Start planning

Public travel plan

Tokyo–New York–London–Tokyo in Three Days

This is a very compressed three-day journey from Tokyo to New York, onward to London, and back to Tokyo, with long-haul flights between city visits. The creator travelled business class; the cabin, in-flight meals and a…

3 daysUpdated 37 highlights
Open map & itinerary Create your own
Travel inspiration for Tokyo–New York–London–Tokyo in Three Days

Source videos

Travel inspiration behind this plan

Flying Across Tokyo, New York, London in 3 Days! Watch on YouTube

Plan notes

Useful context before you go

This is a very compressed three-day journey from Tokyo to New York, onward to London, and back to Tokyo, with long-haul flights between city visits. The creator travelled business class; the cabin, in-flight meals and airport lounge are part of the experience, not required choices for following the route. Check current flight schedules, entry requirements, transit fares, opening arrangements and prices before setting out. The creator reported buying a Tokyo Station bento for about $10 and eating it later in New York; it kept for more than a day after purchase. Prices mentioned are from the visit, not current quotes. The Manhattan Hilton was reported at about $170, but the specific property was not identified. Before the London flight, the British Airways business-class lounge at JFK offered QR-code ordering with food delivered to the seat; the creator liked the burger.

Itinerary highlights

What is in this plan

Day 1: Tokyo departure and New York

The New York visit combines Lower Manhattan’s harbor and financial-district history with an uptown rail excursion and central Manhattan sights. The creator travelled onward from JFK to London after the city visit. The reported Manhattan stay was at a Hilton for about $170; its exact property was not identified, so confirm the location before using it as a base. At JFK before the London flight, the British Airways business-class lounge offered QR-code food ordering delivered to the seat; the cre…

  1. Tokyo StationTokyo Station, Tokyo, Japan

    The creator bought a bento here for about $10 and later used it as a convenient meal in New York. It kept for more than a day after purchase.

  2. Haneda Airport Terminal 3Haneda Airport Terminal 3, Tokyo, Japan

    Haneda Airport Terminal 3 was the departure point for the New York flight. The Japan Airlines business-class journey included the seat, privacy features, onboard amenities and in-flight meals.

  3. John F. Kennedy International AirportJohn F. Kennedy International Airport, Queens, New York, United States

    At JFK, follow the yellow arrows to the taxi stand and use an authorized yellow city taxi. The creator warned against choosing the wrong taxi and reported a fare of about $52 to Manhattan at the time.

  4. Brooklyn BridgeBrooklyn Bridge, New York, United States

    The bridge opened in 1883 and once carried trains. From the crossing, the creator pointed out the Chrysler Building and One World Trade Center in the Manhattan skyline.

  5. South Street SeaportSouth Street Seaport, New York, United States

    At the old port facilities, see the preserved sailing ship Wavertree, built in 1885. Waterfront signs describe this area as a place where New York began.

  6. Titanic Memorial LighthouseTitanic Memorial Lighthouse, New York, United States

    This lighthouse monument commemorates the Titanic and its intended voyage to New York. It stands at Fulton and Pearl Streets in Lower Manhattan.

  7. Wall StreetWall Street, New York, United States

    Explore this Financial District street and its historic buildings. Its name recalls a defensive wall that once stood here.

  8. Federal HallFederal Hall, New York, United States

    The George Washington statue stands outside Federal Hall. Preserved features inside connect the site with Washington’s inauguration as the first U.S. president.

  9. Staten Island Ferry Whitehall TerminalStaten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal, New York, United States

    The Staten Island Ferry is free and was described during the visit as operating 24 hours a day. It offers harbor and skyline views from Manhattan’s southern tip. Stay alert around the terminal: the creator warned about people who may approach visitors in ways resembling organized scams.

  10. Battery Maritime BuildingBattery Maritime Building, New York, United States

    This 1908 ferry terminal remains partly in use, while most of the building has been converted into a luxury hotel. The creator returned to admire its old waterfront architecture.

  11. Wall Street StationWall Street subway station, New York, United States

    The creator took the subway uptown from Wall Street. For ticket machines asking overseas visitors for a postal code, repeatedly pressing 9 worked; contactless credit cards could also be tapped at the gates. Trains were frequent and the fare was described as low at the time.

  12. High LineHigh Line, New York, United States

    This elevated park follows a former railway line. Preserved rails and artworks recall its industrial past, while the route looks toward the Hudson River, New Jersey and 10th Avenue.

  13. Chelsea PiersChelsea Piers, New York, United States

    These historic Hudson River docks opened in 1910 and were once a major maritime gateway. Exhibits recall the Titanic, the Carpathia rescue and prewar arrivals; parts of the piers now serve parking and tourist-boat terminals.

  14. Pennsylvania StationPennsylvania Station, New York, United States

    Penn Station is the departure point for the Amtrak journey toward Croton-Harmon. The creator travelled in reserved Coach Class, noted the seat had an electrical outlet, and said the trip took about 40 minutes.

  15. Croton-Harmon StationCroton-Harmon Station, Croton-on-Hudson, New York, United States

    At Croton-Harmon, the electrified rail section ends and trains switch to diesel. The creator bought a return commuter-train ticket here and noted that off-peak travel was a little cheaper.

  16. Grand Central TerminalGrand Central Terminal, New York, United States

    The commuter train returns to this grand transport hub. At the Oyster Bar, the creator ordered clam chowder and oysters; bread and water were complimentary during the visit.

  17. Times SquareTimes Square, New York, United States

    See the bright electronic advertisements and street performers. The creator cautioned that costumed characters may ask visitors to pay for photographs, so agree on any charge before posing.

