This definitive Bukit Timah Prime District Guide is your all-in-one resource to understand District 10 living – from MRT access, nature and food, to landed property, condos and good schools Singapore families prioritise.
Drawing on on-the-ground experience in Bukit Timah – from early-morning hikes at the Nature Reserve to daily commutes on the Downtown Line – this guide is written to help you plan visits, explore the neighbourhood, or buy and rent safely with Homejourney’s verified insights.
Table of Contents
- 1. Bukit Timah & District 10 Overview & Quick Facts
- 2. MRT Stations & Practical Station Facts
- 3. Things To Do Near Bukit Timah MRT Stations
- 4. Food & Dining: From Hawker Favourites to Cafés
- 5. Shopping & Daily Convenience
- 6. Practical Information: How To Get There & Get Around
- 7. Property & Living in Bukit Timah (District 10)
- 8. Schools, Education & Family Appeal
- 9. Insider Tips Only Regulars Know
- 10. Nearby Attractions & Suggested Itineraries
- 11. FAQ: Bukit Timah, District 10 & Living Here
- 12. How Homejourney Helps You Navigate Bukit Timah Safely
1. Bukit Timah & District 10 Overview & Quick Facts
Bukit Timah sits within District 10, one of Singapore’s prime central districts, known for tree-lined avenues, low-density landed property, luxury condominiums, and proximity to top schools.[1][2]
URA classifies much of Bukit Timah as a landed housing and low-rise residential zone, which explains the quieter streets and predominantly private housing stock.[1][2] Based on URA and government statistics, the broader Bukit Timah planning area spans roughly 18 sq km and houses around 78,000 residents, giving it a distinctly suburban feel compared with denser central areas.[1]
From daily experience walking and driving along Bukit Timah Road, traffic peaks around school hours (7am–8.30am and 5pm–6.30pm) due to the concentration of schools. Late evenings, especially on weekends, are noticeably calmer, especially along the residential side streets such as Shelford, Watten Estate and the Hillcrest enclave.
1.1 Why Bukit Timah Is Considered “Prime”
- Location: Central, with good access to Orchard, the CBD and one-north via the Downtown Line and major expressways.[1][2]
- Nature: Direct access to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Rail Corridor and Singapore Botanic Gardens – rare for such a central location.[1][2][10]
- Education: Dense cluster of good schools in Singapore – including Methodist Girls’ School, Nanyang Primary, Raffles Girls’ Primary, Hwa Chong Institution and National Junior College.[1][4][6]
- Housing: High concentration of landed homes, GCB (Good Class Bungalow) neighbourhoods and upscale condos.[1][2][9]
- Community: Mature, family-oriented demographic with many long-term owner-occupiers and expat families.[2][9]
1.2 Key Sub-zones in Bukit Timah (District 10)
Bukit Timah overlaps with several well-known residential pockets:[1][2][9]
- Holland Road / Leedon Park – Close to Holland Village lifestyle, featuring luxury condos and landed homes.
- Coronation & Watten Estate – Landed cluster near Tan Kah Kee MRT, popular with families for school proximity.
- Hillcrest & Greenwood – Quiet landed streets with a foodie cluster at Greenwood Avenue.
- Sixth Avenue – Mix of condos and landed, lifestyle stretch with eateries along Bukit Timah Road.[2]
- Swiss Club / Turf City – Leafy enclave with international clubs and future redevelopment potential.[1][9]
2. MRT Stations & Practical Station Facts
In everyday use, most residents and visitors experience Bukit Timah through its MRT stations. The area is served primarily by the Downtown Line (DTL) and partially by the Circle Line (CCL).[1][2]
2.1 Key MRT Stations in Bukit Timah District 10
*Exact first/last train times vary by direction – always confirm via LTA/SMRT official apps for the latest schedules.
2.2 Using the Right Exit: Quick Reference
- For Bukit Timah Plaza & Beauty World Centre: Beauty World MRT Exit A (2–4 minutes’ walk).[1]
- For Rail Corridor (near Bukit Timah Railway Station): King Albert Park MRT Exit A, then 7–10 minute walk via Rifle Range Road access.
- For Sixth Avenue eateries: Sixth Avenue MRT Exit B, you emerge right onto Bukit Timah Road food stretch.
- For Hwa Chong Institution / Nanyang Girls’ High: Tan Kah Kee MRT Exit B; most school gates are 5–10 minutes on foot, depending on which campus block.
- For Botanic Gardens (Bukit Timah Gate along Cluny Park Road): Farrer Road MRT Exit A; walk 10–12 minutes or take one stop by bus towards Holland Road.[1][10]
3. Things To Do Near Bukit Timah MRT Stations
Living nearby, days in Bukit Timah often start with a hike, a café breakfast along Sixth Avenue, or a quick stroll through the Botanic Gardens before evening dinners along Cheong Chin Nam. Within 5–15 minutes’ walk of each station, you’ll find nature, culture, and family-friendly activities.
