Best Train and Bus Passes For Tokyo

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Photo Credit: フイルさん on PhotoAC https://www.photo-ac.com/profile/2757942

Top photo: フイルさん on PhotoAC

The Greater Tokyo Area enjoys an intricate web of rail lines and bus routes, which enables workers and students to commute to and from almost anywhere within the area. If you travel along the same route ever day, a teiki (commuter pass) is essential for saving you time and money. Best of all, you can stop off at any place along the way, so if you have a major connection point (like Shinjuku or Ikebukuro) that’s all the “free” trips to those areas you want on weekends.

If you commute to different locations throughout the week, or you’re just in the area for leisure, then perhaps a teiki is not the best option for you. Let’s explore a few alternatives.

Tokyo Metro 24-Hour Pass (¥600)

As the name implies, this pass is valid on any Tokyo Metro Line for 24 hours. You can buy it at the ticket machines near the ticket gates.

You will be guided to make several onscreen selections before the pass is issued. The first time it is inserted into a ticket gate, it will be time stamped with the expiration date and time (exactly 24 hours in the future).

Notes:

1.) Do not insert your Pasmo/Suica Card or cash into the ticket vending machine until prompted to do so; otherwise, the 24-Hour Pass  will not be listed as a purchase option.

2.) The pass must be time stamped on the same day it is purchased.

3.) The time stamp only refers to the deadline for (re-)entering the system (24 hours plus a short grace period from the initial time stamping). You can exit the train system anytime on the expiration date.

Toei Marumoto 1-Day Ticket (¥700)

This is a 1-Day ticket for regular trains and buses operated by Toei (valid until the last train/ bus of the day of purchase – even after midnight). You can buy it at any Toei Vending machine.

Photo credit: photoBさん on PhotoAC

Toei 1-Day Bus Pass (¥500)

This is a simple pass valid on Toei Buses (“Late Night Buses” are excluded) anywhere within the 23 Wards of Tokyo. You can purchase it upon boarding any Toei Bus. You may have it embedded in your Pasmo/Suica Card, or have it issued as a separate thin-plastic card.

Note:

You may not purchase this pass or charge your Pasmo/Suica card with anything larger that a ¥1,000 note and you can only charge your Pasmo/Suica card in multiples of ¥1,000. (¥1 and ¥5 coins are not accepted.)

Photo credit: さん on PhotoAC

Tokyo Metro/Toei 1-Day Train Pass (¥900)

This pass is available at any Toei or Tokyo Metro Train Station. You can use it on any subway in Tokyo. It is valid until the last train of the day of purchase – even after midnight.

All Tokyo 1-Day Pass (¥1600)

Although this pass covers all non-limited express JR trains within the 23 Wards of Tokyo, all Tokyo Metro lines, and all Toei train lines & bus routes, it is usually not the most economical choice. It is valid until the last train of the day of purchase – even after midnight.

Photo credit: uopictureさん on PhotoAC

 

Whichever pass you choose, all of them have advantages over having to purchase an individual ticket or constantly topping off your IC card. Whatever you settle on, have fun traveling around Tokyo!

Photo Credits:

Top photo: フイルさん on PhotoAC

1 – photoBさん on PhotoAC

2 – さん on PhotoAC

3 – uopictureさん on PhotoAC

All other content (text) created by the original author and © 2022 MUSUBI by Borderlink

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T. Reston

From the USA
Has been travelling around Tokyo for many years!