Picture this: you land at Narita Airport, your suitcase in tow.
The ticket machine feels like a spaceship control panel.
That’s where Tokyo transport day tickets come in handy.
These all-in-one passes let you hop from Shibuya to Asakusa without juggling coins or mapping individual fares.
In this ultimate guide, you’ll learn about every day ticket and IC card option in Tokyo, so you can pick the one that fits your adventure and budget.
Compare metro day passes
If you plan to stick to subways, these day passes let you ride Metro and Toei lines without checking individual fares. They cover most of the city’s hotspots and can save you time and money if you’re hopping stations all day.
Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket
The Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket gives you unlimited rides on all nine Tokyo Metro lines for 24 hours from first use. It costs 700 yen for adults and 350 yen for children. You can buy it in advance or on the same day at station machines and ticket counters (Tokyo Metro).
Highlights
- Coverage: all Tokyo Metro lines
- Price: 700 yen adult, 350 yen child
- Refund: 220 yen handling fee if unused
- Best for: a full day of Metro hopping
One-day Metro and Toei ticket
If you need both Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines, the common one-day ticket covers all nine Metro lines and all four Toei routes. It’s priced at 900 yen for adults and 450 yen for children, with the same 220 yen refund fee (Tokyo Metro).
Quick facts
- Coverage: Metro and Toei subways
- Price: 900 yen adult, 450 yen child
- Validity: date specified by you
- Best for: mixing Metro with Toei lines
Tokyo combination ticket
When you want total freedom, the Tokyo Combination Ticket is your go-to. At 1,600 yen for adults and 800 yen for children, it covers every Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway line, Tokyo Sakura Trams, Toei Buses, Nippori-Toneri Liner, and all JR lines within Tokyo’s wards (Tokyo Metro).
Why choose it
- One-day unlimited rides across Tokyo’s main networks
- Ideal if you plan to swap between subway, tram, bus, and JR trains
- Includes discounts at select attractions when you show your ticket
- Refund: 220 yen handling fee if unused
Explore 48 and 72-hour passes
For a multi-day city tour, skip the per-trip fuss with a timed pass. The Tokyo Subway ticket offers unlimited rides on Tokyo Metro and Toei lines for 24, 48, or 72 hours. You tap in and out without needing to check fares or top up balances (A Globe Well Travelled).
Key points
- Options: 24-, 48-, 72-hour durations
- Coverage: Metro and Toei only, no JR or monorail
- Purchase: online, airport kiosks, or major station counters
- Perfect when you want quick tap-in convenience
Curious about rates and where to grab one? Check our guide to the Tokyo Subway ticket.
Understand IC prepaid cards
If you prefer pay-as-you-go with a stored-value card, IC prepaid cards are your best friend. You load credit once, then tap at gates or bus readers. No need for ticket machines each time.
Suica card
The Suica card, issued by JR East, works on Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, JR lines, local buses, and some Shinkansen routes. It starts at 2,000 yen including a 500 yen refundable deposit. You can reload at station machines, convenience stores, or via mobile apps (A Globe Well Travelled).
Benefits
- Versatile: accepted broadly across Japan
- Refundable deposit: 500 yen minus 210 yen handling fee
- Mobile option: see mobile suica for tourists
- Great if your schedule is flexible
Learn how to use it in our Suica card how to use Tokyo guide.
Pasmo card
Pasmo is the private-company equivalent of Suica. It also covers subways, buses, and trains in Tokyo, plus many local railways. The basic Pasmo package is 1,000 yen including a 500 yen deposit. Reload anywhere you see the Pasmo logo and tap to ride.
Why pick Pasmo
- Same broad coverage as Suica in Tokyo
- Easy top-up at machines and convenience stores
- Deposit refund rules match Suica’s tariff
Find out where to grab one in our Pasmo card where to buy post.
Comparing Suica and Pasmo
You might wonder whether Suica or Pasmo wins. Spoiler: they perform almost identically in Tokyo. Your choice comes down to convenience of purchase and brand preference. Both let you tap-in without fuss and save leftover balance for your next trip.
For a deeper dive, see suica pasmo difference explained.
Review JR one-day options
JR East offers its own passes if you plan to mix subway use with JR trains or the monorail. These can make sense when you’re exploring Tokyo’s outer wards or arriving via Haneda or Narita.
JR Rail Pass
If you already have a JR Rail Pass for longer Japan travel, you can use it on Tokyo’s JR lines, including the Yamanote loop, Chuo rapid, and local services. It even works on the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda. Over a one-day Tokyo trip, it may cost more than dedicated day tickets, so weigh your route. Is it worth it? See our analysis of JR Pass worth it Tokyo only.
Tokyo Metropolitan District pass
The Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass, or Tokunai Pass, costs 760 yen for adults and 380 yen for children. It gives you unlimited rides on all JR East local and rapid trains within the Tokyo city limits for one day. Buy it at JR station ticket machines.
Great when
- You plan to hop JR lines only
- You want a cheaper JR-only alternative to the Combination Ticket
Narita Express round-trip ticket
If you fly into Narita, the N’EX Tokyo Round Trip Ticket is a bargain at 5,000 yen adult, 2,500 yen child. It covers the Narita Express train to major stations like Tokyo, Shinagawa, and Shibuya, valid for 14 days. You must show your overseas passport.
Buy and refund tickets
Knowing where to grab and return your pass can save you a headache.
Where to buy
- Station ticket machines or counters at Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway stations
- JR station machines and travel offices for JR passes
- Airport kiosks at Haneda and Narita
- Selected convenience stores for Suica and Pasmo
Refund rules
- Metro and subway day tickets carry a 220 yen handling fee for unused refunds (Tokyo Metro)
- Suica and Pasmo refunds deduct a 210 yen fee when you return the card
- JR Rail Pass refunds vary, check your point of purchase
- Keep your ticket/card in good condition and within validity
Pick your best ticket
Here’s a quick lookup to match your travel style
| Ticket type | Price range | Coverage | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro 24-hour | 700 yen | Tokyo Metro only | One-day subway marathon |
| Metro & Toei one-day | 900 yen | Metro + Toei subways | Mixing two networks |
| Combination ticket | 1,600 yen | Metro, Toei, trams, buses, JR | All-in-one city coverage |
| Tokyo Subway timed pass | Varies by hours | Metro + Toei subways | Multi-day hop-on, hop-off |
| Suica or Pasmo IC card | Pay-as-you-go | Subways, buses, JR lines, convenience stores | Flexible ride count |
| JR Metropolitan District pass | 760 yen | JR East local and rapid | JR-only riders within city |
Looking for more personalized tips? Check our Tokyo train pass recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a Tokyo Metro ticket and a Tokyo Subway ticket?
The Metro ticket covers only Tokyo Metro lines. The Subway ticket covers both Tokyo Metro and Toei lines for a set duration.
Can I use Suica or Pasmo on buses and trams?
Yes, both cards work on most Toei buses, Tokyo Sakura Trams, private buses, and any train that accepts IC.
Is the Combination Ticket worth the cost?
If you plan heavy travel across subways, trams, buses, and JR lines in one day, it’s the best value.
How do I refund an unused Tokyo Metro day pass?
Bring your unused ticket to any Tokyo Metro staff office before first use. You’ll pay a 220 yen handling fee.
Can I share a day pass with a friend?
No, each person needs their own ticket or card to tap in and out individually.
