At a glance
- An IC card is charged for each ride and makes it easy to travel across different operators. It isn’t a discount pass, but it’s simple to use when your route isn’t settled or you won’t take many rides in a day.
- For a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour Tokyo Subway Ticket, check which routes are covered, who can buy it, where it’s sold, and when validity begins. JR’s Yamanote Line and private railway sections may require separate fares.
- The Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket and the combined Metro and Toei ticket cover different routes. Even when both are called “day passes,” check the official terms to see whether validity ends at midnight or lasts for a set number of hours after first use.
- Adding faraway stops just to break even on a pass can throw off your time budget. Choose a pass only if it costs less than the single fares for the stations you already plan to visit. Count included perks as value only if you’ll use them.
- Starting 2026-03-14, the adult Tokyo Subway Ticket costs 1,000 yen for 24 hours, 1,500 yen for 48 hours, and 2,000 yen for 72 hours. It’s valid on all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines for the specified time starting with first use, but does not cover JR, Tokyu, Keio, or airport railways. If you’re visiting from South Korea as a tourist, check the official sales channel for eligibility, passport requirements, and how to receive your QR code or ticket.
- The Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket costs 700 yen for adults and does not include Toei. The combined Metro and Toei one-day ticket costs 1,100 yen for adults; check the terms for use by calendar date. Despite their similar names, the tickets differ in whether they last 24 hours or only through that day, and in which operators they cover.
- Transit passes do not include timed reservations for attractions. If you’ve booked an observation deck or museum, first check that venue’s opening hours and closing days, then count your subway rides within the rest of your itinerary.
- If your phone battery dies or your ticket isn’t recognized, don’t force your way through the gate. Step aside and ask station staff for help. This reduces the risk of blocking the way or bumping into other passengers.
- If a train is delayed, you can use another operator’s service to reach your destination, even if it isn’t covered by your pass. Paying an extra fare may be worthwhile to keep your timed entry. If you can’t make up the time, check the venue’s change policy.
Day by day
Suggested itinerary
See each day's route, highlights, background and stay together in one place.
List each day’s departure and arrival stations and operators → check the total single fares
Check included routes, validity, purchase requirements, and refund terms → choose an IC card or pass
Check the time of your first gate entry → pay separately for uncovered sections with your IC card balance
Places and meals
Check the Metro routes and the 24-hour ticket’s coverage.
Google MapsSeparately count how many Toei rides are in your itinerary.
Google MapsHow to fit it in
Separate days that rely heavily on the subway, such as days in Asakusa, Ginza, and Shibuya, from days combining JR, private railways, or nearby areas. A subway ticket may suit the first kind of day; an IC card and a separate ticket for nearby areas are usually simpler for the second.
Reality check
Station numbers and line colors are useful for navigation, but gates for different operators may be far apart even at stations with the same name. Check the operator and exit in your transfer directions. If your pass won’t work at a gate, ask station staff for help.
Allow 15–30 minutes to buy and set up a pass, and 10–25 minutes to transfer between operators at a large station. Traveling out of your way to find a sales location can cost more time than you save on fares.
As of 2026-10-03, adult Tokyo Subway Ticket prices are 1,000 yen for 24 hours, 1,500 yen for 48 hours, and 2,000 yen for 72 hours. The Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket costs 700 yen. For example, if six rides on covered routes would cost 1,180 yen at the regular single fares, a 24-hour Tokyo Subway Ticket saves 180 yen. If four rides would cost 780 yen, paying each fare with an IC card costs 220 yen less. These are examples; recalculate using the actual stations and fares for your trip. Leave JR rides out of the comparison.
Don’t block the way by looking at your phone for a long time at the ticket gates; step to the side. Keep a small amount of cash and your accommodation address separately in case your card or phone battery fails.
If plans change
Prioritize reaching your destination over whether the route is covered by your pass. Switch to another operator’s line or walk, and treat the extra fare as the cost of recovering from a delay.
Don’t extend your itinerary just to use a pass you already bought. Stay in your original area, and switch to an IC card or single fares the next day.
Small tip
You don’t need one answer for your whole trip. You can use an IC card on the first day to get a feel for your actual routes, then use a timed pass only on a second day with lots of subway rides.
Final check before departure
- Make a table of stations, operators, and expected rides for each day
- Check official information on which routes the pass covers and when validity begins
- Prepare your IC card balance, phone battery, and backup payment
Updated to reflect the Tokyo Subway Ticket price change on 2026-03-14. Older guides listing prices of 800, 1,200, and 1,500 yen do not show current prices. QR codes, exchange vouchers, and physical tickets may be provided differently by each seller, so follow the instructions for receiving and first using the ticket you bought.
Information checked: 2026-10-03