3.1 Bukit Timah Nature Reserve & Rail Corridor
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is one of Singapore’s most important primary rainforest patches and home to the island’s highest natural point at 163.63m.[1][10] It is about 15–20 minutes by bus and walk from Beauty World or King Albert Park MRT.
- Opening hours: 7.00am – 7.00pm daily (trail gates close outside hours).
- Entry fee: Free.[1][10]
- Popular trails: Summit Trail (~45 minutes up at moderate pace), South View Path, and the Dairy Farm loop.[1]
- What locals do: Early-morning hikes (before 8am) to avoid humidity, weekday evening walks for quieter trails.
The Rail Corridor (Green Corridor) runs parallel to Upper Bukit Timah and is accessible near the conserved Bukit Timah Railway Station (about 10 minutes’ walk from King Albert Park MRT Exit A).[1][2][3] Expect a flat, shaded path popular with joggers and cyclists.
3.2 Singapore Botanic Gardens – Bukit Timah Side
The Singapore Botanic Gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) straddles Tanglin and Bukit Timah. From the Bukit Timah side, the Cluny Park/Bukit Timah Gate is reachable from Farrer Road MRT Exit A in roughly 10–12 minutes on foot.[1][10]
- Opening hours: 5.00am – 12.00am daily (most outdoor areas).[10]
- National Orchid Garden: 8.30am – 7.00pm (last entry 6.00pm); adult tickets around S$15, children and seniors enjoy lower fees.[10]
- Photo spots: Swan Lake, Bandstand, Rainforest Boardwalk and Evolution Garden – many locals return regularly for weekend family walks.
3.3 Clubs, Sports & Lifestyle
- Swiss Club (near Swiss Club Road) – Private club with sports facilities, restaurants and kids’ activities; roughly 8–10 minutes’ drive from Sixth Avenue MRT.[2][9]
- Raffles Town Club – Near Dunearn Road, within a 5-minute drive from Stevens / Botanic Gardens MRT; known for dining and social events.[2]
- Horse-riding & Turf City area – Although Turf City is undergoing redevelopment, historically it has hosted riding schools and sports pitches, and URA’s plans indicate a mixed-use community hub in future.[1][9]
3.4 Cultural & Religious Sites
- Masjid Al-Huda (34 Jalan Haji Alias) – A small neighbourhood mosque off Sixth Avenue, around 8–10 minutes’ walk from Sixth Avenue MRT via Guthrie House.
- Various churches and temples along Bukit Timah Road and Dunearn Road – most are within 5–15 minutes’ walk from the main MRT stations and serve local communities and students.
4. Food & Dining: From Hawker Centres to Cafés
Bukit Timah is one of the rare central districts where you can hike in the morning, eat at a hawker centre for lunch, and have dinner at a bistro or fine-dining restaurant – all within a small radius.[1][2][10]
4.1 Hawker Centres & Local Food
Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre (51 Upper Bukit Timah Road) sits close to Beauty World MRT – about a 4–5 minute covered walk from Exit C or via the overhead bridge from Exit A.[2]
- Opening hours: Most stalls 7.00am – 9.00pm; breakfast crowd from 8–10am, dinner peak 7–8pm.
- Price range: Typically S$3–S$7 per main dish.
- What to try: Chicken rice, carrot cake, Hokkien mee, nasi lemak – queues form early at popular stalls.
Along Cheong Chin Nam Road (2–3 minutes from Beauty World Exit A), you’ll find late-night eateries including Korean BBQ, zichar (Chinese stir-fry) and dessert shops. Locals often head here after hikes at the Nature Reserve for a hearty lunch or supper.
4.2 Cafés & Brunch Spots
Sixth Avenue and the Greenwood/Hillcrest area are everyday brunch and café clusters for locals.[2]
- Sixth Avenue stretch – Emerging from Sixth Avenue MRT Exit B, you can walk 1–5 minutes to a variety of cafés, bakeries and casual restaurants along both sides of Bukit Timah Road.
- Greenwood Avenue – About 12–15 minutes’ walk from Tan Kah Kee MRT (or a short bus ride); this cosy enclave offers bakeries, ice-cream shops, bistros and wine bars, with a strong neighbourhood family vibe.
Prices at cafés typically range from S$6–S$9 for coffee and S$18–S$30 for mains. Peak periods are weekend brunch (10am–2pm); reservations are recommended at more popular bistros.
4.3 Restaurants & Bars
Bukit Timah Road from Newton all the way to Beauty World is dotted with eateries. Key nodes include:[2]
- King Albert Park – Within a 3–5 minute walk of the station, KAP Mall and nearby shophouses offer international chains and local favourites.
