The Ultimate Guide to Tokyo’s Transportation Passes

Transportation is one of the biggest hurdles many tourists face when planning their trip to Tokyo. In fact, the city’s public transportation system is probably the most complex system in the world! What makes it more confusing is the numerous transportation passes and tickets for you to choose from. So if you are unsure which transportation pass you should purchase when you visit Tokyo next time, read on!

In addition to the JR Rail Pass and JR East Pass, one of the below transportation tickets might save you even more money depending on your itinerary.

Of course, you can just get a transportation IC card, such as Suica and tap on and off as you go.

The 14 Transportation Passes That Can Save You Money When You Visit Tokyo and the Surrounding Destinations

• Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokunai Pass, 都区内パス)
• Tokyo Metro’s 1-Day Open Ticket (東京メトロ24時間券)
• Common One-Day Ticket for Tokyo Metro & Toei Subway (東京フリーきっぷ/都営地下鉄・東京メトロ共通一日乗車券) – the transportation pass allows you to explore Tokyo if you aren’t eligible for the Tokyo Subway Ticket.
• Tokyo Subway Ticket (24-hour, 48-hour, 72-hour) – our favorite Tokyo transportation pass
• Tokyo Combination Ticket (東京フリーきっぷ) – the ultimate Tokyo transportation pass that allows you to board JR, Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway trains, and buses
• JR Tokyo Wide Pass (東京ワイドパス)
• Keio 1DAY Ticket (京王線・井の頭線一日乗車券)
• Tokyū Line Triangle Pass (東急線トライアングルパス)
• Toei 1-Day Pass (都営まるごときっぷ)
• Toden 1-Day Pass (都電一日乗車券)
• Setagaya Line Explorer Ticket (世田谷線散策きっぷ)
• Yokohama Yokohama Bay Area 1-Day Pass (横浜1DAYきっぷ)
• Enoden 1-Day Pass Ticket “Noriorikun” (江ノ電１日乗車券「のりおりくん」) – the pass to explore Kamakura and Enoshima
• Odakyū’s Hakone Free Pass (2 – 3 Days) – the pass to explore Hakone
• Karuizawa Free Pass (軽井沢フリーパス) – the pass to explore Karuizawa
• Greater Tokyo Pass

Tips:
☛ Refer to HERE for information about the attractions in Tokyo that can get you a discount on fees or freebies when you purchase some of the tickets mentioned above.
☛ If your flight arrives at Narita Airport, you can pre-purchase the Skyliner Discount Ticket HERE to get to Tokyo’s city center. For unlimited access to Tokyo Metro, purchase the Skyliner and Tokyo Subway Ticket Combo HERE!

Refer to HERE for Tokyo’s train/subway map.

Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokunai Pass, 都区内パス)

Sticking to the JR train system might be a good idea if it is your first time in Tokyo without a guided tour, as you only need to focus on Tokyo’s JR train lines, which are relatively simple to understand and navigate.

If you decide to do this, the Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass, which gives you unlimited rides within the covered area, will most likely save you money.

However, please note that there are no JR train stations close to Tokyo Sky Tree or Asakusa. The Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway are more suitable for these attractions/destinations.

• Price:
  • 760 yen for adults
  • 380 yen for children from the age of 6 to 11 years old
• Where to buy the Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass:
  • Automatic ticket vending machines are available at most JR stations on valid routes and on the Suica mobile app
• Validity period:
  • One day
• Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass’ covered train types:
  • Non-reserved seats in ordinary carriages of both rapid and local trains.

Refer to the Official Website for more information.

Tokyo Metro’s 1-Day Open Ticket (東京メトロ24時間券)

Tip: If you have a PASMO PASSPORT, insert the card into a ticket vending machine. The one-day ticket information will then be printed on the card for you to use.

• Price:
  • 600 yen for adults
  • 300 yen for children from the age of 6 to 11 years old
• Where to buy Tokyo Metro’s 1-Day Open Ticket
  • Automatic ticket vending machines at most Tokyo Metro stations and Tokyo Metro Pass Offices
• Validity period:
  • 24 hours
• Valid train routes:
  • All Tokyo Metro lines
  • Refer to HERE for the Tokyo Metro Subway route map

Refer to the Official Website for more information.

