Tiong Bahru MRT Station
Tiong Bahru MRT station is an underground station on the East West Line in Bukit Merah, in the south of Singapore, and carries the station code EW17. It has an unusual place on the line: for trains heading east, it is the first stop below ground, and for trains heading west, it is the last underground stop on that stretch of the route.
Tiong Bahru on the East West Line map
Tiong Bahru MRT station at a glance
| Station codes | EW17 |
|---|---|
| Lines | East West Line |
| Line colour | Green line (East West Line) |
| Interchange | No, single line station |
| Chinese name | 中峇鲁 |
| Tamil name | தியோங் பாரு |
| Opened | 12 March 1988 (38 years ago) |
| Operator | SMRT Trains |
| Station type | Underground |
| Platforms | 2 (1 island platform) |
| Address | 300 Tiong Bahru RoadSingapore 168731 |
| Daily ridership | About 22,629 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 Tiong Bahru on the map. The interactive map opens with this station highlighted, so you can trace the route from where you are.
The station connects directly to Tiong Bahru Plaza, so many passengers walk straight from the station into the shopping mall without going outdoors. Most of its regular users live in the surrounding housing estates of Tiong Bahru and Bukit Ho Swee and use it for daily trips to work, school and the city. Shoppers and diners heading to the mall and the food centres beside the station make up much of the rest of its traffic.
History of Tiong Bahru MRT station
The station opened on 12 March 1988 as part of the section of the line running from Outram Park to Clementi. Until HarbourFront station opened on the North East Line in 2003, it was the closest MRT stop to Sentosa, and shuttle buses carried visitors between the station and the island until the service was withdrawn in 2004. In February 2000, the Singapore Civil Defence Force chose it, along with Somerset and Lavender, for its first ever Shelter Open House to mark Total Defence Day.
Inside Tiong Bahru MRT station
An upgrade completed in December 2005 added a lift for passengers with disabilities, which also helps anyone travelling with a wheelchair, a pram or heavy bags. The station was one of the first three to open its Civil Defence shelter to the public, during the Shelter Open House of 2000.
For most people, Tiong Bahru MRT station is the easiest way to reach the shops and food in this part of Bukit Merah. Tiong Bahru Plaza is about 50 metres away and linked to the station, while the Happy Hawkers and Kopitiam food centres are each roughly a minute’s walk from the exits, which makes the area a practical stop for a quick meal.
Visitors interested in local history can walk about nine minutes to the Tiong Bahru Air Raid Shelter, a reminder of the area’s wartime past, or around seven minutes to the SEAB Heritage Gallery. Those with more time can continue on foot to Great World City, a larger shopping mall roughly 16 minutes away. Residents of Tiong Bahru and Bukit Ho Swee rely on the station for everyday errands as much as for commuting, since groceries, meals and shopping are all close to the platforms.
Around Tiong Bahru MRT station
Tiong Bahru station sits in a well-established residential and retail neighbourhood in central Singapore. The area is anchored by Tiong Bahru Plaza, a shopping mall just steps from the station, alongside several food centres serving the local community. The surrounding streets blend older housing estates with modern amenities, making it a popular destination for both residents and visitors.
| Place | Type | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiong Bahru Plaza | Shopping mall | About 50 m (~1 min walk) | Visit Tiong Bahru Plaza for a range of shops, dining options and everyday retail. |
| Happy Hawkers | Food centre | About 50 m (~1 min walk) | Head to Happy Hawkers for local hawker food and casual meals. |
| Kopitiam | Food centre | About 70 m (~1 min walk) | Try Kopitiam for a food court experience with a variety of cooked food stalls. |
| Former PSB Academy Campus (Delta) | University | About 140 m (~2 min walk) | The former PSB Academy Campus (Delta) is a recognisable educational landmark in the neighbourhood. |
| Food Paradise | Food centre | About 280 m (~5 min walk) | Food Paradise offers another hawker and food court option a short walk from the station. |
| SEAB Heritage Gallery | Museum | About 420 m (~7 min walk) | The SEAB Heritage Gallery provides exhibits related to Singapore's education and assessment history. |
| Tiong Bahru Air Raid Shelter | Attraction | About 530 m (~9 min walk) | The Tiong Bahru Air Raid Shelter is a heritage site offering a glimpse into wartime Singapore. |
| Great World City | Shopping mall | About 1000 m (~16 min walk) | Great World City is a larger shopping mall reachable on foot or by other transport for extended retail and dining. |
Places and straight-line distances from OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Actual walking routes may be longer.
