Upper Thomson MRT Station
Upper Thomson MRT station (TE8) is a station on the Thomson-East Coast Line serving the Upper Thomson area in the central-northern part of Singapore. It is not an interchange station. The area it serves is primarily residential, with a mix of landed housing and low-rise apartment blocks, along with a stretch of local eateries and small shops that make Upper Thomson a well-known neighbourhood among residents across the island.
Upper Thomson on the Thomson East Coast Line map
Upper Thomson station at a glance
| Station codes | TE8 |
|---|---|
| Lines | Thomson East Coast Line |
| Interchange | No, single line station |
| Chinese name | 汤申路上段 |
| Tamil name | அப்பர் தாம்சன் |
| Next stations | |
| Train times | Thomson East Coast Line: first train leaves the terminus at 5:36 AM, last train 11:27 PM Full first and last train guide |
See Upper Thomson on the map. The interactive map opens with this station highlighted, so you can trace the route from where you are.
From Upper Thomson station, passengers travel directly to Bright Hill (TE7) in the direction of Woodlands or Caldecott (TE9) towards the city and the eastern parts of Singapore. Caldecott is an interchange with the Circle Line, giving passengers a straightforward one-stop connection to that network and onwards to stations such as Botanic Gardens, Serangoon, and Dhoby Ghaut without needing to go into the city centre first.
The station sits close to Upper Thomson Road, which is well known for its concentration of local food establishments, coffee shops, and small restaurants that draw visitors from across Singapore. The surrounding neighbourhood is quiet and largely residential, with tree-lined streets and a relaxed atmosphere typical of the older, established parts of the central region. MacRitchie Reservoir Park is reachable within a short distance, offering walking trails and greenery.
Around Upper Thomson station
Upper Thomson MRT station sits within a mature residential neighbourhood that blends everyday amenities with green open space. Thomson Plaza offers shopping and dining options just a short walk away, while Soo Chow Garden and Thomson Park provide nearby greenery for residents and visitors alike. The area has a relaxed, community-oriented character rather than a commercial or industrial one.
| Place | Type | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soo Chow Garden | Park | About 140 m (~2 min walk) | A small park suitable for a quiet stroll or a short outdoor break. |
| Thomson Park | Park | About 180 m (~3 min walk) | A neighbourhood park good for relaxing, jogging or enjoying green space. |
| Thomson Plaza | Shopping mall | About 230 m (~4 min walk) | A shopping mall with retail shops and food and beverage outlets. |
| Koufu | Food centre | About 300 m (~5 min walk) | A food centre offering a variety of local cooked food options. |
| Wah Yen | Food centre | About 320 m (~5 min walk) | A food centre where visitors can find local hawker-style meals. |
| Thomson Community Club | Community club | About 530 m (~9 min walk) | A community club providing recreational and community programmes for residents. |
| Shunfu Mart | Market / hawker centre | About 540 m (~9 min walk) | A market and hawker centre for fresh produce and local food stalls. |
| Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery | Place of worship | About 830 m (~13 min walk) | A large Buddhist monastery complex worth visiting for its architecture and grounds. |
Places and straight-line distances from OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Actual walking routes may be longer.
How to get to Upper Thomson 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 Caldecott (8 stops), then change to the Thomson East Coast Line from Caldecott to Upper Thomson (1 stop). About 15 stops with 2 changes. |
|---|---|
| From Orchard | Take the Thomson East Coast Line from Orchard to Upper Thomson (6 stops). About 6 stops, no changes. |
| From City Hall | Take the North South Line from City Hall to Orchard (3 stops), then change to the Thomson East Coast Line from Orchard to Upper Thomson (6 stops). About 9 stops with 1 change. |
| From Jurong East | Take the East West Line from Jurong East to Buona Vista (3 stops), then change to the Circle Line from Buona Vista to Caldecott (4 stops), then change to the Thomson East Coast Line from Caldecott to Upper Thomson (1 stop). About 8 stops with 2 changes. |
| From Woodlands | Take the Thomson East Coast Line from Woodlands to Upper Thomson (5 stops). About 5 stops, no changes. |
| From HarbourFront | Take the Circle Line from HarbourFront to Caldecott (11 stops), then change to the Thomson East Coast Line from Caldecott to Upper Thomson (1 stop). About 12 stops with 1 change. |
Tips for using Upper Thomson station
- Thomson Plaza, Koufu and Wah Yen are all within a comfortable walking distance of about five minutes or less, making them easy to reach on foot.
