How do you get around Tokyo: trains, subways, and airport transfers explained

Getting Around Tokyo

Tokyo is built around its railways, and which line you take depends on where you're headed. The JR Yamanote Line loops through the major hub districts like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, and Ueno, making it the default choice for long crosstown hops. For anything off that loop, you'll switch to Tokyo Metro or Toei Subway lines, which cover the denser inner neighborhoods.

Metro vs. Toei: the transfer catch

Tokyo Metro and Toei are separately run companies, not one unified subway. Journeys that cross between them are charged as two separate fares rather than one continuous trip, so a route that looks like a simple transfer on the map can cost more than expected. Check whether your route stays on one operator before assuming a quick change is free.

Passes worth considering

An IC card (Suica or Pasmo) works across JR, Metro, Toei, and most buses, and is the simplest option for short stays. Multi-day subway passes covering Metro and Toei together can be worth it if you're based in the older downtown districts and riding often, but they don't include JR lines like the Yamanote, so travelers staying near JR hubs may get little value from them.

Airport to city

Haneda (HND) sits closest to central Tokyo; monorail or train links into the city are quick and simple, with limos and taxis also practical given the shorter distance. Narita (NRT) is much further out; direct trains such as the Narita Express or Skyliner are the most reliable way in, while a taxi from Narita takes considerably longer and costs more than most travelers expect.

Practical notes

• Weekday rush periods, especially the morning commute, bring serious crowding on central Yamanote and Metro segments — avoid these with luggage if you can.
• Trains stop running late at night; missing the last one usually means a taxi, so check schedules before a late outing.
• Stations vary in accessibility — major hubs have elevators, but older or smaller stations may not, and transfers can involve long underground walks.
• Coin lockers are common in bigger stations but fill up fast, so plan luggage drop-off if you're switching areas mid-day.