:42 AM, last train 11:55 PM
Full first and last train guide

See Little India on the map. The interactive map opens with this station highlighted, so you can trace the route from where you are.

Passengers can transfer between the North East Line and the Downtown Line at this station without leaving the paid zone. On the North East Line, neighbouring stations are Dhoby Ghaut to the south and Farrer Park to the north. On the Downtown Line, the adjacent stations are Rochor and Newton. Dhoby Ghaut is itself an interchange station connecting to the Circle Line and the North South Line, extending your journey options considerably from a single starting point.

The station sits at the edge of the Little India conservation area, where Serangoon Road and its surrounding streets are lined with textile shops, flower garland stalls, and South Indian restaurants. The Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple on Serangoon Road is within easy walking distance and is one of the most recognisable religious buildings in the neighbourhood. The broader area also has a covered market at Tekka Centre, which is a short walk from the station exits.

Around Little India station

Little India station serves the Little India district, which falls within the Rochor planning area in central Singapore. The area is a lively ethnic enclave centred on Serangoon Road, known for its Indian restaurants, textile shops, flower garlands, and Hindu temples. It draws a mix of tourists, South Asian migrant workers, local shoppers, and residents from surrounding streets. On foot, the neighbourhood feels colourful and busy, with five-foot ways, street stalls, and the smell of spices creating a distinctly sensory atmosphere.

PlaceTypeWhy go
Mustafa CentreShopping mallA large 24-hour department store selling electronics, groceries, gold jewellery, and a wide range of everyday goods, popular with both residents and tourists.
Little India ArcadeAttractionA row of shophouses along Serangoon Road selling Indian textiles, incense, bangles, and traditional goods, offering a concentrated taste of the district's culture.
Sri Veeramakaliamman TemplePlace of worshipOne of the oldest and most visited Hindu temples in Singapore, dedicated to the goddess Kali and an important site for the local Tamil community.
Tekka CentreHawker centreA large wet market and hawker centre on Bukit Timah Road offering Indian, Malay, and Chinese food stalls, popular for breakfast and lunch.
Campbell LaneAttractionA pedestrianised street lined with shops selling garlands, religious items, and street food, frequently visited by both locals and tourists exploring the enclave.
Angullia MosquePlace of worshipA historic mosque on Serangoon Road serving the Muslim community in the area and contributing to the district's multi-religious character.
Farrer Park FieldParkAn open recreational field near the station used by residents and workers for exercise and informal sports, offering a quieter contrast to the busy streets nearby.

How to get to Little India by MRT

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

From Changi AirportTake the East West Line from Changi Airport to Bugis (10 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from Bugis to Little India (2 stops). About 12 stops with 1 change.
From OrchardTake the North South Line from Orchard to Newton (1 stop), then change to the Downtown Line from Newton to Little India (1 stop). About 2 stops with 1 change.
From City HallTake the North South Line from City Hall to Dhoby Ghaut (1 stop), then change to the North East Line from Dhoby Ghaut to Little India (1 stop). About 2 stops with 1 change.
From Jurong EastTake the East West Line from Jurong East to Buona Vista (3 stops), then change to the Circle Line from Buona Vista to Botanic Gardens (3 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from Botanic Gardens to Little India (3 stops). About 9 stops with 2 changes.
From WoodlandsTake the Thomson East Coast Line from Woodlands to Stevens (8 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from Stevens to Little India (2 stops). About 10 stops with 1 change.
From HarbourFrontTake the North East Line from HarbourFront to Little India (4 stops). About 4 stops, no changes.

Tips for using Little India station

  • The station has two separate lines on different levels; check signage carefully when entering to ensure you board the correct line for your journey.
  • Serangoon Road and the surrounding streets can be very crowded on weekends and during Indian festivals such as Deepavali, so allow extra time for walking between the station exits and nearby attractions.
  • Tekka Centre is a short walk from the station and is a practical stop for an affordable meal before or after exploring the area.
  • Lifts are available at the station for passengers with mobility needs; follow in-station signage as the two lines are stacked across different floors.
  • Mustafa Centre operates around the clock and is reachable on foot within about ten minutes, making it convenient for late-night shopping or errands.

All stations on the Downtown Line

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

CodeStationInterchange
DT1Bukit PanjangDT / BP
DT2Cashew–
DT3Hillview–
DT5Beauty World–
DT6King Albert Park–
DT7Sixth Avenue–
DT8Tan Kah Kee–
DT9Botanic GardensDT / CC
DT10StevensDT / TE
DT11NewtonNS / DT
DT12Little India (you are here)DT / NE
DT13Rochor–
DT14BugisDT / EW
DT15PromenadeCC / DT
DT16BayfrontCE / DT
DT17Downtown–
DT18Telok Ayer–
DT19ChinatownDT / NE
DT20Fort Canning–
DT21Bencoolen–
DT22Jalan Besar–
DT23Bendemeer–
DT24Geylang Bahru–
DT25Mattar–
DT26MacPhersonCC / DT
DT27Ubi–
DT28Kaki Bukit–
DT29Bedok North–
DT30Bedok Reservoir–
DT31Tampines West–
DT32TampinesEW / DT
DT33Tampines East–
DT34Upper Changi–
DT35ExpoDT / CG

Read the full Downtown Line guide.

All stations on the North East Line

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

CodeStationInterchange
NE1HarbourFrontCC / NE
NE4ChinatownDT / NE
NE5Clarke Quay–
NE6Dhoby GhautNS / NE
NE7Little India (you are here)DT / NE
NE8Farrer Park–
NE9Boon Keng–
NE10Potong Pasir–
NE12SerangoonCC / NE
NE13Woodleigh–
NE14Hougang–
NE15Buangkok–
NE16SengkangNE / STC
NE17PunggolNE / PTC

Read the full North East Line guide.

Little India station: common questions

Which line is Little India MRT station on?

Little India is on the Downtown Line and the North East Line. Its station codes are DT12 and NE7.

Is Little India an interchange station?

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

What time is the first and last train at Little India?

Times below are for the first and last train leaving the line terminus; trains reach Little India a few minutes later depending on its position on the line. Downtown Line first train 5:30 AM, last train 11:35 PM. North East Line first train 5:42 AM, last train 11:55 PM. Check the operator for holiday changes.

Is Mustafa Centre within walking distance of Little India station?

Yes. Mustafa Centre on Syed Alwi Road is approximately a ten-minute walk from the station. It is a large 24-hour retail complex and one of the main reasons many people visit this part of the city.

What is Little India known for, and what can I find around the station?

Little India is Singapore's main South Asian ethnic enclave, known for Hindu temples, Indian restaurants, textile shops, flower stalls, and gold jewellers. Serangoon Road, Tekka Centre, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, and the Little India Arcade are all close to the station.

Is there a hawker centre near Little India station?

Yes. Tekka Centre on Bukit Timah Road is the closest major hawker centre, a short walk from the station. It houses a wet market on the lower floor and numerous food stalls serving Indian, Malay, and Chinese cuisine throughout the day.

How do I get to Little India from Changi Airport by MRT?

Take the East West Line from Changi Airport to Bugis (10 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from Bugis to Little India (2 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 September 2026.

News and guides mentioning Little India

Plan the rest of the trip

Every station on the Downtown 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.