Raffles Place MRT Station
Raffles Place MRT station is an underground interchange in the Downtown Core, built beneath Raffles Place on the southern side of the Singapore River. It is served by the North South Line as NS26 and the East West Line as EW14, so passengers can change between the two lines here.
Raffles Place on the North South Line map
Raffles Place MRT station at a glance
| Station codes | NS26EW14 |
|---|---|
| Lines | North South Line East West Line |
| Line colour | Red line (North South Line) Green line (East West Line) |
| Interchange | Yes, change between 2 lines here |
| Chinese name | 莱佛士坊 |
| Tamil name | ராஃபிள்ஸ் பிளேஸ் |
| Opened | 12 December 1987 (38 years ago) |
| Operator | SMRT Trains |
| Station type | Underground |
| Platforms | 4 (2 island platforms) |
| Address | 5 Raffles PlaceSingapore 048618 |
| Daily ridership | About 61,098 passengers a day (2023) |
| Next stations | |
| Train times | North South Line: first train leaves the terminus at 5:16 AM, last train 11:48 PM East West Line: first train leaves the terminus at 5:19 AM, last train 11:23 PM Full first and last train guide |
Opening date, operator and ridership figures are LTA data as recorded on Wikipedia.
See Raffles Place on the map. The interactive map opens with this station highlighted, so you can trace the route from where you are.
The station sits at the centre of Singapore’s financial district, and most people using it are office workers heading to the towers around the square, including One Raffles Place and OCBC Centre. It is also a practical stop for visitors, as The Fullerton Hotel, Merlion Park and the riverside museums are all within reach on foot.
History of Raffles Place MRT station
When the first MRT network was planned in 1982, this stop carried the working name Central, and it was given its present name later that year to match the business district above it. Trains first called here on 12 December 1987, when the line was extended to Outram Park. To build the tunnels north towards City Hall, engineers had to drain part of the Singapore River. Since 28 October 1989, passengers have been able to switch between the North South and East West lines simply by crossing the platform.
Inside Raffles Place MRT station
With ten entrances spread around the square, it is usually easy to come up close to your destination, and three of these entrances have colonial-style facades that suit the older buildings nearby. Look out for the station’s three artworks: two murals by Lim Sew Yong and Thang Kiang How showing scenes from Singapore’s past, and a sculpture by Aw Tee Hong inspired by Chinese junks.
Beyond the daily commute, Raffles Place MRT station works well as a starting point for exploring the city centre. Lau Pa Sat, the historic food centre, is a short walk away and fills up with office workers at lunchtime. The Asian Civilisations Museum lies just across the river, and National Gallery Singapore can be reached on foot a little further on. Shoppers can walk to Marina One or The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, while Chinatown is close enough to reach without taking another train.
Around Raffles Place MRT station
Raffles Place station sits at the heart of Singapore's central business district, surrounded by office towers, financial institutions and corporate headquarters. The area is a major commercial hub with well-known landmarks such as Lau Pa Sat and the Asian Civilisations Museum within easy walking distance. It is primarily a business and cultural district rather than a residential or industrial area.
| Place | Type | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lau Pa Sat | Food centre | About 350 m (~6 min walk) | Visit Lau Pa Sat for a wide variety of local hawker food options. |
| Asian Civilisations Museum | Museum | About 440 m (~7 min walk) | Visit the Asian Civilisations Museum to explore the history and cultures of Asia. |
| Nagore Durgha Indian Muslim Heritage Centre | Museum | About 490 m (~8 min walk) | Visit the Nagore Durgha Indian Muslim Heritage Centre to learn about Indian Muslim heritage in Singapore. |
| Marina One | Shopping mall | About 700 m (~11 min walk) | Visit Marina One for retail shops and dining in a modern integrated development. |
| National Gallery Singapore | Museum | About 750 m (~12 min walk) | Visit the National Gallery Singapore to see an extensive collection of Southeast Asian art. |
| OUE Downtown | Shopping mall | About 760 m (~12 min walk) | Visit OUE Downtown for retail and dining in the central business district. |
| The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands | Shopping mall | About 800 m (~13 min walk) | Visit The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands for a large range of retail and dining choices. |
| Chinatown | Attraction | About 980 m (~16 min walk) | Visit Chinatown for traditional shophouses, street food and cultural attractions. |
Places and straight-line distances from OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Actual walking routes may be longer.
