MRT toilets in Singapore
MRT trains are an irreplaceable part of our daily commute, and while our travels often go without a hitch, drama does happen from time to time. More often than not, it involves someone losing a battle with their bladder mid-journey. Just this year, we’ve seen “incidents” at Potong Pasir, Tanah Merah, and Outram Park MRT stations.
We get it – MRT washrooms don’t exactly have the best rep. But not all of them will make you go “WTF”. We’ve taken it upon ourselves to rank some of the best MRT toilets in Singapore for when you have to answer the ultimate call – not from your boss, but from your bladder.
Table of Contents
What makes a good MRT toilet?
We judged each loo based on a few key things: cleanliness, aesthetics, facilities, nearby amenities, and convenience. Unsurprisingly, MRT toilets near popular areas like tourist attractions or the Central Business District tend to be cleaner than those located in the heartlands.
Newer stations also have a clear edge. For instance, toilets on the Thomson-East Coast Line are very clean and well-maintained, with the added bonus of aircon since they’re underground. Can’t say the same for the ones on the East-West and North-South Lines, where ventilation systems do all the heavy lifting.
10. Beauty World MRT
Countertops with a marble finish
Image credit: Syahiran Sean
The toilet at Beauty World MRT station comes with a sleek marble countertop finish that gives off subtle hotel vibes. And unlike most MRT stations, where finding the loo feels like a treasure hunt, this one’s conveniently located near the entrance – no detour needed.
Cleanliness-wise, it’s clean for the most part, though there is a chance that you’ll see some speck of dirt and mud left behind from those who came from the nearby Bukit Timah Nature Reserve during the weekends.
Cleanliness: 15/20
Aesthetics: 10/20
Facilities: 15/20
Amenities: 12/20
Convenience: 18/20
Overall score: 70/100
9. Dhoby Ghaut MRT
Retro hotel aesthetic
Image adapted from: Syahiran Sean, Shannon Chow
Thanks to being a major interchange, Dhoby Ghaut MRT sees a ton of foot traffic, but it’s well-maintained, with several rounds of cleaning happening daily. The combination of ceiling fans and aircon means doing your business here is a cool experience. Design-wise, the black-and white walls combined with beige and marble-design tiles give off a retro hotel vibe – very unexpected, very chic.
And once you’re done, Plaza Singapura is just a stone’s throw away for food, shopping, or post-bathroom bubble tea. A slight drawback: being an interchange servicing 3 different MRT lines means you might have to walk a bit more to get to the loo – but just follow the signs and you’ll be good.
Cleanliness: 18/20
Aesthetics: 16/20
Facilities: 15/20
Amenities: 16/20
Convenience: 10/20
Overall score: 74/100
8. Raffles Place MRT
Modern industrial vibes & urinal dividers
Image adapted from: Shannon Chow
Raffles MRT station’s toilet has a modern industrial vibe, with a mix of monochrome tones and wood finishes. There are even urinal dividers – a fancy touch that not all MRT stations can claim. Each cubicle is also equipped with a bidet, which will come in handy after overeating at One Raffles Place and your stomach decides to protest.
When we were there, we noticed that the cleaner was busy sprucing up the men’s restroom. Over at the ladies’, the handicapped cubicles were well-maintained, complete with a bidet and stocked toilet paper. Extra points for facilities and upkeep.
Cleanliness: 18/20
Aesthetics: 16/20
Facilities: 20/20
Amenities: 16/20
Convenience: 16/20
Overall score: 82/100
7. Orchard MRT
Pink interior & plenty of sinks
Image adapted from: Shannon Chow, Restroom Association Singapore
Orchard MRT station’s toilet switches things up with its pink colour palette – a warm welcome to the usual moody colours that most MRT toilets go for. There are plenty of sinks, so no need to stand around awkwardly and wait for space when it’s time to wash up. Despite the heavy foot traffic from both locals and tourists, the place was spotless when we visited – an impressive feat for such a busy station.
Toilets at ION Orchard.
