Orchard MRT Singapore Guide: Exits, Malls & How to Get There (2025)

If there’s one MRT station in Singapore that almost everyone knows, it’s Orchard MRT. Sitting right at the heart of Orchard Road, this station is the main gateway to Singapore’s most famous shopping street. I’ve passed through here countless times, whether to shop or eat or simply soak in the energy of Orchard. For first-time visitors, understanding Orchard MRT can save you a lot of time (and confusion).

And by the way, if you want the full breakdown of Orchard Road (malls, food, hotels, and nightlife) check out our complete guide to Orchard Road Singapore.

Where is Orchard MRT Station Located?

You will find Orchard MRT Station right on Singapore’s North-South Line (NSL) and Thomson–East Coast (TEL). Do take note of the fact that these lines are also called the Red Line and Brown Line respectively. They’re both located directly connected to some of Orchard’s iconic malls, one mainly being ION Orchard Mall. Wisma Atria is also another mall that is connected to the train station’s underground walkway. Other malls that are just a short walk away are Ngee Ann City, TANGS, Far East Plaza…and the list goes on. Orchard is after all, a shopping district.

Do take note that you would need to clock more steps to get to the Thomson-East Coast Line, especially if you tap in from the entrance nearest to the Red Line. I found that the most direct path to get there is by taking the escalator to B1 in Ion Orchard Mall, walk past Paris Baguette and follow the walkway all the way to the Brown Line’s entrance. If you dislike crowded areas (like me), you’re welcome.

• MRT Station Code: NS22/TE14
• Address: Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
• Nearby Landmarks: ION Orchard, Wisma Atria, Ngee Ann City, TANGS Plaza

From here, you can access most of Orchard Road’s attractions without even stepping outside thanks to its maze of underground walkways.

Orchard MRT Exits

The station has several exits, and it’s even more confusing when two lines are present. You’re not alone – even the locals get confused, so we totally get it! To save you some time and headache, we’ve compiled some of the hot spots easily accessed via their respective exits.

• Exits 1 & 2 – TANGS Plaza, Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
• Exit 3 – Wisma Atria, Ngee Ann City (Takashimaya)
• Exits 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 – ION Orchard Mall
• Exit 11 – Wheelock Place, Shaw House, Lido Cinema

NOTE: Most malls are connected underground, so you can shop and explore Orchard Road without worrying about Singapore’s heat or rain.

Malls Connected to Orchard MRT

One reason Orchard MRT is so popular is that it’s literally a shopping hub by itself. Here are the malls directly connected:

• ION Orchard – The landmark mall, right on top of the station.
• Wisma Atria – Linked through underground walkways.
• Wheelock Place – Easy access via Exit 11.
• Takashimaya / Ngee Ann City – Reachable through Wisma Atria.
• TANGS Plaza – Connected through Exit 2.

What to Eat Near The Station

Food is never a problem around Orchard MRT. In fact, some of the most popular dining spots are directly linked to the station. Some good examples include the following:

• Food Opera (ION Orchard Basement 4) – A famous food court serving a plethora of local favorites from chicken rice to satay.
• Food Republic (Wisma Atria) – Affordable hawker-style meals in an air-conditioned setting.
• Street Ice Cream Stalls – Along Orchard Road, you’ll find uncles and aunties selling the iconic Singapore ice cream sandwich. You can choose if you’d like your block of ice cream sandwiched with wafers or a slice of rainbow bread. I, personally, love the rainbow bread. It never fails to bring me back to my childhood. Ah, such beautiful memories. Addition to all that, it is also simply delicious.

Meeting Points at Orchard MRT

Locals often use Orchard MRT as a convenient meeting spot because of its central location and easy access to nearby malls. If you spend any time in Singapore, you’ll quickly notice that people arrange meet-ups using MRT exits rather than street names.

Common phrases you’ll hear include:

• “Let’s meet at Orchard MRT Exit 7.”
• “See you at the ION Orchard MRT exit.”

