How to Travel to Tokyo For Cheap
Tokyo is the capital of Japan and a vibrant mix of cutting-edge modernity and rich history. If you are currently planning your trip here but getting stuck on how to travel to Japan’s capital without breaking the bank, this is the guide for you. Here are all the budget-friendly ways to get to Tokyo!
This blog may contain affiliate links to support the running of the blog. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.
How to get to Tokyo on a budget:
Whether you are flying into Tokyo or headed there from your previous destination by train/bus, here is exactly how to get to Tokyo for cheap.
Flying into Tokyo
There are two airports in Tokyo: Narita and Haneda. Narita tends to receive more of the budget airlines, though you could be landing at either.
Flights to Tokyo can certainly be expensive, however they don’t have to be. I would recommend checking Kiwi.com for the cheapest airports near you to fly out of (use the +250km option) as well as for date ranges (use the +-5 days range).
Once you have a better idea of which airports would be the cheapest and which dates, head to Skyscanner to find all the best flight options.
How to get from the airport to Tokyo City Centre for cheap
This will be different for each airport, but I actually used Google Maps to find the cheapest way to get to my accommodation.
Haneda Airport:
The cheapest way from Haneda Airport to the city centre is either by Monorail (600-700 yen/$4.50) or by Keikyu Airport Line (about 500 yen/$3.40 to city centre). Both will take around 45 minutes to an hour depending on where in Tokyo you are headed.
You can also get the Limousine Bus for a more convenient journey. It costs around $10 and takes 45 minutes to most hotels.
Narita Airport:
The cheapest way to and from Narita Airport is the Asakusa/Keisei Narita Line. It will get you to central for around 1,400 yen ($9.40) and takes a bit more than an hour.
Alternatively, you could take the Narita Express Train which takes 50ish minutes and costs ~3,250 yen ($22), or the Keisei Skyliner which takes around 40 minutes and costs ~2,470yen ($16.60). Your destination within Tokyo will depend on which one is better.
There is also an Airport Limousine Bus which is really convenient if you have heavy luggage as you will not need to drag it through Tokyo’s stations. The bus takes +/- 90 minutes and costs roughly $25.
From Osaka/Kyoto to Tokyo
You have three options to get to Tokyo from Osaka and Kyoto. The quickest is flying and can sometimes even be one of the cheapest, check for flights here.
The second option, but most expensive, is the famous Shinkansen which costs around $110 and takes between 2.5 and 3 hours. Make sure to book a seat on the Mt. Fuji side (right side when coming from Toyko and left side when starting in Kyoto/Osaka) for the best views.
The last option and often cheapest is an overnight bus. This saves you a night on accommodation but the standard seats are not that comfortable (speaking from experience). If you book early enough, the sleeper comfort seats are pretty cheap though and are well worth it. I personally went with Willer Travel as it is the most well-known, but you can find other options here.
Related Article: My Experience Taking the Night Bus from Kyoto to Tokyo
From other cities in Japan to Osaka
Japan is extremely well connected by trains so you will be able to find a quick connection to Tokyo from most cities using the Shinkansen or local trains. I have found Google Maps or sometimes Rome2Rio helpful to initially plan this. Then I would recommend using or IC card for local trains or pre-booking tickets for the Shinkansen.
Willer Express has buses going between most major cities, including some night buses. They also have affordable 3, 5, or 7 days bus passes to be used within two months which can be useful (and save a lot of money) if you are trying to hit a lot of different destinations. Whether it is worth getting the pass depends on your itinerary and timings, so do some research and compare the pass price to other means of transport before buying. They have a huge list of places that go to Tokyo, including Fukushima, Niigata, Nara, Hiroshima and more.
Where to stay in Tokyo?
Accommodation in Tokyo can actually be more budget-friendly than you may think, especially if booked early. Shinjuku is a great neighbourhood for those wanting nightlife without having to pay for a taxi. Otherwise, Shibuya, Asakusa, Ginza and Tokyo Station are great options.
Best hostels in Tokyo for backpackers:
Best budget-friendly hotels in Tokyo:
How to get around Tokyo using public transport?
Tokyo’s public transportation network is extensive and pretty efficient. You can either buy single trip tickets at the ticket machines each time or use an IC card. An IC card is a prepaid card that you can use for transportation or even the convenience stores, lockers and many more things around Japan.
Tokyo’s version is called Suica but you can also use Osaka’s Icoca card or any other. Prices start at ¥1000 including a 500yen deposit that is refundable at the end of your holiday. The other 500yen are loaded onto the card. You can buy the ICOCA at JR stations or Kansai airport and top it up at any train/subway station and most convenience stores. You can also add the card directly to your Apple wallet.
I used Google Maps to get around Tokyo and navigate the subway system and found it pretty easy. It will tell you where to get on and off and even which exit to best take, as well as exactly how much a journey will be and the cheapest options.
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
I would recommend at least 5 days in Tokyo. There is just so much to do and Tokyo is huge!! This does not include daytrips to Mount Fuji and Kamakura, so you may want to plan a total of 7 days+ including those.
Here is my itinerary for 5 days in Tokyo: The Ultimate 5-Day Tokyo Itinerary on a Budget
Hi, I'm Bell
My blog is here to show you that there isn’t one correct way to travel the world. Together, we can figure out what that means for you. Learn more about me here!
Latest from the blog:
Travel Off Script contains affiliate links to support the running of the blog. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.
