Get to Katong Square in Singapore fast and worry-free with this comprehensive guide.
Here is the step-by-step guide on how to get to Katong Square by MRT and bus!
By the end of this article, you will be able to clearly make a decision on what is the best mode of transportation for reaching Katong Square. Some of the factors that you have to consider include where you are beginning your trip and how close you are staying to an MRT station.
We will first focus on getting to Katong Square using a combination of MRT and public bus services. Like most of the malls in Katong, Katong Square is over 20 minutes walking distance away from the nearest MRT station. Consequently, it’s common for commuters to use the MRT and then connect with a bus service near the station.
You can also take a bus directly to a stop near Katong Square and walk to the mall. We will summarize the closest bus stops to the mall and all buses servicing them.
Getting around Singapore using public transport is really because there are several metro lines and bus routes to every corner of the city. Public transportation is cheap, reliable, and world-class infrastructure is in place. And once you know how to get around, you should have no problem visiting Singapore’s top attractions.
If you own and drive a vehicle in Singapore, you can also drive right to Katong Square. Getting dropped off by taxi is another practical strategy for reaching the mall.
Shopping at Katong Square
Katong Square is a newly renovated shopping food and boutique mall right in the heart of Katong, Singapore. It consists of two commercial levels lined with trendy restaurants, boutique shops and convenient services.
One of the most convenient aspects of shopping at Katong Square is that it’s directly beside two popular hotels:
Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong
The restaurants and cafes in Katong Square make for an ideal place for tourists and business travellers because of the seamless connectivity here. There are several other shopping malls all around Katong Square, so it’s super easy to find products and services once you’re here.
Getting to Katong Square by MRT and Bus
If you plan on getting to Katong Square using public transportation, then one of the most popular options is using a combination of MRT and bus.
The mall is situated southeast of the closest MRT stations and the walk is over 20 minutes. Therefore, quickly connecting with a bus and heading to the mall is a practical choice for a lot of people.
The section below will summarize all the steps required to reach the malls as fast as possible.
Step 1: Access the most convenient MRT station.
The first step in getting to Katong Square is walking to the nearest MRT station in Singapore.
There are several MRT lines and they service most areas, so finding a station should be pretty straightforward.
We recommend staying 3 minutes or less from a station to cut down on time and money getting around.
Two popular hotels with guests (due to their convenient MRT access and superb service standards) are:
The Fullerton Bay Hotel (3 minutes away from Raffles Place Station)
Marina Bay Sands (2 minutes away from Bayfront Station)
If you stay at one of these you should be able to get around the city super fast.
Step 2: Map out your trip to Katong Square – MRT transfers, stations and lines.
Due to Katong Square’s location south and east of the current MRT lines, there are several stations that you could technically use to access connecting buses.
We will focus on the closest, most convenient MRT station for getting to the mall.
The closest station to Katong Square is
Dakota Station (CC8)
It is located on the Circle Line and has the code CC8 to denote that it’s the eighth one on the line. The Circle Line is shown in orange colour on Singapore’s route map.
Transferring MRT lines might be one of the most challenging aspects of the trip to Katong Square. But it’s a lot easier if you refer to the metro map and find out if you need to transfer and which station is best.
Here are the most popular interchange stations to the Circle Line (and Dakota Station) below:
Marina Bay
Bayfront
Promenade
Paya Lebar
You can find metro maps in stations throughout the city, and feel free to ask station personnel if you need more help.
Step 3: Purchase your MRT ticket to reach Dakota Station (CC8).
You can choose from two main types of MRT tickets in Singapore.
Here is a summary of the three main categories:
- Tourist Passes
- Stored Value Cards
Singapore Tourist Passes are an excellent choice for travellers visiting from abroad.
Once you buy one, you can get unlimited bus and train rides throughout the city.
People with short, action-packed itineraries like using Tourist Passes because you save time and money going to a lot of different places, including Katong Square.
Stored value cards are the preferred choice for Singaporeans and long-term guests. We used one of these while figuring out how to get to Katong Square by MRT and bus.
Transfer seamlessly from the train to the bus with these cards by simply tapping to enter and exit.
MONEY-SAVING TIP: Try to book tickets for attractions online in advance and you can save up to 52% on entrance fees. And that’s why already over 200,000 multi-attraction passes have been purchased by Singaporeans and visitors to the city. The key is to buy early and more than 1 pass at the same time.
Step 4: Make any necessary transfers to the Circle Line, and ride the MRT Dakota Station (CC8).
Enter the most convenient station, and map out any necessary transfers to the Circle Line.
Then, take the Circle Line all the way to Dakota Station (CC8).
Keep an eye out for Dakota Station’s two neighbouring stations:
Paya Lebar (north)
Mountbatten (south)
Once you stop at one of these stations, you might as well move closer to an exit on the train.
Step 5: Get off at Dakota MRT Station (CC8).
Alight upon arrival at Dakota Station (CC8).
Collect all your stuff before getting off the train.
Step 6: Travel up from the B2 (Platform Level) at Dakota Station to L1 (Street Level) to access the exits.
Dakota Station is built under Old Airport Road, at the junction of Jalan Dua near Geylang River.
