Get from A to B

Tokyo has the densest rail network of any city, run by many separate companies that share one IC card. The JR East Yamanote Line is a 34.5 km loop of 30 stations (a full circle takes about an hour) linking the big hubs: Tokyo, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Shinagawa; most suburban and private railways start at one of them. Inside and east of the loop, 13 subway lines are run by two operators, Tokyo Metro (9 lines) and Toei (4 lines: Asakusa, Mita, Shinjuku, Oedo); they are separate companies with separate fares, but a single IC card or the Tokyo Subway Ticket covers both. JR lines cut across the loop (Chuo Rapid between Tokyo and Shinjuku, Chuo-Sobu local, Keihin-Tohoku on the east side, Saikyo on the west side). Private railways (Keio, Odakyu, Tokyu, Seibu, Tobu, Keisei, Keikyu) carry you to the outer neighbourhoods and day-trip areas, and many run straight through onto subway tracks. Narita Airport (about 60 km east) is served by the Keisei Skyliner, Keisei Access Express and JR Narita Express; Haneda Airport (close to the centre) by the Keikyu line and the Tokyo Monorail. One tram line survives (Toden Arakawa, branded Tokyo Sakura Tram), water buses run on the Sumida River and Tokyo Bay, and taxis are metered with fixed fares from both airports.

Lines and services

• MetroTokyo Metro (9 lines) and Toei Subway (4 lines)

  Over 280 stations; Tokyo Metro alone has 180 stations on 195 km. Lines and stations are colour-coded and numbered (G09 = Ginza Line station 9), with English signs and announcements. The Ginza Line (Asakusa - Ueno - Ginza - Shibuya) is the most useful for visitors; the Toei Oedo Line forms a loop around the centre; the Toei Asakusa Line runs through onto Keikyu (Haneda) and Keisei (Narita) tracks. Trains come every 2-3 minutes at peak. Women-only cars run on many lines in the morning rush, from the first train to around 9:30 (women, elementary-school children and younger, disabled passengers and their carers). Big stations have many numbered exits: check the exit number for your destination before you leave the platform.

  First trains about 05:00; last trains leave between roughly 23:30 and 00:30 depending on line and direction (exact times not verified 2026; check the station's last-train board)

• TrainJR East (Yamanote, Chuo, Keihin-Tohoku, Saikyo, Sobu, Keiyo lines)

  The Yamanote Line loops in about 59-65 minutes with trains every 2-4 minutes; sotomawari (outer loop) runs clockwise, uchimawari (inner loop) anticlockwise. The orange Chuo Rapid is the fast way between Tokyo Station and Shinjuku and on west to Nakano, Koenji and Kichijoji; the Keiyo Line runs from Tokyo Station east along the bay. JR raised fares on 14 March 2026: minimum 160 yen ticket / 155 yen IC. JR is not covered by the Tokyo Subway Ticket and does not take contactless bank cards at the gates.

  Yamanote Line about 04:26-01:04

• TrainPrivate railways, Tokyo Monorail, Yurikamome and Rinkai Line

  Keio (Shinjuku - Mt Takao), Odakyu (Shinjuku - Shimokitazawa - Hakone), Tokyu (Shibuya - Nakameguro, Jiyugaoka), Seibu (Ikebukuro/Seibu-Shinjuku), Tobu (Asakusa - Nikko), Keisei (Ueno - Narita, Shibamata) and Keikyu (Shinagawa - Haneda - Yokohama). The Tokyo Monorail links Haneda with Hamamatsucho; the driverless Yurikamome runs from Shimbashi over Rainbow Bridge to Odaiba and Toyosu (Shimbashi - Odaiba-kaihinkoen about 13 minutes); the Rinkai Line links Osaki/Shin-Kiba with Odaiba. All take Suica/PASMO; most private railways also take contactless bank cards since March 2026.

