Tokyo Subway question

[pke-atlanta]

Prior to our cruise, we will be staying in Tokyo a few days, arriving and departing from NRT. We will be there 4 days, 3 nights, and this will be our first visit. Can anyone familiar with buying tickets for the Narita express and for the Tokyo subway give me recommendations regarding a multi-day unlimited pass? Given our time is so short, we plan to stay in Tokyo the entire time. Also, is it possible to pay for the tickets using a credit card? Or do we need to withdraw yen from a cash machine upon arrival? Thanks!

[maria_sienna]

You can get a combo Narita Express and Suica card. See this site: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/index.html

 

They will accept credit cards but to recharge your Suica, you will need to use cash.

 

In the airport, look for the Japan Post ATM, if you want to withdraw money. No fee on the JP ATM.

 

Suica is preferable since you can use it on buses, trains and subways but only pay for the fare you will be using. Before you leave, you can get a refund less a fee for the card. Here is more info: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html

 

Recharging your Suica is easy. Every train/subway station has a vending machine and they have English instructions.

 

There are Tokyo subway/train day passes but no multi-day that I know of. The only multi-day pass I know is a JR pass. You can get 7-day, 14-day or 21-day but only valid on JR trains and buses. Since you will be staying in Tokyo, you will be using a lot of subways and not JR trains.

 

If you have lots of luggage, and you want to ride the NEX from Narita to Tokyo, you may want to use a delivery service called Takuhaibin (http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/list/svc_05.html). It is not a good idea to bring big or lots of luggages on the trains/subways. Or, store your luggage at the airport (http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/list/svc_06.html).

[newfarmers]

You can get a combo Narita Express and Suica card. See this site: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/index.html

 

They will accept credit cards but to recharge your Suica, you will need to use cash.

 

In the airport, look for the Japan Post ATM, if you want to withdraw money. No fee on the JP ATM.

 

Suica is preferable since you can use it on buses, trains and subways but only pay for the fare you will be using. Before you leave, you can get a refund less a fee for the card. Here is more info: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html

 

Recharging your Suica is easy. Every train/subway station has a vending machine and they have English instructions.

 

There are Tokyo subway/train day passes but no multi-day that I know of. The only multi-day pass I know is a JR pass. You can get 7-day, 14-day or 21-day but only valid on JR trains and buses. Since you will be staying in Tokyo, you will be using a lot of subways and not JR trains.

 

If you have lots of luggage, and you want to ride the NEX from Narita to Tokyo, you may want to use a delivery service called Takuhaibin (http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/list/svc_05.html). It is not a good idea to bring big or lots of luggages on the trains/subways. Or, store your luggage at the airport (http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/list/svc_06.html).

 

 

we've just got back from 17 land tour of Japan and used the Tokyo subway only once in our four days there. We had a JR Pass 14 day pass (must be bought overseas) and Tokyo was our last four days before heading back to Osaka to fly out.

 

We used JR trains to get around Tokyo as they go nearly everywhere we wanted to go. Roppongi Hills was the only place I think we went via subway. A one day JR train ticket was JPY740 bought from a station machine. Pre-plan what you'd like to do (if that's the way you travel) and you should be able to determine if subway or JR suits better. Plenty of maps on the internet.

 

If we hadn't had the JR pass we very possibly would have used the suica card but with the JR pass it wasn't worth getting

 

pete

[pke-atlanta]

Thank you both for the very helpful information!

[Rochell]

If you use limousine bus instead of Narita Express, there's two types (one-way and return) which makes either 1-day or 2-day metro pass free. Check this url. http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/discount_ticket/en/index.html

[pke-atlanta]

Rochell, that limousine bus with the 2-day pass looks like a great option and coincides exactly with the amount of time I will be in Tokyo. Thanks very much for bringing it to my attention.

 

Based on the link, it looks like no pre-booking is required. Is that right? We just show up at the counter in the airport and purchase the ticket?

[cruisemom42]

We used the limo bus a couple of years ago -- you are correct, there is no need to pre-book. Just purchase your ticket on arrival.

[pke-atlanta]

We've just finished our stay in Tokyo and took Rochell's advice regarding the airport limousine bus/2-day subway pass. It worked out splendidly! The bus was very efficient and comfortable, as well as convenient. It left literally right outside the arrivals lobby and dropped us off in front of our hotel (the Mandarin Oriental). The 2-day pass worked great (the subway is very easy to navigate), and when it was time for our return to NRT, the bus picked us up (again, at our hotel) exactly on schedule and with a comfortable ride back. I really appreciate the recommendation and highly recommend the service. It could not have been easier. Also, very cost-effective at ¥6000 for the roundtrip transportation to Tokyo and the 2-day unlimited pass. Thank you, Rochell!