Getting from Narita & Haneda Airport to Tokyo
Every transport option between Tokyo's two airports and the city centre, with prices, journey times, and honest recommendations so you can pick the right one for your trip.
Which Airport Are You Landing At?
Haneda Airport (HND) is only 15 km south of central Tokyo. Getting into the city is cheap, fast, and straightforward. You can be at your hotel in 30–45 minutes for under ¥600.
Narita Airport (NRT) is 60 km east of Tokyo, out in Chiba prefecture. The journey takes 40–90 minutes depending on what you choose, and costs between ¥1,000 and ¥3,200. Most international long-haul flights still land here, so there's a good chance this is your airport.
If you have a choice between the two, Haneda is more convenient in every way. But Narita has excellent transport links and getting into town is a well-oiled process that millions of tourists do every week.
From Narita Airport
You have four main options. Here's the quick comparison, then the detail on each:
| Option | Time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narita Express (N'EX) | ~60 min to Tokyo Station | ¥3,070 | Staying in Shinjuku, Shibuya, Yokohama, or anywhere on the JR network |
| Keisei Skyliner | ~41 min to Ueno/Nippori | ¥2,580 | Staying in Ueno, Asakusa, or northeast Tokyo |
| Access Express | ~55 min to Asakusa | ~¥1,290 | Budget travellers headed to Asakusa/Oshiage area |
| Airport Bus (TYO-NRT) | ~65 min to Tokyo Station | ¥1,500 | Anyone who wants door-to-door simplicity with luggage |
Narita Express (N'EX)
The most popular choice for good reason. The Narita Express is a JR train with reserved seating, luggage space, and English announcements. It runs directly to Tokyo Station in about 60 minutes, then continues to Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Yokohama, so you can often ride all the way to your neighbourhood without transferring.
How to buy: Head to the JR East ticket counter or the red ticket machines with passport readers at the airport station (basement level). The machines are faster. They take cash and credit cards and have an English interface.
Best for: Travellers staying in Shinjuku, Shibuya, or along the Yamanote Line. Also ideal if you have a JR Pass, since the N'EX is included at no extra cost.
Keisei Skyliner
The fastest train from Narita. The Skyliner reaches 160 km/h and gets you to Nippori in 36 minutes or Ueno in 41 minutes. From either station, you can transfer to the JR Yamanote Line or Tokyo Metro to reach the rest of the city.
The Skyliner fare is made up of a base fare (¥1,280) plus a reserved-seat surcharge (¥1,300). You need to buy a ticket at the Keisei counter or machines; you can't just tap an IC card.
Best for: Travellers staying in Ueno, Asakusa, or anywhere in northeast Tokyo. If your hotel is near a Tokyo Metro station, the Skyliner + subway ticket combo gets you there without touching the JR network.
Keisei Access Express
The budget train option that doesn't get enough attention. The Access Express runs on the same fast track as the Skyliner but makes more stops, so it takes about 55 minutes to reach Asakusa. The big difference: no reserved-seat surcharge. You pay only the base fare, around ¥1,290 to Asakusa or ¥1,190 to Oshiage (Tokyo Skytree station).
The catch: no reserved seats, so you might stand if it's busy. Luggage space is limited compared to the N'EX and Skyliner. But for ¥1,290 from Narita to Asakusa with no transfers, it's hard to argue with the value.
Best for: Budget travellers heading to Asakusa, Oshiage (Skytree), or anywhere on the Asakusa Line. You can pay with your IC card, so there's no need to buy a separate ticket.
Keisei Main Line (Cheapest Option)
The Keisei Main Line rapid limited express runs a different route to the Access Express, heading to Nippori and Ueno via Funabashi and Aoto. It's the slowest option at around 70–80 minutes, but it's also the cheapest train at roughly ¥1,060. Seats are unreserved.
Unless you're on a very strict budget, the Access Express or the airport bus offer better value for your time.
Airport Bus (TYO-NRT)
A comfortable, low-stress alternative to the trains. The TYO-NRT bus runs between Narita and Tokyo Station/Ginza area every 10–20 minutes and costs just ¥1,500. Journey time is about 65 minutes in normal traffic, but can stretch to 90 minutes during rush hour or bad weather.
Other bus operators run to specific areas: WILLER EXPRESS serves Ikebukuro (~¥2,300), and Tokyu Bus goes to Shibuya (~¥2,500). These cost more but drop you closer to your hotel if you're staying in those areas.
Best for: Anyone staying near Tokyo Station or Ginza, families with lots of luggage, or late/early arrivals when trains are less frequent. Also great if you're jet-lagged and just want to sit and zone out.
Taxi / Private Transfer from Narita
A taxi from Narita to central Tokyo runs ¥20,000–¥30,000 on the meter. Fixed-fare services exist for around ¥20,000–¥25,000. Shared shuttle services (like Airport Shuttle or Nearme) cost ¥3,000–¥5,000 per person and take you to your hotel door, but they make multiple stops so the total trip can take 2+ hours.
