Singapore MRT Guide: One Attraction Near Each Popular Station

Singapore‘s MRT system isn’t just useful for your daily commute. The city’s extensive train network can take you to numerous attractions from hidden gems to iconic landmarks. Singapore attractions near MRT stations are easy to get to and brimming with local charm. Read our Singapore MRT guide to find out where they are! 

Also read: One Unique Attraction in Each Singapore Neighbourhood to Check Out

Where to stay

When looking for the perfect accommodation for a family trip, the most important factor is location. For the ideal family-friendly stay that puts you close to some of the top attractions in Singapore, consider a stay at Novotel Singapore on Kitchener, winner of the Best For Families (Singapores) category at TripZilla Excellence Awards 2024. With its strategic location (a short distance from the bustling Little India district) and host of family-friendly amenities, Novotel Singapore on Kitchener is all you need for a comfortable stay on your family vacation.

Families with young children will especially enjoy the outdoor kids’ pool, where children and their families can splash around and have a wonderful time together.

SG MRT Map

Singapore has six MRT lines currently: the Circle Line, North-South Line, North-East Line, East-West Line, Downtown Line, and Thomson-East Coast Line. Some major stations may be served by two or three MRT lines. 

Tourists may pay for MRT rides through several means. First, they can purchase a Singapore Tourist Pass (STP) from the ticket office at selected stations. The STP provides unlimited travel for one, two, or three days. Another method is to get an EZ-Link card for $10 from MRT station ticket offices or convenience stores such as 7-11, Buzz, and Cheers. If they are staying for a short time, it may be a good option to buy one-time tickets from the ticketing machines for each journey. Lastly, tourists can pay MRT fares using a foreign-issued MasterCard or contactless Visa Card. 

Circle Line Singapore MRT guide

1. Haji Lane – Bugis Station

Singapore’s number one hipster neighbourhood is a mere six-minute walk from Bugis MRT. Haji Lane is the go-to spot for indie cafes, boutiques, and eye-popping street art. 

Fill up on tantalising Mexican food at Piedra Negra or treat yourself to craft beer and burgers at Good Luck Beerhouse. You can also get up close and personal with cute cats at Meomi Cat Cafe, and snap IG-worthy shots of wall art along this colourful heritage street. 

Also read: 22 Photoshoot Locations in Singapore That You Never Thought Of

2. Holland Village – Holland Village Station

Holland Village is a buzzing retail enclave where you will find everything from a gourmet dessert bar to an artisan bagel house. Step out of Holland Village MRT and enter foodie paradise. If you come in the morning, you can start the day with a hearty customisable bagel from Two Men Bagel House or a crisp croissant from Tiong Bahru Bakery (located in Chip Bee Gardens, accessible via Exit A). 

For lunch, try an indulgent truffle and egg pizza from La Nonna, or premium steak at Black Marble Steakhouse. Those craving something sweet can find it at 2am Dessert Bar: a fine dining dessert place run by homegrown pastry chef Janice Wong. 

3. Chomp Chomp Food Centre – Lorong Chuan Station

Chomp Chomp Food Centre is accessible via a 13-minute bus ride from Lorong Chuan MRT. This hawker food mecca has a number of famous stalls worth travelling for. These stalls serve dishes so delectable that most diners would wait 30-45 minutes just for a bite. 

Check out Ah Hock Fried Hokkien Mee and Chomp Chomp Satay, two stalls listed in the Michelin Guide. Ah Hock is known for its charred ‘wok hei’ (smoky) flavour while Chomp Chomp Satay sells tender, well-marinated satay and BBQ wings. Don’t miss out on Ang Mo Kio 409 Carrot Cake, which has been praised for its oyster omelette, and handmade, cooked-to-order fries from Big Big Fries. 

Also read: 15 Best Hawker Centres in Singapore That Locals & Travelling Foodies Swear By

North-South Line Singapore MRT guide

4. National Museum – Dhoby Ghaut Station

The National Museum of Singapore is a four-minute walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station, which is connected to three lines: the North-South Line, Circle Line, and North-East Line. The museum is definitely one of the best Singapore attractions near MRT stations for history lovers. Here, you can find exhibits giving you a run-down of the nation’s history from the Malay kingdom all the way to the contemporary city-state. 

