Get to Canberra Plaza in Sembawang fast, affordably and worry-free by following these specific steps.
This article will explain how to get to Canberra Plaza by MRT. You will be delighted to hear that it’s actually really easy to get to Canberra Plaza using Singapore’s extensive metro system.
Unlike many cities worldwide, using public transport in Singapore is efficient, convenient and affordable regardless of which corner of the city you are heading to.
Canberra Plaza is not located even near the downtown core, but it’s still easy to reach using the MRT. Also, keep in mind that using the MRT will immediately cut down on your taxi fees, parking fees and time spent in traffic. It’s a relatively green option compared to driving your vehicle to the mall.
Shopping at Canberra Plaza in Singapore
Canberra Plaza is a shopping mall in Sembawang, Singapore, that opened on December 18th, 2020. Like many of Singapore’s most popular shopping malls, it’s a mixed-use development featuring retail, food and beverage options and a pile of services. The retail component of Canberra Plaza consists of 11,000 square meters spanning 3 floors and a basement level.
The total gross area of the development is much larger at approximately 117 square meters.
People visit Canberra Plaza for a variety of different reasons. But it is well known for its wide selection of restaurants and supermarkets.
Families love the water playground (Water Play Park) and sheltered plaza area. Head to Level 3 of the mall for free access to the playground.
Some other shops and services that you will find at Canberra Plaza include:
Enrichment Centers
Medical Clinics
Cafes
Drink stalls
Food court (halal)
Electronics Shops
Dance Schools
Tuition Centres
Once you are at Canberra Plaza, several other shopping centres and public parks are in the vicinity. You can make a day in Sembawang that consists of shopping, eating out and getting some exercise.
Getting to Canberra Plaza by MRT
Step 1: Walk to the closest station.
When you are ready to take the MRT to Canberra Plaza, head to the nearest station in the city.
Singapore has no shortage of MRT lines that service most areas, so you shouldn’t be too far from a station.
We recommend booking a convenient room within 500 m or less of a station such as Marina Bay Sands or The Fullerton Hotel.
You will avoid taxi fees throughout your entire stay in Singapore by strategically looking for a place near a station.
Step 2: Plan your trip – transfers, lines and stations to Canberra Plaza.
The best station for accessing Canberra Plaza is easy to remember because it’s Canberra Station (NS12).
You will find Canberra Station along Singapore’s Red Line (formally known as the North-South Line).
When travelling to Canberra Plaza via MRT, the most important consideration is transferring to the North-South Line. An efficient transfer will make for an efficient trip.
Interchange Summary to Connect with the North-South Line
To help you plan your trip to Canberra Plaza in Sembawang, refer to the list below.
The most popular interchange stations on Singapore’s MRT network to the North-South Line are:
Bishan – transfer between the Circle Line and the North-South Line
Newton – transfer between the Downtown Line and the North-South Line
Dhoby Ghaut – transfer between the North-East, Circle and the North-South Line
City Hall – transfer between the East-West and North-South Line
Raffles Place – transfer between the East-West and North-South Line
Marina Bay – transfer between the Thomson East Coast, Circle and North-South Line
Woodlands – transfer between the Thomson East Coast and North-South Line
Jurong East – transfer between the East-West and North-South Line
If you want to find a metro map, then there are large printed ones in each station near the entrance gates (not far from the ticketing machines).
Step 3: Buy your MRT ticket/card to Canberra Plaza.
Using MRT, you can select from a few different tickets/cards to access Canberra Plaza.
- Tourist Passes
- Stored Value Cards
- Multiple/Single Trip Tickets
Singapore Tourist Passes are very popular with foreign visitors. Once you buy one at a ticketing office, you can get on buses and the MRT/LRT by simply tapping your card.
Present your ID at ticketing offices, and don’t forget to return the card for a refund when applicable!
We used a stored value card when discovering how to get to Canberra Plaza by MRT. It functions similar to a Tourist Pass, except that you get charged per trip as opposed to unlimited rides.
Stored value cards are very popular with long-term guests and residents in Singapore.
You can buy single and multiple trip tickets in stations throughout the city and on your way to Canberra Plaza.
Expect to find ticketing machines in the public concourse areas, usually less than 30 metres from the entrance gates to the metro system.
Step 4: Transfer (if necessary) to North-South Line and ride the MRT to Canberra Station (NS12).
