Singapore has six MRT lines and three LRT lines. Most MRT lines run underground, while the LRT lines run above ground on elevated viaducts as feeder services within large residential towns.
Select a line for more information about that MRT or LRT line and to view its specific line map with all stations listed.
Mass Rapid Transit Lines (MRT)
East-West Line
123flight
Code: EW
Color: Green
The East-West Line runs through 35 stations from Tuas Link in the west to Pasir Ris in the east, with a branch to Changi Airport.
The North-South Line runs through 27 stations from Jurong East in the west, up through the northern towns and down through Orchard to Marina South Pier.
The Circle Line is an orbital line with 30 stations, about a third of them interchanges, looping around the city centre and now forming a complete loop.
The Thomson-East Coast Line is the newest line, fully underground and driverless, running about 43 km from Woodlands North to the east coast, with the final stage opening in 2026.
The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is the backbone of public transport in Singapore, and one of the fastest, cleanest and most punctual metro systems in the world. It is run by two operators, SMRT Corporation and SBS Transit, under the planning and regulation of the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Today the rail network has six MRT lines and three Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines, linking the Central Business District (CBD), the residential heartlands, Changi Airport and the industrial estates into one connected system. For buses, see Bus Routes in Singapore, and the full interactive MRT Map of Singapore for every line and station.
For a first-time visitor the map can look busy, but the system is one of the most logical and well-signed metros anywhere. Most MRT lines run underground, while the LRT lines run above ground on elevated viaducts as feeder services within large towns. Paying is simple: you tap in and out at the fare gates with a contactless bank card, a SimplyGo EZ-Link card, or a mobile wallet such as Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay, with no paper ticket required. Stations are air-conditioned, fitted with platform screen doors, and use clear, colour-coded wayfinding, so transfers at the bigger interchange stations are easy. With the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) and the closing of the Circle Line loop, almost the whole island is now within easy reach by rail.
Select a line below for the full route, all stations and the specific line map, or read on for a detailed guide to every MRT and LRT line in Singapore.
Key takeaways
Island-wide coverage: The MRT is the fastest and most affordable way to cross Singapore, reaching nearly every corner of the island from the city centre to the heartlands.
Easy to use: Air-conditioned stations, colour-coded signs, platform screen doors and step-free access make it simple for everyone, including families with prams, seniors and less mobile passengers.
Connects the sights: The lines link major attractions such as Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay and Sentosa with heritage districts like Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India.
Built for daily life: Whether you commute every day or visit for a week, the MRT and its bus and LRT connections form the core of getting around.
Everything in one place: Below we break down each line, its interchanges, fares, operating hours and the smart tools that make travel effortless.
The six MRT lines at a glance
Singapore’s six MRT lines are each given a distinct colour and two-letter code, which is the heart of the network’s colour-coded wayfinding system. Explore the interactive 2026 Singapore MRT map below, then read the detailed breakdown of every line that follows.
The North-South Line (NSL) was Singapore’s very first MRT line, opening in 1987, and it remains one of the busiest corridors on the entire network. Marked in red, it runs about 44 km across 27 stations in a long horseshoe shape. It begins at Jurong East in the west, climbs north through the heartland towns of Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, Yew Tee, Kranji, Woodlands, Admiralty, Sembawang, Yishun and Khatib, then turns south through Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Toa Payoh and Novena, before running down the world-famous Orchard Road shopping belt and through the city to Marina South Pier.
Because it touches so many parts of the island and intersects with nearly every other line, the Red Line is one of the most important transfer corridors in Singapore. It is the spine that connects the northern residential heartlands to the commercial heart of the city.
Key stations and interchanges on the North-South Line:
Jurong East (NS1): Western terminus and a major interchange with the East-West Line, serving the fast-growing Jurong Lake District, planned as Singapore’s “second CBD.”
Woodlands (NS9): The gateway to the north, an interchange with the Thomson-East Coast Line and a short ride from the Woodlands Checkpoint and the Causeway to Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
Bishan (NS17): A busy hub that connects to the orbital Circle Line, handy for crossing town without going through the centre.
Orchard (NS22): The epicentre of the Orchard Road shopping district, now also a direct interchange with the Thomson-East Coast Line.
City Hall (NS25) and Raffles Place (NS26): The civic and financial core, offering cross-platform transfers to the East-West Line, where you simply walk across the platform to change lines.