Common One-Day Ticket for Tokyo Metro & Toei Subway (東京フリーきっぷ/都営地下鉄・東京メトロ共通一日乗車券)

Refer to the Official Website for more information (click on the Ride All Tokyo Metro Lines + Toei Subway Lines Freely box).

• Price:
  • 900 yen for adults
  • 450 yen for children from the age of 6 to 11 years old
• Where to buy Common One-Day Ticket for Tokyo Metro & Toei Subway
  • Automatic ticket vending machines at most Toei Subway offices and most Tokyo Metro stations, and Tokyo Metro Pass Offices
• Validity period:
  • On the day of the issue
• Valid train routes:
  • All Tokyo Metro and Toei lines
  • Refer to HERE for the Tokyo Metro Subway route map
  • Refer to HERE for the Toei Subway route map

Tokyo Subway Ticket (24-hour, 48-hour, 72-hour)

So after you arrive at the airport, remember to purchase one before you head to the city center. If your flight gets to Tokyo outside of the business hours of the ticket vending facilities, you can still buy one in Tokyo. You just need to find the nearest facility that sells it.

Important: Tokyo Subway Ticket doesn’t cover the train trip from the airport to Tokyo. But you can purchase the Welcome! Tokyo Subway Ticket, which includes a return trip to Haneda Airport and a Tokyo Subway 24-Hour, 48-Hour, or 72-Hour Ticket. For Narita Airport, get the Keisei Skyliner & Tokyo Subway Ticket.

Tips:
☛ Pre-purchase your Tokyo Subway Ticket HERE!
☛ If you have a PASMO PASSPORT, insert the card into a ticket vending machine. The one-day ticket information will then be printed on the card for you to use.

Refer to the Official Website for more information.

• Price:
  • 24-Hour: 800 yen for adults, 400 yen for children
  • 48-Hour: 1,200 yen for adults, 600 yen for children
  • 72-Hour: 1,500 yen for adults, 750 yen for children
• Where to buy Tokyo Subway Ticket
  • Haneda Airport’s International Terminal Visitor Information Center
  • Narita Airport’s Keisei Bus Ticket Counter
  • Refer to the Official Website for other places to buy the Tokyo Subway Ticket
  • Pre-purchase HERE and pick it up when you arrive in Japan.
• Validity period:
  • 24, 48 or 72 hours after the first use
• Valid train routes:
  • All Tokyo Metro and Toei lines
  • Refer to HERE for the Tokyo Metro Subway route map
  • Refer to HERE for the Toei Subway route map

Tokyo Combination Ticket (東京フリーきっぷ)

Refer to the Official Website for more information (click on the Tickets for Free Travel on Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway Lines, and JR Lines Within the 23 Wards box).

• Price:
  • 1,600 yen for adults
  • 800 yen for children
• Where to buy Tokyo Combination Ticket
  • Automatic ticket vending machines at most JR, Toei Subway and most Tokyo Metro stations
• Validity period:
  • On the day of issue or any one day within one month of purchase for an advance ticket
• Valid train routes:
  • All Tokyo Metro lines, all Toei Subway lines, Tokyo Sakura Trams (Toden), Toei Buses (including the Tama area), all zones of the Nippori-Toneri Liner and all JR lines within the wards of Tokyo
  • Refer to HERE for the Tokyo Metro Subway route map
  • Refer to HERE for the Toei Subway route map

JR Tokyo Wide Pass (東京ワイドパス)

As the JR Tokyo Wide Pass also includes the train line to Narita Airport and Haneda Airport, it is another transportation pass other than the JR Rail Pass and JR East Pass that you can start using as soon as you land in Tokyo.

