Two airports, one choice: time or money. Here's what each costs you.
The difference#
| Haneda (HND) | Narita (NRT) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | Inside Tokyo | ~60 km out, in Chiba |
| To the centre | 15–30 min by train | ~60 min by express train |
| Taxi | Reasonable to central areas | Very expensive |
| Flights | More domestic and Asian routes, growing long-haul | Most long-haul, budget carriers |
| Late arrivals | Usually make the last train | Risk missing it; buses and a long taxi |
If the fares are within a modest margin, Haneda. If Narita saves real money, take it and give the transfer two hours each way.
Narita to Tokyo#
- Narita Express (N'EX): Tokyo Station ~60 min, Shinjuku and Shibuya ~80, Yokohama ~90. Reserved seats; a discounted return ticket for visitors.
- Keisei Skyliner: Nippori ~36 min, Ueno ~41. Fastest to the north and east; change at Nippori for the Yamanote line.
- Limousine bus: direct to big hotels and stations, 90 min to 2 hours with traffic. The answer with heavy bags or a hotel on its route.
- Local trains (Keisei or JR Sobu): cheaper and slower.
- Taxi: a very large fare; only for a group that's done the maths.
Haneda to Tokyo#
- Tokyo Monorail: Hamamatsucho 13–18 min, change to the Yamanote line for everywhere.
- Keikyu line: Shinagawa ~13 min, through-running into the Asakusa subway line for Ginza and Asakusa.
- Limousine bus: to hotels and Shinjuku, Shibuya, Disney.
- Taxi: fixed fares to central districts; reasonable for two or more.
First and last#
Trains run from about 5am to around midnight at both. A late Narita arrival means the bus or a long taxi; a late Haneda arrival usually still has a train. Getting around Tokyo for once you're in.
At the airport#
SIM counters, ATMs and currency (cash or card), luggage forwarding to your hotel by takkyubin, and a Suica if you haven't set one up on your phone.
Then#
Where to stay decides the line; first time in Tokyo the first day. Post your dates on Roavi Community before you fly so travellers landing the same days appear together and Local Friends who live here can reply; a Local Friend on night one is the best start Tokyo offers.
Landing in Tokyo? Post your dates and arrive knowing someone.
Post your tripFrequently Asked Questions
Is Narita or Haneda closer to Tokyo?
Haneda, by a lot: it's inside Tokyo, 15 to 30 minutes from the centre by Monorail or Keikyu train. Narita is in Chiba, about 60 km out: an hour by express train, longer by bus.How do I get from Narita to Tokyo?
Narita Express (N'EX) to Tokyo Station in about an hour and on to Shinjuku, Shibuya and Yokohama; Keisei Skyliner to Nippori and Ueno in about 40 minutes; limousine buses to major hotels and stations in 90 minutes or more; local trains for less money and more time. Taxis cost a small fortune.How do I get from Haneda to Tokyo?
Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho (13 to 18 minutes) and change to the Yamanote line; Keikyu line to Shinagawa (about 13 minutes) and on into the subway; limousine buses to hotels; taxis are reasonable to central districts. Everything is 15 to 40 minutes door to door.Which airport is better for Tokyo Disney?
Haneda for ease, but Narita is actually closer to Disney in Chiba: direct limousine buses run from both, about an hour from Narita and under an hour from Haneda depending on traffic.
