Tanah Merah MRT Station
Tanah Merah MRT station is an elevated station on the East West Line, carrying the code EW4. It sits along New Upper Changi Road in Bedok, in the east of Singapore. It is also the point where the line splits: one branch continues east, and the other runs to Changi Airport. Passengers heading to the airport often change trains here, because the airport branch begins at this station.
Tanah Merah on the East West Line map
Tanah Merah MRT station at a glance
| Station codes | EW4 |
|---|---|
| Lines | East West Line |
| Line colour | Green line (East West Line) |
| Interchange | No, single line station |
| Chinese name | 丹那美拉 |
| Tamil name | தானா மேரா |
| Opened | 4 November 1989 (37 years ago) |
| Operator | SMRT Trains |
| Station type | Elevated |
| Platforms | 6 (3 island platforms) (2 platforms are closed for works) |
| Address | 920 New Upper Changi Road, Singapore 467356 |
| Daily ridership | About 14,378 passengers a day (2024) |
| Next stations | |
| Train times | 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 Tanah Merah on the map. The interactive map opens with this station highlighted, so you can trace the route from where you are.
Most of the daily traffic comes from people who live and study nearby. The station serves private housing such as Casa Merah, Optima @ Tanah Merah and The Glades, and it is close to Simpang Bedok. Students from Bedok View Secondary School, Anglican High School and APSN (Katong School) also use it. Travellers with luggage bound for Changi Airport make up a smaller but steady share of passengers.
History of Tanah Merah MRT station
The station opened on 4 November 1989, and Deputy Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong held the official opening ceremony for that stretch of the line here. Early plans called it Bedok, and it was later known as Changi while it was being built, before the name Tanah Merah was settled in March 1987. The branch to Changi Airport opened on 10 January 2001, and in the mid-2030s that branch is due to become part of the Thomson-East Coast Line once it reaches Changi Airport Terminal 5. A new platform opened on 8 December 2025, adding a fourth track to the station.
Inside Tanah Merah MRT station
The station now has three island platforms and four tracks. Main line trains use the outer platforms, A and F, and the shuttle trains to Changi Airport use the track between Platforms D and E. Half-height platform screen doors have been fitted for safety, and large ceiling fans help keep the open-air platforms cooler on hot days. When changing for the airport, check the signs for the shuttle platforms before you go up.
Beyond its role as an airport interchange, Tanah Merah MRT station is a practical stop for everyday errands and leisure in Bedok. Families can walk to Bedok Terrace Playground or Bedok Rise Park in a few minutes, and Palelai Buddhist Temple is also within easy walking distance. For fresh produce and local food, Bedok 58 Wet.Market is a short walk away. Bedok Stadium is close enough for residents who want to exercise or watch a local match.
Around Tanah Merah MRT station
Tanah Merah MRT station sits within a predominantly residential neighbourhood of HDB estates and low-rise housing. The surrounding area is quiet and green, with parks such as Bedok Terrace Playground and Bedok Rise Park providing recreational space for residents. A wet market, a stadium, and a Buddhist temple are among the community facilities within walking distance.
| Place | Type | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedok Terrace Playground | Park | About 210 m (~3 min walk) | A local playground suitable for children and a casual outdoor visit. |
| Bedok Rise Park | Park | About 310 m (~5 min walk) | A neighbourhood park good for a relaxed walk or light exercise. |
| Bedok Rise Playground | Park | About 360 m (~6 min walk) | A smaller park with playground facilities for families and children. |
| Palelai Buddhist Temple | Place of worship | About 450 m (~7 min walk) | A Buddhist temple for worship, reflection, and learning about the faith. |
| Study Corner | Library | About 630 m (~10 min walk) | A community study space suitable for reading and quiet study sessions. |
| Bedok 58 Wet.Market | Market / hawker centre | About 690 m (~11 min walk) | A wet market and hawker centre for fresh produce and local food. |
| Bedok Stadium | Stadium | About 810 m (~13 min walk) | A public stadium suitable for sports, exercise, and community events. |
| Airfield Restaurant | Food centre | About 820 m (~13 min walk) | A food centre located near the old Changi Airfield area. |
Places and straight-line distances from OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Actual walking routes may be longer.
