Getting Around Tokyo: Complete Transportation Guide
Everything a first-time visitor needs to ride Tokyo's trains and subways with confidence, from your first IC card tap to your last transfer.
Quick Answer
IC card (Suica or Pasmo) on the subway and JR lines
Yes, essentially required
$8–15 (¥1,200–2,200) for local trains and subway
Haneda (20–30 min) or Narita (60–90 min)
Tokyo, Japan's capital, runs one of the densest and most reliable train networks in the world, split between JR East, Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, and a handful of private railways. This guide covers everything a first-time visitor needs to move around the city confidently: how to get an IC card, how the different networks fit together, what tickets and passes actually apply here, realistic costs, and the specific mistakes tourists make on their first day.
This page focuses on getting around once you're in Tokyo. Riding the subway specifically? See the dedicated Tokyo Metro Guide for all 9 lines, station numbering, and Tokyo Metro vs. Toei Subway. Still need to get in from the airport? See the dedicated Narita Airport to Tokyo or Haneda Airport to Tokyo guide. For choosing where to stay, see the Tokyo destination guide; for intercity travel to Kyoto, Osaka, and beyond, see Getting Around Japan.
- •An IC card (Suica or Pasmo) works on every train, subway, and bus operator in Tokyo, tap in and out, no separate tickets
- •Tokyo Metro (9 lines) and Toei Subway (4 lines) are separate operators from JR East, fares don’t combine into one flat rate across all three
- •The nationwide JR Pass covers JR East trains like the Yamanote Line, but not the Tokyo Metro or Toei subway
- •Google Maps gives accurate, English-language platform numbers and transfer times for almost every route in the city
Transportation Overview
Six ways to move around Tokyo, and when to use each one
JR East trains
The Yamanote Line loop and other JR lines connect nearly every major district and both airports
Tokyo Metro
9 subway lines covering central Tokyo, the densest way to reach most attractions
Toei Subway
4 lines run by the city government, filling gaps Tokyo Metro doesn’t reach, including the Oedo Line loop
Private railways
Tokyu, Odakyu, Keio, Seibu, Tobu, Keisei, and Keikyu extend service into the suburbs and to the airports
Buses
Useful for a handful of routes trains don’t cover directly, otherwise rarely needed by visitors
Taxis
Reliable but expensive; best late at night once trains stop running
Getting From Tokyo Airports Into the City
Tokyo is served by two airports, Narita and Haneda, each with its own best routes into the city
Most international arrivals land at Narita Airport (NRT), about 60-90 minutes from central Tokyo, or Haneda Airport (HND), about 20-30 minutes from central Tokyo and increasingly used for long-haul international flights as well. Both airports connect directly to Tokyo's train network, no separate transfer bus to a train station required.
Narita Airport → Tokyo
Best for long-haul international arrivals landing outside central Tokyo.
- Main options: Narita Express, Keisei Skyliner, Access Express, airport limousine bus
- Best for: Shinjuku, Tokyo Station, Ueno, Asakusa
Most travelers arriving at Narita should compare the Narita Express and Keisei Skyliner, the two fastest options into the city center.
Read the Narita Airport to Tokyo Guide →Haneda Airport → Tokyo
The closest airport to central Tokyo, and the fastest way in for most visitors.
- Main options: Tokyo Monorail, Keikyu Line, airport limousine bus, taxi
- Best for: Tokyo Station, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa
Most travelers arriving at Haneda can reach central Tokyo quickly by Tokyo Monorail or Keikyu Line, both under 30 minutes to a major transfer station.
Read the Haneda Airport to Tokyo Guide →How It Works: Riding Tokyo Trains for the First Time
Five steps, the same on every operator in the city
Get an IC card
Buy a Welcome Suica or Tourist Pasmo at the airport, or add Suica/Pasmo to Apple Wallet before you land. Load it with cash at any station machine, no Japanese required.
Tap in at the gate
Touch your card to the reader on top of the ticket gate as you enter the station. The gate opens and the fare is calculated automatically from this point.
Find your platform
Follow the color-coded line signage or use Google Maps, which shows the exact platform number and which car to board for your transfer.
Transfer if needed
Most transfers between operators (JR to Metro, Metro to Toei) require walking through a set of gates but stay on the same IC card tap, the fare simply combines.
Tap out at your destination
Touch your card to the exit gate reader. The fare for that journey is deducted, and the gate opens.
If something goes wrong: a gate that won't open usually means an insufficient balance, top up at the fare adjustment machine or a station office before exiting. If you tap the wrong reader or miss your stop, ask any station staff, they're used to helping visitors and most major stations have English signage at the gates.