There are various temporary art and history exhibitions as well. As of writing, the museum is hosting a digital art exhibition called “Story of the Forest,” which transforms natural history drawings by William Farquhar into 3D animations. 

Also read: 10 Best Art Museums and Galleries to Visit in Singapore

5. Newton Food Centre – Newton Station

Newton Food Centre is more than a filming location from Crazy Rich Asians. The popular hawker centre is a food heritage gem in its own right. 

Dishes to try here include the succulent duck from Kwee Heng Duck noodles, perfectly-charred BBQ wings and satay from TKR Satay, and sliced fish soup from Kwang Kee Fish Porridge. The outdoor dining area with tented benches will make a great spot for you to chill out with family and friends over good food and cool beer. 

Also read: 15 Best Hawker Dishes in Singapore and Where to Find Them

Thomson-East Coast Line Singapore MRT guide

6. Dempsey – Napier Station

The opening of Napier Station brought the Dempsey lifestyle enclave within a 10-minute walk from the nearest MRT station. In this serene culinary hub, you can enjoy brunch or high tea at numerous cafes or a fancy dinner in one of its upscale restaurants. The eateries here are surrounded by forest, allowing diners to reconnect with nature. 

Apart from eating, you may visit Redsea Gallery, a contemporary art gallery housed in a colonial barrack. The gallery showcases work from regional and international artists in a sleek, minimalistic space. Admission is free and the staff is able to give you a guided tour. 

7. Kebun Baru Birdsinging Club – Mayflower Station

The Kebun Baru Birdsinging Club is a free to enjoy bird paradise an eight-minute walk from Mayflower MRT Station. This club is run by volunteers and keeps songbirds of various species. You may purchase a bird here for S$80, but prices for some birds can run into thousands. Even if you don’t intend to buy a bird, you may visit to appreciate the beautiful sound of birdsong. This is definitely one of the most unique attractions along an MRT line in Singapore. 

Also read: 18 Hidden Gems in Singapore You Need to Uncover

Downtown Line Singapore MRT guide

8. Old Ford Factory – Hillview Station

The Old Ford Factory is the place where British forces surrendered to the Japanese on 15 Feb 1942. Today, it is a history museum with exhibitions about the events which led to the fall of Singapore and the Japanese Occupation. You can walk into the boardroom where the surrender took place and see a garden outside planted with sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes and other plants were vital food sources during the Japanese Occupation. 

Get here by taking bus 67, 170, 171, 961, or 961M from Hillview Station and alighting opposite The Hillside. 

9. Rail Corridor – Beauty World, King Albert Park, or Hillview Station

The Rail Corridor is a 24-kilometre-long green passage stretching from Kranji to Tanjong Pagar. This green trail is one of the best Singapore attractions near MRT stations for those who want to get active. 

You may start your Rail Corridor adventure at any station along the Downtown Line Singapore from King Albert Park to Hillview. From Beauty World Station, you can access Rifle Range Nature Park, a rustic trail with a Colugo Deck. Head to the Colugo Deck and try to spot flying lemurs darting from tree to tree. 

Beauty World is also close to Bukit Timah Hill, the highest point on mainland Singapore. The hill’s Visitor Centre has an exhibition where you can learn about the island’s native biodiversity. From King Albert Park you can walk to the Bukit Timah Railway Station and see the old railway tracks. Hillview is near Singapore Quarry, an abandoned quarry surrounded by verdant forest. The quarry is a quiet nature spot to relax and go birdwatching. 

Also read: 25 Nature & Hiking Trails in Singapore to Discover on Your Weekends

10. Tan Teng Niah House – Little India Station

Located a seven-minute walk from Little India MRT Station is Tan Teng Niah House: a colourful heritage building that is one of the last Chinese mansions in Little India. The owner, Tan Teng Niah, was a Chinese businessman in the early 20th century who ran several sweet factories in the nearby district of Serangoon. 

The restored house has eight rooms, elaborate wall scrolls, and richly carved swinging wooden doors. The kaleidoscopic facade is sure to brighten up your IG feed, so drop by when you get the chance! 