How to get to Raffles Place 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 Raffles Place (12 stops). About 12 stops, no changes. |
|---|---|
| From Orchard | Take the North South Line from Orchard to Raffles Place (4 stops). About 4 stops, no changes. |
| From City Hall | Take the North South Line from City Hall to Raffles Place (1 stop). About 1 stops, no changes. |
| From Jurong East | Take the East West Line from Jurong East to Raffles Place (10 stops). About 10 stops, no changes. |
| From Woodlands | Take the North South Line from Woodlands to Raffles Place (17 stops). About 17 stops, no changes. |
| From HarbourFront | Take the North East Line from HarbourFront to Outram Park (1 stop), then change to the East West Line from Outram Park to Raffles Place (2 stops). About 3 stops with 1 change. |
Fares from Raffles Place MRT station
A trip from Raffles Place to Changi Airport (about 20 km) costs S$2.30 on an adult SimplyGo or EZ-Link card. Fares are charged by distance, so the table below shows the estimated adult card fare from Raffles Place 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 20 km, 12 stops | S$2.30 | S$1.80 | S$2.43 |
| Orchard | about 4 km, 4 stops | S$1.38 | S$0.88 | S$1.51 |
| City Hall | about 1 km, 1 stop | S$1.28 | S$0.78 | S$1.40 |
| Jurong East | about 16 km, 10 stops | S$2.11 | S$1.61 | S$2.24 |
| Woodlands | about 28 km, 17 stops | S$2.44 | S$1.94 | S$2.57 |
| HarbourFront | about 5 km, 3 stops | S$1.49 | S$0.99 | S$1.62 |
| Marina Bay | about 1 km, 1 stop | 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 Raffles Place MRT station
- Raffles Place is an interchange station serving both the North South Line and the East West Line, so plan your onward journey according to which line best suits your destination.
- Lau Pa Sat and the Asian Civilisations Museum are the closest destinations and are comfortably reachable on foot in under ten minutes.
- Places such as The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands and Chinatown are roughly 13 to 16 minutes away on foot, so consider using public transport if you prefer a shorter journey.
- The station and surrounding streets can be very crowded during weekday morning and evening peak hours, so allow extra time when travelling through the area.
All stations on the North South Line
In order along the line, with Raffles Place marked. Stations with their own guide are linked.
| Code | Station | Interchange |
|---|---|---|
| NS1 | Jurong East | EW / NS |
| NS2 | Bukit Batok | None |
| NS3 | Bukit Gombak | None |
| NS4 | Choa Chu Kang | NS / BP |
| NS5 | Yew Tee | None |
| NS7 | Kranji | None |
| NS8 | Marsiling | None |
| NS9 | Woodlands | NS / TE |
| NS10 | Admiralty | None |
| NS11 | Sembawang | None |
| NS12 | Canberra | None |
| NS13 | Yishun | None |
| NS14 | Khatib | None |
| NS15 | Yio Chu Kang | None |
| NS16 | Ang Mo Kio | None |
| NS17 | Bishan | NS / CC |
| NS18 | Braddell | None |
| NS19 | Toa Payoh | None |
| NS20 | Novena | None |
| NS21 | Newton | NS / DT |
| NS22 | Orchard | TE / NS |
| NS23 | Somerset | None |
| NS24 | Dhoby Ghaut | NS / NE / CC |
| NS25 | City Hall | EW / NS |
| NS26 | Raffles Place (you are here) | NS / EW |
| NS27 | Marina Bay | CE / TE / NS |
| NS28 | Marina South Pier | None |
Read the full North South Line guide.
All stations on the East West Line
In order along the line, with Raffles Place marked. Stations with their own guide are linked.
| Code | Station | Interchange |
|---|---|---|
| EW1 | Pasir Ris | None |
| EW2 | Tampines | EW / DT |
| EW3 | Simei | None |
| EW4 | Tanah Merah | None |
| EW5 | Bedok | None |
| EW6 | Kembangan | None |
| EW7 | Eunos | None |
| EW8 | Paya Lebar | CC / EW |
| EW9 | Aljunied | None |
| EW10 | Kallang | None |
| EW11 | Lavender | None |
| EW12 | Bugis | DT / EW |
| EW13 | City Hall | EW / NS |
| EW14 | Raffles Place (you are here) | NS / EW |
| EW15 | Tanjong Pagar | None |
| EW16 | Outram Park | TE / EW / NE |
| EW17 | Tiong Bahru | None |
| EW18 | Redhill | None |
| EW19 | Queenstown | None |
| EW20 | Commonwealth | None |
| EW21 | Buona Vista | EW / CC |
| EW22 | Dover | None |
| EW23 | Clementi | None |
| EW24 | Jurong East | EW / NS |
| EW25 | Chinese Garden | None |
| EW26 | Lakeside | None |
| EW27 | Boon Lay | None |
| EW28 | Pioneer | None |
| EW29 | Joo Koon | None |
| EW30 | Gul Circle | None |
| EW31 | Tuas Crescent | None |
| EW32 | Tuas West Road | None |
| EW33 | Tuas Link | None |
Read the full East West Line guide.
