Singapore's MRT network is one of the cleanest, most reliable, and most visitor-friendly metro systems in the world. The North South Line (NSL) is both one of the oldest (first operating in 1987) and one of the most useful for tourists — running in a rough north-south arc through the city from the western suburbs through Orchard Road, the CBD, and Marina Bay before looping back east. If you are visiting Singapore from Australia, the North South Line will take you to most of the places you want to go. Here is a complete guide to using it.

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The North South Line spans approximately 45 kilometres with 28 stations from Jurong East (NS1) to Marina South Pier (NS28). Trains run at intervals ranging from 2 to 10 minutes depending on the time of day — peak hours see very frequent service, off-peak slightly less so. The line operates daily from 5:30 AM to around midnight, with last trains varying by station direction. All stations are fully air-conditioned, fully accessible by lifts and escalators, and equipped with clear English-language signage.

Purchase an EZ-Link card on arrival at any MRT station ticketing machine or customer service centre. The card costs SGD 10 (including SGD 5 stored travel credit) and can be reloaded at ticketing machines throughout the network. Single-trip tickets are also available but EZ-Link provides a discount on each fare and is far more convenient for multi-day visitors. The card also works on Singapore buses.

Singapore's famous shopping boulevard is at its densest and most spectacular here. ION Orchard, Ngee Ann City, Paragon, and Lucky Plaza are all within a short walk of the station. Orchard Road is also lined with side streets and walkways connecting to smaller boutiques and food courts — allow at least a full afternoon if shopping is a priority.

The interchange station for the Circle Line (CE2) and Thomson-East Coast Line (TE20), Marina Bay puts you within walking distance of Marina Bay Sands, the ArtScience Museum, Gardens by the Bay, and the waterfront promenade. The Spectra light show at Marina Bay Sands plays nightly — check showtimes and arrive early for the best viewing position.

The commercial heart of Singapore, Raffles Place is surrounded by the original colonial civic district including the Fullerton Hotel (formerly the General Post Office), the Cavenagh Bridge, and the Singapore River waterfront. This is where the office towers and the heritage of Raffles-era Singapore exist in closest proximity.

The interchange station for three MRT lines and a short walk from the Singapore Art Museum, the Cathay cinema complex, and the beginning of Orchard Road. The surrounding area has excellent hawker centre options and is a useful central hub for transferring between lines.

Find and book the best hotels in Singapore, many located within easy reach of North South Line stations:

A residential interchange station with access to Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, one of Singapore's most pleasant river-edge public parks with extensive walking and cycling paths through lush greenery. Worth visiting for a different perspective on Singapore beyond the tourist circuit.

Woodlands is the station closest to the Johor-Singapore Causeway, used by travellers crossing to Johor Bahru in Malaysia by public bus. Causeway Link and SBS Transit buses depart from Woodlands Bus Interchange directly adjacent to the station, making this the most common public transport crossing point between Singapore and Malaysia.

The southern terminus of the North South Line, Marina South Pier provides access to Singapore Cruise Centre and ferry services including connections to Batam and Bintan in Indonesia — useful for day trips or short island getaways from Singapore.

Download the Singapore MRT map from the Land Transport Authority website or use Google Maps in Singapore, which integrates real-time MRT arrival information. When changing lines, follow the coloured line indicators on the floor of the station — Singapore's stations are extremely well-signed and transfers are almost always straightforward.

Book Singapore's top attractions — Gardens by the Bay, Universal Studios, and more — through Traveloka's activities page:

Arrange an airport transfer from Changi Airport to your Singapore hotel through the Traveloka app. A car rental is available for day trips beyond the MRT network. Check Traveloka promotions for Singapore flight and hotel deals. Traveloka is Southeast Asia's #1 all-in-one travel app — #1 in cumulative downloads 2014–2025 among travel booking apps (Source: SensorTower), with over 140 million app downloads across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Book flights and hotels with Best Deals Every Day, 24/7 live agent support, and access to 2M+ hotels worldwide. Download the Traveloka app on Google Play and the App Store.