Major Networks: Who Runs What
Four operator groups, one IC card that works across all of them
| Operator | Coverage | IC Card | Pass Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| JR East | Yamanote Line loop, Chuo/Sobu Lines, Keihin-Tohoku Line, plus both airports | Suica, Pasmo, all interoperable cards | Nationwide JR Pass, JR Tokyo Wide Pass |
| Tokyo Metro | 9 lines: Ginza, Marunouchi, Hibiya, Tozai, Chiyoda, Yurakucho, Hanzomon, Namboku, Fukutoshin | Suica, Pasmo, all interoperable cards | Tokyo Subway Ticket (with Toei) |
| Toei Subway | 4 lines: Asakusa, Mita, Shinjuku, Oedo | Suica, Pasmo, all interoperable cards | Tokyo Subway Ticket (with Metro) |
| Private railways | Tokyu, Odakyu, Keio, Seibu, Tobu, Keisei, Keikyu reach the suburbs, Narita, and Haneda | Suica, Pasmo, all interoperable cards | Not covered by the JR Pass; some have their own day passes |
Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway are separate companies with separate base fares; an IC card handles both without you needing to track the difference.
Tickets: Buying and Using Them
In practice, most visitors only ever need an IC card
| Ticket Type | Where to Buy | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| IC card tap | Any gate, no purchase needed once loaded | Default for nearly every ride |
| Single paper ticket | Station ticket machines (English available) | Backup if your IC card balance is uncertain |
| Tokyo Subway Ticket (24/48/72 hr) | Airport counters, some stations, online in advance | Heavy sightseeing days on only Tokyo Metro and Toei lines |
Worked Example: Buying a Paper Ticket From Shinjuku to Shibuya
Find the fare chart above the ticket machines, it lists the fare to each station from where you're standing (Shinjuku to Shibuya on the Yamanote Line is about ¥160-170). Tap the yen amount on the touchscreen, insert cash, and take the ticket and change. Feed the ticket into the gate on entry, it's returned to you; at Shibuya, the gate keeps it on exit. With an IC card, you'd simply tap in and out and skip this entirely.
IC Cards in Tokyo
Suica and Pasmo, the foundation of getting around
Physical Cards
A regular Suica or Pasmo (¥500 refundable deposit) is the standard option, sold at any station machine. Visitors can also buy a Welcome Suica or Tourist Pasmo, no deposit, valid for 28 days from issue, sold at airport counters and major stations.
Mobile Wallet
Most US iPhones can add Suica (Welcome Suica Mobile) directly in Apple Wallet before you land, then top up with Apple Pay at any gate. Android/Google Wallet support has historically lagged, check current availability for your phone.
- •Suica and Pasmo are fully interchangeable in Tokyo, get whichever is in stock, it makes no practical difference
- •Load ¥3,000-5,000 to start; top-up machines are at every station and take cash
- •Keep your IC card for the whole trip, it also works on trains in Kyoto, Osaka, and most of the rest of Japan
Passes: What's Worth It in Tokyo
Most Tokyo-only trips don't need a pass at all
Japan Rail Pass (Nationwide)
Covers JR East trains in Tokyo, including the Yamanote Line loop and the Narita Express, but not Tokyo Metro or Toei Subway. It makes sense if Tokyo is one stop on a multi-city trip with shinkansen legs, not for a Tokyo-only visit.
See current JR Pass prices and the break-even math →Tokyo Subway Ticket (24 / 48 / 72 Hour)
Unlimited rides on the combined 13 Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines for a flat rate (from about ¥1,000 for 24 hours). Sold to foreign passport holders at airport counters and major stations. It doesn't cover JR lines like the Yamanote, so it pays off mainly on days with heavy subway-only sightseeing.
See all 9 Metro lines and day pass pricing in the Tokyo Metro Guide →JR Tokyo Wide Pass
Three consecutive days of unlimited JR East travel across the greater Tokyo area, including limited express trains to Nikko, Karuizawa, and the Mt. Fuji area, plus the Narita Express. Priced from around ¥15,000 as of early 2026; confirm current pricing before booking, JR East revises fares periodically.
Costs
What a real day of Tokyo transportation actually costs
| Fare Type | Cost (JPY) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Shortest Tokyo Metro / Toei ride (IC card) | ¥180 | ~$1.25 |
| Typical short JR East ride (IC card) | ¥150–200 | ~$1–1.40 |
| Tokyo Subway Ticket, 24 hours | ¥1,000 | ~$7 |
| Narita Express, one-way to Tokyo Station | ¥3,070 | ~$21 |
| Keisei Skyliner, one-way to Ueno/Nippori | ¥2,310–2,580 | ~$16–18 |
| Tokyo Monorail, Haneda to Hamamatsucho | ~¥500 | ~$3.50 |
| Keikyu Line, Haneda to Shinagawa | ~¥330 | ~$2.30 |
| Typical full day, local trains and subway | ¥1,200–2,200 | ~$8–15 |
USD figures are approximate and vary with exchange rates. Fares verified against operator sources as of 2026-07-07.
