Tokyo Transportation Guide: Subway, JR & Airport Transfers
The cover is an illustration of urban rail travel, not a station map or a photograph identifying a particular train service.
Choose your Tokyo transport by the station nearest your destination and the operator running each part of the journey. Tokyo Metro and Toei run the subway; JR East and private railways provide other city and regional services. A Suica or PASMO can pay for many everyday journeys, but a subway pass, JR Pass and airport express ticket each have different coverage.
Start with your hotel’s nearest station and exit, then compare the number of changes, walking distance and luggage access. The route with the shortest train journey may involve a longer transfer or walk. For arrival day, leave time for immigration, baggage collection and finding the correct airport station.
Tokyo Metro, Toei and JR: which network do you need?
| Network | Useful for | Ticket check |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Metro | Nine subway lines serving many central Tokyo districts. | A Metro-only ticket covers Tokyo Metro; a Tokyo Subway Ticket covers both Metro and Toei subway lines. |
| Toei Subway | The Asakusa, Mita, Shinjuku and Oedo lines. | Check coverage when transferring between Toei and another operator. |
| JR East | City travel on lines such as the Yamanote Line, plus airport and longer-distance services. | Subway-only tickets do not cover JR trains. Limited express services may require an additional ticket or reservation. |
| Private railways and other urban lines | Airport access and journeys extending beyond the subway network. | Check the named operator and product; a through-running train can cross a pass boundary. |
For Tokyo Skytree, check Oshiage or Tokyo Skytree Station. Oshiage is served by the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line and Toei Asakusa Line, among other services. It is not an Oedo Line station. Use the station name, line letter and platform direction shown on your route, rather than choosing a line from the destination’s district alone.
The official Tokyo subway guide explains the operators and links to network maps. Our Yamanote Line guide explains the JR loop service. Compare its stops with your intended route; travelling around the loop is not automatically the quickest way across the city.
From Narita Airport to Tokyo
Narita Airport has rail access through JR and Keisei. Terminal 1 uses Narita Airport Station; Terminals 2 and 3 use Airport Terminal 2 Station. Terminal 3 passengers need to allow additional time to reach the station serving Terminal 2. Follow the airport’s current terminal signs and access information.
| Option | Consider it for | Before boarding |
|---|---|---|
| JR Narita Express (N’EX) | Tokyo Station and services continuing towards destinations such as Shinagawa, Shibuya or Shinjuku. | Confirm that your particular train serves your destination, and obtain the required express ticket and seat reservation. |
| Keisei Skyliner | Nippori and Keisei Ueno, including onward changes to JR at Nippori. | Check the Skyliner ticket and departure. Keisei Ueno and JR Ueno are separate stations. |
| Keisei Access Express or other Keisei services | Routes where their stops and through services suit your destination. | Read the destination display; not every departure follows the same route or offers a direct journey. |
Airport buses can be useful when a current route stops close to your accommodation. Compare the exact terminal, stop, departure, baggage allowance and total fare. Traffic can affect journey times, while trains can also be disrupted. Check the airport’s official rail access page and the operator’s current timetable before selecting a departure.
From Haneda Airport to Tokyo
Haneda’s main rail choices are the Keikyu Line and Tokyo Monorail. Keikyu is useful for Shinagawa and onward connections; the monorail connects with JR at Hamamatsucho. Choose according to your destination, terminal and any changes required.
Haneda’s official train and monorail guide lists approximate times to individual stations. These estimates are not a promise of reaching every Tokyo hotel in 20–30 minutes: your terminal, waiting time, changes and final walk all matter. For a late arrival, check the last usable connection through to your destination, not just the last departure from the airport.
If you are continuing to the Tokaido Shinkansen, consult our Shinagawa Shinkansen guide and allow time to locate the correct gates and satisfy your ticket’s boarding or collection requirements.
