Maxwell MRT Station
Maxwell MRT station is a station on the Thomson East Coast Line, carrying the station code TE18. It sits in the Tanjong Pagar and Maxwell Road area of central Singapore, a part of the city that mixes commercial office blocks with older shophouse streets and a steady flow of lunchtime and after-work foot traffic. The station serves workers, residents, and visitors moving through this dense stretch of the central business district.
Maxwell on the Thomson East Coast Line map
Maxwell MRT station at a glance
| Station codes | TE18 |
|---|---|
| Lines | Thomson East Coast Line |
| Line colour | Brown line (Thomson East Coast Line) |
| Interchange | No, single line station |
| Chinese name | 麦士威 |
| Tamil name | மெச்ஸ்வெல் |
| Next stations | |
| Train times | Thomson East Coast Line: first train leaves the terminus at 5:36 AM, last train 11:42 PM Full first and last train guide |
See Maxwell on the map. The interactive map opens with this station highlighted, so you can trace the route from where you are.
From Maxwell, the Thomson East Coast Line connects directly to Outram Park station to the west and Shenton Way station to the east. Outram Park is a major interchange serving the North East Line and the East West Line, giving passengers straightforward access to a wide range of destinations across the network without needing to travel far. Shenton Way, one stop in the other direction, sits at the heart of the financial district.
Maxwell Food Centre, one of Singapore's well-known hawker centres, stands close to the station and is a practical and popular destination for a meal. The surrounding Maxwell Road and Tanjong Pagar area is lined with conserved shophouses and small restaurants, making it a pleasant neighbourhood to explore on foot. Ann Siang Hill and Club Street, both known for their low-rise heritage streetscape and dining options, are also within reasonable walking distance.
Around Maxwell MRT station
Maxwell MRT station sits within the heart of Chinatown, one of Singapore's most historically rich districts, blending cultural heritage with everyday local life. The area around the station is dominated by temples, museums, and heritage shophouses, with places such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Museum and Singapore City Gallery close by. Further out, commercial developments like Guoco Tower mark the transition towards the Tanjong Pagar business district.
| Place | Type | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinatown | Attraction | About 80 m (~1 min walk) | Explore the historic Chinatown district, full of heritage shophouses and cultural landmarks. |
| Buddha Tooth Relic Museum | Museum | About 100 m (~2 min walk) | Visit to see sacred Buddhist relics and learn about Buddhist art and culture. |
| Mural: Samsui Lady with Cigarette | Attraction | About 150 m (~2 min walk) | Look out for this striking street mural depicting a Samsui woman, a figure from Singapore's history. |
| Smith Street | Attraction | About 180 m (~3 min walk) | Walk along this street known for its association with Chinatown's food and shophouse culture. |
| Singapore City Gallery | Museum | About 190 m (~3 min walk) | Discover how Singapore has been planned and developed through engaging city exhibitions. |
| Guoco Tower | Shopping mall | About 440 m (~7 min walk) | Head here for a large mixed-use commercial development with shopping and dining options. |
| Nagore Durgha Indian Muslim Heritage Centre | Museum | About 450 m (~7 min walk) | Learn about the history and heritage of Singapore's Indian Muslim community at this centre. |
| Icon Village | Shopping mall | About 610 m (~10 min walk) | A shopping and lifestyle destination worth the walk for those wanting more retail options. |
Places and straight-line distances from OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Actual walking routes may be longer.
How to get to Maxwell 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 Thomson East Coast Line from Outram Park to Maxwell (1 stop). About 15 stops with 1 change. |
|---|---|
| From Orchard | Take the Thomson East Coast Line from Orchard to Maxwell (4 stops). About 4 stops, no changes. |
| From City Hall | Take the East West Line from City Hall to Outram Park (3 stops), then change to the Thomson East Coast Line from Outram Park to Maxwell (1 stop). About 4 stops with 1 change. |
| From Jurong East | Take the East West Line from Jurong East to Outram Park (8 stops), then change to the Thomson East Coast Line from Outram Park to Maxwell (1 stop). About 9 stops with 1 change. |
| From Woodlands | Take the Thomson East Coast Line from Woodlands to Maxwell (15 stops). About 15 stops, no changes. |
| From HarbourFront | Take the North East Line from HarbourFront to Outram Park (1 stop), then change to the Thomson East Coast Line from Outram Park to Maxwell (1 stop). About 2 stops with 1 change. |
Fares from Maxwell MRT station
A trip from Maxwell to Changi Airport (about 23 km) costs S$2.36 on an adult SimplyGo or EZ-Link card. Fares are charged by distance, so the table below shows the estimated adult card fare from Maxwell 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 23 km, 15 stops | S$2.36 | S$1.86 | S$2.49 |
| Orchard | about 4 km, 4 stops | S$1.38 | S$0.88 | S$1.51 |
| City Hall | about 4 km, 4 stops | S$1.38 | S$0.88 | S$1.51 |
| Raffles Place | about 3 km, 3 stops | S$1.28 | S$0.78 | S$1.40 |
| Jurong East | about 14 km, 9 stops | S$2.07 | S$1.57 | S$2.20 |
| Woodlands | about 25 km, 15 stops | S$2.40 | S$1.90 | S$2.53 |
| HarbourFront | about 3 km, 2 stops | S$1.38 | S$0.88 | S$1.51 |
| Marina Bay | about 2 km, 2 stops | S$1.28 | S$0.78 | S$1.40 |
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 Maxwell MRT station
- Chinatown, the Buddha Tooth Relic Museum, and Smith Street are all within a short walk of the station, making them easy to visit on foot.