It consists of three levels:
Level 1 – Street Level
B1 – Concourse
B2 – Train platforms
You will arrive at Level B2, where the train platforms are located.
To reach the exits, travel up to Level 1.
Dakota Station has two exits to choose from at street level, Exit A and B.
Take Exit A to conveniently connect with bus services to Katong Square.
Step 7: Travel by bus from Dakota Station to Katong Square.
Once you exit Dakota Station, it’s very easy to connect with a bus to Katong Square.
Here is the information you need below.
Bus Directions from Dakota Station (CC8) to Katong Square
Exit A at Dakota Station will bring you out onto Old Airport Road, which is directly north of the station.
Walk a few meters east along Old Airport Road and cross the road to the other side of Old Airport Road.
Walk a few meters west until you reach the following bus stop:
Dakota Stn Exit A/Blk 99 – Stop ID: 81181
Wait at the bus stop and then get on Bus 16/16E (or 10/32 if it arrives first).
Stay on Bus 16/16E for 4 stops and then alight at:
Opp I12 Katong – Stop ID: 92189
Head northwest on Joo Chiat Road toward East Coast Road
Turn left onto East Coast Road.
Turn left off of East Coast Road to enter Katong Square.
Approximate Bus Ride Length (including walking): 13 minutes
Bus Pick-up Frequency: Approximately every 10 minutes
Getting to Katong Square using Public Bus Services
With Katong Square being quite far away from the nearest MRT station, it makes a lot of sense to take a bus straight to the mall. So, if possible, avoid the MRT altogether on your way here.
There are several bus stops within close walking distance of Katong Square. You can choose the bus stop below according to the bus service number. We have also included the approximate walking time to Katong Square as well.
Bus Stop |
Bus Numbers |
Approximate Walking Time from the Bus Stop to the Entrance of Katong Square |
| 112 Katong
Stop ID: 92181 |
16, 16M | 1 minute (160 m) |
| Opp I12 Katong
Stop ID: 92189 |
16, 16M | 2 minutes (200 m) |
| Roxy Sq
Stop ID: 92119 |
10, 10e, 12, 14, 14A, 14e, 32, 40 | 2 minutes (200 m) |
| Opp Roxy Sq
Stop ID: 92111 |
10, 10e, 12, 14, 14A, 14e, 32, 40, 47 | 4 minutes (250 m) |
According to our research, there are four bus stops that are conveniently located close to Katong Square. The closest station is only 1-minute walking distance from the mall, whereas the farthest of these four is only 4 minutes away.
Driving or Taking a Taxi to Katong Square
It is hard to argue with the fact that driving or taking a taxi directly to Katong Square are the two fastest and most convenient ways to get there.
Parking is available at the mall, and typically, you are charged for the first hour and then every 15 minutes afterwards.
If you plan on driving to Katong Square, here is the address:
E Coast Rd, #86-88, Singapore 428788
Taking a taxi to Katong Square is even more convenient because you can get dropped off right near the mall. You don’t have to worry about finding a parking spot, and you completely avoid all headaches associated with waiting for trains and buses.
East Coast Road and ECP are two of the most popular major roads for getting to Katong.
Points of Interest near the Mall
Once you visit Katong Square, get ready to explore many other shopping malls right in the same area. Katong is one of Singapore’s densest shopping districts, with tons of malls, restaurants and services available.
Here are some of the closest malls relative to Katong Square:
Katong V (Directions)
Parkway Parade (Directions)
I12 Katong (Directions)
Katong Plaza
Roxy Square 1
Katong Shopping Centre
Flow @ East Coast
In terms of culture and sightseeing, consider exploring some of these points of interest around the mall:
Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple
Koon Seng Road
Joo Chiat Road
The Peranakan Houses (Directions)
If you travel further north you can also visit Geylang Serai Market (Directions) and Joo Chiat Complex. Expect affordable prices and a bustling environment at these shopping centers.
East Coast Park is also close to Katong Square. It’s south of the mall along the southern shoreline. Families and exercise enthusiasts head here on weekends and holidays to enjoy the fresh air and coastal breezes.
Staying Close to Katong Square
Areas such as Marina Bay, Sentosa and Orchard might have more luxury hotels to choose from, but Katong has a solid selection of mid-range properties.
Many of the hotels here are scattered throughout Joo Chiat Road and the surrounding shopping malls.
We suggest checking the prices of the following hotels and seeing which one suits your budget:
Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong
Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy (top choice)
Remember, the Holiday Inn Express and Hotel Indigo are attached to Katong Square.
Conclusion
We truly hope that this guide on how to get to Katong Square by MRT and bus will make things easier for you!
Remember, driving or taking a taxi to the mall are definitely the most convenient ways to get there.
If you want to use the MRT, then you will likely have to connect with a bus service. The closest MRT station to Katong Square is Dakota Station (CC8). From there, walk across the road and get on a bus servicing the mall.
There are at least four bus stops within 4 minutes or less of Katong Square. So, the walk is short and sweet.
If you can bypass the MRT altogether, it’s not a bad idea. Several buses service the stops right near Katong Square.