How to get to Tanah Merah 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 Tanah Merah (2 stops). About 2 stops, no changes. |
|---|---|
| From Orchard | Take the North South Line from Orchard to City Hall (3 stops), then change to the East West Line from City Hall to Tanah Merah (9 stops). About 12 stops with 1 change. |
| From City Hall | Take the East West Line from City Hall to Tanah Merah (9 stops). About 9 stops, no changes. |
| From Jurong East | Take the East West Line from Jurong East to Tanah Merah (20 stops). About 20 stops, no changes. |
| From Woodlands | Take the North South Line from Woodlands to Bishan (8 stops), then change to the Circle Line from Bishan to Paya Lebar (6 stops), then change to the East West Line from Paya Lebar to Tanah Merah (4 stops). About 18 stops with 2 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 Tanah Merah (12 stops). About 13 stops with 1 change. |
Fares from Tanah Merah MRT station
A trip from Tanah Merah to Changi Airport (about 6 km) costs S$1.68 on an adult SimplyGo or EZ-Link card. Fares are charged by distance, so the table below shows the estimated adult card fare from Tanah Merah 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 6 km, 2 stops | S$1.68 | S$1.18 | S$1.81 |
| Orchard | about 16 km, 12 stops | S$2.11 | S$1.61 | S$2.24 |
| City Hall | about 13 km, 9 stops | S$1.98 | S$1.48 | S$2.11 |
| Raffles Place | about 14 km, 10 stops | S$2.02 | S$1.52 | S$2.15 |
| Jurong East | about 30 km, 20 stops | S$2.46 | S$1.96 | S$2.59 |
| Woodlands | about 32 km, 18 stops | S$2.48 | S$1.98 | S$2.61 |
| HarbourFront | about 19 km, 13 stops | S$2.24 | S$1.74 | S$2.37 |
| Marina Bay | about 15 km, 11 stops | S$2.07 | S$1.57 | S$2.20 |
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 Tanah Merah MRT station
- Bedok Terrace Playground, Bedok Rise Park, and Bedok Rise Playground are all within a short walk of the station, so they are easy to reach on foot.
- Bedok Stadium and Airfield Restaurant are roughly 13 minutes away on foot, so allow extra time or consider taking a bus for a more comfortable journey.
- Tanah Merah is also an interchange point for trains towards Changi Airport, so check the platform direction carefully before boarding.
- During morning and evening peak hours the station can be busier than usual, so allow extra time if you are making onward connections.
All stations on the East West Line
In order along the line, with Tanah Merah 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 (you are here) | 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 | 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.
Tanah Merah MRT station: common questions
Which line is Tanah Merah MRT station on?
Tanah Merah is on the East West Line. Its station code is EW4.
Is Tanah Merah an interchange station?
No. Tanah Merah is served by the East West Line only. The nearest interchange is shown in the next stations row above.
What time is the first and last train at Tanah Merah?
Times below are for the first and last train leaving the line terminus; trains reach Tanah Merah a few minutes later depending on its position on the line. East West Line first train 5:19 AM, last train 11:23 PM. Check the operator for holiday changes.
What is near Tanah Merah MRT station?
Nearby places include Bedok Terrace Playground, Bedok Rise Park, Palelai Buddhist Temple, a community study corner, Bedok 58 Wet Market, and Bedok Stadium, all within approximately 810 metres of the station.
Where is the closest food or market option to Tanah Merah station?
Bedok 58 Wet Market is the closest market and hawker centre, at approximately 690 metres from the station, or roughly an 11-minute walk.
How far is Bedok Stadium from Tanah Merah MRT station?
Bedok Stadium is approximately 810 metres from Tanah Merah station, which is roughly a 13-minute walk.
How do I get to Tanah Merah from Changi Airport by MRT?
Take the East West Line from Changi Airport to Tanah Merah (2 stops). About 2 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 Tanah Merah
- Sketching on the MRT: What If Someone Draws Your Child? 6 Nov 2026
- MRT shopping malls: Direct station connections in Singapore 6 Nov 2026
- Travelling with luggage on Singapore MRT: lifts, wide gates and quiet times 6 Nov 2026
- Bus driver loses consciousness on Airport Road: what commuters should know 6 Nov 2026
Plan the rest of the trip
Every station on 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 Tanah Merah station
Tanah Merah has 2 mapped exits (1 to 2). The numbers 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 1
- Exit 2
Bus stops within 250 m of Tanah Merah station
| Bus stop | Stop code | Services | From station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanah Merah Station Exit 1 | 85099 | 2, 9, 12, 12e, 14, 24, 31, 31A, 35, 35M, 38, 45, 47, 48 | 36 m |
| Tanah Merah Station Exit 2 | 85091 | 2, 2A, 9, 9A, 12, 12e, 14, 14A, 24, 31, 35, 35M, 38, 45, 47, 48 | 53 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 Tanah Merah 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.