Is Tokyo Expensive? What it Costs to Go to Tokyo

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Thinking about planning a trip and wondering is Tokyo expensive? If you are planning to visit Tokyo, I planned this trip on a whim when I randomly saw the airfare deal. From there it became a challenge to myself to spend as little as possible on this trip. I wanted to cover air, hotel, Disney tickets, and anything else I reasonably could with credit card points. So how did I do?

Understanding Tokyo’s Costs

Tokyo is often perceived as an expensive city, but with some planning and research, visitors can have a great time without breaking the bank. Understanding Tokyo’s costs is key to making the most of your trip. From accommodation to transportation, food, and attractions, there are many ways to save money and make your trip more affordable.

Accommodation in Tokyo

Accommodation prices in Tokyo can vary greatly depending on the type of accommodation and location. Luxury hotels can be expensive, but there are also many affordable options available, such as budget hotels, hostels, and capsule hotels. Capsule hotels are a unique and affordable option for travelers, with prices starting from around ¥2,000-¥5,000 ($13-33 USD) per night. Budget hotels and hostels are also a great option, with prices starting from around ¥5,000-¥10,000 ($33-66 USD) per night.

For those looking for a more traditional Japanese experience, ryokans are a great option. Ryokans are traditional Japanese inns that offer a unique and authentic experience, with prices starting from around ¥10,000-¥20,000 ($66-132 USD) per night.

Transportation in Tokyo

Tokyo has a comprehensive public transportation system, with many options for getting around the city. The Tokyo Metro is one of the most convenient and efficient ways to get around, with prices starting from around ¥200-¥400 ($1.30-2.65 USD) per ride. The Japan Rail Pass is also a great option for travelers, offering unlimited travel on JR trains for a fixed period of time.

For those looking for a more affordable option, buses are also available, with prices starting from around ¥200-¥400 ($1.30-2.65 USD) per ride. Taxis are also available, but can be more expensive, with prices starting from around ¥600-¥1,000 ($4-6.65 USD) per ride.

Food and Drink in Tokyo

Food and drink prices in Tokyo can vary greatly depending on the type of restaurant and location. Convenience store food is a great option for budget travelers, with prices starting from around ¥500-¥1,000 ($3.32-6.65 USD) per meal. Cheap food options are also available at restaurants and cafes, with prices starting from around ¥1,000-¥2,000 ($6.65-13.29 USD) per meal.

For those looking for a more luxurious dining experience, high-end restaurants are also available, with prices starting from around ¥5,000-¥10,000 ($33-66 USD) per meal. Luxury hotels also offer fine dining options, with prices starting from around ¥10,000-¥20,000 ($66-132 USD) per meal.

Here’s what I Spent in Tokyo

Airfare $ 433.87

Airfare is a big expense in the question of what it costs to go to Tokyo. Nearly a year in advance of this trip, I booked an economy roundtrip from Orlando to Haneda for 70,000 United miles and $57.87 for taxes and fees. I later splurged and upgraded to Economy Plus for an additional $376/rt bringing the total for airfare to $433.87.

Hotels $0

Because I was spending a few days at Tokyo Disneyland, I decided to split my hotel stay so that I could be closer to the theme parks for part of the trip.

• I spent five nights at the Tokyo Hyatt Regency in Shinjuku for $746.45, however, I used my $300 annual travel credit from CapitalOne, which brought the cost to $446.45. Then I used 44,645 miles to erase the remaining cost, bringing it to a $0 out-of-pocket cost for me.
• I wrapped up the trip with four nights at Disneyland’s Toy Story Hotel for $977.18, however, I used 97,718 CapitalOne miles to “erase” the rest of this travel purchase, so $0 out-of-pocket cost.

Non-Train Transportation $79.36

• Parking at the airport in Orlando: $105.90. Once again, CapitalOne’s purchase eraser (10,590 points) came in clutch and made my cost $0.
• Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfers in Tokyo (I arrived rather late and didn’t want to navigate the trains while jetlagged and dragging my luggage; my departure would have had me taking the train with my luggage at rush hour which I also preferred to avoid): $122.17. And yes, it was purchased erased (12,217 points)! While private transfers are convenient, the Tokyo subway is a primary public transportation system that is both efficient and cost-effective for getting around the city.
• One 30-minute Uber when changing hotels ran me 13,756 yen or $94.36 USD. This was pricey and I knew that going into it, but it was going to be 90 minutes on the train, so I decided to splurge a little and make my life easier. It was early in June and I hadn’t yet used my $15 American Express Uber credit, bringing the cost to $79.36. I could have used American Express membership rewards points to erase this, but for some reason, it didn’t occur to me until just now, so I didn’t.

Activities $297.69

• Two days of Disney tickets: $127.74
• Kimono experience with photos: $169.95

Trains, Food and Shopping: approximately $700.00

• I brought 138k yen with me ($1k USD) with me and came home with about $300 USD left, so I’m approximating that I spent $700 on food, trains, and shopping. I did a really poor job of tracking this, so this is my best guesstimate. This includes the Unko (Poop) museum, a cat cafe visit, and teamLab Planets.

Misc $58.02

• TDL Guidebook: $15
• WiFi rental: $43.02

Total Cash Out-of-Pocket: $1568.94

Final Thoughts

That’s what it costs to go to Tokyo if you use points and miles! Could I have done this even cheaper? Absolutely! I could have saved $376 by not upgrading my flight to Comfort Plus and $79.36 by taking the train instead of an Uber, bringing the cost down to $1,113.58. I didn’t deny myself when it came to food and shopping, so with careful budgeting I’m sure I could have brought my total cost to under $1k. But the reason I points hack is so that I can treat myself to things like comfort upgrades and not have to choose the cheapest thing on the menu.

If you’re going to points hack you have to be able to use credit cards responsibly and that means never carrying a balance (which I realize is a tremendous privilege). Carrying a balance and paying interest negates the benefits of the points you earn.

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