Comparison of affordable unlimited train ride tickets available in Tokyo & tips on how to choose them!

Tokyo has many railway lines such as JR, subways, and private railways. Especially within the 23 wards of Tokyo, you can easily access anywhere by train. Since you've taken the trouble to visit Japan, you'd want to thoroughly and economically explore the city, wouldn't you?

For such times, we recommend transportation Free Passes. Various transportation Free Passes are sold by each railway company, and many people may be confused about which pass to buy. Therefore, in this article, we will carefully select and introduce convenient and economical transportation Free Passes for those who want to access Tokyo and its suburbs.

※The products and their prices (including tax) introduced in this article are all as of August 2023. The content may have changed, so please check the official website for details.
※The prices are all per adult. For children's prices, please refer to the official website.

Explaining Tokyo's Railways: What's the difference between "JR", "Subways", and "Private Railways"?

The railway network in Tokyo is well-developed, mainly operated by "JR East", "Subways", and "Private Railways". There are many lines for each, and it's very complex. Therefore, I will explain the differences below.

What is JR (JR East)?

Short for "Japan Railway". It was originally based on the national railways, but in 1987 it was divided and privatized into JR Hokkaido, JR East, JR Central, JR Kyushu, etc. Among them, JR East operates in parts of the Tohoku region, Kanto region, Nagano Prefecture, and Niigata Prefecture.

In Tokyo and its surrounding areas, there are many lines in operation, such as the "JR Chuo Line" used when going to Mt. Takao, the "JR Keiyo Line" ridden when accessing Tokyo Disney Resort from Tokyo Station, and the "JR Keihin Tohoku Line" used when going to Kamakura. Among them, the "JR Yamanote Line" is a major line that passes almost all terminal stations in the city, such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Ueno, Akihabara, and Tokyo. It circles the central part of the city, connecting major transportation hubs.

What are the Subways (Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway)?

Centered in the city, Tokyo Metro operates a total of 9 lines: the Hibiya Line, Ginza Line, Marunouchi Line, Tozai Line, Nanboku Line, Yurakucho Line, Chiyoda Line, Hanzomon Line, and Fukutoshin Line, covering almost all of the city center. Some stations are so close together that you can walk to the next station in a short distance. Depending on the line and time of day, there may be many stops, so it may take longer than JR and other lines. There are many exits at Tokyo Metro stations, and you need to climb up from the underground platform to the exit by elevator or stairs, which can sometimes be confusing. On the platform, there is always a sign indicating which exit to use according to your destination, so check the sign and confirm your exit.

In addition to the Tokyo Metro, there is also the "Toei Subway" operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation, which runs through the city. It operates four lines: the Asakusa Line, Mita Line, Shinjuku Line, and Oedo Line.

What is a Private Railway?

These are railways operated by private companies. This includes "Odakyu Electric Railway", "Keio Electric Railway", "Keikyu Electric Railway", "Keisei Electric Railway", "Seibu Railway", "Tokyu Electric Railway", "Tobu Railway", "Metropolitan Intercity Railway (Tsukuba Express)", and others. In addition, there is the "Tokyo Monorail" that runs back and forth between Haneda Airport and Hamamatsucho, the "New Transit Yurikamome" and "Tokyo Waterfront Rapid Transit (Rinkai Line)" which are convenient for access to the Odaiba area, and the "Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line)", the only streetcar in Tokyo that connects Waseda Station and Minowabashi Station.

Reasons to Buy an Unlimited Ride Free Pass & Points to Note

A transportation Free Pass is a ticket pass that allows you to get on and off within a certain section. Also, depending on the pass, there may be benefits such as discounts at facilities like museums. It is recommended to purchase on a day when you say, "Today, I will do a lot of sightseeing in Tokyo" because you can get on and off freely for a fixed period.

💡Benefits of a Free Pass

• If you calculate how many times you need to ride to get your money's worth before purchasing, it's even more economical.
• One of the advantages is that it's convenient because you don't need to charge a transportation pass or buy a ticket each time as long as you have a pass.

We have summarized what to be careful about when purchasing.

