public transport in tokyopublic transport in tokyo

For Tokyo Metro Pass users, again you should plan to stay in accommodation which is close to either a Metro or Subway Station to enable you to get maximum value out of your pass. 11 different train companies offer public transportation in Tokyo and each company sells its own tickets which are usually only valid on their own trains.. Two different companies operate the metro network and here too you cannot use tickets from one company to transfer to the trains of the . All rights reserved. Public transport in Japan - statistics & facts | Statista Also note that use on limited express services is not included so you may have to pay a surcharge when using those services. Some train operators offer combined bus/train tickets; special fares apply for children, seniors and the disabled. A bonus: you can add value to it via credit card on your phone, using Apple Pay or the equivalent. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. We used the Metro and Subway extensively on our recent visit to Japan and were pleased with their amenities and speed of travel. You can always hire a private car service to charter you around Tokyo without having to take public transportation. Additionally, it connects to other rail networks around the country,. They are extremely convenient as it can reach long distances with such a short matter of time compared to other means of transportation. While not as cheap as other countries the system is (almost) always on time, and will get you where you need to go. In Tokyo the main JR lines you will use as a tourist are as follows: Click here to check out how to purchase your Japan Rail Pass through Klook. Eating or drinking on the train is generally frowned upon, as is talking on your cell phone. The Monorail is included in your Japan Rail Pass. You can buy a Suica in most major stations, but note that you need to pay cash for it. The transport network in Greater Tokyo includes public and private rail and highway networks; airports for international, domestic, and general aviation; buses; motorcycle delivery services, walking, bicycling, and commercial shipping. This might sound pretty complicated, but the system works as one seamless whole. The Ultimate Guide to Tokyo Transport for Tourists - Pretraveller The public transport system in Tokyo is praised for its frequent services and on-time departures. You can consider purchasing a Suica card and PASOMO card. Rail is the primary mode of transport in Tokyo. So, you may be wondering what are the available transportation and whether the public transportation system in Tokyo is easy or complicated? Don't try to rush past other people as soon as the doors open. Transport in Japan - Wikipedia The Narita Express train runs express to Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, Shibuya Station, Shinagawa Station, Ikebukuro Station or Yokohama Station, and is a convenient option to travel if you are staying in those locations. Now Tokyo has one tram line and one light rail line. Click here to check out accommodation options through, Ikebukuro Station. If you have a large group with many luggages, you can also consider a private transfer. (If you do miss the last train, the first usually start running shortly after 0500, so time for an all-night karaoke session, napping in a manga caf, or even heading to a capsule hotel or business hotel.). (Currently unavailable.) There are 30 operators running 121 passenger rail lines (102 serving Tokyo and 19 more serving Greater Tokyo but not Tokyo's city center itself), excluding about 12 cable cars. Airport limousine buses run between Haneda and various points in Tokyo. Alternatively you can pre-order a Suica Card through Klook and collect it at a Tokyo airport on arrival and get a discount on price. You get a starting amount of credit with each card, and you can then top up the credit (using cash) at any train station as you travel. Here you can download the Tokyo Metro subway map. In Tokyo the main Subway and Metro lines you will use as a tourist are as follows: You can purchase your Subway Pass Tokyo either on arrival at either Narita or Haneda Airport, however you can also pre-order your pass through Klook at the below link. You can use the one IC card for your whole visit to Japan as they will work in other cities and towns. Copyright Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau. If you're transferring between train lines and you pass through a ticket gate, after you insert your ticket, don't forget to collect it on the other side of the gate. The most common local transport cards are the Suica and Pasmo cards (or IC cards) which can be purchased in Tokyo - note that they each work the same but are issued by two different train companies! Its pretty handy, and for most travellers its the