Tokyo IC Card or Subway Pass? How to Choose for Your Trip

The short answer: IC card by default, subway pass on busy days

Choosing how to pay for transport in Tokyo is simpler than it looks. Start with one IC card such as Suica or PASMO, then decide whether a tourist 24/48/72-hour subway pass makes sense for the days you'll ride the subway a lot.

The IC card works on JR, subways, buses and even in convenience stores, so it's worth having one even if you also buy a pass. This article focuses on what fits your Tokyo itinerary; the basics of card types, phone wallets and top-ups are covered in our Japan IC card guide.

• Japan IC cards explained →
• Tokyo travel guide →

Airport to city: times and fares by train

Your first transport cost in Tokyo is the airport transfer. Which train suits you depends on the airport you land at and where you're staying, so check both when you book your flight.

Narita is farther out, so fares run into the thousands of yen; Haneda is close, so fares are in the hundreds. All times and fares below are approximate, so confirm with official information before you travel.

• Narita Express (N'EX): to Tokyo, Shinjuku and Shibuya stations without changing trains, about 55-90 min, about 3,000-3,400 yen depending on the station. All seats reserved, with luggage space
• Keisei Skyliner: the fastest link from Narita to Nippori and Ueno, about 35-45 min, about 2,600 yen. Best for stays around Asakusa or Ueno
• Keikyu Line (Haneda): to Shinagawa in about 15-20 min, about 300-350 yen. Some trains run through onto the Asakusa Line
• Tokyo Monorail (Haneda): to Hamamatsucho in about 15-20 min, about 500-520 yen. Transfer there to the JR Yamanote Line

• Incheon → Narita flights →
• Incheon → Haneda flights →

When an IC card alone is enough

If you'll ride two or three times a day and walk the rest, an IC card is all you need. Tokyo's stations are close together, so walking one or two stops is often faster, and the side streets are half the fun.

An IC card also suits itineraries built around the JR Yamanote Line, the loop linking Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, Ueno and more, which is the backbone of most trips. Buy a card at a station machine or add one to Apple Wallet.

One thing to plan for is topping up: physical cards are often topped up with cash only, so carry some yen. Small eateries and shrines may be cash only too.

When a subway pass pays off

Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway cover the inner city in detail. On days when you hop between several neighborhoods by subway, a tourist 24/48/72-hour subway pass can be useful.

Pass prices, which lines are included and where to buy aren't in our source data, so check the official source. Compare the price you find with the number of rides you expect that day and what you'd pay by IC card.

Because the pass runs by the hour, when you first use it matters. Start it on your heaviest subway day and use your IC card on walking days or JR-only days. Check the official source for the exact conditions.

Which fits your itinerary?

If your plan looks like the 4-day route in our Tokyo guide, with one or two areas a day explored in depth, you won't ride that often, so an IC card is the default. If you're packing many areas into one day, consider a subway pass for that day only.

• Few rides (staying local, lots of walking): IC card only
• Mostly the Yamanote Line (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno and so on): IC card only; check the official source on whether JR is included in any pass
• Many subway-hopping days: a 24/48/72-hour subway pass plus an IC card
• Day trips outside Tokyo or shinkansen rides: our source has no pass or fare details for these, so check the official source
• Heavy luggage or late nights: taxis are clean and safe but expensive

Pair your choice with where you stay

Transport and hotel location go together. Asakusa and Ueno have easy access to Narita and suit the Skyliner; Shinjuku is a transport hub with many lines; the Ginza and Tokyo Station area is convenient for the shinkansen.

Big stations like Shinjuku are a maze, so check your exit in advance. An eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi makes navigating complex transfers much easier. In a taxi, the rear door opens automatically, so don't pull it.

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