Sembawang MRT Station
Sembawang MRT station is an elevated stop on the North South Line, carrying the station code NS11. It stands along Sembawang Way, close to Sembawang Road, in the northern district of Sembawang. Trains here are run by SMRT Trains, and the station sits just north of the Sun Plaza mall and Sembawang Bus Interchange, so most journeys in the area start or end within a few steps of the platforms.
Sembawang on the North South Line map
Sembawang MRT station at a glance
| Station codes | NS11 |
|---|---|
| Lines | North South Line |
| Line colour | Red line (North South Line) |
| Interchange | No, single line station |
| Chinese name | 三巴旺 |
| Tamil name | செம்பாவாங் |
| Opened | 10 February 1996 (30 years ago) |
| Operator | SMRT Trains |
| Station type | Elevated |
| Platforms | 2 (1 island platform) |
| Address | 11 Canberra Road, Singapore 759775 |
| Daily ridership | About 31,026 passengers a day (2021) |
| Next stations | |
| Train times | North South Line: first train leaves the terminus at 5:16 AM, last train 11:48 PM Full first and last train guide |
Opening date, operator and ridership figures are LTA data as recorded on Wikipedia.
See Sembawang on the map. The interactive map opens with this station highlighted, so you can trace the route from where you are.
The station mainly serves people who live in the surrounding housing estates, along with students at nearby schools such as Sembawang Primary School and Sembawang Secondary School. It is also the closest rail link for many workers at Sembawang Shipyard, a good number of whom cycle between the shipyard and the train. Local amenities within reach include the Sembawang Neighbourhood Police Centre and Jelutong Community Club.
History of Sembawang MRT station
The station opened on 10 February 1996 as part of the Woodlands Extension, which linked Yishun to Choa Chu Kang. During planning, its site was shifted further south to reduce harm to the Senoko bird sanctuary, and its construction was brought forward to keep pace with the number of residents moving into the north. It first carried the code N14 before switching to NS11 in August 2001, when station codes were revised across the network.
Inside Sembawang MRT station
Like most stops on the Woodlands Extension, Sembawang MRT station has a kampung-style roof, and its platforms were fitted with half-height screen doors in 2012 along with large, slow-moving ceiling fans to keep air moving. Shops line one side of the concourse, and outside there are long sheltered bus bays, taxi stands and more than 350 bicycle stands, the most of any station on the Woodlands Extension.
For day-to-day errands, Sembawang MRT station puts several useful places within a short walk. Sun Plaza is about two minutes away for shopping and meals, and Sembawang Public Library is equally close for anyone wanting a quiet place to read or study. Sembawang Bus Interchange, roughly three minutes on foot, makes it easy to continue by bus to other parts of the north, while Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre, around five minutes away, is a good choice for an affordable local meal.
Around Sembawang MRT station
Sembawang MRT station sits within a predominantly residential neighbourhood in the north of Singapore, well served by everyday amenities. Sun Plaza and Sembawang Shopping Centre offer retail options for locals and visitors alike. The area also has several food centres, including Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre, making it a practical base for those exploring the northern suburbs.
| Place | Type | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sembawang Public Library | Library | About 110 m (~2 min walk) | Visit Sembawang Public Library to borrow books or use study and reading facilities. |
| Sun Plaza | Shopping mall | About 120 m (~2 min walk) | Head to Sun Plaza for a range of retail shops, dining and everyday services. |
| Kopitiam | Food centre | About 150 m (~2 min walk) | Stop at Kopitiam for a casual meal or drink at this food centre. |
| Sembawang Bus Interchange | Bus interchange | About 160 m (~3 min walk) | Use Sembawang Bus Interchange to connect to bus services across the north. |
| Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre | Food centre | About 310 m (~5 min walk) | Try Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre for a wide selection of local hawker food. |
| Bunker | Attraction | About 490 m (~8 min walk) | Explore the Bunker as a heritage attraction reflecting the area's military history. |
| Happy Hawkers | Food centre | About 510 m (~8 min walk) | Visit Happy Hawkers for another local hawker dining option nearby. |
| Sembawang Shopping Centre | Shopping mall | About 970 m (~16 min walk) | Make the trip to Sembawang Shopping Centre for additional retail and dining choices. |
Places and straight-line distances from OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Actual walking routes may be longer.