• Price:
  • 10,180 yen for adults
  • 5,090 yen for children from the age of 6 to 11
• Where to buy JR Tokyo Wide Ticket
  • Refer to the official website HERE for a list of stations where you can collect and purchase the JR Tokyo Wide Ticket.
  • You can pre-purchase your JR Tokyo Wide Ticket HERE.
• Validity period:
  • Three days from the first use
• Valid train routes:
  • Refer to the official website HERE for a list of valid train routes

Important: The JR Tokyo Wide Pass can only be purchased by overseas visitors. You can only purchase one JR Tokyo Wide Pass at the one given time. If you require another one, you can purchase it at the major stations in Tokyo, such as Shinjuku or Ueno.

Refer to the Official Website for more information.

Keiō 1-Day Ticket (京王線・井の頭線一日乗車券)

Tips:
☛ Pre-purchase your Keio 1-Day Ticket with the Yomiuriland Admission Ticket HERE!
☛ For those heading to Mt. Takao, grab the Keiō One-Day Ticket with Mt. Takao Cable Car and Chair Lift Tickets HERE!

• Price:
  • 900 yen for adults
  • 450 yen for children
• Where to buy Keio 1-Day Ticket
  • Automatic ticket vending machines at Keiō Line and Inokashira Line 
  • Pre-purchase your Keio 1-Day Ticket with Yomiuriland Admission Ticket HERE
• Validity period:
  • On the day of the issue
• Valid train routes:
  • Keiō Line and Inokashira Line 

Tokyū Line Triangle Pass (東急線トライアングルパス)

Refer to the Official Website for more information.

• Price:
  • 470 yen for adults
  • 240 yen for children
• Where to buy Tokyū Line Triangle Pass
  • Automatic ticket vending machines at stations on Tokyu’s Tōyoko Line, Denentoshi Line, and Ōimachi Line
• Validity period:
  • On the day of the issue
• Valid train routes:
  • Tokyū’s Tōyoko Line between Shibuya and Jiyūgaoka Station, Denentoshi Line between Shibuya and Futako-Tamagawa Station, Ōimachi Line between Jiyūgaoka and Futako-Tamagawa Station

Tip: You can also purchase the Tokyū Line 1-Day Pass HERE to access all Tokyū’s train lines!

Toei 1-Day Pass (都営まるごときっぷ)

• Price:
  • 700 yen for adults
  • 350 yen for children
• Where to buy Toei 1-Day Pass
  • Automatic ticket vending machines are available at most of Toei’s subway stations and bus stops.
• Validity period:
  • On the day of issue or any one day within 6 months of purchase for an advance ticket.
• Valid train routes:
  • Toei Subway, Toei Bus (including Tama area), Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line), and Nippori-Toneri Liner.

Toden 1-Day Pass (都電一日乗車券)

• Price:
  • 400 yen for adults
  • 200 yen for children
• Where to buy Toden 1-Day Pass
  • Toden/Arakawa Streetcar office, Toden commuter pass sales office (Oji station square, Otsuka station, Waseda station, etc.), and Minowabashi Omoidekan
• Validity period:
  • On the day of issue or any one day within 6 months of purchase for an advance ticket
• Valid train routes:
  • Tokyo Sakura Tram

Setagaya Line Explorer Ticket (世田谷線散策きっぷ)

For experienced Tokyo travelers, you might be interested in Tokyu’s Setagaya Line. The Setagaya ward is a residential area with stylish cafes and a relatively relaxing atmosphere. In fact, so many locals yearn to be a resident of Setagaya!

In the morning, you can purchase the Setagaya Line Explorer Ticket and start your day at Shimotakaido Station (下高井戶駅) for the old-style market at the station’s north exit, where the locals source fresh ingredients and daily necessities.

Refer to the Official Website for more information.

• Price:
  • 380 yen for adults
  • 190 yen for children
• Where to buy Setagaya Line Explorer Ticket
  • Setagaya Line Sangen-jaya, Kamimachi, and Shimo-Takaido Station
• Validity period:
  • On the day of the issue
• Valid train routes:
  • Tokyu’s Setagaya Line

Tip: You can also purchase the Tokyu Line 1-Day Pass HERE to access all Tokyu’s train lines!

Yokohama 1-Day Pass (横浜1DAYきっぷ)

Yokohama is one of the top destinations close to Tokyo. If it is on your itinerary, consider getting a Yokohama 1-Day Pass.

