When I arrived at Haneda Airport, I hadn’t done any research on how to catch the metro.
I figured I’d sort it out once I landed, but it turns out that jetlag and Japanese ticket machines don’t mix very well. Stepping off my overnight flight from Sydney, I made my way through immigration then made a beeline for the row of automated machines selling train passes and tickets.
I noticed one machine offering a Monorail Ticket, and another selling a Welcome Suica Card. At the time, I had no idea what a Suica was, though I guessed that it was some sort of Tokyo metro pass. As I was standing next to the monorail station, I tried the monorail machine first, but it only accepted cash… of which I had none.
Starting to get grouchy from the lack of sleep and Japan’s confusing aversion to card payments, I moved over to the second machine and managed to buy a prepaid Suica Card with my credit card. Hoping that it would work for the monorail, I swiped it at the gates… it worked! Relieved that I had my transport method sorted, I was off to the city, transferring to the metro to reach my hotel in Shinjuku. Crisis averted.
Over the next six days, I buzzed around Tokyo using that card, though not without a few hiccups. There were a few times that I ended up standing on the wrong platform at stops within the city. Once at Shinjuku Station, I flat-out couldn’t find the correct line at all (if you’ve been there, you’ll understand—it’s a massive confusing underground maze), and on my way back to the airport, I accidentally got on a limited-stops train and then had to walk 30 mins through the airport carpark (while getting yelled at by an airport worker for walking where I wasn’t supposed to) to access my airport hotel.
Despite these detours, having a prepaid transport card made the process far less stressful. Bottom line? I highly recommend doing some research and buying your Tokyo Metro Pass or Suica Card in advance. It’ll save you time, confusion, and possibly some money too.
Quick summary:
The best way to get around Tokyo is with a transport pass for the local metro system. In this post, I’ll compare the Suica Card, the Tokyo Subway Ticket, and the JR Rail Pass for exploring Tokyo and beyond.
Recommended tickets and passes:
💳 Suica Card — Prepaid, tap-and-go IC card. Works on almost all Tokyo trains, subways, and buses.
🚇 Tokyo Subway Ticket — Unlimited rides on Tokyo Metro + Toei Subway. Great for 1–3 days of sightseeing.
🛤️ Japan Rail (JR) Pass — Unlimited JR trains across Japan—including Shinkansen, airport trains, buses, and ferries.
What are the options for Tokyo Metro tickets?
So the first thing you need to know about trains in Tokyo is that the metro lines and subway lines are run by multiple operators. This means that one ticket type might not work at every station.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the different options available and help you choose the best Tokyo transport pass for tourists—whether you’re staying for 24 hours or 2 weeks.
To pay for public transportation in Tokyo, you can get a prepaid transport card like a Suica Card (this is the option I went with), or an unlimited subway pass such as the Tokyo Subway Ticket. If you are planning on getting a JR Rail Pass for your trip to Japan, you may also be able to use this pass to catch the JR-operated metro lines in Tokyo.
Each of these options are going to suit a different type of traveller, so read on for a more comprehensive description of all three.
Suica Card
Best for: Flexible tap-and-go access across Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, JR trains, and buses.
The Suica Card is a rechargeable prepaid Tokyo transport card that offers a contactless way to travel on trains, subways, and buses. I grabbed one of these at Haneda Airport on arrival and I found it to be incredibly convenient—you just load it up with credit then tap in and out at the ticket gates at any train station in Tokyo.
The ‘Welcome Suica’ is especially for tourists and works seamlessly on Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, and JR-operated lines. Suica can also be used on local buses and select Shinkansen routes. I personally used the JR Yamanote Line a lot while I was staying in Shinjuku as it passes through popular locations such as Harajuku and Shibuya, so I was glad to have the Suica to access this line.
With Suica, you’ll be paying for each train fare separately from pre-loaded credit. Suica Cards can be easily reloaded with credit at station ticket machines, convenience stores, or via mobile apps.