  Roughly 05:00 to just after midnight (varies by line; not verified 2026)

• TramToden Arakawa Line (Tokyo Sakura Tram)

  Tokyo's last streetcar line, from Minowabashi to Waseda via Oji and Otsuka; slow, local and a cheap way to see the north of the city. Flat fare 170 yen (IC 168), pay when you board; the fare machine takes only 1,000-yen notes and coins. Toden 1Day Pass 400 yen.

  Not verified 2026

• BusToei Bus

  Useful where trains are awkward (e.g. along the Sumida riverside, to Tokyo Big Sight, or around Shinjuku and Shibuya side streets). Flat 210 yen in the 23 wards (IC 210); board at the front, pay or tap at once, exit at the back (some routes differ). Only 1,000-yen notes and coins accepted; you can top up an IC card on board with 1,000-yen notes. Toei Bus 1Day Pass 500 yen. Real-time info on tobus.jp.

  Varies by route (not verified 2026); late-night buses charge a 210-yen supplement

• FerryWater buses: Tokyo Cruise (Sumida River Line, Himiko, Hotaluna, Emeraldas) and Tokyo Mizube Line

  Sightseeing water buses from Asakusa (Azumabashi) down the Sumida River under 13 bridges. Sumida River Line: Asakusa - Hama-rikyu Gardens 1,180 yen including garden admission (about 35 min; Hama-rikyu stop is drop-off only), Asakusa - Hinode Pier 1,000 yen (40-50 min). Himiko and Emeraldas: Asakusa - Odaiba Marine Park 2,000 yen (about 50-55 min). Only a few departures a day; check the operator's daily operating status. The Tokyo Mizube Line Asakusa-Odaiba cruise was suspended on 18 January 2026 because of ageing vessels, with a restart announced for summer 2026 (resumption not verified).

  Daytime only, about 2-3 departures a day per line (2026)

• BikeBike share (Docomo Bike Share, HELLO CYCLING, LUUP, Charichari)

  Bike share through apps, rent at one port and return at another (Docomo Bike Share's coverage and prices not verified 2026); ride on the road on the left unless a sign allows the pavement, stop fully at stop signs, no phone, earphones or umbrella while riding. Police can issue a 'blue ticket' fine to cyclists, tourists included. Helmets are expected (effort duty). Park only in designated areas. Prices not verified 2026.

  24 hours (app-based; not verified per operator)

• TaxiTaxi (metered; GO, S.RIDE, DiDi, Uber and Tokyo Musen apps)

  Since 20 April 2026 the 23-ward fare is 500 yen for the first 1.0 km, then 100 yen per 232 m, plus 100 yen per 1 min 25 s when crawling under 10 km/h; 20% more from 22:00 to 05:00; 10% off the part of a fare above 9,000 yen; tolls extra. A red 空車 sign in the windscreen means free, 回送 means not in service. The driver opens and closes the left rear door remotely: do not open or close it yourself. Have your destination written in Japanese. Hail on the street or at station ranks, or book through GO, S.RIDE, DiDi or Tokyo Musen (the apps listed by the Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association); Uber and DiDi work in Japan mainly as taxi-hailing apps. A pick-up charge applies when you order a car.

  24 hours; 20% surcharge 22:00-05:00

Common trips

• Haneda Airport T3Shinjuku39 min

  Keikyu Airport Line to Shinagawa, then JR Yamanote Line (outer loop) to Shinjuku

  • Keikyu to Daimon, then Toei Oedo Line (about 46 min)
  • Airport Limousine Bus to Shinjuku
  • Taxi (fixed fare, Zone not verified 2026)

• Haneda Airport T3Asakusa33 min

  Keikyu Airport Rapid Limited Express straight through onto the Toei Asakusa Line, no change

  • Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho, then JR to Kanda and Ginza Line
  • Taxi

• Narita AirportUeno41 min

  Keisei Skyliner to Keisei Ueno (reserved seats)

  • Keisei Access Express with a change at Keisei Takasago (about 75 min, about 1,270 yen)
  • Narita fixed-fare taxi Zone C (29,000-31,000 yen plus tolls)