Step-by-Step Route Examples
Two real routes, worked all the way through
- At Narita Terminal 1, 2, or 3, follow signs down to the JR East ticket area.
- Buy a reserved Narita Express (N'EX) ticket to Shinjuku at the JR ticket office or machine, or use it free with a JR Pass.
- Board the N'EX; the ride to Shinjuku takes about 80 minutes, with luggage racks at the end of each car.
- At Shinjuku, follow signs for your onward connection, the station has direct access to the Yamanote Line, Tokyo Metro, and several private railways.
Fare: ~¥3,250 one-way (or free with a valid JR Pass) · Time: ~80 minutes
See every Narita Airport to Tokyo option compared →- At Shibuya Station, tap into the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line (orange signage).
- Ride the Ginza Line toward Asakusa; it's a direct ride with no transfer, about 35 minutes end to end.
- Exit at Asakusa Station, Senso-ji Temple is a short walk from Exit 1.
Fare: ~¥240 IC card · Time: ~35 minutes, no transfer
See more Tokyo Metro routes and lines →Accessibility & Traveling With Luggage
Tokyo's stations are largely step-free, with a few older exceptions
Step-Free Access
Most JR East, Tokyo Metro, and Toei stations have at least one step-free route with elevators, though it can require a longer walk than the main stairs. Google Maps and each operator's website show elevator locations per station. Staff can provide a portable ramp to bridge the gap between platform and train, ask at the gate before boarding.
Traveling With Luggage
Large suitcases are manageable on the Narita Express and Tokyo Monorail, both have onboard racks, but are awkward on crowded subway transfers, especially during rush hour. Consider forwarding bags hotel-to-hotel with takkyubin (about $15-22/bag, next-day delivery) so you're only carrying a day bag through station transfers.
Common Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make
Specific, avoidable errors, not generic advice
Buying paper tickets for every ride instead of using an IC card
Instead: Tap-and-go with Suica or Pasmo works on every JR, Metro, Toei, and private line in the city, no fare calculation needed.
Assuming the JR Pass covers the subway
Instead: The JR Pass covers JR East trains, including the Yamanote Line, but not Tokyo Metro or Toei Subway lines. Budget separately for subway rides.
Traveling during rush hour with luggage
Instead: Weekday trains are packed roughly 7:30–9:30am and 5:30–8pm. Move large bags outside these windows or use luggage forwarding instead.
Standing on the wrong side of the escalator
Instead: Tokyo escalator etiquette is stand-left, walk-right (the reverse of Osaka). Watch what locals do if unsure.
Missing the last train
Instead: Most Tokyo trains stop running between about 11:30pm and 12:40am depending on the line. Check the last train time in Google Maps before a late night out.
Related Transportation Guides
Go deeper on one part of the Tokyo transportation cluster
Featured Supporting Guide: Tokyo Metro Guide
All 9 Metro lines, reading the map, Metro vs. Toei Subway, fares, and day passes.
Narita Airport to Tokyo
Every option from Narita into the city, compared on cost, time, and luggage.
Haneda Airport to Tokyo
Every option from Haneda into the city, compared on cost, time, and luggage.
Getting Around Japan
The nationwide transportation hub: intercity trains, flights, and rental cars.
Tokyo Transportation FAQs
Related Guides
Tokyo Metro Guide
A deeper dive into the 9 Metro lines, station numbering, and Metro vs. Toei Subway.
Narita Airport to Tokyo
Every option from Narita into the city, compared on cost, time, and luggage.
Haneda Airport to Tokyo
Every option from Haneda into the city, compared on cost, time, and luggage.
Tokyo Destination Guide
Neighborhoods, attractions, and where to stay in Tokyo.
Japan Rail Pass Guide
Current pricing and whether it’s worth it for a Tokyo-focused trip.
Getting Around Japan
The nationwide transportation hub: intercity trains, flights, and rental cars.
Japan Budget Guide
See how Tokyo transportation costs fit into your total daily budget.
Tokyo in 4 Days Itinerary
A day-by-day Tokyo itinerary built around this transportation guide.
First Trip to Japan
The complete first-timer planning guide.
Next Steps
Get your IC card sorted before you land, then see how transportation fits into a full day-by-day plan.