How to get from Narita or Haneda airport to Tokyo

Traveling to Japan and want to know how to get from the airport to Tokyo? The capital has two main international airports:

• Haneda (HND): just 20 km from central Tokyo, and much more convenient.
• Narita (NRT): about 60 km away, with most of the international flights.

If you have the choice, we recommend flying into Haneda. You'll be in the city in half an hour, with cheaper transit and a much simpler trip.

Narita is farther away. It has good connections, but you need to factor in your flight time:

• If you land in the early hours of the morning or leave very early, there's no public transit available. In those cases you'll need a taxi or private transfer.
• During the day, there are frequent, comfortable trains and buses.

Narita Express (N'EX): fast and direct

• Travel time: ~60 minutes to Tokyo Station.
• Price: ~3,000 yen (about US$20).
• Advantages: reserved seats, room for luggage and a direct connection with no transfers.

Best if you have big suitcases or want to travel comfortably. It's included in the JR Pass.

👉🏻 Book your ticket online at a discount here.

Skyliner (Keisei): the fastest option

• Travel time: ~40 minutes to Ueno or Nippori.
• Price: 2,570 yen (about US$17).
• Advantages: it's the fastest train from Narita, with reserved seats and room for luggage.

Best if you're staying in Ueno, Asakusa or Nippori.

👉🏻 Buy your Skyliner ticket online

Limousine buses: door to door

• Travel time: 90–120 minutes (depending on traffic).
• Price: ~1,500 yen (about US$10)
• Advantage: they drop you right at some hotels or at key stops.

Best if you arrive late or want to avoid trains with luggage.

👉🏻 You can see the stops and book the bus here.

Local trains: the budget option

• Travel time: 90–120 minutes with transfers.
• Price: ~1,200 yen

Best if you're on a tight budget and don't mind taking longer.

Private transfer or taxi

• Travel time: 60–90 minutes.
• Price: from 11,000 yen (~US$80).

Best if you land in the early hours of the morning or are traveling in a group.

👉🏻 Book a private transfer here

Monorail + JR Yamanote: the best balance of price and time

• Travel time: ~15 minutes to Hamamatsucho, where you can connect to the Yamanote Line.
• Price: 500–700 yen (about US$4)

Best if you want speed and low cost. It's included in the JR Pass.

Keikyu Airport Line (Keikyū): direct to Shinagawa and along the Asakusa Line (no transfers)

• Travel time: ~11–15 min to Shinagawa; ~30–35 min direct to Asakusa
• Price (approx.): from 300–410 yen to Shinagawa; 500 yen to Asakusa

Best if you're staying in Asakusa, Ginza, Shimbashi, Nihombashi or Oshiage, or if you prefer fewer transfers from Haneda.

Tip: look for Limited Express / Airport Kaitoku services. At Shinagawa, transferring to JR is very easy with Suica/Pasmo.

Limousine bus

• Travel time: ~45 minutes.
• Price: 1,000–1,500 yen.

Best if you have a lot of luggage or want to go straight to your hotel.

👉🏻 Book the bus from the airport to your hotel here

Private transfer or taxi

• Travel time: 20–40 minutes.
• Price: from 6,000 yen (~US$40).

Best if you want maximum comfort or your flight gets in very late.

👉🏻 You can book a private transfer from Haneda here

We recommend buying an IC card (Suica or Pasmo) or adding one to your phone's wallet: paying for trains and the subway is super quick and easy.

Use Google Maps to get around: it shows you the exact routes and all the schedules.