Over the course of seven years, I have visited every Singapore MRT and LRT station, getting out to explore each one and see how the country changes stop by stop. I typically spend at least fifteen minutes wandering the surrounding streets, looking for both local landmarks and hidden gems. From local neighborhoods and tucked-away temples to skyscrapers and tourist hubs, I’ve seen every nook and cranny that one can visit by these two forms of public transportation.
Here, I’m bringing these journeys together into a single guide. You can use it to find new adventures, view the country through fresh eyes, or plan your next day out in the Red Dot. Whether you hop off at a single station or tackle an entire line, there’s always something new to discover.
The Singapore MRT and LRT Networks
Singapore has two rail systems: the MRT, or Mass Rapid Transit, and the LRT, or Light Rail Transit. The MRT is the larger, faster, and more glamorous of the two. It’s Singapore’s subway, although only some of the tracks exist above ground. MRT lines run across nearly all of the country, in six different lines with different names and different colors.
The LRT is smaller, local, and shows up as grey on official rail network maps. It connects three residential towns that are largely dominated by housing blocks (HDBs) developed by the Singapore Housing and Development Board.
Together, the MRT and LRT make it possible to explore most of Singapore without a car — and you may be surprised by what you find.
Singapore’s MRT Lines
Downtown Line
This line runs from green and leafy hillsides in the west almost to the country’s eastern edge, but the real fun happens in the middle. It may be my favorite line for its sheer variety, including stunning parks and colorful heritage areas. Highlight stops include Botanic Gardens, Little India, Bayfront, Fort Canning, and Chinatown.
For every station on the Downtown Line, read these posts:
Thomson-East Coast Line
Taking riders from Singapore’s northernmost MRT station to its balmy east coast neighborhoods, the country’s newest MRT line is second among my favorites. It stands out for its sleek stations, fabulous Art in Transit installations, and easy access to Singapore’s southern shores. Highlight stops include Gardens by the Bay, Maxwell, Marine Parade, and Orchard if you’re here for the shopping.
For every station on the Thomson-East Coast Line, read these posts:
East-West Line
You’ll start the East-West Line at Changi Airport and end just shy of Malaysia, passing industry, HDB estates, and the city’s gleaming civic district along the way. It may be controversial to rank this one third on my list of the best lines — it’s older, some of the trains are a bit rickety, and there’s hardly any station art — but I love it for its sheer diversity. Highlight stops include Tiong Bahru, Raffles Place, City Hall, and Pasir Ris.
For every station on the East-West Line, read these posts:
Circle Line
The Circle Line feels like a bit of this and a little bit of that: port views, fascinating parks, excellent museums, heartland HDB estates, light industrial zones, and heritage areas. I’m tempted to rank it higher because it has a few truly exceptional stops, but there’s less to see between them for casual visitors. Highlight stops include Stadium, Bras Basah, Haw Par Villa, and Botanic Gardens.
For every station on the Circle Line, read these posts:
North East Line
Singapore’s shortest MRT line presents some pretty heavy-hitting stops for tourists and locals alike. But you’ll spend most of your journey in the heartlands, making it more useful for residents. Highlight stops include HarbourFront, Chinatown, Clarke Quay, and Little India.
For every station on the North East Line, read this post.
The North East Line also offers the best entry point for exploring Singapore’s LRT network, since you can connect to both the Punggol and Sengkang LRTs.
North-South Line
The grand dame of Singapore’s rail lines, the North-South Line has been around since 1987. It takes riders deep into Singapore’s heartlands, bending in an upside-down U around the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. This is truly a local line — ride it if you want to see what many might consider the real Singapore. With the exception of Bishan, the highlight stops are clustered at the southern end: Orchard, City Hall, Raffles Place, and Marina South Pier.
For every station on the North-South Line, read these posts:
Singapore’s LRT Lines
Punggol LRT
The northernmost LRT line, Punggol offers access to riverfront walks and plenty of greenery. If you’re going to ride the LRT, start here.
For every station on the Punggol LRT, read this post.
Bukit Panjang LRT
Singapore’s first venture into driverless trains, the Bukit Panjang LRT winds through HDB estates in one of the country’s greener and hillier neighborhoods.
For every station on the Bukit Panjang LRT, read this post.
Sengkang LRT
This is the most local of the three LRTs; it runs through HDB estates and neighborhood parks that are largely off the beaten path.
For every station on the Sengkang LRT, read this post.
Singapore by MRT and LRT: Where to Start
- Best for First-Time Visitors: Downtown Line — Take in classics like Botanic Gardens, Bayfront, Fort Canning, Little India, and Chinatown
- Best for Food: North East and East-West Lines — Eat your way through Little India and Chinatown, then head to Tiong Bahru for a classic hawker experience.
- Best for History & Culture: Downtown Line and East-West or North-South Line — For historic shophouses, temples, and mosques, head to Little India, Chinatown, and Kampong Glam (near Bugis MRT). Continue to City Hall and Raffles Place for access to the National Gallery, Asian Civilisations Museum, and historic Singapore River.
- Best for Shopping: Thomson-East Coast Line — Ride from Orchard Boulevard to Marine Parade, stopping at Orchard Boulevard and Orchard for Singapore’s most famous shopping district, and Marine Parade for the cute cafés and boutiques of Joo Chiat.
- Best for Parks: Downtown Line — Ride from Hillview to Bayfront, stopping at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the Rail Corridor, Botanic Gardens, and Gardens by the Bay.
If you love the great outdoors, don’t miss my post on six Singapore parks that you can reach by MRT.
Frequently Asked Questions: Singapore by MRT and LRT
How long will it take me to explore an entire line? If you’re feeling ambitious, you could manage the whole North East Line in a single day. Each of the other lines deserves at least two days. But you don’t need to ride an entire line to have a great experience — choose a few stops, wander around, and see what you find.
Is it worth riding the LRT? You don’t need to see every stop on every line, but the LRT is an excellent way to immerse yourself in local Singapore. And the Punggol LRT’s waterfront access is an added bonus.
Can you explore Singapore just by riding the MRT and LRT? Almost. The rail network will get you to nearly every part of the country — and where rail can’t get you, public buses will.
For practical information about fares, payment, accessibility, and getting around, check out the official SMRT website.
Many years and hundreds of train rides after having started this project, I’ve discovered that there’s no better way to see Singapore than to get off the train and start exploring. You never know what you’ll find.