- Holland Road / Farrer Road – A short hop from Bukit Timah, Holland Village’s larger F&B cluster is one stop away on the Circle Line from Farrer Road, popular with younger crowds.
5. Shopping & Daily Convenience
While Bukit Timah is not a mega-mall destination like Orchard, it offers a network of convenient neighbourhood malls and supermarkets – ideal for daily needs and weekend errands.[1][2][3][4]
5.1 Main Malls & Centres
5.2 Supermarkets & Essentials
- Major supermarket chains at Bukit Timah Plaza, Beauty World Centre and within some condo developments.[1][3]
- 24-hour convenience stores dotted along Bukit Timah Road, typically within 3–5 minutes’ walk from MRT exits.
- Neighbourhood services – clinics, dental practices, physiotherapy and pet services – clustered in the same malls, making Bukit Timah self-contained for daily life.
6. Practical Information: Getting To & Around Bukit Timah
Bukit Timah is easy to reach via MRT, bus or car. LTA’s network planning has significantly improved accessibility in recent years with the Downtown Line, reducing commute times to the CBD and Marina Bay.[1][2][4]
6.1 From Changi Airport
By MRT (about 55–70 minutes):
- Take the East-West Line from Changi Airport to Bugis.
- Change to the Downtown Line at Bugis towards Bukit Panjang.
- Alight at Stevens, Newton, Botanic Gardens, Tan Kah Kee, Sixth Avenue, King Albert Park or Beauty World, depending on your destination.
By taxi / ride-hailing (about 25–35 minutes in normal traffic): Expect fares of roughly S$25–S$40 depending on time of day and exact address.
6.2 From Orchard Road
By MRT (10–20 minutes):
- From Orchard or Somerset, travel to Newton or Stevens, then transfer to the Downtown Line towards Bukit Panjang and alight at your preferred Bukit Timah station.
By bus or car: Direct buses along Scotts Road / Dunearn Road take around 15–25 minutes during off-peak hours.
6.3 Bus Services
Multiple bus routes run along Bukit Timah Road / Dunearn Road, connecting the district to Newton, Novena, Orchard, Bugis and the CBD. For the safest and most accurate planning, check LTA’s official bus apps or on-site bus stop information boards, as routes and frequencies are periodically adjusted.
6.4 Driving & Parking
- Expressways: PIE (Pan-Island Expressway) and BKE (Bukit Timah Expressway) provide fast access to other parts of the island.[2]
- Parking: Most malls (Bukit Timah Plaza, Beauty World Centre, KAP Mall) offer sheltered parking; landed streets generally require residents’ own driveways with limited on-street options.
- Peak traffic: School hours (7–8.30am, 2–4pm) can be congested near major schools; plan buffer time if driving.
7. Property & Living in Bukit Timah (District 10)
Bukit Timah is synonymous with prime residential property in Singapore, especially landed homes and large-format condos.[1][2][5][9] Homejourney closely tracks URA and public data to help you make safe, well-informed decisions.
7.1 Housing Types You’ll Find
- Landed Property: Terrace, semi-detached, detached houses and Good Class Bungalows in areas like Leedon Park, Swiss Club, Watten Estate, Hillcrest and Coronation Road West.[1][2][9]
- Private Condominiums & Apartments: Mid- to high-end condos along Bukit Timah Road and side streets – Sixth Avenue, Maplewoods, The Tessarina, Signature Park, Parc Palais, and new launch projects near Beauty World.[2][3][4]
- Cluster Housing / Townhouses: Strata-landed developments that combine landed feel with condo-style facilities.
- HDB: Very limited HDB stock within the core Bukit Timah District 10 area; most public housing lies outside the prime landed belt.
To explore specific developments, layouts and amenities, use the Homejourney Projects Directory via Projects or Projects Directory for verified project data and floor plan information.
7.2 Price & Rental Ranges (Indicative)
URA caveat data and public transaction records show that District 10 routinely records some of the highest per-square-foot prices in Singapore, especially for freehold landed homes and luxury condos.[1][5][9] As of recent years:
- Prime landed homes in prestigious enclaves can transact in the multi-million range, with larger detached houses and Good Class Bungalows significantly higher.
- Condos along Bukit Timah Road and Sixth Avenue typically command premium PSF rates compared to suburban regions, though individual projects vary by age, tenure and facilities.
- Rents tend to be strong due to demand from expat families and locals prioritising school proximity and greenery.[2][9]
For a deeper dive into recent transactions, price trends and rental benchmarks in this area, read the dedicated Homejourney Bukit Timah pricing guide 武吉知马高尚住宅区房产价格和租金指南 | Homejourney权威解析 and cross-check with official URA transaction records.
