Tokyo Subway Ticket (2026): 24, 48 or 72 Hours, and Is It Worth It?
You're in Tokyo for a few days and wonder whether to buy the Tokyo Subway Ticket or just tap a Suica. The 72-hour ticket (¥2,000) is the cheapest per day: about ¥667, or 4 short rides a day. The 24-hour ticket (¥1,000) only wins on a day with many subway rides.
We checked prices, lines and who can buy it on Tokyo Metro's official page on 7 November 2026. The clock starts at your first ride, not when you buy.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We say when buying from Tokyo Metro is just as good.
Is the Tokyo Subway Ticket worth it?
Count your subway rides per day. The shortest Tokyo Metro ride (up to 6 km) costs ¥180 by ticket or ¥178 by IC card. Longer rides cost more, so these counts are the most you would need:
You base yourself near a subway station
Asakusa, Ueno, Ginza, Roppongi, Shibuya and Shinjuku all have subway stations. Hopping between them adds up fast.
Your days run on the JR Yamanote Line
If you mostly ride JR between Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku and Tokyo Station, the ticket doesn't help. Use a Suica.
Affiliate links. Tokyo Metro's own price is ¥1,000 / ¥1,500 / ¥2,000.
What does it cover, and what doesn't it?
So it doesn't get you from Narita or Haneda into the city on its own. See Narita to Tokyo and Haneda to Tokyo.
Where to buy it
Tokyo Metro online (QR ticket)
Tokyo Metro's ticket page links to its online shop for both the standard and the QR version. The QR version goes to your phone, and you can buy several at once for a group.
Klook or KKday
Buy before you fly. The product page explains how you get or activate the ticket in Tokyo.
Affiliate linksUsing the ticket
- Buy the 72-hour ticket if you're in Tokyo 3 days or more It's the best value per day.
- Start it on your first busy subway day The 24, 48 or 72 hours run from your first ride, so don't start it on the evening you land.
- Go through the gate Paper tickets go in the ticket slot. For the QR version, follow the instructions that come with your purchase.
- Show it for CHIKA TOKU discounts Tokyo Metro's CHIKA TOKU programme gives discounts at some attractions when you show the ticket.Route apps need data. A Japan eSIM is set up before you fly.Japan eSIM on Klook ↗
What if…?
…I live in Japan?
Japan residents can buy it only if they live outside Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma and Yamanashi.
…my train continues onto a JR or private line?
The ticket covers only Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines, so you pay separately for the part beyond them. Ask station staff at the exit gate if you're unsure how much.
…I'd rather have one card for everything?
A Suica works on JR, subway and buses. Compare in IC card or pass?
Other Tokyo passes
What we checked
Tokyo Metro's English Tokyo Subway Ticket page: prices for 24, 48 and 72 hours, lines covered, when the time starts, who can buy it, the QR version and CHIKA TOKU.
Tokyo Metro's English fare page: the shortest adult fare (1–6 km) is ¥180 by ticket and ¥178 by IC card.
Tokyo Metro's ticket page lists only online sales (standard and QR versions), so we don't list in-person sales points here.
Planning your Tokyo days?
Group sights by subway line and the 72-hour ticket pays for itself quickly.
Affiliate link