Tokyo Subway Ticket 2026: Prices, Routes & 11% Discount
Navigate Tokyo's complex transit system like a pro! Learn how to score an 11% discount on your Tokyo Subway Ticket and save big with our 3-day itinerary.
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Navigate Tokyo's complex transit system like a pro! Learn how to score an 11% discount on your Tokyo Subway Ticket and save big with our 3-day itinerary.
Are you heading to Tokyo in 2026? You're definitely not alone!
When I first started planning my Tokyo itinerary, the number one thing that stressed me out was the transportation.
Tokyo's subway system is notoriously complex, and if you're swiping a standard transit card for every single ride, those fares add up incredibly fast.
Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned Tokyo explorer, today I'm breaking down the absolute best way to save money on transit: the Tokyo Subway Ticket.
Stick around until the end, because I'm sharing my favorite subway hacks and a trick to get an extra 11% off your pass!
The Tokyo Subway Ticket is an unlimited ride pass that gives you access to all 9 Tokyo Metro lines and all 4 Toei Subway lines for a set period.
The best feature? It runs on a '24-hour clock' rather than calendar days!
For example, if you activate a 24-hour pass at 2:00 PM on Monday, you can use it all the way until 1:59 PM on Tuesday. It’s incredibly flexible.
You can choose between 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour options depending on your itinerary.
Here are the standard retail prices for the Tokyo Subway Ticket:
Even if you pay full price for the 72-hour pass, it breaks down to spending only about ~$4 a day on transportation.
Given that a standard Tokyo subway fare is usually between 180 and 210 JPY, you only need to take three rides a day to make the pass worth it.
Skip just one convenience store beer, and your travel for the day is covered!
While you can buy these at the station, booking online in advance is significantly cheaper and easier.
If you purchase through platforms like Klook or MyRealTrip, you'll receive a digital QR code directly to your phone.
You just take this QR code to a Tokyo subway station to print your physical ticket.
Right now, Klook is offering an extra 11% off, making it the most budget-friendly option available.
I highly recommend buying it online before your trip and simply exchanging it for the physical card once you arrive.
Here is how to use the automated ticket machines:
1. Look for a ticket machine with a red "QR Code" symbol in a Tokyo Subway station.
2. Tap the "QR Code" button on the screen.
3. Scan the QR code you received on your phone.
4. Grab your printed physical ticket and you're good to go!
Keep in mind that not *every* single station has these specific automated machines.
However, major tourist hubs like Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ginza definitely have them.
If you need to exchange it elsewhere, check the map image above!
For reference: stations with a square box around them offer exchanges. White boxes mean you exchange at the station office, while yellow boxes indicate you can use the automated ticket machines.
Pay close attention here! Tokyo has multiple different transit companies operating simultaneously, which is why it gets confusing.
✅ USABLE: Ginza, Marunouchi, Hibiya, Tozai, Chiyoda, Yurakucho, Hanzomon, Namboku, and Fukutoshin lines (Tokyo Metro) + Asakusa, Mita, Shinjuku, and Oedo lines (Toei Subway).
❌ UNUSABLE: JR Lines (like the Yamanote or Chuo lines), the Yurikamome line, and private railways like Odakyu.
An easy way to remember: Look for the logos! As shown in the image, stick to the lines represented by solid colored circles. If you see a "JR" logo, your pass won't work there.
For instance, if you're traveling from Shibuya to Shinjuku, taking the JR Saikyo or Yamanote line might seem obvious. But if you have the Subway Ticket, you can ride the Fukutoshin line for free!
Even if it takes an extra minute or two, maximizing your pass is the ultimate way to keep your travel budget in check.
Day 1: Classic Tokyo
Asakusa (Ginza Line): Explore Senso-ji Temple and feast on street food.
Ueno (Ginza/Hibiya Line): Take a relaxing stroll through Ueno Park.
Ginza (Ginza/Hibiya/Marunouchi Line): Window shop the luxury boutiques and grab a fantastic dinner.
Day 2: Shopping & City Lights
Omotesando/Harajuku (Chiyoda/Hanzomon/Fukutoshin Line): Café hopping and trendy shopping.
Shibuya (Ginza/Hanzomon/Fukutoshin Line): Snap that iconic photo at the Shibuya Scramble Crossing.
Roppongi (Hibiya/Oedo Line): Head up Mori Tower for breathtaking night views of Tokyo Tower.
Day 3: Culture & Cuisine
Tsukiji Market (Hibiya Line): Start your morning with an incredibly fresh seafood bowl (Kaisendon).
Nakameguro (Hibiya Line): Browse the aesthetic boutiques along the Meguro River.
Shinjuku (Marunouchi/Shinjuku/Oedo Line): Explore the neon lights of Kabukicho and wind down at a local izakaya.
Q. Any tips for using Google Maps with the pass?
A. Yes! When searching for directions, go to 'Options' and check "Subway" and "Lowest cost". Google Maps will then prioritize routes that keep you on the Metro lines covered by your pass.
Q. What if I absolutely have to take a JR line?
A. In that case, you'll need to use an IC card (like a Suica or Pasmo) or buy a separate ticket. The smartest strategy is to use the Tokyo Subway Ticket for everything you can, and only pay out of pocket for JR when there's no alternative.
For example, getting to Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea usually requires a JR line, so having a digital Suica card ready on your phone is a great backup plan.
The Tokyo Subway Ticket is more than just a transit pass.
It's a huge stress reliever. If you hop on the wrong train or get lost, you can just laugh it off, knowing your rides are unlimited!
If you're mapping out your Tokyo adventure, definitely book your Tokyo Subway Ticket in advance and enjoy the ride!
The Tokyo Subway Ticket's valid time is calculated based on hours, not days. For example, if you start using the 24-hour pass at 2:00 PM on Monday, you can use it until 1:59 PM the next day, Tuesday.
You can purchase it on Klook with an 11% discount for ~$5, and it is available on MyRealTrip for ~$7. It is cheaper to book in advance in Korea rather than paying the regular price locally.
The Tokyo Subway Ticket cannot be used on JR lines, including the Yamanote Line, nor on private railways like the Yurikamome and Odakyu lines. Therefore, when traveling from Shibuya to Shinjuku, you must take the Fukutoshin Line instead of JR to travel for free with the pass.
You can exchange it at the automated ticket machines with a red QR code sign located in Tokyo subway stations such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ginza. Simply press the QR Code button on the machine's screen and scan your prepared QR code to receive your physical ticket.
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