Marina Bay (NS27): An interchange with the Circle Line and Thomson-East Coast Line, beside the Marina Bay waterfront.
Marina South Pier (NS28): The southern terminus, serving the ferry terminal for trips to the Southern Islands.
The East-West Line (EWL), shown in green, is the longest line on the network at around 57 km, and one of the most heavily used. It runs across 35 stations from Pasir Ris in the east to Tuas Link in the far west, with a branch from Tanah Merah out to Changi Airport. It forms the main east-west backbone of the system, linking commercial districts, the Tuas and Jurong industrial estates, and dense residential towns. You could start the morning at Pasir Ris Park, ride in for lunch at Raffles Place in the financial district, and finish the day shopping at Jurong East or IMM.
Key stations and interchanges on the East-West Line:
Changi Airport (CG2): The station for Changi Airport and Jewel Changi Airport. Coming from the city, you change at Tanah Merah for the airport branch.
Tanah Merah (EW4): The junction where the Changi Airport branch meets the main line.
Paya Lebar (EW8): An interchange with the Circle Line, beside the Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ) development.
Bugis (EW12): An interchange with the Downtown Line, close to Arab Street, Haji Lane and Bugis Junction.
City Hall (EW13) and Raffles Place (EW14): The civic and financial heart, with cross-platform transfers to the North-South Line.
Outram Park (EW16): A major three-line interchange connecting the East-West, North East and Thomson-East Coast lines, and the gateway to Singapore General Hospital.
Buona Vista (EW21): An interchange with the Circle Line, serving the one-north research and business hub.
Jurong East (EW24): Interchange with the North-South Line and the Jurong Lake District.
Boon Lay (EW27) and Joo Koon (EW29): Key stops for commuters heading to the western industrial parks.
The North East Line (NEL), in purple, opened in 2003 as Singapore’s first fully underground and driverless line, run by SBS Transit. It stretches about 20 km across 16 stations, running diagonally from HarbourFront in the south, the gateway to Sentosa and VivoCity, up to Punggol in the north-east. Several of its stations are interchanges, and it passes through some of the city’s richest cultural districts, making it a favourite of both residents and tourists.
Key stations and interchanges on the North-East Line:
HarbourFront (NE1): The southern terminus, interchange with the Circle Line, and the link to Sentosa via the boardwalk or Sentosa Express.
Outram Park (NE3): A three-line interchange with the East-West and Thomson-East Coast lines.
Chinatown (NE4): An interchange with the Downtown Line, in the heart of the historic Chinatown precinct.
Dhoby Ghaut (NE6): A major triple interchange with the North-South and Circle lines, beside the Orchard Road shopping belt and Plaza Singapura.
Little India (NE7): An interchange with the Downtown Line, serving the vibrant Little India cultural district.
Serangoon (NE12): An interchange with the Circle Line and the NEX shopping mall.
Punggol (NE17): The northern terminus, connected to the Punggol LRT for the surrounding residential estate.
The Circle Line (CCL), shown in orange and run by SMRT, is an orbital line that loops around the city centre rather than running through it. At about 35 km with 30 stations, roughly a third of them interchanges, it lets you switch between the radial lines without travelling all the way into town, which can save a great deal of time. With the final stage now open, completing the link between HarbourFront and Marina Bay, the Circle Line forms a continuous loop around the central area.
Key stations and interchanges on the Circle Line:
Dhoby Ghaut (CC1): A triple interchange with the North-South and North East lines.
Bishan (CC15): An interchange with the North-South Line.
Serangoon (CC13): An interchange with the North East Line.
Paya Lebar (CC9): An interchange with the East-West Line.
MacPherson (CC10): An interchange with the Downtown Line.
Buona Vista (CC22): An interchange with the East-West Line, serving one-north.
HarbourFront (CC29): An interchange with the North East Line, completing the loop.
The Downtown Line (DTL), in blue and operated by SBS Transit, is one of the longest fully underground, driverless lines in the world at about 42 km with 34 stations. It links the north-west and the east of the island to the city centre, running from Bukit Panjang in the north-west, through the CBD and Marina Bay, then out east to Expo near Changi. It threads through a string of heritage, lifestyle and business districts.
Key stations and interchanges on the Downtown Line:
Bukit Panjang (DT1): The north-western terminus, connected to the Bukit Panjang LRT.
