Tokyo Metro vs Toei Subway 2026: navigation, pass strategy, 24h/72h combo passes
Tokyo's subway is operated by two companies — Tokyo Metro (9 lines, semi-private with Japanese government partial ownership) and Toei Subway (4 lines, run by Tokyo Metropolitan Government). Combined: 13 lines, 300+ stations, ~6.8 million passengers daily. For tourists, the two systems are basically the same: IC card (Suica/Pasmo) works on both, same color-coded line letters, same gates, same stations occasionally connect via underground passages. The killer pass: the Tokyo Subway Ticket at ¥800 (24h) / ¥1,200 (48h) / ¥1,500 (72h) gives unlimited rides on both networks — pays for itself in 4 subway rides per day, which is typical for sightseeing. Doesn't cover JR — so plan transport around either subway only OR JR Yamanote loop, not both.
TL;DR
- 2 operators: Tokyo Metro (9 lines) + Toei Subway (4 lines) = 13 total lines
- Combo pass: Tokyo Subway Ticket ¥800/24h, ¥1,200/48h, ¥1,500/72h — pays for itself in 4 rides
- Doesn't cover: JR (Yamanote), private rail (Tobu, Odakyu, etc.), buses
- IC card works: Suica/Pasmo/ICOCA tap-and-go on both networks
- Get the pass: at Narita / Haneda airports (special pre-purchase price) or at Tokyo Metro / Toei stations
- Smartphone: Google Maps + Citymapper work; the official Tokyo Metro app is OK too
- Major lines for tourists: Ginza, Hibiya, Marunouchi, Chiyoda (Metro); Asakusa, Oedo (Toei)
The two operators
Tokyo Metro (東京メトロ)
- 9 lines: Ginza, Marunouchi, Hibiya, Tozai, Chiyoda, Yurakucho, Hanzomon, Namboku, Fukutoshin
- Started: 1927 (Ginza Line is Asia's first subway line)
- Ownership: Joint venture, with Japanese government and TMG partial ownership
- Line numbering: Each line has a single letter (G for Ginza, M for Marunouchi, H for Hibiya, etc.)
- Color-coded with consistent colors across all maps
Toei Subway (都営地下鉄)
- 4 lines: Asakusa, Mita, Shinjuku, Oedo
- Started: 1960 (Asakusa Line)
- Ownership: Tokyo Metropolitan Government
- Line numbering: Single letter (A for Asakusa, I for Mita, S for Shinjuku, E for Oedo)
- Color-coded separately from Metro
Why two operators?
Historical accident — Tokyo Metro grew out of pre-war private subway lines that were nationalized into "Eidan" then partially re-privatized. Toei was created in 1960 specifically as a Tokyo government project. They've remained separate operators ever since, with their own line networks but compatible payment systems.
Tourist-relevant lines
Tokyo Metro lines for tourists
| Line (letter, color) | Connects | Why tourist-relevant |
|---|---|---|
| Ginza (G, orange) | Shibuya - Ginza - Asakusa | Hits all 3 major tourist areas |
| Marunouchi (M, red) | Shinjuku - Tokyo Station - Ikebukuro | Connects all 3 major hubs |
| Hibiya (H, gray) | Ginza - Roppongi - Akihabara | Cultural districts |
| Chiyoda (C, green) | Yoyogi Park - Meiji Shrine - Otemachi | Park access |
| Tozai (T, blue) | Tokyo - Otemachi - Tokyo Disney area | Disney transit |
| Yurakucho (Y, gold) | Tokyo Bay - Roppongi - Ikebukuro | Bay area transit |
| Hanzomon (Z, purple) | Akihabara - Otemachi - Mitsui Tower | Business district |
| Namboku (N, emerald) | Roppongi - Shirokane - Akabane | South Tokyo |
| Fukutoshin (F, brown) | Shibuya - Shinjuku - Ikebukuro | Newer west-side route |
Toei lines for tourists
| Line (letter, color) | Connects | Why tourist-relevant |
|---|---|---|
| Asakusa (A, red) | Narita Airport - Asakusa - Haneda | Airport-to-Asakusa direct |
| Mita (I, indigo) | Mita - Shirokanedai - Sengoku | Some Roppongi/Hills access |
| Shinjuku (S, light green) | Hashimoto - Shinjuku - Ichigaya | West-side commuting |
| Oedo (E, magenta) | Roppongi - Tsukijishijo - Shinjuku - Hibiya | Newest line, loops outer Tokyo |
Lines NOT for tourists
Some lines serve primarily commuter neighborhoods with limited tourist destinations — Toei Mita and Tokyo Metro Namboku are typical. You'll rarely need them.
The combo pass: Tokyo Subway Ticket
This is the killer pass. Covers both Metro and Toei subway lines for the duration:
| Pass | Price | Hours of validity |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Subway 24-Hour | ¥800 | 24 consecutive hours from first use |
| Tokyo Subway 48-Hour | ¥1,200 | 48 consecutive hours |
| Tokyo Subway 72-Hour | ¥1,500 | 72 consecutive hours |
Math: when it pays off
- Per-ride subway fare: ¥170-¥320 (varies by distance)
- Typical tourist day: 4-7 subway rides
- Break-even at ~4 rides
For a typical tourist day with subway sightseeing, the 24-hour pass pays for itself by the 4th ride. The 48-hour and 72-hour passes are increasingly economical.
