Cheap flights to Tokyo

Tokyo is one of Japan’s most influential and cultural cities. It’s not only the capital of Japan; it’s a melting pot of diversity and history. Tokyo travellers will be mesmerized by the city’s abundance of things to do, but if you’re looking for authentic Japanese traditions and quiet neighborhoods, a flight to Tokyo is not for you. Tokyo is a crowded, busy, and futuristic-city that is full of ideas and inventions. Of course, there are some traditions that Tokyo still embraces – traditional tea ceremonies, flower arranging and public baths still take place and Tokyo boasts a wealth of museums and Japanese art.

For the first-time traveller, however, Tokyo is a shopper’s haven. Pack an extra bag with you on your flight to Tokyo – from high-tech toys to designer clothes, it’s impossible not to bring back a little gift from Tokyo. While you’re here, take in the nightlife that Tokyo is famous for – trendy clubs and fine-budget dining are the way to go. Thanks to the millions of students that reside in Tokyo, the city is affordable and fashionable and has something for everyone. The best part about Tokyo? It’s people. Take time on your flight to Tokyo to talk to your neighbor – the city may be cramped and hectic, but the people are friendly and can show tourist the true beauty that lies within Tokyo.

Search and compare: cheap flights to Tokyo

How long is the flight to Tokyo?

Flights from Canada to Tokyo, Japan range from about 9-20h. If you’re departing from as far east as Toronto or Montreal, expect your flight time to be on the longer end of the spectrum, since flights to Japan from North America traverse a western route. Conversely, those flying out of airports in the western provinces, such as in Calgary or Vancouver, will likely enjoy a flight time on the shorter end of the range. Other contributing factors, such as time of year, number of layovers, and length of layovers can also affect your flight time.

Where can you get direct flights to Tokyo from?

There are several airlines that offer direct flights to Tokyo from different cities in Canada. Four major international airports, Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Toronto Pearson, Calgary, and Vancouver, all service anywhere from about four to 14 nonstop Tokyo flights each day. The most common airlines that provide these flights include Air Canada, ANA, and Japan Airlines. From other cities, such as Edmonton, expect at least one stopover, with common stopover cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver, BC, and SeaTac.

How do you get from Tokyo airport(s) to the city centre?

Tokyo is home to two major international airports, Haneda, which is about 20km from the city centre, and Narita, which is about 60 km from the city centre. More often than not, your flight will route you to Narita, while only 10% of all international flights alight into Haneda.

One of the most popular ways to downtown Tokyo from Narita Airport is via the Narita Express, which takes you directly from the airport to several central Tokyo rail stations. It departs every 30-60 minutes and costs about C$37-C$60, depending on your destination. You can also take a bus from Narita to Tokyo, which will cost you about C$12. The bus takes perhaps an hour and a half, making at many stops at popular train stations and several hotels. Taxis can take about the same amount of time as a bus yet cost you as much as C$200-C$325, which may explain why rail and bus options are the more popular modes of transport into Tokyo city centre.

What are some things to do in Tokyo?

Tokyo is a thriving metropolis that seamlessly blends tradition and modernity like no other city. While in Tokyo, be sure you make your way to Shibuya to witness the madness that is the Shibuya Crossing, the pedestrian crosswalk where multiple streets meet and millions of people cross daily. While in the neighbourhood, take a stroll to nearby Harajuku, the birthplace of colourful Kawaii and Lolita fashions. Tokyo also has two incredible structures reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower or Space Needle – Tokyo Tower and the newer Tokyo SkyTree, both impressive sights from distance and with respective observation decks offering stunning views of the city. Make time to also visit a tranquil temple, such as Senso-Ji, complete with a multistory pagoda and Shinto shrine.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Tokyo?

Canadian citizens need a valid passport to enter Tokyo but do not require a visa if their stay is for under 90 days and for tourism or business.

