Little India MRT Station

Little India MRT station is an underground interchange on the North East Line, where it carries the code NE7, and the Downtown Line, where it is DT12. Both lines are operated by SBS Transit. The station lies beneath Bukit Timah Road at its junction with Race Course Road, on the edge of the Little India district that gives it its name.

Little India on the Downtown Line map

Little India MRT station at a glance

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

Most passengers come here for the neighbourhood itself: shoppers heading to Tekka Market and the surrounding streets, visitors exploring the area’s temples, shophouses and museums, and people going to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital or the Land Transport Authority headquarters, both close by. Because two lines meet here, a good number of riders also pass through simply to change trains.

History of Little India MRT station

The North East Line platforms opened on 20 June 2003, and the Downtown Line platforms followed on 27 December 2015 as part of that line’s second stage. During planning the station was known as Kandang Kerbau, a name it shared with the hospital whose old campus the site occupies, and the Singapore Heritage Society objected when it was renamed, arguing that the original name better reflected the area’s heritage. While digging the site in October 1998, workers uncovered human skeletons, some still wearing gold jewellery, and their origin has never been established.

Inside Little India MRT station

The interior draws on Indian traditions. Look for leaf-shaped patterns in the metal grilles on the walls, and in the Downtown Line section a flowing fabric theme inspired by the sari. Two pieces from the Art-in-Transit programme are on display: Memoirs of the Past by S. Chandrasekaran, based on Indian traditional art, in the North East Line station, and Woven Field by Grace Tan, a geometric tessellation of metal plates set into the baffle wall above the Downtown Line platforms.

For a first visit to the area, Little India MRT station puts several useful stops within a short walk. Tekka Centre is about two minutes away on foot and is the obvious choice for food and market shopping. The House of Tan Teng Niah, roughly three minutes’ walk, is a popular spot for photographs, while the Indian Heritage Centre, about six minutes away, covers the history of the Indian community in Singapore. Those looking for electronics and computer gear can reach Sim Lim Square in around nine minutes, which makes the station a practical starting point for an afternoon that mixes sightseeing with errands.

Around Little India MRT station

Little India station sits at the heart of Singapore's historic South Asian district, surrounded by a lively mix of cultural attractions, wet markets, and shopping options. Tekka Centre draws visitors with its busy food and retail offerings, while the Indian Heritage Centre provides a deeper look at the area's rich heritage. The neighbourhood blends traditional shophouses with modern amenities, making it one of the most culturally distinct parts of the city.

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

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.

Fares from Little India MRT station

A trip from Little India to Changi Airport (about 19 km) costs S$2.27 on an adult SimplyGo or EZ-Link card. Fares are charged by distance, so the table below shows the estimated adult card fare from Little India 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 Little India MRT station

• Most places on this list are within a short walk of the station, so exploring on foot is practical for the majority of visits.
• Sim Lim Square and Objectifs are further away, so allow extra time or consider taking a connecting train or bus rather than walking.
• Little India station is an interchange between the Downtown Line and the North East Line, so plan your onward journey accordingly to save time.
• The area can get very busy on weekends and public holidays, so allow extra time when travelling to and from the station during peak periods.

All stations on the Downtown Line

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

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.

Read the full North East Line guide.

Little India MRT 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 11:40 PM. North East Line first train 5:39 AM, last train 11:55 PM. Check the operator for holiday changes.

What is near Little India MRT station?

The station is close to a range of attractions and shopping options, including Tekka Centre at approximately 140 m, the House of Tan Teng Niah at approximately 180 m, and the Indian Heritage Centre at approximately 340 m.

Which mall or food centre is closest to Little India station?

Tekka Centre is the closest option, at approximately 140 m from the station, or roughly a 2-minute walk.

How far is Sim Lim Square from Little India station?

Sim Lim Square is approximately 570 m from Little India station, which is roughly a 9-minute walk.

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 October 2026.

News and guides mentioning Little India

• Sengkang West LRT Reopens Oct 4: What Riders Need to Know 5 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
• Most Instagram-Worthy MRT Stations in Singapore 28 Sep 2026
• Power Bank Fire at Little India MRT Station 14 Sep 2026

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.

Hungry? See food near Little India MRT: hawker centres, food courts and cafes with walking times.