So, which transport pass should you buy in Tokyo? 🤔
If you mainly travel around central Tokyo, you can choose one of these three options.
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Use only an IC transport card
- The easiest option with no planning, but usually the most expensive.
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Use an IC card + transport passes together
- Subway rides: Tokyo Subway Ticket
- JR lines: IC card
- Private railways: IC card or a local area pass
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(Hardcore) Use different passes depending on each day’s plan
- (Example) On one day of a 3-night, 4-day trip, use the Tokunai Pass for JR-based sightseeing, then use a Tokyo Subway Ticket (48-hour) for subway-based sightseeing
So, which option is best?
To be clear, even if you compare option 1 and option 3, the difference is only about USD 10 for a 3-night, 4-day trip.
For some people this is a big difference, and for others it may not matter.
We explain this in detail because once you understand the basic idea, it is much easier to learn transport passes in other regions as well.
Exclusive TourCast Tips!
Whether to buy a pass depends on your hotel location!
To keep it simple, the biggest factor is where your hotel is.
- Hotel near JR lines: Option ① (IC card only) is usually the easiest
- Hotel near subway lines (Tokyo Metro / Toei): Option ② (IC card + Tokyo Subway Ticket) is recommended
If your hotel is close to a JR line, you may not need to use the subway much, so you can travel comfortably even without a pass. (However, if you use JR often, we also recommend Tokunai Pass + an IC card.)
On the other hand, if you are close to a subway station, you will use the subway more often, so the Tokyo Subway Ticket becomes a better deal.
- If you go to areas outside Tokyo such as Yokohama, Hakone, Enoshima, or Kawaguchiko, it is usually better to buy a local area pass for each destination. We cover this in each regional section.
Also, the Tokyo Subway Ticket can be cheaper when you buy it as an airport set (Skyliner, Keikyu Line, Limousine Bus, etc.).
Use the example itinerary below to plan your trip.
Best transport combination for hotels near subway stations
For example, like the image above, assume you have a 4-night, 5-day itinerary (arriving at Narita Airport),
and your hotel is near a subway station (Tokyo Metro / Toei), not on the JR Yamanote Line.
In this case, you can buy the Keisei Skyliner (round trip) + Tokyo Subway Ticket as a discounted set.
- 24-hour set: 4,900 yen
- 48-hour set: 5,300 yen
- 72-hour set: 5,600 yen
For reference, the Skyliner round-trip discount fare alone is 4,500 yen. In other words, you only add about 400 yen for 24 hours of subway rides.
Considering standard subway fares and how much you move each day, this is a very cost-effective combination.
Also, if your hotel is near a subway station, you will naturally use Tokyo Metro or Toei for most trips, so the real savings are even bigger.
So for this itinerary, the most efficient option is to choose a Tokyo Subway Ticket (48-hour or 72-hour) for subway travel (Tokyo Metro / Toei), and use an IC card when you need JR or private railways.
- Example: On Day 1, take the Skyliner from Narita Airport and arrive at Keisei Ueno, then start the 72-hour ticket right away. It will be valid until the afternoon of Day 4.
On the morning of the last day, pay per ride with your IC card.
DIY itinerary planning by time blocks
Most travel guidebooks introduce itineraries based on recommended routes by number of days or recommended routes by theme.
But the biggest drawback is that it is hard to rebuild your plan if you go off the suggested route.
To solve this, TourCast provides the estimated time needed for each attraction, so you can build your trip in a DIY way that matches your own schedule.
How to build a DIY itinerary
For example, on a 4-night, 5-day trip where both arrival and departure are in the afternoon,
you have 3 full days, and 1 day with only a morning schedule.
Assume you want to visit these places:
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Disneyland (1.0)
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Odaiba (0.8)
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Shibuya (0.5)
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Asakusa Senso-ji (0.5)
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Yokohama (0.8)
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Harajuku (0.5)
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(1.0): Full-day plan
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(0.8): Afternoon + evening plan (about 13:00–22:00)
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(0.5): Half-day plan (morning or afternoon)
If you combine attractions by time blocks like this, you can create an efficient DIY itinerary.
However, do not simply “fill the slots” based on numbers. You should also consider distance between attractions, route efficiency, and whether a transport pass applies to build a truly good plan.
In particular, if you use a destination pass like the Hakone Free Pass, it is best to集中 all activities in that area into one day.
Exclusive TourCast Tips!
An easy way to plan your Tokyo itinerary!
You can list Tokyo’s best night view spots like this.
- Shibuya Sky Observatory
- Tokyo Tower
- Odaiba
- Tokyo Skytree Observatory
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory
- Yokohama
- Winter: Roppongi illuminations
On a 4-night, 5-day trip, you can see night views on up to 4 nights. So, choose the night view spots you want most first, then build your daytime plan around those areas. This naturally creates a smooth and efficient itinerary.
Before you book, check the “Tokyo Event Calendar”
After an overseas trip, how would you feel if you later find out that a famous festival happened during your visit?
It is not easy to travel again at the same time. If you just move on, you may still feel disappointed and regret missing it.
So, before you confirm your Tokyo travel dates, it is a good idea to check major local events and festivals in advance.
Seasonal fireworks, cherry blossom festivals, and matsuri (traditional festivals) can make your trip much better if you can adjust your schedule.
You can check Tokyo’s festival and event information on the official Tokyo tourism website below.
Official Tokyo Tourism Website