Refer to the Official Website and translate the webpage using Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar for more information.

You can also refer to Keikyū’s English webpage HERE for other Yokohama-related passes.

• Price from Shinagawa Station:
  • 1,120 yen for adults
  • 570 yen for children
• Where to buy Yokohama 1-Day Pass
  • Most of Keikyū’s stations
• Validity period:
  • On the day of the issue
• Valid train routes:
  • Refer to and translate THIS PAGE.

Enoden 1-Day Pass Ticket “Noriorikun” (江ノ電１日乗車券「のりおりくん」)

Refer to the Official Website for more information. For a full list of facilities with special benefits, refer to the Japanese webpage HERE and translate it to English using Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar.

• Price from Shinagawa Station:
  • 800 yen for adults
  • 400 yen for children
• Where to buy Enoden 1-Day Pass Ticket “Pass”Noriorikun”
  • All of Enoden stations’ ticket vending machines
• Validity period:
  • On the day of the issue
• Valid train routes:
  • The entire Enoden train line

Tip: Refer to our articles on Enoshima to plan your visit!

Odakyū’s Hakone Free Pass (2 – 3 Days)

Purchase your Hakone Free Pass HERE!

• Price from Odakyū’s stations in Tokyo:
  • 6,100 yen for adults for a 2-Day Pass or 6,500 yen for a 3-Day Pass
  • 1,100 yen for children for a 2-Day Pass or 1,350 yen for a 3-Day Pass
• Where to buy Hakone Free Pass
  • All of Odakyū’s stations’ ticket vending machines, online, or Odakyū Sightseeing Service Centers
• Validity period:
  • Two or three days
• Valid train routes:
  • Refer to the official website HERE

Karuizawa Free Pass (軽井沢フリーパス)

Shinano Railway’s one or two-day pass gives you unlimited rides on trains between Karuizawa (軽井沢) and Komoro (小諸) and most buses in Karuizawa’s tourist area. For those who love soba noodles, take a train to Komoro!

• Price from Shinagawa Station:
  • One-Day Pass: 2,500 yen for adults, 1,250 yen for children
  • Two-Day Pass: 3,600 yen for adults, 1,800 yen for children
• Where to buy Karuizawa Free Pass
  • Karuizawa Station (軽井沢駅), Naka Karuizawa (中軽井沢駅), Miyota Station (御代田駅), and Komoro Station (小諸駅)
• Validity period:
  • One or two days
• Valid train routes:
  • The entire Enoden train line

Refer to the Official Website and translate the webpage using Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar for more information.

Greater Tokyo Pass

Greater Tokyo Pass is like the Kantō region version’s Kansai Thru Pass. The pass has two versions. The 3-Day Pass allows unlimited train rides on all Kantō region’s train lines, excluding the JR lines. In addition to all the region’s train lines operated by private companies besides JR, the 5-Day Pass also gives you unlimited access to the 31 bus companies’ bus services.

However, we wouldn’t recommend this pass unless you have a detailed itinerary that you can calculate the total cost of the transportation cost if you pay for each journey separately. Although the catchphrase of unlimited rides on all train lines and bus routes, excluding JR, sounds enticing, it wouldn’t be a pass worth purchasing for most itineraries.

Unlike the Kansai region, where you can still get to the destinations you want to visit by taking the private rail lines, not being able to access JR’s network in the Kantō region can be inconvenient.

Each private rail company has its own discounted passes. Purchasing these passes separately is usually cheaper than purchasing the Greater Tokyo Pass. If it is your first time visiting Tokyo, the Tokyo Subway Ticket is usually more than enough for you.

To conclude, in addition to comparing the total transportation cost without a transportation pass to the cost of the Greater Tokyo Pass, you also need to consider if purchasing the discount passes offered by the private rail companies would be cheaper.

Note a PASMO Card/Passport is required to purchase the Greater Tokyo Pass. The cost of getting a PASMO Card is 500 yen.

For more information, refer to Greater Tokyo Pass’s website HERE.

Getting a Better Understanding of Tokyo’s Train System