Suica, PASMO and passes: compare coverage first
Suica and PASMO are rechargeable IC cards accepted for many local trains, subways and buses. They are convenient payment methods, not unlimited travel passes. Check your balance and the operator’s accepted payment method. An ordinary IC-card balance alone does not replace a required limited express or Shinkansen ticket.
- Tokyo Metro 24-Hour Ticket: a Metro-only product. Do not assume it covers Toei or JR.
- Tokyo Subway Ticket: available in 24-, 48- and 72-hour versions for Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway. JR, airport rail sections outside those networks and other operators require separate consideration.
- Nationwide or regional JR passes: compare your actual eligible journeys with individual tickets, and check the exact pass conditions. A JR pass is not automatically good value for a Tokyo city stay.
Count only journeys covered by the product when comparing costs. Check eligibility, where it can be bought, activation and validity rules in the official Tokyo ticket and IC-card guide. A train running directly onto another company’s track does not make the whole journey included in your pass.
A practical plan for station changes and luggage
- Save your destination’s station name, line and exit before leaving.
- Check the service type and destination display; rapid or express trains may skip stops.
- Allow time for a change between operators, especially when you must leave one ticket gate and enter another.
- Use station maps to find lifts when carrying luggage. Walking routes and lift access can differ from the shortest stair route.
- Read live disruption notices and follow staff instructions. A route planner’s arrival estimate is not a guarantee.
For travel beyond Tokyo, compare the actual date, stations, seat options and ticket conditions on our Tokyo to Kyoto or Tokyo to Shin-Osaka route pages. Keep airport arrival and city-transfer time separate from the Shinkansen journey.
Sources and scope
Transport and ticket coverage was checked on 12 October 2026 against GO TOKYO, Narita Airport and Haneda Airport information linked above, including the official Skytree area guide. Fares, timetables, availability and operational arrangements should be checked for your travel date. This guide does not establish that a particular airport product is sold by JapanTrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway?
They are separate subway operators. Tokyo Metro operates nine lines, while Toei operates the Asakusa, Mita, Shinjuku and Oedo lines. A Tokyo Subway Ticket covers both subway networks, but a Tokyo Metro-only ticket does not cover Toei. Check the ticket’s exact validity before travelling.
Can I use the Japan Rail Pass on the Tokyo Metro?
No. The nationwide Japan Rail Pass does not cover Tokyo Metro or Toei Subway. Use an appropriate subway ticket or accepted payment method for those journeys, and check the pass conditions separately for eligible JR services.
What are Suica and Pasmo cards?
Suica and PASMO are rechargeable IC cards used to pay for many local train, subway and bus journeys. They are not unlimited travel passes. Check the operator’s acceptance and obtain any additional ticket or reservation required for an express service.
Which train should I take from Narita Airport?
Compare the stations served by your departure. Narita Express can suit Tokyo Station and services continuing towards Shinagawa, Shibuya or Shinjuku; Skyliner serves Nippori and Keisei Ueno. Other Keisei services may suit different destinations. Include changes and the walk to your accommodation in the comparison.
How do I travel from Haneda Airport to central Tokyo?
Compare the Keikyu Line via Shinagawa with the Tokyo Monorail via Hamamatsucho and their onward connections. The better route depends on your airport terminal and destination. Check the operating hours and leave time for any transfer and final walk.
Does the Oedo Line stop at Oshiage for Tokyo Skytree?
No. Oshiage is served by the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line and Toei Asakusa Line, among other services. Tokyo Skytree Station is another access option. Choose a route to the correct station and check the exit for your destination.
Is a Tokyo subway pass cheaper than using an IC card?
It depends on how many covered journeys you will take during its validity. Compare those individual fares with the current pass price. Journeys on JR or other networks outside the pass coverage can still require separate payment.
Does an IC card alone cover an airport express or Shinkansen?
Do not assume so. An ordinary stored-value IC balance does not replace a required express ticket, seat reservation or Shinkansen ticket. Follow the conditions of the exact product you buy, including any supported IC linking or ticket collection process.