Tokyo climate

Winter is cold in Tokyo and the temperature occasionally drops below freezing. Spring has pleasant warm days. Summer is hot and muggy. It gets cool again in the fall, with temperatures ranging from 15-22 degrees Celsius. August is the warmest month with high humidity and temperatures in the mid-20s, and January is the coldest with temperatures just below zero. The monsoon season lasts about a month starting around mid-June. Typhoons are widespread in Japan in September.

When is the best time to fly to Tokyo?

Peak Season:

Spring and fall are the most temperate seasons and the best time to book flights to Tokyo. Despite the heat and humidity of the summer, Tokyo flights and hotel rates rise in the summer. Many local festivals are celebrated in Tokyo in July, and the school summer vacation runs from the end of July through August. Peak travel times for Tokyo flights and rooms in Tokyo tend to fall around Japanese holidays when reservations need to be booked far in advance.

Off Season:

The New Year’s celebration is January 1 through 3, which is a busy travel time, but the rest of January, February, and March are quiet. Sightseeing attractions are not very busy and the weather is chilly, but this is the best time to find cheap flights to Tokyo.  

Search and compare: cheap flights to Tokyo

Getting around Tokyo

Tokyo is known internationally for having great public transportation. It’s clean, safe and efficient. Tourists usually stick to the subway or Japan Railways (JR). The subway has 13 different lines that run from 5 am to midnight. Avoid rush hour if possible as it can get extremely crowded. You can buy a Tokyo Combination Ticket which offers unlimited rides on the Tokyo trains, subway and bus lines for one day. 

Taxis are safe, clean and comfortable, but among the highest-priced in the world. Drivers rarely speak English, so it’s a good idea to have your destinations written in Japanese before boarding.  

What is good to know if travelling to Tokyo?

• Tokyo is the largest city in the world. The city is made up of a series of small towns and neighborhoods, each with its own history, flavour, and atmosphere, organized into 23 wards. Depending on how you like to explore a city, you may want to make a plan as to which districts/wards you want to visit and sights you want to see before arriving.
• Experiencing the best of what Tokyo has to offer is inexpensive and often free, such as a walk through Shitamachi around Asakusa, the Buddhist temple Sensoji, the Meiji-jingu Shinto shrine, the Harajuku shopping area, and the Tsukiji fish market. Get a good guide book to both check out which sites are free and to plan your visit to Tokyo.
• The Tokyo Tourism Info Web site lists the top attractions in Tokyo, with links to information on festivals, shopping, eating, and entertainment in Tokyo.
• In Tokyo it’s very easy to eat on a budget. Two options are a set lunch and obento. A set lunch is a fixed-price meal that usually includes an appetizer or soup, main dish with one or two side dishes, and sometimes dessert. Set lunches are called teishoku, seto coursu, or coursu in Japanese. Some restaurants also offer set dinners although they cost a bit more than a set lunch. Getting an obento (box lunch) is a “must do.” A typical obento contains fish or chicken, side dishes, rice, and pickled vegetables. But the best part is the presentation, it should be beautiful enough to “eat with the eyes”. 
• For nightlife and entertainment, Tokyo has Kabuki, No, Bunraku puppet drama, music, dance, classical and popular music, strip joints, massage parlours, peep shows, bars, restaurants, and so on. But even as the night wears on and the revellers become more and more inebriated, the city remains fairly safe. You will get lost in Tokyo — everyone does, even Tokyo cab drivers. Always go out armed with street and subway maps. They are readily available in Tokyo, and the Tokyo Convention and Visitors Bureau gives out free maps. When you do get lost, ask for help and directions. Don’t be shy about asking again as you’re following the directions. Unless you’re fluent in Japanese or the person you asked is fluent in English, misinterpretation of the directions is a possibility. You may also want to buy a phrase book that has English transliterations of Japanese (romaji), and Japanese characters (kanji and kana). Then you can also point to the Japanese words to get help.

How popular are flights to Tokyo this year?

This year has seen a 103% increase in flight searches for Tokyo.