How to get to Sembawang 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 Paya Lebar (6 stops), then change to the Circle Line from Paya Lebar to Bishan (6 stops), then change to the North South Line from Bishan to Sembawang (6 stops). About 18 stops with 2 changes. |
|---|---|
| From Orchard | Take the North South Line from Orchard to Sembawang (11 stops). About 11 stops, no changes. |
| From City Hall | Take the North South Line from City Hall to Sembawang (14 stops). About 14 stops, no changes. |
| From Jurong East | Take the North South Line from Jurong East to Sembawang (9 stops). About 9 stops, no changes. |
| From Woodlands | Take the North South Line from Woodlands to Sembawang (2 stops). About 2 stops, no changes. |
| From HarbourFront | Take the North East Line from HarbourFront to Dhoby Ghaut (4 stops), then change to the North South Line from Dhoby Ghaut to Sembawang (13 stops). About 17 stops with 1 change. |
Fares from Sembawang MRT station
A trip from Sembawang to Changi Airport (about 34 km) costs S$2.50 on an adult SimplyGo or EZ-Link card. Fares are charged by distance, so the table below shows the estimated adult card fare from Sembawang 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 34 km, 18 stops | S$2.50 | S$2.00 | S$2.63 |
| Orchard | about 20 km, 11 stops | S$2.27 | S$1.77 | S$2.40 |
| City Hall | about 23 km, 14 stops | S$2.36 | S$1.86 | S$2.49 |
| Raffles Place | about 24 km, 15 stops | S$2.38 | S$1.88 | S$2.51 |
| Jurong East | about 20 km, 9 stops | S$2.27 | S$1.77 | S$2.40 |
| Woodlands | about 4 km, 2 stops | S$1.49 | S$0.99 | S$1.62 |
| HarbourFront | about 27 km, 17 stops | S$2.43 | S$1.93 | S$2.56 |
| Marina Bay | about 25 km, 16 stops | S$2.40 | S$1.90 | S$2.53 |
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 Sembawang MRT station
- Sun Plaza, Sembawang Public Library and the Kopitiam food centre are all within a short walk of approximately two minutes, making them easy first stops after alighting.
- Sembawang Bus Interchange is only a few minutes on foot and is the best starting point for reaching destinations further afield in the north that are not within easy walking distance.
- The Bunker and Happy Hawkers are both roughly eight minutes away on foot, so allow a little extra time to reach them, especially in hot weather.
- Sembawang Shopping Centre is approximately 16 minutes on foot, so consider taking a bus from Sembawang Bus Interchange if you prefer a shorter walk.
All stations on the North South Line
In order along the line, with Sembawang 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 (you are here) | 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 | NS / EW |
| NS27 | Marina Bay | CE / TE / NS |
| NS28 | Marina South Pier | None |
Read the full North South Line guide.
Sembawang MRT station: common questions
Which line is Sembawang MRT station on?
Sembawang is on the North South Line. Its station code is NS11.
Is Sembawang an interchange station?
No. Sembawang is served by the North South Line only. The nearest interchange is shown in the next stations row above.
What time is the first and last train at Sembawang?
Times below are for the first and last train leaving the line terminus; trains reach Sembawang a few minutes later depending on its position on the line. North South Line first train 5:16 AM, last train 11:48 PM. Check the operator for holiday changes.
What is near Sembawang MRT station?
Several amenities are close by, including Sun Plaza shopping mall, Sembawang Public Library and a Kopitiam food centre, all within approximately two minutes on foot. Sembawang Bus Interchange, Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre, a heritage Bunker and Happy Hawkers are also within roughly five to eight minutes of the station.
Which shopping mall or food centre is closest to Sembawang MRT station?
Sun Plaza is the closest shopping mall at approximately 120 metres, roughly a two-minute walk. The Kopitiam food centre is similarly close at approximately 150 metres.
How far is Sembawang Shopping Centre from Sembawang MRT station?
Sembawang Shopping Centre is approximately 970 metres from the station, which is roughly a 16-minute walk. Taking a bus from Sembawang Bus Interchange may be a more comfortable option.
How do I get to Sembawang from Changi Airport by MRT?
Take the East West Line from Changi Airport to Paya Lebar (6 stops), then change to the Circle Line from Paya Lebar to Bishan (6 stops), then change to the North South Line from Bishan to Sembawang (6 stops). About 18 stops with 2 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 Sembawang
- Future MRT Map Singapore: Every New Line and Extension to 2040 21 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
- Bus & Train Fares Rise Up to 13 Cents from Dec 26 30 Sep 2026
- Power Bank Fire at Woodlands MRT: What Happened 22 Jul 2026
Plan the rest of the trip
Every station on the North South 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 Sembawang station
Sembawang has 4 mapped exits (A to D). 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 Sembawang Public Library (about 90 m from the entrance)
- Exit B: closest to Sembawang Public Library (about 71 m from the entrance)
- Exit C: closest to Sembawang Public Library (about 102 m from the entrance)
- Exit D
Bus stops within 250 m of Sembawang station
| Bus stop | Stop code | Services | From station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sembawang Station | 58211 | 117, 117M, 858, 859, 859B, 882, 883, 883M, 981 | 36 m |
| Opposite Sembawang Station | 58219 | 117, 117M, 858, 858A, 859, 859A, 859T, 882, 882A, 883, 883M, 981 | 56 m |
| Sun Plaza/Sembawang Station | 58251 | 117, 117M, 656, 859, 859B, 882, 883, 883M, 962, 962B, 980, 981, NR2 | 169 m |
| Sembawang Interchange | 58009 | 117, 117M, 167, 859, 859A, 859B, 859T, 861, 861A, 882, 882A, 883, 883M, 980, 981 | 191 m |
| Opposite Sun Plaza | 58259 | 117, 117M, 656, 859, 859A, 859T, 882, 882A, 883, 883M, 962, 962B, 980, 981 | 194 m |
| Sembawang Interchange/Opposite Blk 315 | 58241 | 859, 859A, 859T | 206 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 Sembawang station
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.