And since the station is just a few steps away from ION Orchard, you have the option to hold it in and use a more atas alternative instead. The same goes if you want a more comfortable and well-stocked nursing room, instead of the basics in the MRT toilet.
Cleanliness: 18/20
Aesthetics: 18/20
Facilities: 18/20
Amenities: 18/20
Convenience: 10/20
Overall score: 82/100
6. Telok Ayer MRT
For CBD workers who value privacy
The male toilet sink was being cleaned when I entered – proof that this toilet gets regular TLC.
Image adapted from: Shannon Chow, Syahiran Sean
CBD folks who need a quick toilet break before work can check out Telok Ayer MRT. It’s known to be clean and not as crowded as other stations in the CBD, so you won’t be walking into a cubicle horror story. Behind the sink, you’ll spot a pink and black granite wall in the ladies’ and gents’ respectively, which we think gives this CBD loo a bit of character.
We even caught the cleaner doing their rounds while we were there, so chances are high that toilet paper and soap are regularly replenished.
Plus, the station is directly connected to ICON Link@ClubStreet for easy access to breakfast and coffee after your bathroom stop.
Cleanliness: 20/20
Aesthetics: 16/20
Facilities: 18/20
Amenities: 14/20
Convenience: 16/20
Overall score: 84/100
5. Stevens MRT
Roomy toilets & bidet in cubicles
Image adapted from: Shannon Chow, Syahiran Sean
Stevens MRT station on the Thomson-East Coast Line is not far behind too, boasting spacious wheelchair-accessible toilets and baby care rooms. There are even cubicles equipped with a bidet, which is always a plus in our eyes. The design is nothing too glamorous, though the women’s restroom does get a splash of pink – a rare pop of colour for TEL stations, which usually lean toward the bland side.
The real star is cleanliness. Since it’s not one of the busier stations, the chances of an irresponsible person leaving behind a mess are lower.
Stevens is also just 1 stop away from the Botanic Gardens MRT, and nearby Far East Plaza, so you’ve got plenty of reasons to make a pit stop there.
Cleanliness: 20/20
Aesthetics: 7/20
Facilities: 20/20
Amenities: 20/20
Convenience: 17/20
Overall score: 84/100
4. Bugis MRT
Has a toilet within the station itself
Since the toilet was originally designed for those with mobility needs, exercise graciousness and let those who need it more go first.
It’s not a secret that to use most MRT toilets, you’d have to first tap out the gantry to access them, which means spending extra money just to take a quick leak. At Bugis MRT station on the Downtown Line, however, you can access the toilet without having to tap out – that’s why it’s the first entry on this list to get full marks for convenience.
Image credit: Restroom Association of Singapore
To get to the loo, just head to the gantry level and walk towards the end of the station to find the toilet sign. Since it’s a toilet for the handicapped, it gets extra maintenance and sees less foot traffic. In other words: high chance of spotless floors, stocked toilet paper, and actual soap at the sink.
Being near Bugis Junction is also a plus point – you’ve got a selection of food options and shops to enjoy once you’re done with your toilet detour.
Cleanliness: 20/20
Aesthetics: 5/20
Facilities: 20/20
Amenities: 20/20
Convenience: 20/20
Overall score: 85/100
3. Clementi MRT
Best MRT toilet on the East-West Line
Flooring that looks like marble tiles if you don’t look too closely.
Image adapted from: Shannon Chow, Syahiran Sean
The first and last East-West Line pick on our list, Clementi MRT station’s toilet surprises with a splash of style thanks to the blue zig-zag tiles that greet you when you enter. That said, the toilet is a wee bit hard to find, as you’ll have to head down a discreet stairwell to access it.
Step inside and you’ll see flooring featuring marble-design tiles, while anti-slip finishes keep things safe. With urinal dividers and clean sinks to boot, this older station is pretty impressive and can go toe-to-toe with toilets on newer MRT lines.
Bonus points for being directly connected to The Clementi Mall and just a short walk to 321 Clementi and Clementi Hawker Centre.