Where to buy
- Narita Airport / Haneda Airport: discount of ¥100-¥200 at international arrivals counters (¥600-¥1,400)
- Tokyo Metro / Toei subway stations: any major station ticket counter
- Convenience stores: some 7-Elevens sell them
Buy at the airport for the discount when you arrive.
Activation
Insert the pass at any Tokyo Metro / Toei subway gate. The 24/48/72 hour clock starts the moment you first use it. You can use any gate the rest of the period.
What the pass does NOT cover
Important: the Tokyo Subway Ticket only covers Metro + Toei subway:
- Does NOT cover JR Yamanote Line (or any JR line)
- Does NOT cover private rail (Tobu, Odakyu, Keisei, etc.)
- Does NOT cover buses
So if your itinerary includes a JR Yamanote ride to Shinjuku + subway sightseeing + JR back, the JR ride needs a separate IC card payment.
Navigation: Google Maps + station signage
Google Maps (recommended)
Set destination in Google Maps. It shows:
- Which subway line(s) to take
- Connection stations (color-coded line letters)
- Walking time at transfer stations
- Estimated total travel time
Works flawlessly in Tokyo for both Metro and Toei.
Citymapper
Sometimes better than Google for transit-specific routing, with more transfer detail.
Official Tokyo Metro app
Has line maps but the interface is less polished than Google Maps. Useful for in-station orientation.
Station signage
All major stations have:
- Color-coded line markers with letter (e.g., big orange "G" for Ginza line)
- English signage with romanized station names
- Numbered exits so you can match Google Maps' "Exit 5" to the right physical exit
The transfer-station gotcha
Some Tokyo subway stations connect Metro lines to Toei lines via underground passageways (not the same as a free transfer):
- Tokyo Station / Otemachi area: 5+ lines connect via tunnels
- Shinjuku / Shinjuku-sanchome: multiple connections
- Shibuya: multiple
- Ginza: multiple
When transferring between Metro and Toei, sometimes you stay inside the gates (free transfer), sometimes you exit and re-enter (pay again). The pass and IC card systems automatically handle this — you don't have to think about it.
Cost analysis: combo pass vs IC card
Example: 2-day Tokyo sightseeing with 6 subway rides per day:
With Tokyo Subway 48-Hour Pass
- Pass: ¥1,200
- Total subway: covered
- Total: ¥1,200
Without pass (IC card pay-per-ride)
- 12 rides × ~¥200 avg = ¥2,400
- Total: ¥2,400
Saving with pass: ¥1,200.
Specific tourist transit examples
Shibuya → Asakusa
Best route: Ginza Line (G, orange) directly, ~25 min, ¥210 Don't: take JR Yamanote then transfer — slower
Shinjuku → Ginza
Best route: Marunouchi Line (M, red) → Ginza Line (G) at Akasaka-mitsuke, ~30 min, ¥240 Or: Shinjuku Line (Toei) to Bakuro-yokoyama, ~25 min, ¥240
Roppongi → Tokyo Station
Best route: Hibiya Line (H, gray) → Marunouchi Line (M) at Hibiya, ~20 min, ¥210
Shinjuku → Tokyo Bay (Odaiba)
Best route: Shinjuku Line (Toei) → Yurakucho Line (Y) at Iidabashi → walk to Yurikamome (~50 min, ¥350 + ¥320 = ~¥670 total)
Or via JR for direct routes — sometimes faster despite transfers.
What about JR for Tokyo travel?
JR has the Yamanote Line (the loop around central Tokyo) which is genuinely useful:
- Shibuya → Shinjuku (Yamanote): 7 min, ¥160
- Shinjuku → Ueno (Yamanote): 25 min, ¥200
- Shibuya → Tokyo Station (Yamanote): 20 min, ¥200
Yamanote covers most major tourist hubs (Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno, Akihabara, Tokyo Station). If you only do these, JR + IC card may be cheaper than the subway combo pass.
Decision rule: use the combo pass if you'll do significant non-Yamanote movement (Asakusa, Roppongi, etc.). Use JR + IC if you'll only loop around the Yamanote stations.
Practical playbook
- Buy the 72-hour pass at the airport for ¥1,500 (or 48-hour for ¥1,200 if shorter trip)
- Activate on first use by inserting at any subway gate
- For JR portions: tap with IC card separately
- Plan itinerary to use subway extensively during pass days
- Day after pass expires: switch back to pay-per-ride with IC card
Common mistakes
① "Subway pass covers JR"
No. JR is separate. Tokyo Subway Pass covers Metro + Toei subway only.
② "I'll use IC card the whole trip"
Possible but more expensive than the combo pass if you ride 4+ times per day.
③ "Tokyo Metro and Toei are the same"
Different operators with different colors. Combo pass covers both — that's the key.
④ "Combo pass works on private rail"
No. Doesn't cover Tobu (Nikko), Odakyu (Hakone), Keio, Tokyu, Seibu. Each needs separate ticket or pass.
⑤ "I'll use the official Tokyo Metro app"
It's OK, but Google Maps is more polished. The Metro app is useful for in-station orientation.
Related
- #73 Suica vs Pasmo vs ICOCA
- #119 Japan private rail networks
- #112 JR Pass strategy 2026
- #76 7-Eleven Seven Bank ATM complete guide
Last verified 2026-05-19. Tokyo Metro / Toei subway fares revise periodically; line numbers and colors are stable.