Tokyo Transport Guide

Getting around Tokyo can feel overwhelming at first, with multiple train operators, subway lines, buses, and airport transfer options to navigate. For most travellers, the best overall value option is combining the Tokyo Subway Pass for unlimited rides on Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines with a Suica card for convenient payments on other transport services.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best ways to get around Tokyo, including airport transfers from Narita and Haneda Airport, travelling to nearby cities, and exploring Tokyo’s top attractions.

Quick Comparison of Tokyo Transport

Tokyo Transport: JR Lines

JR Pass (all Japan 7/14/21-day rail pass)

Instant confirmation

Free global EMS shipping

From S$396.66
Book Now

In Tokyo, the Japan Railways (JR) network plays an important role in connecting the city. Here are some of the major JR train lines to get around Tokyo:

Source: Japan Guide.com

How to Ride the JR Trains?

Step 1: Plan your route

Plan your route using maps or transport apps. Determine which JR line you need to take and the stations you'll be travelling to and from.

Step 2: Purchase a ticket or Suica Card/Pasmo Card

Head to the ticket machines or ticket counters to purchase your JR Pass, or you can buy JR Pass online and redeem the pass at the ticket counters or ticket machines.

You can also use an IC card such as Suica or Pasmo for seamless travel. IC cards can be charged with e-money and used for multiple trips on JR trains, buses and even convenience stores.

Step 3: Enter the station and have a ticket inspection

Use your ticket or IC card to pass through the ticket gates at the entrance of the station. Look for signs indicating the platform for the JR line you'll be riding. Platforms are usually labelled with the name of the line.

Step 4: Boarding the train

Wait behind the platform safety line until the train arrives. When the train arrives, pay attention to the car number and door markings to ensure you're boarding the correct train.

Other Train Lines in and Around Tokyo

Tokyo Transport: Tokyo Subway

Tokyo Metro

Departs from Tokyo

E-Voucher

7.56
Book Now

The Tokyo Subway system complements Tokyo’s train network, including the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway. The Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway are two independent subway operating systems within Tokyo. The Tokyo Metro has 9 lines, while the Toei Subway has 4 lines.

Source: Wikipedia

Tokyo Metro Lines

Toei Subway Lines

How to Take Tokyo Subway?

Source: Trip.com users' review

The operating hours of Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway are both from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m., with very dense schedules, running every 2 to 5 minutes.

Step 1: Buy your Tokyo Subway pass and redeem it

You can buy a Tokyo Subway pass on Trip.com:

1. Select the Tokyo Metro pass for 24h or 48h or 72h
2. Follow the instructions to make the payment
3. Receive an electronic ticket after the purchase
4. Redeem the physical ticket in major stations of Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway

Or you can purchase a Tokyo Subway pass at the ticket machine. Your ticket will be issued automatically by the machine if following the instructions.

Step 2: Get your tickets and have a ticket inspection

Hand over your physical ticket to the station staff for validation. Your tickets will be inspected before boarding.

Step 3: Find the correct platform and board the Tokyo Subway

Since the many Tokyo underground stations see several different subway lines pass through, it is very vital to find the correct platform, especially at night as soon as you enter the paid area. Then board the Tokyo Metro on time avoiding missing the last train.

Tips on taking the Tokyo Metro

• Priority seats: Kindly ask that you give your seat to the elderly, commuters with disabilities, commuters with infants and expectant mothers.
• Cell phones: Please set your cell phone to silent mode and refrain from talking on it during your ride.
• "Women-only" cars: Tokyo Metro has adopted women-only cars during the morning rush hour so that women, elementary school students and younger children can ride with a sense of security.
• Smoking prohibited: Smoking is not allowed at subway stations or in train carriages.

Tokyo Transport: Bus

Japan Airport Tokyo City Direct Bus

Instant confirmation

Valid for 30 days

From S$24.41
Book Now

Tokyo's bus system serves both intra-city and inter-city routes. Buses are particularly useful for reaching attractions not accessible by train or subway.

Tokyo Transport: By Suica Card

The Suica card is a convenient IC card that can be used for seamless travel on trains, buses, metros and convenience stores in Tokyo and other major cities in Japan. You can simply tap the Suica Card on the card reader at the ticket gate and the fare is automatically deducted from your Suica.

For visitors to Japan, you can buy Welcome Suica, which allows you to ride trains, buses and shop. There is no need to use cash and deposit. The validity is 28 days.