• Narita AirportTokyo Station53 min

  JR Narita Express (N'EX), direct

  • Airport Bus TYO-NRT, 1,500 yen, from 65 min
  • Keisei Skyliner to Nippori + JR Yamanote Line

• ShinjukuAsakusa27 min

  Toei Shinjuku Line to Bakuro-yokoyama, walk through to Higashi-Nihombashi, Toei Asakusa Line to Asakusa (one change, cheapest by IC)

  • JR Chuo Rapid to Kanda, then Tokyo Metro Ginza Line to Asakusa (about 30 min)
  • JR Chuo Rapid and Sobu Line to Asakusabashi, then Toei Asakusa Line (about 26 min)

• ShibuyaTokyo Station19 min

  Tokyo Metro Ginza Line to Akasaka-mitsuke, change to the Marunouchi Line to Tokyo

  • JR Yamanote Line via Shinagawa or Shinjuku (about 25 min)
  • Hanzomon Line to Otemachi and walk underground

• ShibuyaShinjuku5 min

  JR Yamanote or Saikyo/Shonan-Shinjuku Line, 1-2 stops

  • Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line to Shinjuku-sanchome
  • Walk via Harajuku and Yoyogi (about 3.5 km)

• AsakusaGinza18 min

  Tokyo Metro Ginza Line direct (trains start at Asakusa)

  • Toei Asakusa Line to Higashi-ginza (change to Hibiya Line for Ginza)
  • Water bus to Hama-rikyu Gardens, then walk 15 min to Ginza

• Tokyo StationAsakusa19 min

  JR Yamanote or Chuo Rapid to Kanda, then Tokyo Metro Ginza Line to Asakusa

  • JR Ueno-Tokyo Line to Ueno, then Ginza Line
  • Taxi

• UenoYanaka Ginza12 min

  JR Yamanote or Keihin-Tohoku Line to Nippori (2 stops, about 4 min), then walk west from the station past Yanaka Cemetery to Yuyake Dandan and Yanaka Ginza (about 600 m)

  • Walk the whole way through Ueno Park, past Tokyo National Museum, Kan'ei-ji and Yanaka Cemetery (about 2.6 km, 35-40 min)
  • Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line to Sendagi, then walk east

• IkebukuroKichijoji28 min

  JR Yamanote Line (inner loop) to Shinjuku, then JR Chuo Rapid to Kichijoji

  • JR Saikyo Line to Shinjuku, then Chuo Rapid (about 31 min)
  • JR to Shinjuku, Keio Line to Meidaimae and Keio Inokashira Line to Kichijoji (about 38 min)

• ShinjukuShimokitazawa7 min

  Odakyu Line (Rapid Express, 2 stops)

  • Keio Line to Meidaimae, then Keio Inokashira Line (about 14 min)
  • Keio Inokashira Line from Shibuya (express)

• ShinjukuMount Takao (Takaosanguchi)53 min

  Keio Line limited express, direct trains to Takaosanguchi (about 430 yen)

  • Keio limited express to Kitano or Keio Hachioji and change to the Keio Takao Line
  • JR Chuo Line to Takao, then Keio one stop

• UenoShibamata34 min

  Keisei Main Line from Keisei Ueno to Keisei Takasago, change to the Keisei Kanamachi Line, one stop to Shibamata

  • Tokyo Metro Hibiya/Chiyoda Lines to Kanamachi, then Keisei Kanamachi Line (about 37 min, more expensive)

• ShimbashiOdaiba (Odaiba-kaihinkoen)13 min

  Yurikamome driverless train from Shimbashi

  • Water bus from Hinode Pier or Asakusa
  • Rinkai Line from Osaki to Tokyo Teleport

• ShibuyaRoppongi12 min

  Hanzomon Line to Aoyama-itchome, change to the Toei Oedo Line to Roppongi

  • Tokyu Toyoko Line to Naka-meguro, Hibiya Line to Roppongi (about 16 min)

• Tokyo StationAkihabara4 min

  JR Yamanote or Keihin-Tohoku Line, 2 stops

  • Walk via Kanda (about 2 km, 25 min)

