There are some deals available in downtown Tokyo. But if you are not sure where you visit in downtown Tokyo, choose Tokyo Subway Ticket. Tokyo subway system covers most part of Tokyo 23 wards.
In this post, I will explain about Tokyo Subway Ticket and combo deal which include airport access and Tokyo Subway Ticket. And also I will compare Tokyo Subway Ticket and other deals.
What is Tokyo Subway Ticket?
There are two subway companies in Tokyo. These are Tokyo Metro and Tokyo Toei Subway. Tokyo Subway Ticket covers both subway.
This deal offers unlimited ride in 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours.
| Duration | Price(Adult) | Price(Child) |
|---|---|---|
| 24 hours | 800 yen | 400 yen |
| 48 hours | 1,200 yen | 600 yen |
| 72 hours | 1,500 yen | 750 yen |
This is not a “Day Pass”. This deal is valid 24 hours, 48 hour and 72 hours after first usage.
e.g. First use of 24 hours ticket at 9:00 am on July 15. Valid until 9:00 am on July 16.
This is subway deal. This deal does not cover other than Tokyo Metro and Tokyo Toei Subway. You cannot use this to take JR trains, Tobu Railway, Seibu Railway, Odakyu Railway, Keio Railway, Keisei Railway, Keikyu Railway and other non JR railways.
Where to purchase
You can purchase at many locations.
- Narita Airport
- Haneda Airport
- Tokyo Metro major station’s pass office
- Tokyo Metro tourist information
- Other tourist information
- BIC Camera (retail store)
- LAOX (retail store)
- Major hotels
- Major local travel agents
Please see the official site to get the details:
Tokyo Metro – Tokyo Subway Ticket
The place in Tokyo where you cannot go by Tokyo Subway Ticket
You can go almost anywhere by subway in downtown Tokyo. In major tourist spots, only Odaiba is connected by any subway lines. You have to take other railway which is called “Yurikamome” from the nearest subway station, such as Toyosu, Shiodome or Shimbashi.
Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea are very close to downtown Tokyo but these are not located in Tokyo actually. This is not accessed by subway either. Shin-Kiba is the nearest subway station. You have to take JR trains from there.
You may find more information in other post below:
Access to/from Narita or Haneda airport
Subway does not take you to these airports. But there are a few combo deals available which includes airport access ticket and Tokyo Subway Ticket, such as Keisei Railway Skyliner + Tokyo Subway Ticket, Limousine Bus + Tokyo Subway Ticket. Please find more information at the link below:
Tokyo Metro official site, Airport – Downtown Tokyo Routes and Tickets
How many ride require to get the worth
Please see the faretable for major stations:
| Stations | Tokyo | Shinjuku | Ueno | Asakusa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | – | 190 | 160 | 190 |
| Shinjuku | 190 | – | 190 | 230 |
| Ueno | 160 | 190 | – | 160 |
| Asakusa | 190 | 230 | 160 | – |
The fare is varied by distance but the average fare is around 200 yen. If you use 24 days ticket, roughly 5 rides is an indication to get the worth of it. If you use 48 hours or 72 hours, it is getting easier to get the worth.
Compare Tokyo Subway Ticket and Tokyo Tokunai Pass
As I mentioned above, Tokyo Subway Ticket covers subway only. But JR train is better choice for some travelers. If you want to visit only places on JR lines, such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinagawa, Ueno, Akihabara, Ikebukuro, you should ride on JR train. Tokyo Subway is very convenient and has a bigger coverage. However there are so many lines and it is hard to find the best route for a traveler. In downtown Tokyo, there are a few JR lines, like Yamanote line, Chuo line. It is much easier to travel. For this type of traveler, JR deal, “Tokyo Tokunai Pass” is better choice.
Please make sure where you visit before you choose the deal.
Compare Tokyo Subway Ticket and IC card (Suica or Pasmo)
Suica or Pasmo gives you convenience but it does not give you unlimited ride. However if you visit a few places a day, you cannot get the worth of Tokyo Subway Ticket. And if you want to take both JR train and subway, you may not be able to get the worth of either Tokyo Subway Ticket or Tokyo Tokunai Pass. In these cases, IC card is better choice. If you purchase it in downtown Tokyo, Suica or Pasmo is your choice. But if you visit other place(s) before you come to Tokyo, you have other IC card, such as ICOCA. You can use it in Tokyo too. Please see the link below to find more information about IC card:
Comments
Hello:
I am asking about the TOKYO SUBWAY TICKET.