For most travellers, the train or bus offers far better value. A private transfer only makes sense if you're splitting it among 3–4 people, have mobility issues, or arrive very late at night after the last train.
From Haneda Airport
Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo, and getting into the city is faster, cheaper, and generally easier. Two rail lines compete for your business, and both are excellent.
| Option | Time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keikyu Line | ~15 min to Shinagawa | ¥330 | Shinjuku, Shibuya, anywhere on the JR Yamanote Line |
| Tokyo Monorail | ~15 min to Hamamatsucho | ¥520 | Tokyo Station, Ueno, Asakusa (via Yamanote transfer) |
| Limousine Bus | 30–60 min | ¥1,100–¥1,300 | Direct to specific hotels or stations with heavy luggage |
| Taxi | 20–40 min | ¥6,000–¥10,000 | Late-night arrivals, groups of 3–4 |
Keikyu Line
The go-to choice for most travellers. The Keikyu Line reaches Shinagawa Station in about 15 minutes for just ¥330. From Shinagawa, you can transfer to the JR Yamanote Line (which circles central Tokyo and hits Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno, and Tokyo Station) or the Tokaido Shinkansen.
Some Keikyu trains also run through to Asakusa Line stations, so you can reach Nihonbashi, Higashi-Ginza, and Asakusa without transferring at all. Check the destination displayed on the front of the train.
Best for: Almost everyone. It's cheap, fast, frequent, and connects to the rest of Tokyo's rail network seamlessly. Tap your IC card and go.
Tokyo Monorail
The other rail option. The Monorail runs along the waterfront to Hamamatsucho Station in about 15 minutes (¥520), where you can transfer to the JR Yamanote Line. The ride itself is more scenic than the Keikyu, passing over Tokyo Bay and the container port.
Best for: Travellers with a JR Pass (it's free with the pass), or anyone heading toward Tokyo Station or Ueno where Hamamatsucho is a convenient transfer point. Also a nice choice if you want a scenic first impression of Tokyo from above.
Limousine Bus from Haneda
Direct buses run from Haneda to major stations and hotels across Tokyo. Prices range from ¥1,100 to ¥1,300 depending on the destination. Journey time is 30–60 minutes, but can be longer during rush hour.
Given how quick and cheap the Keikyu and Monorail are, the bus only really makes sense if it drops you directly at your hotel door. Some luxury hotels in Shinjuku, Shibuya, and the Tokyo Station area have direct bus services.
Taxi from Haneda
Taxis from Haneda cost roughly ¥6,000–¥10,000 to central Tokyo, depending on your destination and traffic. Much more reasonable than Narita taxis thanks to the shorter distance. Fixed-fare routes exist to major areas, so ask at the taxi rank.
If you're a group of 3–4 people arriving late at night, splitting a taxi from Haneda can work out to about ¥2,000–3,000 per person, comparable to a train ticket with the added convenience of being dropped at your door.
Our Recommendations
There's no single "best" option. It depends on where you're staying and what you value. Here's the shortcut:
From Narita:
- Staying in Shinjuku or Shibuya? → Narita Express. Direct, comfortable, no transfers needed.
- Staying in Ueno or Asakusa? → Keisei Skyliner (fast) or Access Express (budget). Both get you there without touching the JR network.
- On a tight budget? → Access Express (¥1,290) or the TYO-NRT bus (¥1,500). Both are perfectly comfortable.
- Have a JR Pass? → Narita Express. It's included in your pass, so there's no reason to take anything else.
- Lots of luggage or kids? → Airport bus. No stairs, no gates, bags go in the hold.
From Haneda:
- Almost any destination? → Keikyu Line to Shinagawa, then transfer. ¥330, 15 minutes, done.
- Have a JR Pass? → Tokyo Monorail. It's covered by your pass.
- Arriving very late? → Taxi. Split among a group, it's reasonable from Haneda.
Practical Tips
- Pick up your IC card first. Before you do anything else at the airport, buy or set up a Suica or PASMO card at the station. You'll use it on trains, buses, convenience stores, and vending machines for the rest of your trip. iPhone users can set one up in Apple Wallet before landing.
- Check the time. Last trains from both airports depart around midnight. If your flight lands after 10 PM, double-check that you can make the connection. Clearing immigration and customs can take 30–60 minutes. If you miss the last train, a night bus, shared shuttle, or taxi are your options.
- Exchange money or use an ATM. You'll want some cash for smaller shops and restaurants. 7-Eleven ATMs inside both airports accept foreign cards. Withdraw ¥10,000–¥20,000 to start. Don't bother with the currency exchange counters; the rates are poor.
- Connect to WiFi or activate your eSIM. Both airports have free WiFi. If you have an eSIM, turn it on while you're waiting for bags. If you rented a pocket WiFi, the pickup counter is usually in the arrivals hall.
- Luggage forwarding is an option. If you don't want to deal with bags on the train at all, you can send your luggage from the airport to your hotel via takkyubin (delivery service). Counters are in the arrivals hall. Drop your bag, pay around ¥2,000–¥3,000, and it arrives at your hotel the next day. You just carry a day bag on the train.
