Where can I buy the Tokyo Metro Pass?

The Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket, Toei One-Day Pass, and Common One-Day Ticket are available at ticket machines in their respective stations. The tourist-exclusive Tokyo Subway Ticket (24/48/72-hour) can be purchased online to receive a QR code, which is then redeemed at major station ticket machines or airport arrival lobbies.

How much does the Tokyo Metro Pass cost?

As of early 2026, prices have been updated: the Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket is ¥700, and the tourist-exclusive Tokyo Subway Tickets are ¥1,000 (24h), ¥1,500 (48h), and ¥2,000 (72h). The Common One-Day Pass for both networks is ¥1,100, while the all-inclusive Tokyo Combination Ticket is ¥1,720.

Can I use the Tokyo Metro pass on JR lines?

No, standard Tokyo Subway and Metro passes do not cover JR lines like the Yamanote Loop. To include JR lines within Tokyo's 23 wards, you must purchase the Tokyo Combination Ticket (Tokyo Free Kippu) for ¥1,720.

Can I use the Tokyo Subway pass to Narita Airport?

Standard subway passes do not cover transport to Narita or Haneda airports. However, you can purchase discounted bundles that combine a Tokyo Subway Ticket with the Keisei Skyliner express or an airport limousine bus.

Tokyo 72-Hour Metro Pass vs. Suica: Which One Saves You More?

Tracey

Sep 11

5 min read

Updated: Sep 27

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The Tokyo metro system underground station in Asakusa. Tokyo metro day passes are a cheap option for tourists

I have the Suica card on my mobile phone... and I barely used it for transport in Tokyo on my last few trips. No question: Suica is super-convenient and saves you having to think about what ticket you need to get where. So, why don't I use it in Tokyo? Because the Tokyo 72-hour metro pass (or even its 24-hour and 48-hour siblings) save me and the family 1000s of yen.

But Suica has advantages too, especially if you're staying longer or using non-subway transport. I'm going to break down both options with real cost examples so you can decide which works best for your Tokyo itinerary.

Tokyo 72-Hour Metro Pass vs. Suica: what's the difference?

Both the Tokyo 72-hour Metro Pass and Suica let you zip around Tokyo without having to buy individual tickets. But they are very different in how they work and how much they cost. The Tokyo Metro Pass has a one-time flat fee and for that fee you get unlimited rides in a 72-hour period on all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines. But only the Metro and Subway lines. Suica is a pre-loaded card that you can use on (virtually) all train and bus lines, including the Metro and Subway but also the JR lines and other private railways like the Yurikamome. The catch is that you pay for every individual ride (i.e. the fare is deducted from the funds you've loaded onto your card) and get a discount of only a couple of yen per ticket. But your Suica isn't limited in time (well, 10 years) and you can also use it to pay in shops, restaurants, taxis. Read more about the Suica card and Suica Welcome card in our Suica FAQ post.

Tokyo 72-Hour Metro Pass vs. Suica: which should you buy?

Well, you might want to get yourself a Suica anyway, especially if you are planning to see more of Japan than just Tokyo (since you can use Suica everywhere, also in Osaka and Kyoto). Whether or not you should buy a Tokyo Metro Pass is a question of how much use you will get out of it. With a 72-hour pass costing around 2000 yen and a one-way metro/subway fare costing between 150-300 yen, you'll generally break even after around 8-9 rides within the 72 hours. Any rides after that until your ticket expires are basically for free. When we know we are going to be doing a day or two of heavy sightseeing in Tokyo, we always get ourselves at least a 24-hour Tokyo Metro Pass.

One day in Tokyo with Suica vs Tokyo Metro Pass

Let's say you're hitting some of the major tourist highlights :Shibuya to Tokyo Tower (180 yen) to Tsukiji Market (180 yen) to Sensoji Temple (210 yen) to Akihabara (210 yen) to Tokyo Metropolitan Building (220 yen) to Harajuku (180 yen) back to Shibuya (150 yen).

If you pay for these trips with your Suica (or in cash), you'll pay just under 1330 yen. A 24-hour Metro Pass will cost you only 1000 yen and you can save even more if you opt for the 48-hour or 72-hour versions (which cost 1500 yen and 2000 yen respectively.

Is the Tokyo Metro Pass always worth it?

Not always, no. On our last family trip to Tokyo, we didn't get ourselves a Tokyo Metro Pass for every day. One day, for example, we were going to Odaiba and, since the Yurikamome isn't covered by the pass, it was cheaper to just use a combination of Suica and the Yurikamome one-day pass.

Also, if you are staying close to a Yamanote-Line station or on a private railway line, you might find it harder to get your money's worth out of a Tokyo Metro Pass, even the JR + Subway combo ticket.

Can tourists purchase a Tokyo Metro Pass?

Not only can foreign tourists purchase a Tokyo Metro Pass, but we even get to buy a cheaper version, specially for us! But you should watch out that you get the right one. The underground system in Tokyo is run by two different companies and there are also passes available that cover only one of these companies or the other. There's also a joint pass that covers the whole underground system but it's more expensive and comes only as a one-day version. Also available are combo tickets that include the Skyliner from Narita Airport. You can buy your tickets in advance from GetYourGuide or Klook. Here's a quick overview:

Pass	Price	Covers
Tokyo Metro 24-hour	700 yen	Tokyo Metro lines only
Toei One-Day Pass	700 yen	Toei lines only
Common One-Day Ticket	1,100 yen	All Metro + Toei
Tokyo Subway 24/48/72-hour	1,000/1,500/2,000 yen	All Metro + Toei (tourist only)
Combo Pass (JR + Subway)	1,720 yen	Metro, Toei, JR in 23 wards

Where can I buy a Tokyo 72-hour Metro Pass?

You can buy the ticket in Tokyo's two airports, Narita and Haneda, at ticket guests in the arrival lobby. You can also buy them at ticket offices in stations, at tourist offices and even at Bic Camera. It's super-practical, though, to buy your ticket online in advance: you get a QR that you can just scan at a ticket machine in loads of stations all over Tokyo. Check prices on GetYourGuide or Klook.

Are you planning out how you'll get around in Tokyo and beyond? We have a lot of other blog posts that will help you get to grips with the logistics:

First of all you have to find your way into Tokyo from the airports. Check out our posts on the cheapest, fastest ways to get to central Tokyo from Narita and from Haneda airports.
Our Suica guide tells you everything you need to know about this handy transportation card.
Leaving Tokyo to explore the rest of Japan? Read our post comparing flying to taking the Shinkansen bullet train before you book.
Definitely going to take the bullet train? Our Shinkansen 101 guide walks you through the different options, including how, where and when to buy tickets, luggage rules and where to sit for Fuji views. We also have special posts on taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka and from Tokyo to Kyoto.