11. Fort Canning Park – Fort Canning Station

When talking about Singapore attractions near MRT stations, you can’t neglect the iconic Fort Canning Park. This historical gem is located next to Fort Canning MRT along the Downtown Line. Fort Canning Hill is where the British constructed their headquarters during World War Two. You can still see remnants of its wartime past in the hilltop park. 

Fort Gate is what remains of the fortress which once defended Singapore from sea-based attacks. There is also a war museum called the Battle Box housed in a former British bunker. 

Lastly, make sure to stop by the Javanese-style Sang Nila Utama Garden, named after the Palembang prince who gave Singapore its name. The garden’s Javanese gates will make you feel like you’re in Bali! Overall, this park is a quintessential attraction along the Downtown Line in Singapore. 

Also read: ‘Spring’ in Singapore: 12 Parks & Gardens for a Floral Season Close to Home

East-West Line Singapore MRT guide

12. Rochester Park Starbucks – Buona Vista Station

A five-minute walk from Buona Vista MRT is perhaps the most tranquil Starbucks in Singapore. Housed in a two-story black and white colonial house, Rochester Park Starbucks is the perfect place to unwind over a cup of coffee. 

Nestled in lush greenery and holding plenty of seats, this Starbucks will help you release built-up tension. Not only is the building’s facade IG-worthy, but the wood flooring and shutter windows inside will also lend your cafe experience a nostalgic touch. 

Also read: 21 Quiet Cafes in Singapore for Digital Nomads

13. Tiong Bahru white shophouses – Tiong Bahru Station

Tiong Bahru is a small neighbourhood which packs a punch. The unique art-deco architecture alone makes it worth visiting. Pre-war shophouses here have curved walls, spiral staircases, and overhanging eaves that distinguish them from your typical HDB block. Things to do in Tiong Bahru include hunting for street art, visiting independent bookstores, and seeing the bird corner at the junction of Seng Poh Road and Tiong Bahru Road. 

Vinyl fans can head to Curated Records, a vinyl store with a wide selection of records from jazz to metal. If you’re in the mood for classic local food, try Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice and Old Tiong Bahru Bak Kut Teh: two streetside restaurants that often have a snaking queue of customers. The Tiong Bahru white shophouses along Seng Poh Road and Tiong Bahru Road are a 10-minute walk from Tiong Bahru MRT. 

North-East Line Singapore MRT guide

14. Punggol Waterway Park – Punggol Station

Punggol Waterway Park is a lush escape a stone’s throw from an MRT line in Singapore. It takes just six minutes to walk there from Punggol MRT. The park’s futuristic Jewel Bridge and wavy Sunrise Bridge will look amazing on your IG feed. Walk along these picturesque bridges to admire sublime views of the river. 

Birdwatchers should also keep a lookout for species such as the black-naped oriole, long-tailed shrike, pink-necked green pigeon, yellow-vented bulbul, white-throated kingfisher, and collared kingfisher. 

15. VivoCity – Harbourfront Station

VivoCity is a megamall and lifestyle hub connected to HarbourFront MRT, which is served by the North-East Line and Circle Line. The mall is the largest in Singapore and holds every retail brand imaginable. With a major MRT station under it, it’s a no-brainer addition to any Singapore MRT guide.

Apart from shopping, the complex has an outdoor boardwalk where you can enjoy a slow stroll and stunning views of the city skyline. If you’re up for some adrenaline-pumping fun, head to Timezone VivoCity, a huge arcade with a wide selection of games. Try your hand at  Space Invaders and Mario Kart, or race with your friends in bumper cars. 

On Level Three, you will find the Sentosa Express, a train that takes you to Singapore’s fun capitol in under five minutes. The journey costs $4. In Sentosa, you can continue your adventure at Universal Studios Singapore or chill out on the island’s beaches. 

Also read: A Shopping Paradise: The Best Malls in Singapore to Shop Till You Drop

There you have it: our list of top Singapore attractions near MRT stations. When the weekend rolls around, why not hop on a MRT line in Singapore and check out some of these places? The little red dot’s extensive rail network means you’re never too far from the nearest hidden gem or lifestyle destination. Have fun exploring!