  18. Jamaica StationJamaica Station, Queens, New York, United States

    The creator transferred here to the airport-bound train and noted that this service required a MetroCard, even though contactless cards could be used on the subway.

Day 2: London by rail, river and foot

From Heathrow, the Heathrow Express is the fast rail option into central London; booking ahead may make fares cheaper. The Underground was suggested as a lower-cost alternative, and immigration took about an hour during the visit. Contactless payment worked at Paddington Underground gates. The creator boarded an Uber Boat at Battersea Power Station and travelled downstream. The route passed Big Ben, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast and the Tower of London; these were river views along t…

  1. Heathrow AirportHeathrow Airport, London, United Kingdom

    The creator recommended the Heathrow Express as the fast rail option into central London, with Paddington as its destination. Booking ahead may make fares cheaper. The Underground was suggested as a lower-cost alternative; immigration took about an hour on this visit.

  2. Paddington StationPaddington Station, London, United Kingdom

    Arrive on the Heathrow Express and transfer to the Underground here. Contactless cards worked at the gates. The creator also rode the Circle line, noting its historic character and partly open-air sections.

  3. Battersea Park StationBattersea Park Station, London, United Kingdom

    At Battersea Park Station, the creator spotted the British Pullman, a luxury train associated with journeys by Queen Elizabeth and Winston Churchill.

  4. Battersea Power StationBattersea Power Station, London, United Kingdom

    This decommissioned power station is a Thames-side landmark, with an industrial history tied to coal deliveries by river. From here, the creator boarded an Uber Boat downstream.

  5. Tower BridgeTower Bridge, London, United Kingdom

    Walk across Tower Bridge and visit its exhibition. The creator paid about £10 at the time; the visit included the bascule mechanism, a glass floor, views toward the Tower of London and displays about the bridge’s steam-powered machinery. The bridge can open for boats with about 24 hours’ notice.

  6. Royal ExchangeRoyal Exchange, London, United Kingdom

    The Royal Exchange sits in the historic City of London financial district. Some building viewpoints in the area require reservations, so check ahead if a particular view is part of your plan.

  7. Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower)Big Ben, London, United Kingdom

    The creator explored Westminster, pointing out Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and statues of Winston Churchill and Mahatma Gandhi. These landmarks are part of the same central sightseeing leg.

  8. Trafalgar SquareTrafalgar Square, London, United Kingdom

    The brief stop was for Nelson’s Column and the square before transferring to the Underground.

  9. Piccadilly CircusPiccadilly Circus, London, United Kingdom

    A quick stop at this major tourist spot takes in a streetscape the creator said evoked the horse-carriage era. The visit was brief because of the tight schedule.

Day 3: Tokyo by road, water and rail

After returning to Haneda, the Tokyo tour moves by road, waterfront, water bus and train. At Hama-rikyu, the creator bought a ticket at the water-bus ticket office and boarded the 16:50 service toward Asakusa. The boat passed through a sluice gate and followed the Sumida River upstream, passing Kachidoki, Kiyosu and Shin-Ohashi bridges, with views of Tokyo Skytree and river traffic. Near the Skytree landing, the creator continued on foot to Sensō-ji and Nakamise Street.

  1. OdaibaOdaiba, Tokyo, Japan

    The Tokyo tour begins after the return to Haneda and travels by road along the Shuto Expressway. This waterfront stop offers views of the Statue of Liberty replica, ships and Tokyo Skytree in the distance; the creator reflects on Tokyo’s historic reliance on waterways and sea transport.

  2. Nihonbashi BridgeNihonbashi Bridge, Tokyo, Japan

    Nihonbashi was once a major center for waterborne trade, with goods moving along the riverbank. The creator also noted that the elevated expressway above the bridge is planned to be moved underground.

  3. Ginza MitsukoshiGinza Mitsukoshi, Tokyo, Japan

    At the 4th Street intersection, look for the Wako and Mitsukoshi buildings. The creator ate Tokyo-style eel at Mitsukoshi for about ¥5,000 (around $30 at the time), with condiments and broth for serving it as ochazuke.

  4. Hamamatsucho Elevated WalkwayHamamatsucho Elevated Walkway, Tokyo, Japan

    This elevated walkway near Hamamatsucho is compared with New York’s High Line. Along the route, look for views of Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Port and the surrounding redeveloped area.

  5. Hama-rikyu GardensHama-rikyu Gardens, Tokyo, Japan

    The creator spotted this waterfront garden beside the route, then bought a ticket at the nearby water-bus ticket office and boarded the 16:50 boat toward Asakusa. The trip passed through a sluice gate and followed the Sumida River upstream.

  6. Sensō-jiSensō-ji, Tokyo, Japan

    From the boat landing near Skytree, a short walk leads to Sensō-ji and Nakamise Street. The temple was rebuilt after World War II; displays around the site explain its history and the former Sumida River area.

  7. Ameya-YokochoAmeya-Yokocho, Tokyo, Japan

    This old-fashioned shopping street near Ueno Station retains a distinctive historic atmosphere. The creator comments on its preserved character.

  8. Shibuya Scramble CrossingShibuya Scramble Crossing, Tokyo, Japan

    Watch the crowds move across the iconic crossing. The nearby Hachiko statue is a popular meeting point.

  9. Tokyo Metropolitan Government BuildingTokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

    The creator points out the twin towers of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government buildings and describes Shinjuku as a major gathering place within Tokyo.

  10. AkihabaraAkihabara, Tokyo, Japan

    From the train, the creator points out Chuo-dori and Akihabara’s anime-related shops, along with maid cafés. This captures the area’s distinctive pop-culture and retail streetscape.