If you are going to Tokyo but wish to travel on a budget, then finding cheap flights to Tokyo should be on top of your travel budget or else say goodbye to the dream of traveling Tokyo on a budget.

Wherever you are from—the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, or elsewhere—you can get cheap flights to Tokyo.

Keep on reading to see how to save big on flight tickets and how to be a smart shopper when making your bookings. Let’s go!

Timing is everything in finding cheap flights to Tokyo

Proper planning enables you to discover cheap flights for Tokyo. Your choice of time and flight booking strategy will determine success when traveling to Tokyo either for pleasure or business or cultural exploration.

Flight prices increase and decrease because of seasonal conditions combined with market demand and airline promotional offers therefore the timing of booking flight tickets to Tokyo matters the most. Booking your flights between three months to six months ahead provides the most favorable opportunity to acquire cheapest flight fares.

Traveling during the late winter months from January until early March or throughout the autumn period from September till early November will enable you to benefit from lower flight prices compared to the busy periods such as cherry blossom season in spring and the holiday season in December. Booking flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays could be cheaper than typical weekend getaways since these days have low travel volumes.

Consider alternative airports to find cheap flights to Tokyo

Flying into alternative airports instead of major ones can save you money on flights to Tokyo. Instead of landing at Narita International Airport (NRT), check flights to Haneda Airport (HND), which is closer to the city and often has cheaper domestic connections. If you’re open to a layover, you can also find budget-friendly flights by flying into nearby airports like Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka or Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) in Nagoya, then taking a bullet train or budget airline to Tokyo.

Exploring these options can cut costs while giving you a chance to see more of Japan!

Use online sites such as Google Flights to get cheap flights to Tokyo

Online travel sites such as Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak allow you to easily find the cheapest flights to Tokyo. They allow you to compare prices across airlines, set up price alerts and check flexible dates in order to get the best flight deals.

Google Flights specifically displays a calendar view with cheapest flight fares so you can pick the most affordable days to travel. It also brings to light different airports and air combinations that you might not consider but would help you save.

With these tools, you will be able to easily locate the cheapest fare and book your flight to Tokyo for cheap.

Save money on Tokyo flights with airline miles and credit card points

If you have credit card points or airline miles, you can save significantly on Tokyo flights—or even fly for free! Travel credit cards have sign-up bonuses and rewards for everyday purchases, which can be redeemed into flights.

Airlines such as ANA, Japan Airlines, and major airline carriers enable you to use miles to book flights, usually at lower rates than if you paid in cash. You can also transfer points from Chase Sapphire, Amex Membership Rewards, or Capital One to airline partners for better offers.

When used smartly these miles and points can definitely make your Tokyo trip a lot cheaper!

Monitor airline flash sales to catch cheap flights to Tokyo

Airlines frequently run flash sales of limited duration with massive discounts on Tokyo flights. These sales are tend to be unannounces and last for a matters of hours of days. In order to be able to seize them, register for airline newsletters, follow the airlines on social media, and activate fare alert on booking platforms. The most important thing here is to move quickly, since these tickets do not last long!

Direct flights to Tokyo vs. connecting flights

Direct flights to Tokyo are very convenient compared to flights with stops, but tend to be more expensive. Don’t think, though, that a direct flight is always unaffordable – occasionally you can get an excellent bargain. Begin by finding the lowest fare on a direct flight, and if that is beyond your budget, find the shortest indirect route.

If you opt for a connecting flight, make your total travel time not more than 20-24 hours. Unless you organize a proper stopover—such as staying overnight or two nights in Hong Kong or Thailand, longer travel times can exhaust and frustrate you when you arrive. Younger travelers may not care about the extra hours, but for most, a shorter trip is the way to go. Our staff has taken several flights to and from Tokyo, and we’ve found that sleeping on airport floors is best avoided!

Airlines providing cheap flights to Tokyo

1. ZIPAIR Tokyo

Launched in 2020 as a subsidiary of Japan Airlines (JAL), ZIPAIR Tokyo is a quite recent airline. Unlike conventional low-cost airlines, ZIPAIR seeks to present a hybrid approach with reasonably priced rates mixed with a bit of luxury service.

The airline has a fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, delivering a luxurious long-haul experience. Its all-digital, contactless service—which lets passengers check-in and order in-flight goods using their cellphones—is one of its best points. ZIPAIR has positioned itself as an enticing choice for budget-conscious tourists who nonetheless demand a greater level of comfort and technology-driven ease.