How to get to Tiong Bahru 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 Tiong Bahru (15 stops). About 15 stops, no changes. |
|---|---|
| From Orchard | Take the Thomson East Coast Line from Orchard to Outram Park (3 stops), then change to the East West Line from Outram Park to Tiong Bahru (1 stop). About 4 stops with 1 change. |
| From City Hall | Take the East West Line from City Hall to Tiong Bahru (4 stops). About 4 stops, no changes. |
| From Jurong East | Take the East West Line from Jurong East to Tiong Bahru (7 stops). About 7 stops, no changes. |
| From Woodlands | Take the North South Line from Woodlands to Jurong East (7 stops), then change to the East West Line from Jurong East to Tiong Bahru (7 stops). About 14 stops with 1 change. |
| 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 Tiong Bahru (1 stop). About 2 stops with 1 change. |
Fares from Tiong Bahru MRT station
A trip from Tiong Bahru to Changi Airport (about 24 km) costs S$2.38 on an adult SimplyGo or EZ-Link card. Fares are charged by distance, so the table below shows the estimated adult card fare from Tiong Bahru 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 24 km, 15 stops | S$2.38 | S$1.88 | S$2.51 |
| Orchard | about 5 km, 4 stops | S$1.49 | S$0.99 | S$1.62 |
| City Hall | about 5 km, 4 stops | S$1.49 | S$0.99 | S$1.62 |
| Raffles Place | about 4 km, 3 stops | S$1.38 | S$0.88 | S$1.51 |
| Jurong East | about 12 km, 7 stops | S$1.94 | S$1.44 | S$2.07 |
| Woodlands | about 28 km, 14 stops | S$2.44 | S$1.94 | S$2.57 |
| HarbourFront | about 5 km, 2 stops | S$1.49 | S$0.99 | S$1.62 |
| Marina Bay | about 5 km, 4 stops | S$1.49 | S$0.99 | S$1.62 |
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 Tiong Bahru MRT station
- Tiong Bahru Plaza and the nearby food centres are all within a very short walk of the station, making them easy to visit without much planning.
- The SEAB Heritage Gallery and Tiong Bahru Air Raid Shelter are further away and will take around 7 to 9 minutes on foot, so allow extra time if you plan to visit both.
- Great World City is approximately 1,000 metres away and is more comfortably reached by road transport rather than on foot, especially in hot or wet weather.
- During peak morning and evening hours, trains on the East West Line can be busy, so plan your journey with a little extra time if you are travelling with luggage or in a group.
All stations on the East West Line
In order along the line, with Tiong Bahru 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 | NS / EW |
| EW15 | Tanjong Pagar | None |
| EW16 | Outram Park | TE / EW / NE |
| EW17 | Tiong Bahru (you are here) | 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.
Tiong Bahru MRT station: common questions
Which line is Tiong Bahru MRT station on?
Tiong Bahru is on the East West Line. Its station code is EW17.
Is Tiong Bahru an interchange station?
No. Tiong Bahru 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 Tiong Bahru?
Times below are for the first and last train leaving the line terminus; trains reach Tiong Bahru 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 Tiong Bahru MRT station?
Tiong Bahru station is surrounded by a mix of retail and dining options, including Tiong Bahru Plaza, Happy Hawkers and Kopitiam, all within approximately 70 metres. Further afield, you will find the SEAB Heritage Gallery, Tiong Bahru Air Raid Shelter and Great World City.
Which shopping mall or food centre is closest to Tiong Bahru station?
Tiong Bahru Plaza is the closest shopping mall, at approximately 50 metres from the station. Happy Hawkers is also approximately 50 metres away and is the nearest food centre.
How far is Great World City from Tiong Bahru MRT station?
Great World City is approximately 1,000 metres from Tiong Bahru station in a straight line, which is roughly a 16-minute walk. Road transport is a more practical option for most visitors.
How do I get to Tiong Bahru from Changi Airport by MRT?
Take the East West Line from Changi Airport to Tiong Bahru (15 stops). About 15 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 Tiong Bahru
- Outram Park MRT Faeces Incident: What Riders Should Do 6 Nov 2026
- シンガポール地下鉄（MRT）路線図 2026（日本語ガイド） 4 Oct 2026
- 15 Eats to Try at Circle Line’s New CCL6 Stations 12 Jul 2026
- East-West Line Map 11 Aug 2023
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 Tiong Bahru station
Tiong Bahru has 2 mapped exits (A to B). 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 Happy Hawkers (about 41 m from the entrance)
- Exit B: closest to Tiong Bahru Plaza (about 9 m from the entrance)
Bus stops within 250 m of Tiong Bahru station
| Bus stop | Stop code | Services | From station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opposite Tiong Bahru Station | 10161 | 5, 16, 16M, 33, 63, 63A, 121, 122, 123, 123M, 195, 195A, 851, NR5 | 36 m |
| Tiong Bahru Station | 10169 | 5, 16, 16M, 33, 33A, 63, 121, 122, 123, 123M, 195, 195A, 851 | 52 m |
| Central Green Condominium | 10151 | 5, 16, 16M, 33, 63, 63A, 121, 122, 123, 123M, 195, 195A, 851, NR5 | 184 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 Tiong Bahru 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.
Hungry? See food near Tiong Bahru MRT: hawker centres, food courts and cafes with walking times.