Raffles Place MRT station: common questions
Which line is Raffles Place MRT station on?
Raffles Place is on the North South Line and the East West Line. Its station codes are NS26 and EW14.
Is Raffles Place an interchange station?
Yes. You can change between the North South Line and the East West Line inside the station without leaving the paid area.
What time is the first and last train at Raffles Place?
Times below are for the first and last train leaving the line terminus; trains reach Raffles Place a few minutes later depending on its position on the line. North South Line first train 5:16 AM, last train 11:48 PM. East West Line first train 5:19 AM, last train 11:23 PM. Check the operator for holiday changes.
What is near Raffles Place MRT station?
Several places are within walking distance, including Lau Pa Sat, the Asian Civilisations Museum, the Nagore Durgha Indian Muslim Heritage Centre, Marina One, the National Gallery Singapore, OUE Downtown, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands and Chinatown. All distances are approximate.
Which food centre or mall is closest to Raffles Place MRT station?
Lau Pa Sat is the closest food centre, at approximately 350 metres or about 6 minutes on foot. For shopping, Marina One is the nearest mall, at approximately 700 metres or about 11 minutes on foot.
How far is the National Gallery Singapore from Raffles Place MRT station?
The National Gallery Singapore is approximately 750 metres from the station, which is roughly a 12-minute walk.
How do I get to Raffles Place from Changi Airport by MRT?
Take the East West Line from Changi Airport to Raffles Place (12 stops). About 12 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 Raffles Place
- Travelling with luggage on Singapore MRT: lifts, wide gates and quiet times 6 Nov 2026
- MRT floor sleeping: why commuters choose it over empty seats 6 Nov 2026
- Johor-Singapore RTS Link gets 5G: What it means for cross-border riders 6 Nov 2026
- Singapore MRT Fare Calculator and Fare Table 2026 4 Oct 2026
Plan the rest of the trip
Every station on the North South 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.
Exits and buses at Raffles Place station
Raffles Place has 13 mapped exits (A to M). 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: closest to Raffles Place Park (about 13 m from the entrance)
- Exit B: closest to Raffles Place Park (about 81 m from the entrance)
- Exit C: closest to Raffles Place Park (about 24 m from the entrance)
- Exit D: closest to Raffles Place Park (about 51 m from the entrance)
- Exit E: closest to Raffles Place Park (about 107 m from the entrance)
- Exit F
- Exit G: closest to Market Street Hawker Centre (about 111 m from the entrance)
- Exit H
- Exit I
- Exit J
- Exit K: closest to Raffles Place Park (about 32 m from the entrance)
- Exit L: closest to Raffles Place Park (about 70 m from the entrance)
- Exit M: closest to Raffles Place Park (about 58 m from the entrance)
Bus stops within 250 m of Raffles Place station
| Bus stop | Stop code | Services | From station |
|---|---|---|---|
| OUE Bayfront | 03019 | 10, 10e, 57, 70, 75, 100, 107, 130, 131, 131A, 162, 167, 196, 196A, 196e, 652, 656, 660, 663, 665, 850E, 951E | 126 m |
| Raffles Place Station Exit F | 03031 | 10, 10e, 70, 75, 100, 107, 130, 162, 196, 196e, 652, 656, 660, 663, 665, 850E, 868E, 951E | 182 m |
| Prudential Tower | 03021 | 57, 131, 167 | 228 m |
| One Raffles Quay | 03059 | 10, 10e, 57, 70, 75, 100, 107, 130, 131, 131A, 162, 167, 186, 196, 196A, 196e, 652, 656, 660, 663, 665, 850E, 951E, 970 | 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 Raffles Place station
Step-by-step guides with the exit to use, the walk and the fare:
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.
MRT routes from Raffles Place
Step-by-step directions with stops, changes, fare and time: Raffles Place to Bayfront | Raffles Place to Bishan | Raffles Place to Boon Lay | Raffles Place to HarbourFront | Raffles Place to Jurong East | Raffles Place to one-north | Raffles Place to Pasir Ris | Raffles Place to Punggol | Raffles Place to Sengkang | Raffles Place to Tampines | Raffles Place to Woodlands | Raffles Place to Yishun.
Routes to Raffles Place: Changi Airport to Raffles Place | City Hall to Raffles Place | Orchard to Raffles Place.
More on the MRT routes hub.
Hungry? See food near Raffles Place MRT: hawker centres, food courts and cafes with walking times.