• ShinjukuHarajuku (Meiji Jingu)4 min

  JR Yamanote Line, 2 stops

  • Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line to Meiji-jingumae
  • Walk through Yoyogi (about 2 km)

To and from the airport

NRT

• Train · 41 minAbout 2,580 yen to Nippori/Ueno incl. the reserved-seat fee; Skyliner Discount Ticket for overseas visitors 2,310 yen if bought in advance online (japan-guide 2026; Keisei's own fare page not machine-readable, not verified 2026)

  Keisei Skyliner: fastest to the east side of the city, to Nippori in as little as 36 min and Keisei Ueno in 41 min, every 20-40 minutes, all seats reserved. Change at Nippori to the JR Yamanote Line, or walk from Keisei Ueno to Ueno Station. Also sold bundled with a Tokyo Subway Ticket.

• Train · 60 minRegular one-way fare to Tokyo Station 3,140 yen, to Shinjuku/Shibuya/Shinagawa 3,330 yen (half the round-trip fares 6,280 / 6,660 yen); N'EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket for non-Japanese passport holders 5,200 yen (14 days)

  JR Narita Express (N'EX): direct to Tokyo (fastest 53 min), Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Yokohama without changing; all seats reserved, large-luggage racks with dial locks (no reservation needed). Every 30-60 minutes. Covered by the JR TOKYO Wide Pass and the Japan Rail Pass. Pick up round-trip tickets at Narita T1 or T2/3 stations (passport needed).

• Train · 75 minAbout 1,270 yen by IC to Keisei Ueno (Yahoo! route search, Oct 2026)

  Keisei Access Express (no surcharge, no reservations): Narita Airport - Keisei Takasago - Aoto - Nippori - Keisei Ueno, or through onto the Toei Asakusa Line to Asakusa, Nihombashi and Shinagawa (some trains continue to Haneda). On a typical late-morning run, change at Keisei Takasago for Ueno.

• Bus · 65 min1,500 yen one way; 3,000 yen on late-night and early-morning runs

  Airport Bus TYO-NRT (the merged 'THE Access Narita' and 'Tokyo Shuttle'): many departures an hour between Narita, Tokyo Station (Yaesu side) and Ginza; fastest 65 min, longer in traffic.

• Bus · 100 minAbout 3,100 yen to Tokyo Station area (japan-guide; not verified on the Limousine Bus site 2026)

  Airport Limousine Bus: direct to major hotels and hubs (Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Tokyo City Air Terminal, Tokyo Station area). Book an e-ticket QR code online; useful with heavy luggage when the train means stairs.

• Taxi · 75 minFixed fares plus tolls: Zone C (Chuo, Chiyoda, Taito, Bunkyo, Arakawa) 29,000 yen via Keiyo Road / 31,000 via Bayshore; Zone D (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Toshima, Minato, Meguro...) 31,500 / 32,500 yen; Zone B (Koto, Sumida, Odaiba) 28,000 yen; Zone F (Setagaya, Suginami, Musashino, Mitaka) 35,500 / 38,500 yen

  Narita fixed-fare airport taxis: no reservation needed, ask the driver before you set off; late-night/early-morning surcharge 22:00-05:00. Ranks: T1 No. 15, T2 No. 28 and 31-A, T3 taxi stand. Travel time not stated by the airport; 60-90 min (japan-guide).

HND

• Train · 15 minAbout 330 yen to Shinagawa (japan-guide; not verified on Keikyu's site 2026); Keikyu Hanetoku Ticket + Tokyo Subway Ticket 24/48/72 h 1,600 / 2,100 / 2,600 yen

  Keikyu Airport Line from T1/T2 and T3 stations: about 15 min to Shinagawa (change to JR Yamanote), and many trains run straight through onto the Toei Asakusa Line to Shimbashi, Nihombashi and Asakusa (T3 to Asakusa about 33 min without changing). Haneda T3 to Shinjuku about 39 min via Shinagawa. TOURIST PASMO is sold at the Keikyu stations.

