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Tokyo has two airports, and they’re very different distances from the city. Here’s the simple guide to getting from Narita and Haneda into central Tokyo without overpaying or getting lost.
From Haneda (close — 30–45 min)
Haneda is the closer, easier airport. Best options:
- Keikyu Line / Tokyo Monorail — cheap and fast to Shinagawa/Hamamatsucho, then connect on the Yamanote line. Tap in with a Suica/Pasmo.
- Airport Limousine Bus — direct to major hotels; great with luggage.
- Taxi — reasonable at night if you’re a group heading to a central hotel.
From Narita (far — 60–90 min)
Narita is ~60 km out, so the transfer matters more:
- Keisei Skyliner — fastest to Ueno/Nippori (about 40 min); buy discounted tickets in advance.
- Narita Express (N’EX) — direct to Tokyo, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Yokohama; comfortable with big bags.
- Airport Limousine Bus — door-to-hotel, no transfers.
- Budget buses — cheapest to Tokyo Station if you’re watching every yen.
You can pre-book Skyliner, N’EX, and bus tickets in English (often discounted) on Klook , which saves queueing at the airport counter.
Which to choose
- Light bags, want cheapest: trains + IC card.
- Lots of luggage / late arrival: Limousine Bus or taxi straight to the hotel.
- Narita to west Tokyo (Shinjuku/Shibuya): N’EX; to Ueno/Asakusa: Skyliner.
Before you land
Have your eSIM active so maps work immediately, know which neighborhood your hotel is in, and grab an IC card at the station. Then you’re ready for the 7-day itinerary.
What each option typically costs
- From Haneda, the Keikyu Line/Tokyo Monorail runs JPY 300-700 depending on your final destination, while an airport limousine bus runs JPY 1,200-1,500 to major hotel areas.
- From Narita, the Skyliner runs about JPY 2,570 one-way to Ueno (discounted further with advance online booking), the Narita Express runs JPY 3,250-4,000 depending on destination, and budget buses can run as low as JPY 1,300-2,000 to Tokyo Station.
- A taxi from Narita into central Tokyo runs JPY 20,000-25,000, dramatically more than any train option — reasonable only for very late arrivals with no other option or a large group splitting the cost evenly.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming Narita and Haneda are interchangeable for planning purposes — the distance and cost difference is substantial; always confirm which airport your specific flight uses well before arrival, since assuming Haneda’s shorter transfer time when you’re actually flying into Narita can throw off tight connection plans.
- Not pre-booking discounted Skyliner or N’EX tickets — online advance booking through official sites or platforms like Klook is often meaningfully cheaper than buying at the airport counter, and it also skips the ticket queue on arrival.
- Choosing the cheapest bus option with heavy luggage and a late-night arrival — budget buses take longer and have less frequent departures late at night; the extra cost of a faster train option is often worth it when you’re jet-lagged and eager to reach your hotel.
Timing your arrival transfer
Both airports’ fastest train services (Skyliner, N’EX, Keikyu) run less frequently late at night, so a flight landing after 9-10pm may face longer waits or a switch to a taxi or airport hotel — checking the last train departure time for your specific route before booking flights avoids an unwelcome late-night surprise.
Connecting between the two airports
If your itinerary requires flying into one Tokyo airport and departing from the other, budget at least 90 minutes to two hours for the direct airport-to-airport bus, longer if you’re routing through the city instead — this connection is often overlooked when booking separate one-way flights into and out of Tokyo.