best way to get around. While the nexus is in the central part of Tokyo, every part of the Greater Tokyo Area has rail or road transport services. In order to view this website correctly, you will need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. To prove this point further, Tokyo has just been ranked as one of the worlds best public transport systems in this years Oliver Wyman Forum Urban Mobility Readiness Index. Private automobiles and motorcycles play a secondary role in urban transport. They will guide you and make your trip not only more convenient but also more interesting. A great alternative private transfer option enables various options of up to 16 passengers and luggage to be transported to the 23 wards of Tokyo including Tokyo Disneyland. In addition, the Greater Tokyo area has military bases with airfields: There is also a limited number of helicopter transport services in Tokyo, with one service linking Narita airport with central Tokyo.[3]. Suburban rail operations and subway lines are highly integrated. It goes to Shinagawa Station direct, and from there you can catch other lines to get around Tokyo. Line up to board the train at the designated spots. Additionally, Tokyo ranks 15th overall for urban mobility readiness and 11th for sustainable mobility. Here's everything you need to know about this ultra convenient travel pass. Explore some of the lesser known areas of Tokyo and beyond by riding on local railways. Each person in your group needs a separate pass. People moving around the city on business often choose taxis for convenience, as do people setting out in small groups. This service enables groups of 1-6 or 7-9 passengers to be accommodated. Tokyo Toden, Tokyo's tram network, previously boasted 41 routes with 213 kilometers of track. In order to view this website correctly, you will need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. I can confirm that once your child turns 12 years old that these cards are no longer usable and you need to purchase adult IC cards. Tips for Using You can learn more about the details like prices, where to find them, the benefits of hiring a car service in Tokyo by clicking here. The website offers many qualified tour guides options in Tokyo and other areas of Japan from which you can choose according to your needs and preferences. For a few months, the pandemic significantly reduced ridership across public transport networks (including trains or buses) due to fear of infection. It charges 410 for every kilometer after that. In our experience the IC cards are the easiest option to use on transport across Japan as they can be used on almost every form of public transport including trains buses, trams and ferries, with the exception of the shinkansen bullet trains. The urban rail system in Tokyo is not a single unified network, instead consisting of many separately owned and operated systems with varying degrees of interconnectivity. This option is great to just relax and let your driver take you direct to your accommodation. Getting Around Tokyo - Truly Tokyo If you don't have a smart card, you can of course purchase a paper ticket. Frequent and high capacity suburban trains from the suburbs commonly continue directly into the subway network to serve central Tokyo, often emerging on the other side of the city to serve another company's surface suburban lines, behaving like a S-train network. You have the Metro Maranouchi Line, the Japan Rail (JR) Yamanote Line, the JR Keiyo line and also the Japan Rail Shinkansen Station for intercity travel. Tokyo Metropolitan Government recently announced construction of a new subway line connecting Tokyo Station with the Tokyo Bay waterfront. It is easy to know the station number for the subway line of your desired station. There are numerous koban (mini police stations) all over Tokyo to help you and Japanese people are generally very helpful, so ask around for directions or what transportation you should ride to easily reach your destinations. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Japan has a nationwide network of tap-to-pay cards that are largely interchangeable between cities, and Tokyos JR version is called the Suica, while the private railways offer the Pasmo. [1] Just charge it with however much money you want, and board your train or bus of choice by tapping it on the ticket gate or stand. They can be overwhelming and confusing at times. The Tokyo Monorail travel direct from Haneda Station to Hamamatsucho Station, and from there you can transfer to either the JR Yamanote Line or other lines to get around Tokyo. Tokyo Metro will commence a service through which QR codes can be used to issue "Tokyo Subway Tickets" at ticket vending machines for travelers! The exception is the Tokyo Monorail to and from Haneda Airport, so my trick if I have luggage