Paya Lebar MRT Station

Paya Lebar MRT station is an interchange on Paya Lebar Road, close to its junction with Sims Avenue. Despite the name, it lies in Geylang rather than in the Paya Lebar planning area, surrounded by the developments of the Paya Lebar Central commercial hub and within walking distance of the Geylang Serai district. Two lines meet here: the East West Line, where the station code is EW8, and the Circle Line, where it is CC9.

Paya Lebar on the Circle Line map

Paya Lebar MRT station at a glance

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

The two parts of the station are built on different levels. The East West Line platforms stand on a viaduct above Paya Lebar Road, while the Circle Line platforms are underground. Both lines are operated by SMRT Trains. The station is used by people working at or visiting Paya Lebar Central, by residents of the surrounding Geylang area, and by passengers changing between the two lines on journeys across the east of the island and around the city.

History of Paya Lebar MRT station

The East West Line platforms opened on 4 November 1989, as part of the eastern extension of the line to Tanah Merah, two weeks earlier than the planned date. The Circle Line platforms followed on 17 April 2010, when that line was extended to Dhoby Ghaut. With that opening, Paya Lebar became the first MRT station in Singapore to serve both an elevated line and an underground line.

Inside Paya Lebar MRT station

On the East West Line platforms, look up to see the dome-shaped roof, segmented like a caterpillar, which is shared with other elevated stations on the eastern stretch of the line. Half-height platform screen doors were installed on these platforms by March 2012, and high-volume low-speed fans began operating there in July of the same year to keep air moving on the open-sided platforms. Along the viaduct towards Geylang East Central, privacy screens were added in 2016 and 2017 to reduce train noise for nearby residents.

For most visitors, Paya Lebar MRT station is a convenient stop for food, shopping and a short walk into Geylang Serai. Kopitiam food centre is only about a minute away, making it an easy option for a quick meal between trains. Paya Lebar Square and SingPost Centre are both within a few minutes’ walk, offering shops and eateries for everyday errands. Those interested in local heritage can continue on foot to the Geylang Serai Heritage Gallery, roughly an eight-minute walk from the station, to learn about the history of the area.

Around Paya Lebar MRT station

Paya Lebar station sits at the heart of a busy commercial and retail district in eastern Singapore. The area is anchored by several shopping malls including Paya Lebar Square and Tanjong Katong Complex, drawing shoppers and office workers throughout the day. A number of food centres nearby also serve the surrounding residential community.

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

How to get to Paya Lebar by MRT

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

Fares from Paya Lebar MRT station

A trip from Paya Lebar to Changi Airport (about 13 km) costs S$1.98 on an adult SimplyGo or EZ-Link card. Fares are charged by distance, so the table below shows the estimated adult card fare from Paya Lebar 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 Paya Lebar MRT station

• Paya Lebar is an interchange station between the Circle Line and East West Line, so plan your onward journey using whichever line best connects to your destination.
• Kopitiam is the nearest food centre at roughly 50 metres from the station, making it the most practical choice for a quick meal before or after your journey.
• Most of the shopping malls and food centres are within a short walk of approximately five minutes or less, so walking is usually the easiest option for reaching them.
• During morning and evening peak hours the station can be busy as it serves both commuters and shoppers, so allow a little extra time when travelling through.

All stations on the Circle Line

In order along the line, with Paya Lebar marked. Stations with their own guide are linked.

Read the full Circle Line guide.

All stations on the East West Line

In order along the line, with Paya Lebar marked. Stations with their own guide are linked.

Read the full East West Line guide.

Paya Lebar MRT station: common questions

Which line is Paya Lebar MRT station on?

Paya Lebar is on the Circle Line and the East West Line. Its station codes are CC9 and EW8.

Is Paya Lebar an interchange station?

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

What time is the first and last train at Paya Lebar?

Times below are for the first and last train leaving the line terminus; trains reach Paya Lebar a few minutes later depending on its position on the line. Circle Line first train 5:37 AM, last train 11:56 PM. East West Line first train 5:19 AM, last train 11:23 PM. Check the operator for holiday changes.

What is near Paya Lebar MRT station?

The area around Paya Lebar station has several food centres and shopping malls within walking distance, including Kopitiam, Paya Lebar Square, Tanjong Katong Complex and SingPost Centre, as well as Sri Sivan Temple and the Geylang Serai Heritage Gallery a little further along.

Which shopping mall or food centre is closest to Paya Lebar MRT station?

The closest food centre is Kopitiam at approximately 50 metres, and the closest shopping mall is Paya Lebar Square at approximately 150 metres, both reachable in a short walk.

How far is the Geylang Serai Heritage Gallery from Paya Lebar station?

The Geylang Serai Heritage Gallery is approximately 510 metres from the station, which is roughly an eight-minute walk.

How do I get to Paya Lebar from Changi Airport by MRT?

Take the East West Line from Changi Airport to Paya Lebar (6 stops). About 6 stops, no changes.

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 Paya Lebar

• Vomit on MRT: What to Do When Your Cabin Is Soiled 6 Nov 2026
• Aljunied MRT crow culling: what commuters should know 6 Nov 2026
• 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

Plan the rest of the trip

Every station on the Circle Line and the East West 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 Paya Lebar MRT: hawker centres, food courts and cafes with walking times.