7.3 Who Chooses to Live Here?
- Families with school-going children, attracted by top good schools Singapore within 1–2km radius.[1][2][6]
- Long-term owner-occupiers who value stability, greenery and a quieter neighbourhood with strong capital preservation potential.[5][9]
- Expat families seeking landed or spacious condo living near the city.[2]
Because entry prices are high, many buyers in Bukit Timah adopt a long-term, hold-through-cycles mindset, treating District 10 properties as a store of value.[5] If you are considering financing options, you can compare updated mortgage packages using Homejourney’s bank rate tools via Bank Rates or Mortgage Rates .
7.4 Safety, Neighbourhood Feel & Maintenance
On the ground, Bukit Timah feels safe and residential, with many streets well lit and frequented by joggers and families in the evenings. As with all urban areas, stay alert after dark and follow standard safety practices, but incidents are relatively rare compared with global cities.
Private homes here often feature large air-conditioned spaces and greenery, which means regular maintenance is key. For post-move servicing – including aircon servicing, cleaning and minor works – Homejourney partners with vetted providers you can explore via Aircon Services , so you can maintain your Bukit Timah home safely and reliably.
8. Schools, Education & Family Appeal
Education is one of the strongest pull factors for Bukit Timah. The district hosts a cluster of good schools Singapore families consistently target, from primary to JC level.[1][4][6]
8.1 Key Schools in and Around Bukit Timah
- Methodist Girls’ School (Primary & Secondary) – Near King Albert Park MRT; a significant driver of housing demand in the immediate vicinity.[4][6]
- Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School – In the Beauty World area; many families seek homes within 1km.[4]
- Hwa Chong Institution & Hwa Chong International School – Near Tan Kah Kee MRT; highly regarded for academic excellence.[1][4][6]
- Nanyang Primary & Nanyang Girls’ High – Also near Tan Kah Kee; one of the most in-demand primary schools nationally.[6]
- Raffles Girls’ Primary School – A short drive away; another school that shapes property demand patterns.[6]
- National Junior College – Along Bukit Timah Road; convenient for students commuting via Downtown Line.[6]
For an in-depth breakdown of Bukit Timah’s schools, admission distances and how families plan around them, refer to Homejourney’s specialised education guide 武吉知马高尚住宅区学校与教育资源全指南 | Homejourney .
8.2 Impact on Property Choices
Living nearby, you’ll notice morning traffic patterns and the proliferation of school buses, especially around Tan Kah Kee and King Albert Park. Many buyers accept tighter house layouts or slightly older condos in exchange for being within 1km of their preferred primary school.
Given frequent updates to MOE admissions rules and distance calculations, always cross-check school eligibility on official MOE websites and consult Homejourney advisors if you plan to buy primarily for school proximity.
9. Insider Tips Only Regulars Know
As someone who regularly spends time in Bukit Timah, a few practical patterns and habits can make your visits or daily life smoother.
9.1 Best Times To Visit
- Bukit Timah Nature Reserve: Arrive before 8am on weekends to secure parking and avoid midday heat; weekday evenings (5–6.30pm) are cooler and less busy.[1][10]
- Botanic Gardens (Bukit Timah side): Early mornings 7–9am for jogs, late afternoons 5–7pm for photos with softer light.
- Cheong Chin Nam & Bukit Timah Market: Go slightly off-peak – for example, 11.30am for lunch or 6pm for dinner – to avoid peak queues.
9.2 Hidden Gems & Local Habits
- Rail Corridor sunrise walks near Bukit Timah Railway Station: Locals start as early as 6.30–7am; it’s noticeably cooler and less crowded.
- Greenwood Avenue weekday evenings: A quieter alternative to busier central dining districts; great for family meals without fighting crowds.
- Serene Centre after Botanic Gardens: Many regulars stop here for coffee, ice cream or late breakfast after their morning walk, instead of heading into busier town cafés.[1]
9.3 Money-Saving Tips
- Use hawker centres (Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre, nearby coffee shops) for affordable meals between hikes or school runs.
- Park at Bukit Timah Plaza or nearby HDB/URA car parks and walk between neighbouring malls to save on multiple parking charges.
- For property, compare older but well-maintained condos versus new launches – older projects can offer larger unit sizes at similar absolute prices. Use Homejourney Property Search or Property Search plus Projects Directory to shortlist safely.
9.4 Combining Activities in One Trip
- Nature + Food: Morning hike at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve → brunch at Beauty World → Rail Corridor stroll.
- Schools Recce + Property Viewing: Morning school tour near Tan Kah Kee → drive or walk around nearby landed streets → pre-arranged viewings via Homejourney.
- Botanic Gardens + Bukit Timah Café Hop: Start at Bukit Timah Gate → walk to Farrer Road → bus or ride to Sixth Avenue for café-hopping.
References
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 1 (2026)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 2 (2026)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 10 (2026)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 4 (2026)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 6 (2026)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 9 (2026)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 3 (2026)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 5 (2026)