How to use Suica Card?

Source: JR East offficial

Step 1: Redeem your Suica Card

If you buy a Welcome Suica Card online, please present your electronic voucher at the Haneda Airport Ninjia WiFi Counter to exchange for a physical pass.

If you buy a Suica Card on-site, you will directly get the card and there’s no need to redeem.

Step 2: Top up the Suica Card

Activate your Suica Card at the selling spot or ticket machines. Then top up your Suica Card.

Step 3: Use the Suica Card for transportation and shopping

When entering a train station, boarding a bus or shopping, just hold your Suica Card over the card reader. This will deduct the fare from your card's balance.

Tokyo Transport: Car Rental

Renting a car in Tokyo provides flexibility and a convenient way to get around Tokyo and its surrounding areas at your own pace. You can book a car through Trip.com to get up to 8% off.

How to Get from Narita Airport to Tokyo Centre?

How to Get from Haneda Airport to Tokyo Centre?

Getting Around Tokyo by Shinkansen

Source: Wikipedia

The Shinkansen, or bullet train, offers high-speed rail travel between Tokyo and major cities across Japan, including Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. Shinkansen is the fastest way to get around Japan.

How to take the Shinkansen?

Source: Wikipedia

Step 1: Buy Shinkansen tickets or JR Pass that covers Shinkansen

• You can buy Shinkansen tickets/JR Pass on Trip.com or from JR officials to buy JR Pass.
• Or you can buy one-way or round-trip Shinkansen tickets at any ticket office, or at ticket machines (available at certain stations).

Step 2: Redeem your Shinkansen tickets or JR Pass

• If you buy the tickets or the pass on-site, you can directly redeem them by following the instructions of the counter staff.
• If you buy tickets online, you will receive a QR Code. Please scan your QR code at the Counter or ticket vending machine to get the boarding pass

Step 3: Reserve your seats

Seats can be reserved free of charge at station ticket offices, recognisable by the green sign or at Travel Service Centres and JR-associated Travel Agencies.

Step 4: Get your tickets and have a ticket inspection

Hand over your physical tickets to the station staff for validation. If you buy a JR Pass. The JR Pass is your ticket and you can now use your JR Pass at the automatic gates.

Step 5: Board the Shinkansen

You can find the platform number on the electronic information screen and board the train based on the carriage and seat number on the ticket.

Getting Around Tokyo: The Must-Have Transport Apps

Google Maps

Google Maps provides real-time information on train, bus, and subway routes, as well as walking directions and estimated travel times.

Source: Wikimedia

Tokyo Metro App

The official app of Tokyo Metro provides users with information on subway routes, station maps, and service updates. It also features a fare calculator and a navigation function for finding nearby stations.

Source: Wikipedia

Japan Transit Planner

This app offers comprehensive route planning for trains, subways, buses, and even walking routes in Tokyo and other major cities in Japan. It provides detailed information on fares, transfer stations, and travel times.

Source: Google Play

Tips on Getting Around Tokyo

• Purchase a Suica or Pasmo card: The smart cards allow for seamless travel on trains, buses, subways and shopping in Japan
• Use navigation apps: Use navigation apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps, or NAVITIME to plan your routes, check transportation schedules.
• Stay connected: Ensure you have access to mobile data or Wi-Fi to stay connected while getting around Tokyo. Or you can choose Japan eSIM to get connected remotely and seamlessly.

Recommended Long-Distance and Day Trips from Tokyo

Recommended Pass for Travelling Around Tokyo

• Odakyu Line Hakone Freepass 2 / 3days

Hakone is one of Japan's primary hot spring (onsen) areas that are close to Tokyo and still remain the rich nature without artificial development. The Hakone Freepass is a discounted ticket offering coverage of all the popular sightseeing destinations in Hakone. Hakone Freepass included a round-trip ticket on the Odakyu Line and able to get on-and-off freely within the designated area, also the Hakone Freepass included some discounts at the specific sightseeing location.

• JR Tokyo Wide Pass

The JR TOKYO Wide Pass is a 3-day rail pass that gives you unlimited rides on trains and the Shinkansen around Tokyo and the surrounding area. Explore Tokyo; head out to popular areas in Japan including Nikko, Lake Kawaguchi, Mt. Fuji; or stay at onsen resorts in Karuizawa, Kusatsu, Izu, and many other places.