Botanic Gardens (DT9): An interchange with the Circle Line, beside the UNESCO-listed Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Newton (DT11): An interchange with the North-South Line, near the popular Newton Food Centre.
Little India (DT12): An interchange with the North East Line.
Bugis (DT14): An interchange with the East-West Line.
Chinatown (DT19): An interchange with the North East Line.
Expo (DT35): An interchange with the East-West Line, serving the Singapore Expo and a short ride from Changi.
The Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) is Singapore’s sixth and newest line, shown in brown on the map. It is fully underground and driverless, run by SMRT, and opened in stages from 2020. When complete it will run about 43 km with 32 stations. It starts at Woodlands North (TE1) near the Causeway, runs south through Upper Thomson, Caldecott and the city centre, then curves east along the coast towards Sungei Bedok. For commuters in the east in particular, the line has been a major change, giving them a fast, direct alternative to the East-West Line and a one-seat ride into town. The final eastern stage opens in 2026, and a future extension to Changi Airport is planned for the 2030s.
Useful stations on the Thomson-East Coast Line:
Woodlands North (TE1): The northern terminus and the future link to the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.
Woodlands (TE2): An interchange with the North-South Line.
Caldecott (TE9): An interchange with the Circle Line.
Stevens (TE11): An interchange with the Downtown Line.
Orchard (TE14 / NS22): The main shopping belt, with an interchange to the North-South Line.
Outram Park (TE17): A three-line interchange with the East-West and North East lines.
Maxwell (TE18): A short walk from the well-known Maxwell Food Centre.
Marina Bay (TE20): An interchange with the North-South and Circle lines.
Gardens by the Bay (TE22): Step-free access to the Supertree Grove and the flower conservatories.
Marine Parade (TE26) and Bayshore (TE29): The eastern stations that finally bring rail to the East Coast Park area.
Key information
Details
Final stage opens
2026
Number of stations
32
Total length
About 43 km
Connects
Woodlands, the city centre, Marina Bay and the eastern coast
The LRT lines and upcoming MRT lines
Alongside the MRT, three Light Rapid Transit (LRT) lines run as automated feeder services within large residential towns, carrying passengers from their estates to the nearest MRT interchange:
Bukit Panjang LRT (BP): Opened in 1999 as Singapore’s first LRT line, connecting the Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang estates to the Downtown and North-South lines.
Sengkang LRT (STC): Serving the Sengkang new town, linked to the North East Line at Sengkang.
Punggol LRT (PTC): Serving the Punggol estate, linked to the North East Line at Punggol.
The network is still growing. Two major MRT lines are under construction: the Jurong Region Line (JRL), which will serve the west and the Jurong Lake District, and the Cross Island Line (CRL), which will eventually become Singapore’s longest fully underground line, linking the east and west across the island. These projects are part of the LTA’s Land Transport Master Plan and its long-term goal of a “45-minute city and 20-minute towns.”
Reading the colour-coded MRT map
If it is your first time looking at the Singapore MRT map, the mix of colours can seem like a lot. But the colour coding is exactly what makes it easy to use. The Land Transport Authority designed the map so you do not need to memorise station names or compass directions, you simply match the colour, follow the line, and change where you see an interchange circle. Each interchange is where two or more lines meet, allowing you to switch routes, and the larger ones offer convenient cross-platform transfers.
Source: Wikipedia
Planning a route on the MRT
Heading to the Maxwell Food Centre, Orchard Road or Changi Airport? You do not need to guess your way there. Official tools like the MyTransport.SG app, or transit apps such as Citymapper and Google Maps, let you enter your start and end stations and get the most direct route in seconds. A good route planner also shows the estimated travel time, the best interchange to use, and a distance-based fare estimate before you even tap in.
Feature
What it does
Route planning
Works out the most efficient route from your start point to your destination.
Travel time
Estimates how long each journey will take.
Interchanges
Shows where you need to change trains for a seamless journey.
Fare calculation
Estimates the distance-based fare for your trip.
Useful MRT apps
Getting around is easier with the right app on your phone. The official MyTransport.SG app and the SimplyGo app are both worth having, on iOS or Android. They typically offer live train timings and service alerts, interactive station maps to help you find the closest exit, and fare calculators based on the distance you travel.
Operating hours and fares
MRT operating hours
The Singapore MRT is reliable and runs from early morning until late at night. Exact first and last train times vary slightly by station and by line, but in general:
Operating hours: Daily from about 5:30 AM to around midnight.