- Guoco Tower and the Nagore Durgha Indian Muslim Heritage Centre are roughly a seven-minute walk, so allow a little extra time, particularly in hot weather.
- Icon Village is approximately ten minutes on foot, so visitors who are short on time or arriving during peak hours may prefer to use the MRT to a closer station.
- The Thomson East Coast Line runs through Maxwell, so passengers travelling from the city centre or the east side of Singapore can reach this station without needing to interchange at a busy hub.
All stations on the Thomson East Coast Line
In order along the line, with Maxwell marked. Stations with their own guide are linked.
| Code | Station | Interchange |
|---|---|---|
| TE1 | Woodlands North | None |
| TE2 | Woodlands | NS / TE |
| TE3 | Woodlands South | None |
| TE4 | Springleaf | None |
| TE5 | Lentor | None |
| TE6 | Mayflower | None |
| TE7 | Bright Hill | None |
| TE8 | Upper Thomson | None |
| TE9 | Caldecott | CC / TE |
| TE11 | Stevens | DT / TE |
| TE12 | Napier | None |
| TE13 | Orchard Boulevard | None |
| TE14 | Orchard | TE / NS |
| TE15 | Great World | None |
| TE16 | Havelock | None |
| TE17 | Outram Park | TE / EW / NE |
| TE18 | Maxwell (you are here) | None |
| TE19 | Shenton Way | None |
| TE20 | Marina Bay | CE / TE / NS |
| TE22 | Gardens by the Bay | None |
| TE23 | Tanjong Rhu | None |
| TE24 | Katong Park | None |
| TE25 | Tanjong Katong | None |
| TE26 | Marine Parade | None |
| TE27 | Marine Terrace | None |
| TE28 | Siglap | None |
| TE29 | Bayshore | None |
Read the full Thomson East Coast Line guide.
Maxwell MRT station: common questions
Which line is Maxwell MRT station on?
Maxwell is on the Thomson East Coast Line. Its station code is TE18.
Is Maxwell an interchange station?
No. Maxwell is served by the Thomson East Coast Line only. The nearest interchange is shown in the next stations row above.
What time is the first and last train at Maxwell?
Times below are for the first and last train leaving the line terminus; trains reach Maxwell a few minutes later depending on its position on the line. Thomson East Coast Line first train 5:36 AM, last train 11:42 PM. Check the operator for holiday changes.
What is near Maxwell MRT station?
Maxwell MRT station is surrounded by Chinatown and several cultural attractions, including the Buddha Tooth Relic Museum and the Singapore City Gallery, all within approximately 200 metres. Further out, Guoco Tower and the Nagore Durgha Indian Muslim Heritage Centre are around 440 to 450 metres away.
Which shopping mall is closest to Maxwell MRT station?
Guoco Tower is the closest shopping mall, approximately 440 metres from the station, which is roughly a seven-minute walk. Icon Village is the next nearest, at approximately 610 metres.
How far is the Buddha Tooth Relic Museum from Maxwell MRT station?
The Buddha Tooth Relic Museum is approximately 100 metres from Maxwell MRT station, making it around a two-minute walk. Note that distances are approximate.
How do I get to Maxwell from Changi Airport by MRT?
Take the East West Line from Changi Airport to Outram Park (14 stops), then change to the Thomson East Coast Line from Outram Park to Maxwell (1 stop). About 15 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 Maxwell
- Greater Southern Waterfront: MRT Access & Freehold Top Buyer Priorities 27 Jul 2026
- Tanjong Pagar Distripark & SAM: Singapore Arts Guide 24 Jul 2026
- Circle Line Stage 6 Opens: CCL Now Complete After 30 Years 5 Jul 2026
- How to Travel from Changi Airport to the City Center via MRT (2026 Guide) 26 Apr 2026
Plan the rest of the trip
Every station on the Thomson East Coast 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.