Orchard Road Guides

What to expect on Orchard Road

Orchard Road Singapore is the city's best-known shopping street. It runs for more than two kilometres, lined with malls, hotels and large shade trees. Most of the shopping happens indoors, in cool, air-conditioned malls. Many of them link up through underground walkways. That makes Orchard a good choice on hot or rainy days.

You do not need to shop to enjoy a visit. The street is a good place to eat well, people-watch and see how locals spend their weekends. Our Orchard Road listing gives a quick overview.

The malls on Orchard Road

There are more than a dozen malls. Each part of the street has a slightly different feel.

Around Orchard station

ION Orchard sits right above Orchard MRT station. It mixes luxury labels, high-street fashion and a large food hall in the basement. Across the road, Ngee Ann City houses the Takashimaya department store and a large bookshop. Wisma Atria and Paragon are close by. This end of the street has the most designer brands. Our Luxury Shopping topic has more on this.

Around Somerset station

313@somerset and Orchard Central have more casual, mid-priced shops. They are popular with students and young locals.

Around Dhoby Ghaut station

Plaza Singapura is a large family mall with everyday brands and plenty of places to eat. It sits at the eastern end of the street. For tips on choosing between malls, see our Shopping Malls topic.

Where to eat on and near Orchard

Basement food halls

Most big malls have a food court or food hall in the basement. They sell local dishes, Asian chains and desserts at modest prices. A meal here often costs much less than in a restaurant upstairs. Read Cheap Eats on Orchard Road: Mall Basements and Food Courts for the best tips.

Restaurants and cafés

• Din Tai Fung (Paragon) serves Taiwanese food and is best known for soup dumplings.
• Sushiro (Wisma Atria) is a busy, casual sushi restaurant.
• Chatterbox serves Hainanese food, including chicken rice.
• Killiney Kopitiam is a kopitiam, or traditional coffee shop, known for kaya toast. Kaya is a sweet coconut and egg jam.

For hawker food, Newton Food Centre is one MRT stop north of Orchard station. A hawker centre is an open-air food hall with many small, low-cost stalls.

Beyond the malls

• Emerald Hill is a short lane near Somerset. It is lined with restored terrace houses in the Peranakan style. Peranakan culture blends Chinese, Malay and other influences.
• Singapore Botanic Gardens is a short bus ride from the Tanglin end. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and free to enter.
• The Christmas light-up turns the street into a festive evening walk. It usually runs from mid-November to early January. See our Christmas topic for more.

Where to stay

Orchard has hotels for most budgets. The MRT puts the rest of the city within easy reach.

• Goodwood Park Hotel is a five-star heritage hotel on Scotts Road.
• Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel and Hilton Singapore Orchard are five-star hotels on the main street.
• YOTEL Singapore Orchard Road and Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road are simpler, lower-cost choices.

Still deciding where to base yourself? Read Marina Bay vs Orchard: Where Should You Stay?

Getting there and shopping tips

Three MRT stations on the North-South Line serve the street: Dhoby Ghaut, Somerset and Orchard. Neighbouring stations are a short walk apart, and much of the route is sheltered.

• Visit on a weekday morning for smaller crowds. Weekends and public holidays get busy.
• Tourists can often claim back GST, Singapore's sales tax, on eligible purchases. Ask the shop about the tourist refund scheme. Our GST Refund at Changi Airport: Step-by-Step Guide explains the steps.
• Carry your passport if you plan to claim a tax refund.
• Walk through the malls and under the trees to stay cool.

FAQs about Orchard Road

Which MRT station is best for Orchard Road?

Orchard station is best for the biggest malls. Somerset suits the middle of the street, and Dhoby Ghaut the eastern end.

Is Orchard Road expensive?

It can be, as many luxury brands have shops here. But basement food halls and mid-range malls keep a visit affordable.

When are the Orchard Road Christmas lights on?

The light-up usually runs from mid-November to early January. Dates change each year, so check before you plan around it.

Is Orchard Road a good place to stay?

Yes, for most visitors. It is central, has three MRT stations and offers hotels at many price levels. It is also quieter at night than the riverside nightlife areas.