is often to combine that with a taxi to my destination from Hamamatsucho, the monorail terminus in central Tokyo. Click here to see a detailed map of what is included please note however that this pass cannot be used on JR lines they are shown on the map and greyed out to indicate that they are not included. It can also be useful when you have too many luggage and dont want to trouble yourself carrying your luggage around or if you didnt make the last train. Despite the sprawling city it is, people get by everyday quick and easy. (These machines offer English guidancelook for the "English" button.) Although the train can seem complicated its actually easy once you get used to it. Below are our recommended stations for both pass options, you can also stay closer to the smaller stations on each line. Last Updated April 8th, 2020 Tokyo has almost 14 million residents, so taking public transportation in Tokyo, Japan is the best way to get around the city. Klook Collection Counter at Narita Airport near Tokyo Getting Around Tokyo Tokyo Train Passes Suica and Pasmo Local Public Transport Cards. Click here to check out accommodation options through, Tokyo Disney Resort (JR Pass Only)/Maihama Station. We got seriously caught out by this issue on our first visit to Japan! Greater Tokyo is little different from the rest of Japan in regarding other modes of transport. By Robert Schrader Updated on 06/26/19 AaronChenPs / Getty Images The world's busiest underground transportation system, Tokyo's metro network facilitates 8.7 million rides per day on 13 lines of two operators: Tokyo Metro and the Toei Subway. Read on! There are still many more advantages you can get by hiring a private guide, you can check what they are by. Be conscious of your space. Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation operates Toei buses mainly within the 23 special wards while private bus companies (mostly the subsidiaries of the large train operators listed above) operate other bus routes, as do other city governments, such as Kawasaki City Bus, Yokohama City Bus, etc. If you are only traveling within the city center, we recommend using the subways, which have constant schedule. Tokyo's public transport system consists of a massive rail network, suburban trains, subways, buses, trams and monorails. Click here to check out accommodation options through, Asakusa Station (Metro and Subway Pass only). It is easy to know the number of stations until your desired or transfer station. Station numbers are circled with a color that represents the subway line. If there's one city in the world where private transport is slower and less comfortable than public transport, that city is Tokyo. Check out the link below to see further details. Tokyo Station. [1] There are 0.24 commuter rail stations per square kilometer (0.61/sqmi) in the Tokyo area, or one for each 4.1 square kilometers (1.6sqmi) of developed land area. Each person in your group needs a separate pass. Click here to check out accommodation options through, Ueno Station. Rather than wasting your travel time to buy tickets every time you want to take the train, opt for a prepaid card. Klook offers a great range of Street Go Karting experience in Tokyo in Akihabara and Asakusa we did the Asakusa option and loved driving around Ueno Park! Tokyo Metro, Route/Station Public transport in Japan - statistics & facts The Japanese public transportation system is of crucial importance. You may like to read our detailed review of Klook at this link ?. The 10 most spectacular road trips in Japan, The 8 best destinations for an RV or camper van adventure, 17 ways to save money when visiting Japan, This scenic slow train from Nagoya to Toyama offers some of the best views in Japan. The Shuto Expressway network covers central Tokyo, linking the intercity expressways together, while primarily serving commuters and truck traffic. If you are going to be in Tokyo for even just a few days, and you plan on using public transit, consider a Suica or PASMO IC card. Subways Tokyo's subway network is operated by two entities: Toei with four lines, and Tokyo Metro with nine lines. We have used Klook, an online travel agency, to make many travel bookings over the last few years. To prove this point further, Tokyo has just been ranked as one of the worlds best public transport systems in this years, Oliver Wyman Forum Urban Mobility Readiness Index, Under the indexs public transit ranking, Tokyo comes in. If you are traveling to Tokyo, you would want to know how to travel between places, correct? Unregistered and registered PASMO cards: Is It Easy to Use Public Transportation in Tokyo? Additionally, it connects to other rail networks around the country, including the high-speed shinkansen. Through Klook you can also book many fun activities in Tokyo. The Port of Tokyo