The most popular and practical choice is the ION Orchard exit inside the mall. Not only is it spacious and air-conditioned (a big plus in Singapore’s heat), but it also has clear signboards, making it easy to find someone even in a crowd.

Other good meeting spots are Exit 2 near TANGS Plaza (great if you’re heading towards Scotts Road) or Exit 11 leading to Wheelock Place. Each exit connects you directly to a mall, so even if you’re waiting, you can grab a coffee or do some window shopping while you wait.

Getting to Orchard MRT

Here’s how to reach Orchard MRT from major areas:

From Changi Airport

If you’ve just landed at Changi Airport, Orchard MRT is about 60 minutes away by train. Simply hop on the East-West Line (Green Line) from the airport station. 2 stops after, at Tanah Merah, you would have to change to the other Green Line train that’s heading to City Hall. Don’t worry – it’s on the same platform. There’s 3 trains on this platform, so just make sure to board the right one. Ride until you reach City Hall, then switch over to the North-South Line (Red Line). From there, it’s just a few stops until you arrive at Orchard MRT. Easy, and much cheaper than a taxi!

From Marina Bay Sands

After soaking in the sights from Marina Bay Sands, and you find yourself wanting to go on a shopping spree – Orchard MRT is super close. Take the Circle Line (Yellow Line) from Bayfront MRT station to Marina Bay station and you can choose to change to either the Red or Brown Line from here, all the way to Orchard MRT. This entire trip is about 26-30 minutes, depending on how fast you walk through Marina Bay station. The station is underground and airconditioned, so you don’t have to worry about the Singapore heat.

From Clarke Quay

The journey from Clarke Quay to Orchard takes about 24 minutes and a change of train lines as well. Take the North-East Line (Purple Line) to Dhoby Ghaut. It’s approximately another 3 minutes’ walk through its underground walkway to the Red Line, where you will board for 2 stops, all the way to Orchard MRT station.

From Sentosa or HarbourFront

There are two routes that you can take from Sentosa Island or HarbourFront. Both takes about 30 minutes.

One – take the North-East Line (Purple Line) from HarbourFront MRT. Ride it until you reach Dhoby Ghaut, then switch over to the North-South Line (Red Line). From there, Orchard MRT is only a couple of stops away.

Or the second one – take the Purple Line to Outram Park, then switch to the Thomson-East Coast Line (Brown Line). This will bring you all the way to Orchard MRT.

Practical Tips for Visitors

Avoid Rush Hour Crowds

Orchard MRT is one of Singapore’s busiest stations. On weekdays between 5 PM and 7 PM, office workers and students pack the trains. If you can, plan your Orchard Road trip outside these hours to avoid long waits and packed train cars. Weekends are also busy, but the crowds are more spread out throughout the day.

Use the Underground Walkways

Singapore’s heat and humidity can be intense, and sudden tropical rain showers are common. The good thing is that Orchard MRT connects directly to several malls through underground walkways. What this means is that you can move between ION Orchard, Wisma Atria, Wheelock Place, and Takashimaya without stepping outside. It’s faster and a very Singaporean way of getting around Orchard.

Accessibility is Excellent

The station is wheelchair and stroller friendly. There are elevators, ramps, and wide gates for families, elderly passengers, or anyone with mobility needs. If you’re traveling with kids, Orchard MRT is much easier to navigate than many stations in older cities.

Have Your Card Ready

The entry and exit gates can be busy, especially when trains arrive during peak times. To avoid slowing down, keep your EZ-Link card or contactless credit/debit card handy so you can tap in and out quickly. This small step makes moving through the station much smoother.

Plan Meeting Points in Advance

Because it’s such a busy station, it’s smart to agree on a meeting exit or landmark with your friends before arriving. I often suggest meeting at the ION Orchard exit inside the mall because it’s spacious and very easy to spot.