Does it cover the SKYTREE LINE ?
I will be travelling back and forth on this line from downtown to KOSHIGAYA Station.
Thank you
Hi Stacey,
Unfotunately it’s not covered. Skytree line is Tobu Railway and it’s not suwbay line. The nearest subway station is Kitasenju. So you have to pay a fare for Koshigawa-Kitasenju.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
We are going back to Japan again this year.. this round we intended to visit Tokyo and cities surrounding it (Nagano, Yokohama, Kamakura, Disneyland). We will also be staying in Hakone for a few days. Pls advise which rail pass we should purchase. We are coming from Narita Airport.
Thanks,
JL
Hi Janice san,
JR East Pass Nagano Niigata is most recommended because Nagano is in your trip plan:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/jr-east-pass-niigata-and-nagano-flex-5-days-pass-in-14-days-period-to-cover-kanto-region-nagano-and-niigata.html
You can get Odawara by this pass. But after Odawara, you have to add Hakone Free Pass. Please see the link below to find the details:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1to3-days/how-to-build-the-trip-plan-to-hakone-various-sample-itineraries-of-hakone.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Can i used the icoca in tokyo for the metro and other train etc??
I already bought the metro subway pass 24hours for my one day tour, but i have 2nd day to mt. fuji tour (joining local tour start Shinjuku VIP Lounge) and last day to disney. i was thinking of using the icoca to pay for the train/metro on the 2nd and last day. Or maybe you have better suggestion ?
Also which or how is the best way from hotel to Haneda airport, i will be staying around shiodome station?
Arigato Gozaimasu.
Hi Catrina san,
You can use ICOCA in Tokyo. You can add more fund into ICOCA card in Tokyo if you like:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/what-is-ic-card-suica-icoca-pasmo-how-to-use-these-cards.html
Limousine bus is the easiest way to get Haneda from Shiodome.
https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/areas/detail/nrt/shiba_rinkai/for
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
I noticed that some of the toei subway asakusa line goes all the way to Narita Airport and the train changes it name along the way.
If I’m not mistaken, the coverage area of Tokyo Subway 24 hour ticket only as far as Oshiage, right? How to buy the separate ticket to cover my travel between Oshiage to Narita Airport? Do I need to to disembark in Oshiage, purchase the separate ticket, and ride a different train?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Tera Prameswara
Hi Tera,
You don’t need to get off a train at Oshiage. You can go through Narita airport and when you exit Narita airport, you can pay for this extra charge. Just go to the man’s gate and show your subway pass to pay extra.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi-san,
Thanks 🙂
One more thing. Is it possible to pay the extra charge using IC Card (SUICA and ICOCA) in the man’s gate?
Regards,
Tera
Hi Tera san,
You may not be able to do it. If you want to use IC card, I recommend you to get off at Oshiage and use IC card to enter.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi there,
your advise above have been very helpful!
Could you help me double check if I am on the right track? We are departing from JR Meijiro station.
3 day Tokyo metro pass for:
Ikebukuro Station to Kōrakuen Station.
Suidōbashi Station to Uchisaiwaichō Sta.
Toranomon Station to Omote-sando Station.
Omote-sando Station to Shibuya station
Ueno station to Asakusa station.
Also, I am thinking of getting the 1 day JR Tokunai Pass.
Shinjuku
Shibuya
Harajuku
Tokyo Station
I do understand the pass may not access Odaiba. I intend to alight at Osaki Station. Does that cover Osaki station?
Many thanks!
Hi Liyun,
If you spend 3 days for these five subway trips, you cannot get the worth of 3 days metro pass. Because total fares are around 1,000 yen. Please think about using a regular ticket or using Suica or Pasmo.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/what-is-ic-card-suica-icoca-pasmo-how-to-use-these-cards.html
Tokunai pass is okay. You can get Osaki too.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
thanks for the fast reply!
I think the rides will work out eventually as we will be travelling quite a far bit in between some other stations. I just wanted a confirmation that all those stations are covered in the Tokyo Metro pass! So the metro pass will work for Asakusa yea?
I do have a Suica card that we will use for some part of the trip.
1 more question, regarding the Tokunai pass. Does it cover all the JR lines within Tokyo? It mentioned 23 wards and I wasn’t too sure what that meant.
Hi Liyun,
Asakusa is in the coverage area. Please see the link below to find the train network info in downtown Tokyo. You can find the coverage of Tokunai Pass too.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you!
That is very helpful!
No worries, Liyun.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com