Check out your origin station and see if you need to transfer lines to reach Canberra Station.
If so, find the most practical interchange station(s) and then complete any necessary transfers to the North-South Line.
Ride the North-South Line (Red) to Canberra Station (NS12).
Canberra Station (NS12) has two neighbouring stations that you should be familiar with:
Sembawang (NS11) (to the northwest)
Yishun (NS13) (to the southeast)
Expect to hear announcements on your way to Canberra Plaza and refer to the train’s digital screens and route maps.
Move closer to an exit when you stop at one of the aforementioned neighbouring stations.
Step 5: Alight at Canberra Station (NS12).
Alight at Canberra Station (NS12) along with all your stuff.
Step 6: Walk from the Level 2 train platforms to Canberra Link.
Canberra Station (NS12) consists of three main levels:
Level 2
M
L1
Once you get off the train at the Level 2 platforms, remain on Level 2.
Step 7: Take Exit E at Canberra Station (NS12).
Take Exit E at Canberra Station, bringing you out onto a pedestrian bridge across Canberra Link.
Step 8: Walk east across the pedestrian bridge from Canberra Station (NS12) to Canberra Plaza.
Walking from Canberra Station to Canberra Plaza couldn’t be easier.
After taking Exit E, walk across the pedestrian bridge to the other side of Canberra Link.
You can access shops in Canberra Plaza once you reach the eastern side of the bridge.
How long is the walk from the station to Canberra Plaza?
The walk from Canberra Station to Canberra Plaza should take you less than 2 minutes.
It is only 150-200 meters in walking distance from the station to the mall.
Don’t even consider taking a bus or arranging a taxi pick-up. The station and mall are only separated by Canberra Link – the road between them.
Planning your itinerary around Canberra Plaza in Sembawang
Canberra Plaza is not particularly close to popular sightseeing areas such as Marina Bay, Sentosa Island and Chinatown, but there is still lots to see and do in Sembawang.
A day near Canberra Plaza is best experienced by mixing up shopping, dining and recreational activities.
Two excellent parks are close to Canberra Plaza and can be easily visited during the same day:
Sembawang Hot Spring Park (south of the mall)
Sembawang Park (north of the mall along the waterfront)
Several shopping malls south of Canberra Plaza can be accessed by taking the MRT one station south to Yishun Station (NS13). Some of the most popular ones to explore are:
Northpoint City (Directions)
Junction 9 (Directions)
Wisteria Mall (Directions)
Yishun Mall
Khatib Central
The two closest malls to Canberra Plaza is Sembawang Shopping Centre and Sun Plaza.
If you are looking for some affordable, delicious hawker food centres, you have a few options such as:
Broadway Food Centre (northwest of Canberra Plaza)
Chong Pang Market (How to get there using MRT)
Yishun Park Hawker Centre (How to get there via MRT)
Expect affordable, no-frills choices and cheap drinks. Broadway Food Centre is the closest of the three to the mall.
Accommodation Choices
With Canberra Plaza being located away from Singapore’s downtown core, it’s hard to find hotels and resort-style accommodation here.
Typically, visitors stay near the city centre and then take transportation north.
One of the best places to stay (although not directly beside Canberra Plaza) is Orchid Country Club (4-star, 8.2/10 review score based on 356 reviews)
You can take the MRT to Khatib Station (NS14) to access it.
Orchid Country Club is directly north of Lower Seletar Reservoir and south of most malls and parks in this area. With an excellent golf course on-site and lots of room for walking around, it’s a great place for people of all ages.
Alternative popular areas with guests include Orchard, Sentosa Island, Marina Bay, Chinatown, Bugis, and Little India.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this step-by-step guide on how to get to Canberra Plaza by MRT will make your trip fast and affordable.
Despite its location in Sembawang, Canberra Plaza is surprisingly convenient to access using Singapore’s MRT network.
The most complicated aspect of the trip will be transferring lines for most people. If you are lucky enough to stay at a hotel along the North-South Line, you won’t even have to consider this step.
Once you are heading on the North-South (Red) Line, it should be smooth sailing to Canberra Station (N12). Just be observant of its neighbouring stations (Yishun and Sembawang), and you should be right on track.
The walk from Canberra Station to the Plaza is less than 2 minutes, and one of the easiest malls to access from the MRT in all of northern Singapore.