Cleanliness: 20/20
Aesthetics: 20/20
Facilities: 18/20
Amenities: 20/20
Convenience: 10/20
Overall score: 88/100
2. Bras Basah MRT
Suspended mirror with false ceiling & recessed lights
Image adapted from: Syahiran Sean, Shannon Chow
Bras Basah MRT station’s toilet is low-key serving looks. There’s a suspended mirror right smack in the middle – something you don’t see in your usual MRT toilet setup. Throw in the false ceiling complete with a built-in fan for extra comfort and some moody recessed lighting, and you’ve got what might just be the MRT toilet with the most unique aesthetic.
Each cubicle is also equipped with an air freshener, so you’ll find doing business here to be a pleasant experience. Of course, all the fancy finishes mean nothing if the place looks like a dumpster, which we’re happy to report isn’t the case here. It’s quite clean with nary a piece of litter or stain in sight.
Image adapted from: Syahiran Sean, Wikimedia Commons
When it comes to convenience, this one’s slightly let down by its more discreet location. You’ll have to go up the escalators and pass by these cool-looking tubes that resemble Orchard Gateway’s The Tube before you reach the toilet.
But there’s a silver lining: the station is just a short stroll away from the Singapore Art Museum and the National Museum of Singapore, in case you’re in the mood for a little culture fix.
Cleanliness: 20/20
Aesthetics: 20/20
Facilities: 18/20
Amenities: 18/20
Convenience: 12/20
Overall score: 88/100
1. Punggol Coast MRT
One of the newest MRT toilets
Image adapted from: Syahiran Sean, Shannon Chow
Taking the top spot is Punggol Coast MRT station, the latest addition to the North-East Line. As expected, we found it to be spick and span from top to bottom for the male, female, and baby care toilets. Aesthetics-wise, it’s nothing groundbreaking, but it wouldn’t look out of place compared to any other office building restroom in the CBD – clean, modern, and does the job without fuss.
In terms of facilities, the toilets are well-equipped with smooth-functioning hand dryers and are sufficiently stocked with toilet paper and soap, so no worries there.
This station scores extra points for being right beside Punggol Coast Mall and the new SIT campus – a clean toilet is just a few steps away, whether you’re grabbing a bite or rushing to class.
Cleanliness: 20/20
Aesthetics: 12/20
Facilities: 20/20
Amenities: 20/20
Convenience: 20/20
Overall score: 92/100
Tips & hacks to save your day
Use the mall toilets instead
If you can tahan the urge a little longer, it’s worth heading to a nearby shopping mall toilet instead. Most North-East Line stations are near a mall, so it’s not a huge detour. With more people passing through, the toilets there tend to be better maintained. However, if it’s super urgent, then you have this list handy of toilets that aren’t too shabby to get your business done in.
Use online resources to your advantage
Image credit: SMRT
Technology has your back for just about everything, and that includes finding the best loo. Last year, SMRT rolled out QR codes near station gantries that you can scan for directions to the nearest restroom. There are talks of expanding it to the other lines in the future.
And if a bidet is non-negotiable for you, there’s a handy toilets with bidet map on Google to help you plan your pit stops ahead.
Bring tissues & hand sanitiser
Of course, sometimes you can be a bit suay and find yourself in a stall with no toilet paper or a sink that refuses to work after you’ve done your business. Always pack a small bottle of hand sanitiser and a packet of wet wipes in your bag – they’ll save the day more than once.
Do you have a favourite MRT toilet in Singapore?
MRT toilets in Singapore may not be as dazzlingly clean as these toilets in Tokyo, but the ones listed here are good enough for when you need to squeeze in a quick “business” break. Next time you’re on the train and the urge hits, you know exactly where to head.
For more train-related reads:
- MRT hacks in Singapore
- MRT rules most Singaporeans don’t know exist
- Underground MRT malls
- MRT design secrets
Cover image adapted from: Syahiran Sean, Shannon Chow
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