Tokyo
Tokyo city pass: is it worth it?
Usually no. Tokyo's subway is cheap per ride, so a bundled pass only pays off if you ride 4+ times a day or want fixed costs. Buy a 24–72 hour subway ticket if you do; skip the all-in attraction passes unless you will hit 3+ included sights in one day.
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GuideTokyo
Key facts
- Best for
- Heavy subway days: 4+ rides, or 3+ paid attractions in one day
- Skip if
- You walk a lot, ride 1–2 times a day, or mostly use JR lines
- Subway 24h ticketcheck
- About ¥500–600 (2026 estimate)
- Subway 72h ticketcheck
- About ¥1,500 (2026 estimate); tourist-only, passport needed
- Single subway ridecheck
- About ¥180–330 by distance (2026 estimate)
- IC card
- Suica/PASMO: pay per ride, no day cap, works on JR, subway, buses
- Attraction passes
- Bundle 2–3 sights; check the list before buying
Top picks
Decide by counting rides, not by the brochure. Two subway trips a day is normal in Tokyo; four or more means a day pass starts to win. If your day is one neighbourhood on foot plus one train, pay per ride.
The three options that matter: a stored-value IC card (Suica or PASMO) for everything, a subway-only 24–72 hour ticket for heavy metro days, and a combined attraction pass if you are doing paid sights back to back.
- Count your rides for tomorrow before you buy anything.
- Load an IC card on day one; it covers almost everything.
- Buy a subway day ticket only on a museum-and-shopping day.
- Keep your passport if you buy a tourist subway ticket.
| Option | Price (2026 estimate) | Best when | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| IC card (Suica/PASMO) | ¥500 deposit + pay per ride | Most trips; works on JR, subway, buses | No day cap; deposit refund needs the card |
| Subway 24h ticket | ¥500–600 | 4+ subway rides in a day | Subway lines only, not JR |
| Subway 72h ticket | ¥1,500 | 3 heavy metro days in a row | Tourist purchase, passport required |
| Attraction pass | Varies by bundle | 3+ included paid sights in one day | Check the current list; some sights excluded |
| Single ticket | ¥180–330 per ride | 1–2 rides a day | Queue at machines or use IC |
Fares and pass prices change; confirm at the ticket office before buying (check).
Map
Tokyo runs on two separate systems: JR (the Yamanote loop and others) and the subway (Tokyo Metro plus Toei). A subway-only pass does not cover JR, and the Yamanote loop is often the fastest way between big stops. Check which line your route uses before deciding a pass is worth it.
The busiest pass days are the ones that stay inside the subway grid: Asakusa, Ueno, Ginza, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Roppongi are all reachable without JR. Days built around the Yamanote loop or a day trip to Kamakura or Nikko are not pass days.
- Subway-heavy day: Asakusa, Ueno, Ginza, Tsukiji, Roppongi.
- JR-heavy day: Yamanote loop stops, Shinjuku to Shibuya, day trips.
- Airport runs: Narita Express and Keisei Skyliner are separate tickets.
Tips
Buy the IC card first and use it as your default. It removes the fare-machine queue, works on buses and convenience-store counters, and needs no daily decision. Top it up at any station machine.
If you buy a subway day ticket, buy it in the morning and start using it immediately; the clock runs from first use, not from purchase. Tourist versions need a passport and are sold at airport and major station offices.
Attraction passes are only good value if you would have paid for the included sights anyway. List the three you actually want, add the single-ticket prices, and compare. If the total is close, buy single tickets and keep your freedom.
Do not buy a nationwide JR Pass for Tokyo alone; it rarely pays off inside the city. For longer rail legs, price the route first.
- Start the day ticket at your first ride, not at the shop.
- Keep the card flat and separate from your phone case.
- Check last train times; most lines stop around midnight.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is a city pass worth it in Tokyo?
Usually no. Subway rides are cheap, so a pass only wins on days with 4+ rides or 3+ paid attractions. Most travellers do better with an IC card and single tickets.
What does the Tokyo pass include?
It depends on the pass. Subway day tickets cover Tokyo Metro and Toei lines only. Attraction passes bundle a set list of museums and observation decks; check the current list before buying.
Which is better: a pass or single tickets in Tokyo?
Single tickets or an IC card, unless you ride 4+ times a day. Then a 24–72 hour subway ticket can save money. Attraction passes only pay off if you would visit the included sights anyway.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialTokyo Metro
- officialToei Transportation
- officialJR East
- officialJapan National Tourism Organization
- secondaryWikivoyage – Tokyo