Upper Thomson MRT Station
Upper Thomson MRT station is an underground station on Upper Thomson Road in the Thomson district of central Singapore. It carries the code TE8 on the Thomson-East Coast Line, and its platforms sit about 20 metres below street level in a station box roughly 228 metres long. Five entrances lead up to different points along the road, so most passengers can reach their destination without crossing the busy main road.
Upper Thomson on the Thomson East Coast Line map
Upper Thomson MRT station at a glance
| Station codes | TE8 |
|---|---|
| Lines | Thomson East Coast Line |
| Line colour | Brown line (Thomson East Coast Line) |
| Interchange | No, single line station |
| Chinese name | 汤申路上段 |
| Tamil name | அப்பர் தாம்சன் |
| Opened | 28 August 2021 (5 years ago) |
| Operator | SMRT Trains |
| Station type | Underground |
| Platforms | 2 (1 island platform) |
| Address | 1 Jalan Keli, Singapore 577937 |
| Daily ridership | About 8,878 passengers a day (2024) |
| Next stations | |
| Train times | Thomson East Coast Line: first train leaves the terminus at 5:36 AM, last train 11:42 PM Full first and last train guide |
Opening date, operator and ridership figures are LTA data as recorded on Wikipedia.
See Upper Thomson 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 Soo Chow Estate and the surrounding private housing, along with shoppers heading to Thomson Plaza and worshippers at the Church of the Holy Spirit. It is also the stop for anyone with business at the Land Transport Authority office at Sin Ming. Since the area had no rail link before the line arrived, many residents now use Upper Thomson MRT station as their daily connection to the rest of the network.
History of Upper Thomson MRT station
The station was first announced in August 2012 as part of the planned Thomson Line, which was later combined with the Eastern Region Line to form today’s Thomson-East Coast Line. Its opening was pushed back by restrictions on construction work during the COVID-19 pandemic and by a review of the line’s rail system software. Upper Thomson MRT station finally welcomed passengers on 28 August 2021, opening together with the other stations of the line’s second stage.
Inside Upper Thomson MRT station
The walls carry wave-like patterns that nod to the three reservoirs close by: MacRitchie, Upper Peirce and Lower Peirce. Look out for the artwork Lost in Our (Concrete) Jungle by Troy Chin, a set of 88 animal figures, mostly long-tailed macaques, placed around the station in a hide-and-seek style inspired by the nearby Central Catchment Nature Reserve. The number 88 marks this as the 88th station in the Art-in-Transit programme, so children and curious adults may enjoy trying to spot them all while passing through.
For residents and visitors alike, the station is a practical base for everyday errands and short outings. Thomson Plaza is about a four-minute walk away for shopping and meals, while the Koufu and Wah Yen food centres are each about five minutes on foot for a quick, inexpensive lunch.
If you want a breather, the small green spaces of Soo Chow Garden and Thomson Park are only two or three minutes from the station. Those willing to walk a little further can reach Shunfu Mart for market shopping in around nine minutes, or the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, one of the larger places of worship in the area, in about thirteen minutes.
Around Upper Thomson MRT 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 (5 stops). About 5 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 (5 stops). About 8 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 (6 stops). About 6 stops, no changes. |
| From HarbourFront | Take the North East Line from HarbourFront to Outram Park (1 stop), then change to the Thomson East Coast Line from Outram Park to Upper Thomson (8 stops). About 9 stops with 1 change. |
Fares from Upper Thomson MRT station
A trip from Upper Thomson to Changi Airport (about 26 km) costs S$2.42 on an adult SimplyGo or EZ-Link card. Fares are charged by distance, so the table below shows the estimated adult card fare from Upper Thomson 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 26 km, 15 stops | S$2.42 | S$1.92 | S$2.55 |
| Orchard | about 8 km, 5 stops | S$1.82 | S$1.32 | S$1.95 |
| City Hall | about 11 km, 8 stops | S$1.94 | S$1.44 | S$2.07 |
| Raffles Place | about 13 km, 9 stops | S$1.98 | S$1.48 | S$2.11 |
| Jurong East | about 16 km, 8 stops | S$2.11 | S$1.61 | S$2.24 |
| Woodlands | about 12 km, 6 stops | S$1.98 | S$1.48 | S$2.11 |
| HarbourFront | about 14 km, 9 stops | S$2.07 | S$1.57 | S$2.20 |
| Marina Bay | about 14 km, 11 stops | S$2.02 | S$1.52 | S$2.15 |
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 Upper Thomson MRT 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 | None |
| TE2 | Woodlands | NS / TE |
| TE3 | Woodlands South | None |
| TE4 | Springleaf | None |
| TE5 | Lentor | None |
| TE6 | Mayflower | None |
| TE7 | Bright Hill | None |
| TE8 | Upper Thomson (you are here) | None |
| TE9 | Caldecott | CC / TE |
| TE11 | Stevens | DT / TE |
| TE12 | Napier | None |
| TE13 | Orchard Boulevard | None |
| TE14 | Orchard | TE / NS |
| TE15 | Great World | None |
| TE16 | Havelock | None |
| TE17 | Outram Park | TE / EW / NE |
| TE18 | Maxwell | None |
| TE19 | Shenton Way | None |
| TE20 | Marina Bay | CE / TE / NS |
| TE22 | Gardens by the Bay | None |
| TE23 | Tanjong Rhu | None |
| TE24 | Katong Park | None |
| TE25 | Tanjong Katong | None |
| TE26 | Marine Parade | None |
| TE27 | Marine Terrace | None |
| TE28 | Siglap | None |
| TE29 | Bayshore | None |
Read the full Thomson East Coast Line guide.
Upper Thomson MRT 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 11:42 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 October 2026.
News and guides mentioning Upper Thomson
- Johor-Singapore RTS Link gets 5G: What it means for cross-border riders 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
- Bus & Train Fares Rise Up to 13 Cents from Dec 26 30 Sep 2026
- Singapore MRT Network: Lines, Fares & How It All Works 29 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.
Exits and buses at Upper Thomson station
Upper Thomson has 5 mapped exits (1 to 5). 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: closest to Thomson Plaza (about 105 m from the entrance)
- Exit 2
- Exit 3: closest to Thomson Park (about 50 m from the entrance)
- Exit 4: closest to Thomson Park (about 109 m from the entrance)
- Exit 5: closest to Soo Chow Garden (about 108 m from the entrance)
Bus stops within 250 m of Upper Thomson station
| Bus stop | Stop code | Services | From station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Thomson Station Exit 5 | 53051 | 52, 132, 162, 162M, 163, 165, 166, 167, 410, 410G, 855, 980 | 21 m |
| Opposite Thomson Plaza | 53059 | 52, 132, 162, 162M, 163, 165, 166, 167, 410, 410W, 855, 980 | 173 m |
| Before Jalan Todak | 53049 | 52, 132, 162, 162M, 163, 165, 166, 167, 410, 410W, 855, 980 | 179 m |
| Before Thomson Ridge | 53041 | 52, 132, 162, 162M, 163, 165, 166, 167, 410, 410G, 855, 980 | 233 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 Upper Thomson 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.