Researched guide · Checked on Nov 11, 2026
This article contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
How much does a trip to Tokyo cost? It depends most on where you sleep. Food and transport can be surprisingly cheap, and many of the best sights are free. Here is a realistic daily budget, the fixed prices we checked, and how to spend less.
Quick answer
As a rough guide (our own estimate, not official prices), plan on ¥10,000 to ¥15,000 per person per day on a tight budget, ¥20,000 to ¥35,000 for a comfortable mid-range trip, and ¥50,000 or more for a luxury stay, excluding flights.
Your hotel is the biggest cost. Food, trains and many sights cost less than visitors expect.
Daily budget per person
These daily amounts are our own estimates to help you plan, not official prices. Fixed prices such as the accommodation tax, subway passes and airport buses come from the official sources listed at the end of this guide.
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where you sleep | Hostel or capsule bed, or a shared budget room | Business or mid-range hotel, shared by two | Upscale hotel |
| Sleeping, per person | ¥4,000–8,000 | ¥10,000–20,000 | ¥35,000+ |
| Food | ¥3,000–4,000 | ¥5,000–8,000 | ¥12,000+ |
| Getting around | ¥1,000 | ¥1,000–1,500 | ¥3,000+ with taxis |
| Sights and activities | Free–¥2,000 | ¥3,000–5,000 | ¥8,000+ |
| Total per day | About ¥10,000–15,000 | About ¥20,000–35,000 | ¥50,000+ |
These are our own rough estimates for October 2026, not quotes. Hotel prices change a lot with the season, the day of the week and events, and are highest around cherry blossom season, Golden Week, autumn leaves season and New Year. Check real prices for your dates.
Yen converter (guide only)
European Central Bank reference rates for Nov 10, 2026, converted through the euro. The ECB publishes these rates for information only. Your bank, card or exchange counter will use its own rate and fees.
Prices we checked
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Subway Ticket | ¥1,000 (24h), ¥1,500 (48h), ¥2,000 (72h) | Unlimited Tokyo Metro and Toei subway rides |
| Airport Bus TYO-NRT | ¥1,500 | Narita to Tokyo Station or Ginza, daytime |
| SHIBUYA SKY (web ticket) | ¥2,700 before 3 pm, ¥3,400 after | ¥3,000 / ¥3,700 at the counter |
| Tokyo Metropolitan Government observatory | Free | Shinjuku |
| Senso-ji, Meiji Jingu | Free | Temple and shrine grounds |
Accommodation tax
Tokyo charges an accommodation tax at hotels and ryokan, usually paid separately at check-in. It is currently ¥100 per person per night for room rates from ¥10,000 to under ¥15,000, and ¥200 from ¥15,000. From April 1, 2027, it changes to 3% of the rate per person per night (stays under ¥13,000 are exempt), and it will also apply to other types of lodging such as vacation rentals.
Food costs
- Breakfast: a convenience store breakfast is a few hundred yen. See our convenience store guide.
- Lunch: set lunches and beef bowl, soba and udon chains are the cheapest sit-down meals. See how to eat out in Tokyo.
- Dinner: ramen and conveyor belt sushi are good value; an izakaya evening with drinks costs more. See ramen, sushi and izakaya.
- There is no tipping in Japan, and tap water is free and safe to drink.
Getting around
Most days inside Tokyo cost under ¥1,000 in train fares with Suica, or a fixed price with a Tokyo Subway Ticket. Day trips, airport transfers and taxis are the costs that add up. See how to use Suica and our Narita and Haneda guides.
Example: 3 days, mid-range, per person
| Estimate | |
|---|---|
| Hotel, 3 nights shared by two | ¥45,000 |
| Food | ¥18,000 |
| Trains (72-hour Subway Ticket plus some JR) | ¥3,000 |
| Sights (one observation deck, one paid attraction) | ¥7,000 |
| Airport transfers | ¥3,000 |
| Total | About ¥76,000 |
Follow it with our 3-day Tokyo itinerary.
How to save money
- Stay a little outside the busiest areas, near a good train line. Compare areas in Where to stay.
- Travel outside peak seasons. See Tokyo weather by month.
- Mix paid sights with free ones. See free things to do in Tokyo.
- Eat your main meal at lunch, when set menus are cheaper.
Affiliate link
FAQ
Is Tokyo expensive to visit?
Hotels can be expensive, especially at peak times, but food, public transport and many sights are good value compared with other big cities. A careful traveler can spend around ¥10,000 to ¥15,000 a day.
How much cash should I bring to Tokyo?
Cards and IC cards work in most places, but keep some cash for small restaurants, markets and temples. See our money guide for ATMs and payments.
Do I need to pay a hotel tax in Tokyo?
Yes, usually. Tokyo’s accommodation tax is currently ¥100 or ¥200 per person per night depending on the room rate, and changes to 3% from April 2027.
Do I need to tip in Tokyo?
No. Tipping is not part of Japanese culture, in restaurants, taxis or hotels.
Keep reading
Sources
Fixed prices and tax rules in this guide come from the official sources below. The daily budgets are our own estimates. Prices change, so please check before you book. Facts last checked against official sources on November 11, 2026.
