Toa Payoh station was included in the early plans of the MRT network published in May 1982.

[6][7] Contract 104 for the construction of the Toa Payoh and Novena stations was awarded to Tobishima–Takenaka Joint Venture in September 1983.

[8][9] Construction of the tunnels between Toa Payoh and Novena began with a groundbreaking ceremony at Shan Road on 22 October 1983.

[14][15][16] Due to various soil conditions, in November 1985 the contractor requested an extension of eight months and additional monetary claims to construct the tunnels between the Novena and Toa Payoh stations.

Many expressed excitement and curiosity, and many visitors bought tickets to take the MRT ride on the system's debut.

[a][30][31] From July 2012 to 2014, the escalator at Exit D (the pedestrian underpass linking to Lorong 2 Toa Payoh) was replaced and upgraded.

[32] Toa Payoh serves the North South line (NSL) and is between the Braddell and Novena stations.

The name is a reference to the large swampy area which existed prior to the development of Chinese market gardens there.

[47] Along the 50-metre (160 ft) concourse, the station features a "rainbow dressing" mural consisting of 15,000 tiles in various colours.

The rainbow mural was intended to reflect the masses of people of various racial backgrounds moving together in harmony.

[48] As part of SMRT's Comic Connect, a public art showcase of heritage-themed murals, the station displays The Toa Payoh Story by James Suresh, Sayed Ismail and Suki Chong.

[51] The mural includes the depiction of Seah Eu Chin, a businessman and landowner of the area.