and Port of Yokohama are both major ports for Japan and Greater Tokyo. The Japanese transport network is clean, reliable, punctual and often very comfortable! I hope this article helps provide useful information for your travel in Tokyo, including the different kinds of public transportation and how totake them, travel tips, and more recommendation! For the western side of Tokyo I recommend you catch the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa Station, If you are heading to the northern or eastern side of Tokyo I recommend that you catch the Monorail. Using the public transportation in Tokyo is easy and efficient, but can be confusing especially for first-timers in Tokyo. Here are the cheapest, fastest, and easiest ways of getting there from Tokyo. (mini police stations) all over Tokyo to help you and Japanese people are generally very helpful, so ask around for directions or what transportation you should ride to easily reach your destinations. However, it can be quite expensive. Thats why Im recommending you GoWithGuide. You will probably spend the majority of your commuting time on public transports. Despite how efficient it is, it can still be overwhelming. Many modern smartphones with NFC functionality let you electronically load a Suica onto their payment wallets. The subway . Tokyo Metro subway map in English (PDF: 1.0MB). Rather than wasting your travel time to buy tickets every time you want to take the train, opt for a prepaid card. Click here to check out accommodation options through, Ginza Station (Metro and Subway Pass only). The most convenient way is to use the JR. All rights reserved. Here are the best times to come. The first thing to do is to orient yourself: what most people would think of as central Tokyo is largely within walking distance of the Yamanote Linethe circular JR line that travels around central Tokyo operated by JR East, Many if not most of the things that most first-time travellers to Tokyo want to see and do are either found on the Yamanote Line, or at most one easy connection from it. Tokyo: Public Transportation. Buses can be a useful transportation alternative to trains if you are staying outside of the immediate city center. Shinjuku Station is the busiest train station in the world by passenger throughput. Just make sure you have a no fee international credit card when you use this option as otherwise you may pay substantial additional fees! There are 0.61 commuter rail stations in the Tokyo area per square mile (one for each 1.6 square miles) of developed land area, combined with the high density connecting bus networks, Commuter rail ridership is very dense, at 6 million people per line mile annually, with the highest among automotive urban areas. Tokyo Airport Transport The dos (and don'ts!) of Tokyo public transport - Lonely Planet It is easy to know if your train is going in the desired direction. The Suica and PASMO are offered by different companies, but they are more or less the same thing, so don't worry about which one to choose. The Metro Ginza Line also mostly travels from north to south and then heads west to Shibuya, and enables easy access to Ginza Station, Shibuya Station, Ueno Station and Asakusa Station. Click here for a full list of all routes. And if you are looking for guides in other areas of Japan, you may want to click here. For tourists, transferring between multiple operators and paying several times to get to a single destination within the metro area can be quite confusing and expensive. The Greater Tokyo Pass is a special ticket that allows 3 days of unrestricted travel on all train and tram lines that are members of the Greater Tokyo Pass Council, including all Tokyo Metro lines and some bus lines. On average, past travelers have spent 3,046 per person, per day, on local transportation in Tokyo. This is a type of bus you which tickets you can buy in convenience stores, some train stations, and the airport. Otsuka is one of my favourites and comes with a bonus tram that trundles through central Tokyo, while Nippori has a lot of decent hotels and is very handy for the Keisei Skyliner fast train to Narita airport. [7] Transfers between operators are not counted unless they pass through a ticketing gate (not simply a platform). Click on the heart button in the article to add a page from this site to My Favorites. Klook has a great option for you to purchase discounted Limousine Bus tickets. The main thing is to ensure that you plan your travel route using only the Subway or Metro lines. Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. You can use trains, buses and taxis to move between the tourist areas and for a long-distance trip, you can use shinkansen and planes. Metro Pass Offices & Pass Inquiry. The first decision you need to make is whether you plan to purchase a Japan Rail Pass for your Japan trip, as this will guide your subsequent choices. Jun 15, 2020, 12:11 PM. Renewed Greater Tokyo Pass will be released on January 20th. Click here to check out and pre-order your Studio Ghibli Museum tickets through Klook. Therefore even if you purchase a JR pass you should also plan to purchase an IC card or pass to use on most other transport services in both Tokyo and across Japan. Click here to check out accommodation options through, Hamamatsucho Station. Price of Monthly ticket public transport in Tokyo - Expatistan Getting Around - Travel to Tokyo | GO TOKYO Using Public Transportation in Japan | Motto Japan Media - Japanese Public transport within Greater Tokyo is dominated by the world's most extensive urban rail network (as of May 2014, the article Tokyo rail list lists 158 lines, 48 operators, 4,714.5km of operational track and 2,210 stations [although stations are recounted for each operator]) of suburban trains and subways run by a variety of operators, with buses, trams, monorails, and other modes supporting the railway lines. There are maps to help you find the correct route for your destination. The Tokyo metro network currently has 13 lines, and transports more than 8 million people every day. Valid period. New update for travel from May 24, 2023. If you run into any trouble or get lost, you dont have to worry. There are still many more advantages you can get by hiring a private guide, you can check what they are by clicking here. Pre Departure Planning for Your Japan Trip, Kansai Region, including Kyoto, Osaka and Nara, Nagano Region, including Nagano, Matsumoto, Kanazawa, Takeyama. Your Ultimate Guide To Navigating Tokyo's Public Transport Basically we got lost in Tokyo Station and also had some other issues which you can read about in our article. Click here to check out how to purchase your Limousine Bus tickets through Klook. From buzzing cities to pristine island getaways, here's our guide to the best places to visit in Japan. The different metro, train and bus lines efficiently connect the different areas of the Japanese capital. As of December2007[update], taxis cost 710 (~$7.89 at 90/$1 USD) for the first two kilometers, and 90 for every 288 meters thereafter, or approximately 312.5 per kilometer. Consider your flight length, jet lag and arrival time before deciding which option will suit you best. With private guides, you wont need to put in so much attention to finding out the details of which train to take, which is easier and faster to reach your destination, which platform to wait at, and other details. Want to be the first to know whats cool in Tokyo? Tokyo watchlist: films to see before your trip. Another great option is to book a private transfer between Haneda Airport and your accommodation in the 23 wards of Tokyo, which includes Tokyo Disneyland. East Japan Railway Company, or JR East, is the largest passenger railway company in the world. They will guide you and make your trip not only more convenient but also more interesting. Tokyo's public transportation system might be gargantuan and labyrinthine, but it is also efficient, punctual, and excellently maintained. Over the last few years Google Maps has got even better for international tourists, with step-by-step guides that include information about how and where to transfer, with both English and Japanese writing in the app. [16][17] However, even though Docomo is widely accepted as the dominant shared bicycle supplier, it is viewed as an unreliable and difficult to use system by many, with its app having 2.1 stars on iOS app store and 2 stars on Trip Adviser[18][19][20], Other railway operators serving Greater Tokyo. The alphabet letter represents the subway line name. Since corporations own, fund, promote, and operate their own networks, this tends to result in high fragmentation and company stations. Extensive through services for seamless interconnections between certain lines are also a feature of the network: the Narita-Haneda service run integrates track of 6 separate and independent operators. You can even use this to pay at some vending machines! John Walton winds his way through the mountainous Japanese countryside between Nagoya to Toyama on the charming Hida train. Locals tend to patronize a particular company for a particular destination and walk/bike to and from that company's stations, avoiding the need to transfer and pay another fare to a different company that may have a station closer to the desired destination. The trip costs Y930 and takes between 30 and 60 minutes, depending upon the pick-up/drop-off point in Tokyo. Read our Privacy Policy. A first timers guide to Tokyo's public transport - Wapiti Travel When is best time for a vacation to Japan? This file photo shows an Amtrak Keystone Service train from New York to Harrisburg, Pa., passing