What is the "Tokyo Subway Ticket"? Is it suitable for my itinerary?

Tokyo TravelTokyo Subway TicketPublic TransportationTravel Pass
Created At: 8/15/2025Updated At: 8/17/2025
Answer (1)

Hey! You've hit the nail on the head. This "Tokyo Subway Ticket" is definitely a money-saving tool for many independent travelers, but it's true that not everyone needs it. Let me break it down for you so it's clear.

What is the "Tokyo Subway Ticket"?

Simply put, it's a discounted pass exclusively for foreign tourists.

Think of it like an "all-you-can-ride" buffet ticket for unlimited rides on Tokyo's two major subway companies within a set period. These companies are:

  • Tokyo Metro: The one with the blue "M" logo. It has tons of lines and covers most major tourist spots.
  • Toei Subway: The one with the green ginkgo leaf logo. It has fewer lines but is still an essential network.

This pass comes in three durations:

  • 24-hour ticket
  • 48-hour ticket
  • 72-hour ticket

Key Point: The timing is really user-friendly. It doesn't count by "calendar days". Instead, the clock starts ticking from the moment you first use it (swipe in) for a full 24, 48, or 72 continuous hours. For example, if you first use a 24-hour ticket at 3 PM on Monday, you can use it until 3 PM on Tuesday.

(You can ride both metro/subways shown in the logos above)

Is this pass right for my trip?

The answer depends entirely on your itinerary. Let's look at two scenarios:

When is it super cost-effective? ✅

  1. "Travel Trooper" Whirlwind Days: If you plan to hit many spots in one day – like Senso-ji Temple in the morning, Ueno Park museums at noon, the Scramble Crossing in Shibuya in the afternoon, and Shinjuku Metropolitan Government Building for night views. On a day like that, taking 4-5 subway rides is common. The cost of individual tickets would easily surpass the pass price, making it a steal.
  2. Travel Mainly on Metro/Toei Subway: Your hotel and target sights (like Ginza, Omotesando, Roppongi, Tsukiji Outer Market, Oshiage (Skytree) etc.) are mostly accessible via the two subway lines mentioned above.
  3. Don't Want to Calculate/Pay for Tickets Each Time: If you find buying a ticket each trip – checking fares on the machine, calculating cost, finding coins – annoying, then this pass is great. Just swipe mindlessly to enter the gates, super convenient and avoids the hassle of buying the wrong ticket.

When might you NOT need it? ❌

  1. "Take It Easy" Leisurely Trip: Your day involves just 1-2 locations, maybe spending the whole afternoon in Kichijoji or sticking near your hotel. You might only take a couple of trips, making single tickets (or using a Suica/Pasmo IC card) cheaper per ride.
  2. Your Travel Relies Heavily on JR Lines: This is crucially important! Besides the subway, a giant in Tokyo transport is JR (Japan Railways). The most famous is the Yamanote Line loop around central Tokyo, connecting major hubs like Tokyo Station, Akihabara, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Shibuya. Note: The Tokyo Subway Ticket does NOT cover JR! If your hotel is near a Yamanote Line station and most of your movement is via that line, this pass won't be very useful.
  3. Itinerary Includes Lots of Day Trips: If you're heading to places like Hakone, Kamakura, Disneyland (Maihama Station is JR), or the Ghibli Museum (Mitaka Station is JR), the subway pass won't get you there – you'll need separate tickets for other companies' trains.

(This green JR Yamanote Line? The subway ticket can't be used!)

Key Points You Must Know

  • It's NOT the JR Pass! To reiterate, they are completely different things. The JR Pass covers JR trains (even Shinkansen bullet trains) and is very expensive. This subway pass only covers the two subway lines in central Tokyo.
  • How to Buy? You can buy it online in advance on travel platforms like Klook or KKday and pick it up at airport counters or designated locations in Japan using your passport and voucher. You can also buy it directly at airports in Japan, Bic Camera stores, and other designated sales points with your passport.
  • How to Decide if it's Worth it? The simplest method:
    1. Use Google Maps to plan your movements for one day.
    2. Google Maps will show the fare for each subway leg of the journey – add them up.
    3. The 72-hour ticket averages just ¥500 per day. If your daily subway fares add up to more than ¥500, it's usually worth it. (Tokyo Metro/Toei subway base fare is around ¥180; ride just 3 times and it pays for itself).

To Sum Up

One-sentence suggestion: If you're a "'tick attractions off the list' type of traveler," staying near a subway station, and plan intense city-center hopping in Tokyo – Buy it! It's an awesome tool for saving money and hassle. If you're a "'relaxing vacation' traveler," staying near the JR Yamanote Line, with a loose itinerary, then using a Suica or Pasmo IC card directly is more flexible.

Hope this explanation helps. Have a great time in Tokyo!

Created At: 08-15 05:24:35Updated At: 08-15 10:08:01