You can order a Suica Card online to be collected at Haneda or Narita airports, or you can get a Welcome Suica on arrival at the airports or at major train stations. It’s by far the most flexible option for catching trains around Tokyo.
Tokyo Subway Ticket
Best for: Unlimited subway rides for 1–3 days of heavy sightseeing.
The Tokyo Subway Ticket gives unlimited access to just the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines (it doesn’t work on JR lines or buses).
The Tokyo Subway Ticket offers unlimited travel for a set period—24, 48, or 72 hours. It’s one of the best value options if you are planning to do a lot of sightseeing in a short time. One of the biggest advantages of this ticket is that you don’t have to calculate fares or check your balance, you just tap in and out at the station gates.
While the Tokyo Subway Ticket is good value, it does have one downside of not covering the JR-operated rail lines in Tokyo. However, the network map for these train lines is fairly comprehensive, so you should easily be able to reach most of Tokyo’s top attractions.
I would have been able to get by with a Tokyo Subway Ticket on my trip to Tokyo as there were Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines near to where I was staying in Shinjuku. But as I was staying in Tokyo for 6 days and the Tokyo Subway Ticket only offers passes up to 72 hours, it made more sense for me to go with the Suica.
You can buy the Tokyo Subway Ticket online, or pick it up at airport counters and select Tokyo Metro stations.
Japan Rail (JR) Pass
Best for: Long-distance travel across Japan plus exploring Tokyo via JR trains.
The JR Rail Pass is sort of the opposite of the Tokyo Subway Ticket—it covers all JR-operated trains in Tokyo, but does not cover the Tokyo Metro or Toei Subway lines.
While the JR network map limits the number of rail lines you can use within Tokyo, the JR Rail Pass is a great value option if you are going to explore other destinations in Japan. The pass provides unlimited access to JR-operated trains, including local and express services, most Shinkansen (though there are a couple of exclusions), and even the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda.
The Japan Rail Pass also covers local JR highway buses and the JR Miyajima Ferry, which makes it useful if you’re travelling to Hiroshima. Passes are available for 7, 14, or 21 days and include seat reservations. You can scan the pass at station gates or show it to staff for entry.
You’ll need to purchase your JR Rail Pass in advance. It’s ideal for anyone visiting Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, or other destinations outside of Tokyo.
But wait… what about the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda Airport?
I mentioned the Tokyo Monorail a few times in this post, as it’s one of the easiest ways to get from Haneda Airport to Tokyo city by train. I used the monorail to get to Shinagawa Station, where I transferred to the JR Yamanote Line to get to my hotel in Shinjuku.
The Suica Card and the JR Rail Pass both cover the Tokyo Monorail, so you can tap and go without needing to buy a separate ticket. However, the Tokyo Subway Ticket does not include the monorail.
You can buy a standalone monorail ticket, but be aware that it’s just a one-way paper ticket, or a digital ticket for which you must show the QR code to a staff member (you can’t scan it directly at the gates). And note that you can only pay cash for the monorail if you buy your ticket at the machines at Haneda.
Quick comparison: Best Tokyo transport pass for tourists
| Pass Type | Best For |
| Suica Card | Flexible tap-and-go access across most metro lines, JR lines and buses |
| Tokyo Subway Ticket | Unlimited subway rides for 1–3 days of heavy sightseeing |
| Japan Rail (JR) Pass | Long-distance travel across Japan plus exploring Tokyo via JR trains |
So, what is the best transport pass for tourists in Tokyo?
The best pass depends on your plans. For unlimited subway rides over a few days, go for the Tokyo Subway Ticket. For flexible use across most lines and services or a stay of 4+ days in Tokyo, the Suica Card is a better option. If you’re traveling around Japan, the JR Rail Pass is your best bet.
Buy your pass before you land to avoid the stress of figuring it out on arrival. I used Google Maps to plan my metro routes around the city, but you can also use transport apps like Tokyo Metro App or Navitime. And remember, stations in Tokyo can be a little tricky—follow the signs carefully or check station maps if you’re unsure where to go.
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