• Train · 20 minAbout 520 yen to Hamamatsucho (japan-guide; not verified on the monorail's site 2026)

  Tokyo Monorail ('Tokyo Panorama Line') from T1, T2 and T3 to Hamamatsucho (JR Yamanote/Keihin-Tohoku), about 20 min; good bay views. Covered by the JR TOKYO Wide Pass and Japan Rail Pass. Welcome Suica is sold at the T3 monorail station.

• Bus · 50 minAbout 800-1,900 yen depending on destination (japan-guide; not verified on the Limousine Bus site 2026)

  Airport Limousine and Keikyu buses to Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo Station, Ikebukuro, Odaiba and big hotels; first arrivals around 05:30, last departures around 01:00 (japan-guide). Book online and show the QR code.

• Taxi · 30 minFixed zone fares from Haneda plus tolls (chart on the Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association site, exact 2026 amounts not verified); meter fares to central Tokyo roughly 5,000-11,000 yen (japan-guide)

  Taxi ranks outside each terminal; fixed fares apply to the 23 wards, Musashino and Mitaka (ask for teigaku before departure). 20% late-night surcharge 22:00-05:00. Monorail and Keikyu stop around midnight, so a taxi is the fallback for very late arrivals.

Good to know

• Phone on silent ('manner mode') and no phone calls on trains; turn the phone off near priority seats when it is crowded.
• Queue at the marks painted on the platform, behind the yellow tactile blocks, and let everyone off before you board.
• Priority seats are for older, disabled and pregnant passengers and people with infants: leave them free even when the car is half empty.
• Eating on local trains is frowned on; ekiben lunch boxes are for Shinkansen and limited expresses with reserved seats. Carry your rubbish: station bins are few.
• On escalators Tokyoites stand on the left and leave the right for walkers (Osaka does the opposite); railway companies officially ask everyone to stand still.
• Weekday rush hours peak between 8:00 and 9:00 and again shortly after 17:00; the morning one is far heavier. Avoid travelling with big suitcases then. Women-only cars run in the morning rush until about 9:30.
• Last trains leave around midnight, earlier on some lines since the 2021 timetable cuts; plan the ride home with a route app, because after that the choice is a taxi with the 20% late-night surcharge or waiting for the first trains around 5:00.
• Fares are by company: a ride JR + Tokyo Metro charges two fares. Tokyo Metro + Toei together get a transfer discount; transfer with the orange gates within 60 minutes when using a paper ticket.
• IC fares are a few yen cheaper than paper tickets (Tokyo Metro 178 vs 180 yen). Credit cards do not work at Tokyo Metro ticket machines except for passes; top up IC cards with cash.
• Big stations (Shinjuku, Tokyo, Shibuya, Ikebukuro) have dozens of exits on different levels: look up the exit number for your destination before you leave the platform.
• On the Tokaido Shinkansen (Tokyo - Kyoto - Osaka) luggage over 160 cm (length + width + height, up to 250 cm) needs a reserved 'seat with oversized baggage area'; bags over 250 cm are not allowed. JR Central's LUGGAGE EXPRESS can deliver bags from a station or hotel to your next hotel the same day.
• The taxi driver opens and closes the left rear door for you; do not touch it.
• From 25 March 2026 you can tap a contactless credit card at Tokyo Metro, Toei and most private-railway gates (paper-ticket fare, no child fare), but not at JR gates: an IC card is still the simplest for everything.
• The Tokyo Subway Ticket (1,000 yen / 24 h) needs about four subway rides a day to pay off and does not cover JR, including the Yamanote Line.

Useful apps

• Japan Transit Planner (Jorudan / NORIKAE annai)
• NAVITIME Japan Travel
• Google Maps (routes with platform, car and exit numbers)
• Yahoo! Norikae Annai (Japanese; shows IC fares and fastest car)
• Toei Kotsu app (Toei service status and route search)
• GO (taxi)
• S.RIDE (taxi)
• DiDi (taxi)
• Welcome Suica Mobile (iPhone)
• Docomo Bike Share / HELLO CYCLING / LUUP