How to Get Around Tokyo

How transport works in Tokyo

Tokyo's rail network is the best in the world and also the most confusing, because it is run by several separate companies. JR East operates the Yamanote loop that connects most visitor districts; Tokyo Metro and Toei run the subways beneath it; private railways head out to the suburbs and day-trip destinations. An IC card papers over all of it — tap in, tap out, never think about operators again.

JR trains and the Tokyo Metro are punctual and inexpensive; a Suica or Pasmo IC card taps for everything. From Narita, the Skyliner reaches Ueno in about 40 minutes; Haneda is closer, ~30 minutes by monorail.

Yamanote line

The circular JR line linking Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Ueno and Ikebukuro. A full loop takes about an hour and trains run every 2–4 minutes; it is the spine of any Tokyo trip.

• Typical cost

  ¥150–210 per journey

Tokyo Metro and Toei subway

Thirteen lines reaching everything inside the loop. Note that Metro and Toei are separate operators, so a journey crossing both costs slightly more — an IC card handles it automatically.

• Typical cost

  ¥180–330 depending on distance

Private railways

Odakyu to Hakone, Tobu to Nikko, Keikyu to Haneda and Yokohama. These are how you leave the city, and most run their own discounted regional passes.

• Typical cost

  Varies; day-trip fares ¥600–2,500

Shinkansen

Departs from Tokyo and Shinagawa stations. Reserve seats in advance during Golden Week, Obon and New Year, when trains sell out days ahead.

• Typical cost

  Tokyo to Kyoto around ¥14,000 one way

Taxis

Immaculate, honest and expensive. Useful after the trains stop around 00:30 — but be aware late-night surcharges apply and there is no tipping.

• Typical cost

  From about ¥500 for the first kilometre; typical central trips ¥1,500–3,000

Passes and tickets: what's actually worth buying

Get a Suica or Pasmo IC card, or add one to your phone, and load ¥3,000–5,000. It works across every operator, on buses and in convenience stores, and it is the only ticketing most visitors need. Skip the Japan Rail Pass unless you are making at least one long shinkansen round trip — it does not cover the subways and is poor value for a Tokyo-only stay. The Tokyo Subway 24/48/72-hour ticket, sold to foreign passport holders, is worth it only if you plan four or more subway journeys a day.

Local transport tips for Tokyo

• The last trains run around 00:00–00:30 and there is no night service; missing them means an expensive taxi.

• Rush hour (07:30–09:00) on the Yamanote and Chuo lines is as crowded as its reputation — travel outside it if you can, and use the women-only carriages if they apply to you.

• Large stations like Shinjuku and Tokyo have dozens of exits; note the exit number rather than the station name when navigating to an address.

• Talking on the phone is not done on trains, and bags are worn in front in crowded carriages.

• Google Maps is fully accurate for Tokyo transit, including platform numbers and which carriage to board for the fastest exit.

Arriving from the airport

• Haneda (HND)

  Tokyo Monorail or Keikyu line to central Tokyo in ~30 min.

• Narita (NRT)

  Narita Express to Tokyo Station in ~55 min; Keisei Skyliner to Ueno in ~40 min.

Do you need a rental car?

Inside Tokyo a car is usually a liability — parking and traffic cost more than transit. A rental earns its keep for day trips and regional drives, so compare rates only for the days you actually leave the city.