💡Free Pass Purchase TIPS

• Valid Section: Before purchasing, make sure you understand all the routes, stations, and number of times you will ride according to your one-day plan, such as where you are going and what lines you will take. Also, depending on the free pass, there may be regulations such as "You cannot specify a reserved seat" and "You cannot ride a limited express train", so please check before purchase.
• Validity Period: Even if it's a one-day ticket, the value for money can change depending on whether it counts 24 hours from the first time you pass through the ticket gate, whether it's during the specified date (until 23:59), or whether it's until the last train of the day (including late night train). Make sure to check the definition of a one-day ticket. The same applies to two-day tickets, whether it's for two days or 48 hours from the first time you pass through the ticket gate. Also, in some cases, you may not be able to purchase in advance and it may only be valid on the day of purchase.
• Purchase Location: Depending on the free pass, it may not be sold at the nearest station counter and the purchase location may be limited. There are also free passes exclusively for foreign tourists. For more details, please check the official website of each ticket.

I want to buy a free pass for unlimited rides in Tokyo's wards! But which one should I buy? Find out immediately with this comparison chart!

If you're sightseeing in Tokyo, use a transportation pass that allows unlimited rides on designated railways according to your destination! The following free passes are convenient and recommended. There are free passes that only cover the railway company's own lines, and others that can be used on other lines as well.

💡Comparison chart at a glance

※By presenting your ticket, you can receive discounts and special offers at over 230 facilities and stores along the Toei Transportation and Tokyo Metro lines. This is a great service called "Chikatoku" that can be used at a wide range of facilities such as gourmet, shopping, hotels, entertainment, museums, etc. (One-day tram tickets added to PASMO and Suica are not eligible)
For more information about "Chikatoku", please visit: https://chikatoku.enjoytokyo.jp/en/ (English)

1. Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass

• Japanese Name: 都区内パス
• Ticket Overview: A transportation pass that allows unlimited rides on regular trains (including rapid trains) within the 23 wards of Tokyo.
• Official Website: https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pass/tokunai_pass.html (English)

2. Tokyo Metro 24-hour Ticket

• Japanese Name: 東京メトロ24時間券
• Ticket Overview: From the start of use, all 9 lines of the Tokyo Metro are free to get on and off for 24 hours. If you get on and off at the initial fare section of the Tokyo Metro line (1~6km), it is a good deal if you ride more than 4 times.
• Official Website: https://www.tokyometro.jp/lang_en/ticket/value/1day/index.html (English)

3. Toei 1Day Pass

• Japanese Name: 都営まるごときっぷ
• Ticket Overview: Unlimited rides for one day on the Toei Subway, Toei Bus, Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line), and Nippori-Toneri Liner. An additional fare is required for night buses.
• Official Website: https://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/tickets/#tickets02 (English)

4. 1Day Ticket for Toei Subway and Tokyo Metro

• Japanese Name: 東京メトロ・都営地下鉄共通一日乗車券
• Ticket Overview: Unlimited rides on all lines of the Toei Subway and Tokyo Metro.
• Official Website: https://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/tickets/#tickets04 (English)

5. Tokyo Subway Ticket

• Ticket Overview: A transportation pass that allows you to use all lines of the Tokyo Metro and all lines of the Toei Subway (about 280 stations mainly in the 23 wards of Tokyo). You can choose from 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour tickets, so you can visit almost all popular spots in Tokyo. It is a good deal if you get on and off more than 5 times in 24 hours, more than 7 times in 48 hours, and more than 9 times in 72 hours.
• Official Website: https://www.tokyometro.jp/tst/en/index.html (English)

6. Tokyo 1-Day Ticket

• Japanese Name: 東京フリーきっぷ（1日乗車券）
• Ticket Overview: Unlimited rides on regular trains (including rapid trains) within the 23 wards of Tokyo, subways (all lines of Tokyo Metro, all lines of Toei Subway), Nippori-Toneri Liner, Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line), and all lines of Toei Bus (excluding night buses and seat-reserved buses).
• Official Website: https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pass/tokyo_free.html (English)

Free Pass Set from the Airport to Tokyo City

In addition to the free passes introduced above, there are also transportation passes that include a one-day free pass from Haneda Airport or Narita Airport to Tokyo city. It is recommended for those who arrive in Japan on early morning or any morning flights and want to start sightseeing in Tokyo on the same day.

In case of Haneda Airport

※～: Round trip, →: One way
★In the case of the Tokyo Subway Ticket 24 hours, one one-way limousine bus ticket is included, but in the case of the Tokyo Subway Ticket 48 hours or 72 hours, two one-way limousine bus tickets are included.