TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY: The Tokyo Metro (Unlimited) Subway Ticket

If you’re worried about how much you’ll have to spend on train rides or how much getting around in Tokyo will cost you, then consider buying the Tokyo Metro Subway Ticket.

How to travel in Tokyo

WHAT IS IT?

The Tokyo Metro Subway Ticket is basically a one-day / two-day / three-day pass that allows you

UNLIMITED rides on all trains running on Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines.

Adult Child

24-hour pass: ¥800 ¥400

48-hour pass: ¥1,200 (¥600/day) ¥600

72-hour pass: ¥1,500 (¥500/day) ¥750

Note #1:

For easy computation of how much this costs in PHP, just stick to an exchange rate of ¥1 = P.50 (DIVIDE the amount in YEN by two to get its equivalent in Philippine peso).

Note #2:

Even if you were to buy your card on May 1, the clock doesn’t start “ticking” until the moment you actually use it.

Note #3:

When they say 24-hour validity, they literally mean 24 hours.

So strictly speaking, a 24-hour pass isn’t actually a one-day pass.

If you used the card on May 1, it doesn’t mean it will automatically expire on May 2, 00:00:01 AM.

RATHER, if you used your 24-hour card on May 1, 13:05:59 PM, then you get to use it countless number of times UNTIL May 2, 13:05:58 PM.

SO…DO YOU BUY IT THEN?

This depends largely on your itinerary. If you’re the type to take it (very) easy when traveling, and you only visit one or two attractions per day, it will most likely be cheaper to pay the actual fare.

If, however, you like to make the most out of each day of your trip (i.e. leave early, come back late), then you’ll most likely save a good amount of money with this pass.

Sample Itinerary:

• Shinjuku (your home away from home) to Meiji-jingumae (Meiji Shrine): 133 to 165 yen
• Meiji-jingumae to Shibuya (Hachiko, Mega Donki): 133 to 165 yen
• Shibuya to Ueno (Ueno Zoo / Ueno Park): 194 to 195 yen
• Ueno to Akihabara (Electric Town):133 to 165 yen
• Akihabara to Shinjuku (home!):165 to 220 yen

Total for the day: ¥758 to ¥910 yen

Also Read: Japan Travel: Autumn or Winter Multi-City Itinerary for Filipinos

How to Travel Around Tokyo Cheap

Note 1:

The reason why there’s a price range for each route is because the “cheaper” route consists mostly / exclusively of JR trains (your Tokyo Metro Subway is absolutely, definitely NOT valid on ANY JR train) while the more “expensive” route consists of Tokyo Metro trains (they’re normally newer and nicer / more comfy than JR trains). Quick FYI: JR or Japan Railway trains are owned by the Japanese government.

Note 2:

If you bought a 24-hour card, then obviously, you end up saving ¥42 or P21 if you simply paid for the actual fare (¥758) as compared to the ¥800 the 24-hour pass would cost you.

HOWEVER…

What if you purchased the 48-hour card? It’s equivalent to ¥600/day, which means…

 ¥758 total cost of transportation for the day

- ¥600 daily cost of a 48-hour card

=======

 ¥158 MINIMUM saved or P79 per person.

If you purchased the 72-hour card, your minimum saving per person (¥758 - ¥500) is ¥258 or P129 per person.

This may not seem much at first glance, but trust me, it definitely adds up and especially when you’re traveling with your family or you’ve planned a weeklong stay in Tokyo.

Note 3:

The train system in Tokyo is quite complex, and it’s not unheard of for first-time travelers to get confused as to which train to use. With an unlimited pass like the Tokyo Metro Subway Ticket, you can afford to make mistakes, and it won’t cost you a single peso.

Note 4:

You DON’T have to worry about boarding any train / entering a station that’s not covered by your pass. It’s IMPOSSIBLE to do so since your unli pass will only go through ticket gates operated by Tokyo Metro / Toei Subway.

Note 5:

What is possible, however, is for you to accidentally get off a station that is NOT covered by your pass. You’ll know this is the case IF the ticket gate at the exit doesn’t let you go through with your pass.

If this does happen, there’s no need to panic. Such mistakes are normal, and all you need to do is to just get back on the next train and make sure you get off at the correct station on your second try. ☺

BUT WAIT…THERE’S MORE! (I’ve always wanted to use this line =D)

Enjoy discounts and freebies with the CHIKA TOKU service simply by showing your Tokyo Metro Subway Ticket.

VERDICT:

Buy this pass…then come up with an itinerary that will take full advantage of your unli pass!

Hope this helps and please click here if you want to know more about the Tokyo Metro Subway Ticket. Feel free to comment below for any questions.

P.S. Next time, I’ll be talking about how and where you can buy the Tokyo Metro Subway Ticket.