Train frequency: Every 2 to 3 minutes at peak times (roughly 7:00 to 9:00 AM and 5:00 to 7:30 PM), and every 5 to 7 minutes during off-peak hours, helped by Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling.
Festive periods: Hours are sometimes extended past midnight during events such as New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Deepavali.
Tip: check the platform display boards or your transit app for the exact last-train time so you do not get caught out.
Days
Operating hours
Weekdays (Monday to Friday)
5:30 AM to 12:00 AM
Weekends (Saturday and Sunday)
5:30 AM to 12:00 AM
Public Holidays
5:30 AM to 12:00 AM
How fares and SimplyGo work
Singapore uses a distance-based fare structure, so you pay only for the distance you actually travel, and you are not charged extra for transferring between MRT lines or onto a connecting public bus, as long as you do so within the time limit. Paper single-trip tickets have been phased out, and the network now runs on SimplyGo, an Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) system managed through TransitLink. You can pay with:
Contactless bank cards: Tap a Visa, Mastercard or NETS contactless card directly at the fare gate.
Mobile wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay on a phone or smartwatch.
SimplyGo EZ-Link cards: A dedicated transit card you can top up via the SimplyGo app or at station ticketing machines, available through EZ-Link.
Fares are affordable, usually under SGD $1.00 for short trips and around SGD $2.50 to $3.00 for long cross-island journeys. There is also a Pre-Peak Fare discount for tapping in before 7:45 AM on weekdays, and concession fares through TransitLink for students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, keeping the system inclusive and accessible.
The Singapore Tourist Pass (STP)
If you are visiting Singapore and plan to travel a lot, the Singapore Tourist Pass is excellent value. It offers unlimited travel on MRT, LRT and basic bus services, and is sold at major MRT stations and Changi Airport, typically priced around SGD $10 for 1 day, SGD $16 for 2 days and SGD $20 for 3 days.
Frequently asked questions
How many MRT lines does Singapore have?
Singapore has six MRT lines: the North-South, East-West, North-East, Circle, Downtown and Thomson-East Coast lines. There are also three LRT lines (Bukit Panjang, Sengkang and Punggol) that act as feeder services within residential towns, plus the Jurong Region Line and Cross Island Line under construction.
What are the MRT line colours in Singapore?
Red is the North-South Line, green is the East-West Line, purple is the North-East Line, orange is the Circle Line, blue is the Downtown Line, and brown is the Thomson-East Coast Line. The LRT lines are shown in grey.
Which is the longest MRT line in Singapore?
The East-West Line is the longest, running about 57 km from Pasir Ris in the east to Tuas Link in the west, with a branch to Changi Airport.
What time does the MRT start and stop?
Trains generally run from about 5:30 AM to around midnight every day. Exact first and last train times vary by station and line, so it is worth checking the platform boards or a transit app like MyTransport.SG.
How do I pay for the MRT in Singapore?
The MRT is cashless and runs on the SimplyGo system. You tap in and out at the fare gate with a contactless bank card, a SimplyGo EZ-Link card, or a mobile wallet such as Apple Pay or Google Pay. Fares are charged by distance travelled.
Is the MRT 24 hours in Singapore?
No. The MRT does not run 24 hours. It operates from roughly 5:30 AM to midnight, though hours are sometimes extended during major festive periods.
Which MRT lines connect to Changi Airport?
The East-West Line serves Changi Airport via a branch from Tanah Merah. A future Thomson-East Coast Line extension to the airport is also planned for the 2030s.
What is the difference between MRT and LRT?
The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is the main, mostly underground heavy-rail network that crosses the island. The LRT (Light Rapid Transit) lines are smaller, automated above-ground systems that feed passengers from residential estates like Bukit Panjang, Sengkang and Punggol to the nearest MRT station.
In summary
Singapore is an easy city to get around once you can read the MRT map. From the historic red North-South and green East-West lines to the newer brown Thomson-East Coast Line, the colour-coded network connects almost the whole island, backed by the LRT feeders and a constantly expanding rail plan. To travel smoothly, download the 2026 MRT map PDF for an offline copy, use a route planner or transit app for live updates, and pay with SimplyGo by tapping your card or phone at the gate. Plan your route, keep the map handy, and the rest of Singapore opens up.