- Thomson Community Club and Shunfu Mart are roughly a nine-minute walk away, so allow a little extra time, particularly in warm or wet weather.
- Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery is approximately 830 metres from the station, which is about a 13-minute walk; taking a bus from the stop near the station may be more comfortable in the midday heat.
- During peak morning and evening commute hours, the station and surrounding streets can be busier than usual, so allow a few extra minutes when heading to any of the nearby destinations.
All stations on the Thomson East Coast Line
In order along the line, with Upper Thomson marked. Stations with their own guide are linked.
| Code | Station | Interchange |
|---|---|---|
| TE1 | Woodlands North | – |
| TE2 | Woodlands | NS / TE |
| TE3 | Woodlands South | – |
| TE4 | Springleaf | – |
| TE5 | Lentor | – |
| TE7 | Bright Hill | – |
| TE8 | Upper Thomson (you are here) | – |
| TE9 | Caldecott | CC / TE |
| TE10 | Mount Pleasant | – |
| TE11 | Stevens | DT / TE |
| TE12 | Napier | – |
| TE13 | Orchard Boulevard | – |
| TE14 | Orchard | TE / NS |
| TE15 | Great World | – |
| TE16 | Havelock | – |
| TE17 | Outram Park | TE / EW |
| TE18 | Maxwell | – |
| TE19 | Shenton Way | – |
| TE20 | Marina Bay | CE / TE |
| TE21 | Marina South | – |
| TE22 | Gardens by the Bay | – |
Read the full Thomson East Coast Line guide.
Upper Thomson station: common questions
Which line is Upper Thomson MRT station on?
Upper Thomson is on the Thomson East Coast Line. Its station code is TE8.
Is Upper Thomson an interchange station?
No. Upper Thomson is served by the Thomson East Coast Line only. The nearest interchange is shown in the next stations row above.
What time is the first and last train at Upper Thomson?
Times below are for the first and last train leaving the line terminus; trains reach Upper Thomson a few minutes later depending on its position on the line. Thomson East Coast Line first train 5:36 AM, last train 11:27 PM. Check the operator for holiday changes.
What is near Upper Thomson MRT station?
The area around Upper Thomson MRT station includes Soo Chow Garden and Thomson Park for outdoor space, Thomson Plaza for shopping, food centres at Koufu and Wah Yen, Thomson Community Club, Shunfu Mart, and Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery. All distances are approximate.
Which shopping mall or food centre is closest to Upper Thomson MRT station?
Thomson Plaza is the nearest shopping mall, at approximately 230 metres or about a four-minute walk. Koufu is the closest food centre, at approximately 300 metres or about a five-minute walk.
How far is Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery from Upper Thomson MRT station?
The monastery is approximately 830 metres from the station in a straight line, which is roughly a 13-minute walk. Actual walking distance may be longer depending on the route taken.
How do I get to Upper Thomson 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 Caldecott (8 stops), then change to the Thomson East Coast Line from Caldecott to Upper Thomson (1 stop). About 15 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 September 2026.
News and guides mentioning Upper Thomson
- Smart Glasses Voyeur Near Marymount MRT: What Happened 25 Sep 2026
- Woodlands North Station Complete: RTS Link Opens 2027 7 Sep 2026
Plan the rest of the trip
Every station on the Thomson East Coast 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.