the Metropark station along the Northeast Corridor on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Iselin, N.J. National, prefectural and metropolitan, and local roads crisscross the region. In addition to operating some long-haul shinkansen ("bullet train") lines, JR East operates Tokyo's largest commuter railway network. Here is a list of my recommended. You dont have to look very hard to find a great private guide for you. If you are planning to use a Japan Rail Pass or Tokyo Subway Pass to travel in Tokyo, you then need to set yourself up to optimise your travel options. Then there are various private train lines that run out through the Greater Tokyo area. Use coupon code MDE8G to get a $A5 discount off your first order! The country boasts a great, efficient transportation system to take you almost everywhere around the country comfortably and easily. When your card runs low on money, just recharge it at the automated ticket machines found at every station. Heading To Japan? Some women who applied to jobs at Gates Ventures were asked sexual questions, The Wall Street Journal reported. Tokyo Metropolitan Government recently announced construction of a. The price of a Japan Rail Pass is going to more than double in October - is it still a good deal for travelers who want to explore Japan by train? Some routes feature non-step buses with a kneeling function to assist mobility-impaired users.[9]. (you may like to know that ramen was our meal of choice ? This is a bit complicated, so have a look for guides online on how to do it. Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan. We did this activity during our recent visit to Japan and loved it! If there's one city in the world where private transport is slower and less comfortable than public transport, that city is Tokyo. And if you are looking for guides in other areas of Japan, you may want to, You can choose private tours with customizable itineraries. The cards will work for 10 years. The Tokyo Metro and The Toei Transportation Japan's underground networks of trainsis as comprehensive as its over ground cousin. Click here to check out how to purchase your Tokyo Skyliner Express Tickets and Tokyo Subway Ticket Combo through Klook. If you dont prefer to walk, buses are available to travel within a ward or area. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. There are many more lines in Tokyo, you should use Google Maps to plan your route. Tokyo's public transport system consists of a massive rail network, suburban trains, subways, buses, trams and monorails. Tokyo public transportation system comprises trains, subways, and buses. In its most popular regions, you can find a station every 300 or 400 meters. You can also mix and match your Tokyo Subway Pass and Greater Tokyo Passes to suit the length of your visit to Tokyo. Just type in your start and end stations, and a list of recommended routes will pop up, including notes on which route is fastest, cheapest, and/or most convenient. Click here to check out accommodation options through, Akihabara Station. Once you entered the taxi, the starting price is 430. The information is displayed on platforms, and you can also run a search on Hyperdia, Jorudan or Google Maps, using an arrival time of, say, 0300, to figure out your last connections. Credit and debit cards are barely used, and nobody wants to carrycash to pay for each and every journey individually, meaning all native Tokians use pre-paid cards to pay for their public transport. in 2022 behind Hong Kong (No 1), Zurich (No 2), Stockholm (No 3), Singapore (No 4), Helsinki (No 5) and Oslo (No 6). This is in contrast to Okinawa (opposite extreme in Japan), where there are almost as many registered vehicles as people, however 55.7% were kei cars in 2014.[12]. But its very well signed in English, and once you understand how the system works its no more complicated than any other major world citys public transportation and it works a lot better than most. A refundable 500 yen deposit is required to purchase one, and you can charge however much you want from a minimum of 1000 yen. Average price in Tokyo: 10,506. Tokyo's average car size is larger than the rest of the country, with only 20.1% being kei cars. In total, JR alone operates 23 lines within the Greater Tokyo area. Fuji? Tokyo to Hakone: How to get to and around Hakone - Access, Transport If you are planning to use a Tokyo Metro Pass to travel in Tokyo, you then need to set yourself up to optimise your travel options. You may like to check out our detailed Japan Rail Pass article to learn more about what is a Japan Rail Pass and how to use it for your trip. check out our detailed Japan Rail Pass article, see the specific hotels and areas of Tokyo which are serviced by the Limousine Bus service, collected and set up our pocket wifi rental.