Tokyo Metro Pass: Which One to Buy & How It Works

The Tokyo Metro Pass is a discount ticket that gives unlimited rides on the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines for 24, 48, or 72 hours from first use. You buy it at a station ticket office or tourist counter, insert it into the ticket gate, and ride as many times as you like within the time window. This article explains the pass options, how to choose between them, and what to know before you travel.

What the Tokyo Metro Pass Covers

The pass is valid on two subway networks that together cover central Tokyo: Tokyo Metro (9 lines) and Toei Subway (4 lines). It does not cover JR lines (like the Yamanote Line), private railways (like Odakyu or Keikyu), or the Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit (Rinkai Line). You can use it on all Tokyo Metro and Toei stations, including those outside the 23 wards, such as Nakano and Shinjuku on the Toei Oedo Line.

If you stay within the subway network, the pass is a flat fee. A single Tokyo Metro ride starts at 180 yen, so you need roughly 3 rides per day to break even. The 24-hour pass costs 800 yen for adults, 400 yen for children. The 48-hour pass is 1,200 yen (600 for children), and the 72-hour pass is 1,500 yen (750 for children). These prices have been stable since 2023, but always check the official Tokyo Metro site for updates.

How the Time Window Works

The pass is not a calendar-day ticket. It activates the moment you first insert it into a ticket gate. If you start at 2:00 PM on Monday, the 24-hour pass expires at 2:00 PM on Tuesday. The 48-hour and 72-hour versions work the same way, with the expiry time printed on the back of the card.

Important: you cannot buy a pass that starts at a future time. The clock starts at first use, not at purchase. If you buy it at 10:00 AM but don’t ride until noon, the pass begins at noon. This makes it easy to plan around a late start or an early morning departure.

How to Buy the Pass

You can purchase the pass at major stations, including:

• Tokyo Metro ticket offices at stations like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and Ueno
• Toei Subway ticket offices at stations like Shinjuku, Daimon, and Asakusa
• Tourist information centers, including the one at Haneda Airport (Terminal 3) and Narita Airport (Terminal 1 and 2)
• Some hotels and travel agencies in Tokyo

You do not need a passport to buy it, but you do need to show one if you want the special “Tokyo Subway Ticket” sold at airports, which is sometimes cheaper for tourists. The standard Tokyo Metro Pass is available to anyone, resident or visitor, without ID.

At ticket offices, simply say “Tokyo Metro Pass” and show the number of hours (24, 48, or 72). Payment is in cash or credit card. Some machines sell the pass, but not all. If you struggle, go to the staffed ticket office—every major station has one.

How to Use the Pass at Gates

Using the pass is identical to a single-ride ticket: insert it into the ticket gate, walk through, and collect it on the other side. The gate reads the card and prints the expiry time on the back. You do not need to tap it like an IC card; it is a magnetic ticket, not a contactless card.

When transferring between Tokyo Metro and Toei lines, you must exit the gate and re-enter. The pass handles this automatically—you don’t need to do anything special. Just insert the pass at the exit gate of the first line, then insert it again at the entrance of the second line. The pass counts the total time from first use, not from each entry.

If you accidentally insert the pass into a JR gate, it will be rejected. Keep it separate from your Suica or Pasmo card. If you lose the pass, it is not replaceable. Treat it like cash.

Choosing Between the Pass and an IC Card

The main alternative is a rechargeable IC card like Suica or Pasmo. These cards work on all trains, subways, and buses in Tokyo, plus convenience stores. The IC card charges per ride, with no time limit. You load money and tap on and off.

Which is better depends on your itinerary:

• If you take 3 or more subway rides in a day, the pass is cheaper.
• If you mostly ride JR lines (like the Yamanote), an IC card is better because the pass doesn’t cover JR.
• If you stay for more than 3 days and ride heavily, consider buying two 72-hour passes, but check if your daily rides actually exceed the break-even point.
• If you only take 1-2 rides per day, an IC card is more economical.

For example, a typical tourist day might involve: hotel to Senso-ji (Toei Asakusa Line), then to Shibuya (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line), then back to Shinjuku (Toei Oedo Line). That’s 3 rides, roughly 540 yen. The pass costs 800 yen for 24 hours, so you’d save 260 yen. If you add a fourth ride, you save even more.

Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting

The most common mistake is assuming the pass covers JR. It does not. If you try to use it at a JR gate, the gate will reject it and you’ll have to buy a separate ticket. Another mistake is forgetting that the pass expires at a specific time, not at midnight. If you start at 9:00 PM, you have until 9:00 PM the next day—not until the end of that calendar day.

If the gate doesn’t accept your pass, check the expiry time printed on the back. If it’s expired, you need to buy a single ticket. If it’s not expired, try a different gate—rarely, a magnetic stripe gets demagnetized. Staff at the ticket office can exchange a damaged pass for a new one if you still have the receipt.

Another issue: the pass is a paper ticket, so it can get bent or wet. Keep it in a plastic sleeve or wallet. Do not fold it. If it becomes unreadable, you may be charged for a new pass.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tokyo Metro Pass worth it for a 2-day trip?

If you plan to take at least 6 subway rides over two days, yes. The 48-hour pass costs 1,200 yen, while 6 single rides would cost at least 1,080 yen, and likely more if you travel longer distances. For most tourists who stay in central Tokyo and visit 2-3 attractions per day, the pass pays off.

Can I use the Tokyo Metro Pass on the Yamanote Line?

No. The Yamanote Line is operated by JR East, not Tokyo Metro or Toei. You need a separate JR ticket or an IC card. Many tourists make this mistake and get stuck at the gate. Always check the line operator before boarding.

Can I buy the pass at the airport?

Yes. At Haneda Airport Terminal 3, you can buy it at the Tokyo Tourist Information Center. At Narita Airport, both Terminal 1 and 2 have tourist information counters that sell it. However, the airport version is often the “Tokyo Subway Ticket” which is the same thing but may require a passport. The standard pass is available at any Tokyo Metro or Toei station ticket office.

What happens if my pass expires while I’m on a train?

If the pass expires before you exit the gate, you must pay the difference. At the exit gate, insert the expired pass—it will be rejected. Go to the staffed ticket window and pay the fare from the station where you boarded to your exit. The staff will calculate the fare and you pay in cash. This rarely happens if you check the expiry time before boarding.

Can I use the pass on buses?

No. The Tokyo Metro Pass is only for subway lines. Toei buses and Tokyo Metro’s own bus routes (which are limited) are not included. If you plan to take buses, you need an IC card or a separate bus pass.

Is there a child version of the pass?

Yes. Children aged 6-12 pay half price: 400 yen for 24 hours, 600 for 48, and 750 for 72. Children under 6 ride free when accompanied by an adult, but only one child per adult. If you have two young children, you may need to buy a child pass for the second one.

Final Tips for Getting the Most Value

To maximize the pass, plan your day around subway rides. Start early, because the clock starts at first use. If you have a morning flight, buy the pass the day before and start it at the airport station—that way you use it for a full 24 hours. If you’re staying near a JR station, consider whether you’ll use JR more than subway. For most tourists, the Tokyo Metro Pass is a solid deal, but it’s not a universal solution. Always compare with an IC card for your specific itinerary.

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