I’ve begun looking at flights to Tokyo for the 2020 summer games as flight schedules open. The games will be held from July 24th through August 9th of next year, and flight schedules are opening for the last week of July. As you might expect, fares are elevated already, as demand will definitely be high to these trips. Currently, however, flights from Los Angeles and Philadelphia are still at relatively low prices. Typically, summer flights on these routes are over $1,000, but here’s what available from those two cities.
- Los Angeles from $801 (Philippine Airlines)
- Philadelphia from $849 (American Airlines and Japan Airlines)
These, like most fares to Asia, are main cabin economy fares, including seat selection and checked bags. For comparison, flights on the same dates from San Francisco from $957 (China Airlines and JAL), Seattle from $1104 (Asiana), Chicago from $1,028 (Eva), New York (Asiana) from $1,004…you get the gist. I’m not sure how long these prices will last, so if you’re planning to see the Olympics in Japan you might want to jump on these now.
How to Book
- Follow link for sample dates or search your favorite OTA / Google Flights for departure and destination
Travel Dates
- Mid/late July 2020
- 7-day stay required
Where to Stay in Tokyo
(SEE ALSO: Best Hotels in Tokyo on Point from 4 Major Hotel Chains)
Things to Do in Tokyo
(SEE ALSO: 3 Ways to do an International – Domestic Transfer at Tokyo Haneda Airport)
Good luck and happy flying!
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
chain hotels haven’t been releasing many if any hotel rooms so beware when booking flights that it may be difficult finding place to stay at present time. Not saying things won’t improve.
Honestly, I think they won’t. I’ve never seen an event where prices went down for stays (unless demand is over-estimated, and I doubt the games in a beautiful destination like Tokyo will have that issue). I’d work with Kris’ idea: look at independent hotels or residences available through trusted OTAs and portals to find options and avoid scams.
You will love PAL’s friendly service. You won’t love Manila NAIA airport.. but on a good note I think they are using their new updated A330 on all Tokyo flights.
Good to know. I have been watching them as an option to the Philippines sometime in the next few years.
I would also recommend HND airport instead of NRT
Agreed, if the option is available.
A couple friends and I are planning a trip to Japan to combine the Olympics and general sightseeing. So far the flights are the easy part, I have found. Event tickets, however, are VERY hard to get (we’ve managed only one event so far).
And hotels – especially if trying to use points with one of the big chains – are almost impossible. There is nothing available for cash or points at any of the big 4 (Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt) over the Olympics. I contacted my Marriott Ambassador about the problem and was told that all of their hotels are blocked by arrangement with the IOC and local authorities. The Ambassador team had no idea if any rooms would ever be released. My assumption is the other 3 chains I mentioned have similar arrangements.
My friends and I wound up changing our trip dates to earlier in July with only the last few days overlapping with the Olympics. No problems getting rooms on points through the 23rd! I’ll probably wind up using the Chase portal to book a (very pricey) independent hotel or Airbnb with Reward points for the last few nights we need.
I’ve heard the hotel issue from numerous people, and it’s not surprising. A friend in Japan or an Airbnb/indie hotel is probably the best shot for the average person. I get the feeling that scams for residences would be relatively less common given the fewer spaces there, but since anybody can be a “Japanese landlord” online I think you’re right to use the portal.