ZIPAIR flies to and from big cities including:

United States: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu
Asia: Manila, Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore
Oceania: Sydney (planned growth)

Services:

Cabin Classes: Offers business and economy-class seating.
Free in-flight Wi-Fi, customisable meals, and a baggage allowance paid extra.
Unique Features: Provides a no-frills service, allowing passengers to pay for only what they need, reducing overall ticket prices.

Pros:

Competitive pricing for international flights.
Free Wi-Fi on all flights.
Operates on contemporary Boeing 787 Dreamliners, ensuring comfort.
Digital-first approach for a seamless experience.

Cons:

Meals and baggage require additional fees.
Less paths of travel than on bigger airlines.
Restricted lounge access relative to full-service airlines.

2. AirAsia X

Based on AirAsia, a well-known cheap airline with headquarters in Malaysia, AirAsia X is the long-haul affiliate. Offering ultra-low rates with an à la carte pricing approach, AirAsia X has concentrated on making intercontinental travel reasonably priced since its launch in 2007.

For those on a tight budget, passengers can choose to pay for extras such meals, checked bags, and in-flight entertainment. Mostly serving leisure travellers and backpackers who value cost above luxury, the airline serves Over the years, AirAsia X has grown its network dramatically, making it a formidable participant in the low-cost, long-haul market.

AirAsia X flies to Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) from multiple locations, including:

Southeast Asia: Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta
Australia: Perth, Sydney, Melbourne

Services:

Economy and Premium Flatbed is a more reasonably priced business-class substitute.
Amenities: Additional baggage allowance, pre-booked meals, and entertainment services available for purchase.
Special qualities include a strong Southeast Asian network and competitive prices with regular promo rates.

Pros:

One of the cheapest options for long-haul flights to Tokyo.
Frequent promotional fares and discounts.
One reasonably priced business-class substitute is Premium Flatbed class.

Cons:

None of checked bags or complimentary meals.
No onboard Wi-Fi.
Few departure points outside Australia and Southeast Asia.

3. Scoot

Subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, Scoot is a low-cost airline with headquarters in Singapore. Established in 2012, Scoot was designed to offer a reasonably priced substitute for those wishing to see Asia and beyond without straying from their budget.

For those ready to spend more, Scoot provides a somewhat more laid-back seating configuration and extra service options than conventional low-cost carriers. Its fleet primarily consists of Boeing 787 Dreamliners for long-haul routes and Airbus A320s for shorter flights. The airline has acquired fame for its distinctive logo, hilarious onboard announcements, and flexible fare options.

Scoot conducts flights from Singapore to Tokyo with several connecting flights from Australia and other regions of Asia.
Singapore to Tokyo Narita (NRT) direct flights.
Connecting flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Bangkok via Singapore.

Services:

Economy and ScootPlus, a premium economy choice with greater legroom and meal incentives, are cabin classes.
Amenities include in-flight entertainment, baggage choices, and extra cost meals.
Unique Features: Flexible ticketing options and promotional fares, making it a great choice for budget travellers from Australia and Southeast Asia.

Pros:

Runs Boeing 787 Dreamliners, providing a more cosy flight.
Flexible pricing options allow passengers to personalize their travel needs.
Strong connectivity across Asia and Australia.

Cons:

Not any free entertainment or meals.
Insufficient choices for premium seating.
Additional fees for baggage and seat selection.

4. Jetstar Japan

Jetstar Japan is a joint venture between Japan Airlines, Qantas, and Mitsubishi Corporation. Starting in 2012, the airline was developed to meet the rising demand for low-cost travel inside Japan and surrounding foreign locations.

Unlike some other low-cost carriers, Jetstar Japan mostly concentrates on short-haul flights, hence it is a good option for budget tourists visiting Japan or hopping to nearby countries. Operating a fleet of Airbus A320 planes, which are well-known for their economy of cost and fuel efficiency Strong rival in the home market, jetstar Japan offers regular flights between big Japanese cities at very low rates.

Jetstar Japan primarily serves travelers flying inside Asia, operating flights to Tokyo Narita from:

Japan: Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Okinawa
International: Taipei, Manila, Shanghai, Hong Kong

Services:

Class of Cabin: Only economic.
Pay as you go for food, entertainment, and baggage.
Unique Features: Ideal for budget-conscious travellers going between Japan and surrounding Asian destinations.

Pros:

One of the cheapest options for domestic flights in Japan.
Frequent flight schedules make it convenient for travellers.
Part of the larger Jetstar network, ensuring reliability.

Cons:

There are neither premium or business-class seating choices.
Few foreign paths than that of other low-cost carriers.
Additional costs for baggage, seat choice, in-flight facilities.