Tokyo has two international airports, and your Tokyo airport transfer plan depends on which one you land at.
Here’s exactly how to get from Narita or Haneda into central Tokyo by train, bus, or taxi, with real fares and travel times.
- From Narita, the JR Narita Express reaches Tokyo Station in about 53-60 minutes for ¥3,070; the Keisei Skyliner is even quicker to Ueno or Nippori for ¥2,470.
- Haneda is much closer to the city — the Tokyo Monorail and Keikyu Line both reach central Tokyo in 13-20 minutes for under ¥550.
- Airport Limousine Buses run direct from both airports to major hotels and stations with no transfers, from around ¥1,200 (Haneda) to ¥3,200 (Narita).
- A taxi is the priciest option — fixed fares start around Â¥21,000 from Narita and Â¥6,900 from Haneda — but it’s the easiest choice late at night or with a lot of luggage.
- Load a Suica or Pasmo IC card (or the visitor-only Welcome Suica) so you can tap through every train, monorail, and bus gate without buying separate paper tickets.
Narita or Haneda: Which Airport Are You Flying Into?
Check your boarding pass or airline confirmation first, since Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) sit on opposite sides of the city. Many long-haul international flights to Tokyo use Narita, while a growing number of international and most domestic routes use the more central Haneda.
Narita Airport is in Chiba Prefecture, roughly an hour from central Tokyo by the fastest train. Haneda Airport is in Ota Ward, close enough that a train ride into the city center rarely takes more than 20 minutes.
Narita vs Haneda: Cost and Duration at a Glance
Here’s every option side by side, grouped by airport, so you can compare the trade-off between speed, cost, and convenience at a glance.
Prices are approximate USD conversions at time of writing and will shift with the exchange rate, so treat the yen figures as the reliable number.
Getting from Narita Airport to Tokyo
Narita Airport to Tokyo has four practical options: two train lines, an airport bus, and a taxi. Here’s how they compare.
JR Narita Express (N’EX)
The Narita Express is the fastest train option, running direct to Tokyo Station in about 53 minutes on the quickest services. It also continues on to Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and Yokohama without changing trains.
- Cost: ¥3,070 one-way for a reserved seat.
- Duration: around 53-60 minutes to Tokyo Station, longer to other stops.
- Good for: travelers heading to Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Yokohama who want one direct, reserved-seat ride with luggage racks.
Keisei Skyliner
The Keisei Skyliner is even quicker than the N’EX, though it lands you on the northeast side of the city, at Nippori or Ueno. From there you’ll typically change onto the JR Yamanote Line or the subway for other neighborhoods.
- Cost: ¥2,470 one-way (adult, standard fare).
- Duration: about 36 minutes to Nippori, 41 minutes to Ueno.
- Good for: travelers staying near Ueno, Asakusa, or Akihabara, or anyone who wants the cheaper of the two fast trains.
Airport Limousine Bus
The Airport Limousine Bus drops you directly at major hotels and stations, so there’s no station transfer at all. Your luggage goes in the hold, which is useful if you’re traveling with a lot of bags.
- Cost: around ¥3,200 one-way to central Tokyo destinations.
- Duration: roughly 65-90 minutes, depending on traffic and your drop-off point.
- Good for: travelers going straight to a specific hotel, or anyone who prefers not to carry luggage through train stations.
Taxi
A taxi is the most expensive way into Tokyo from Narita, but it’s the most convenient if you land very late or are traveling as a group. Fixed-fare airport taxis charge a set price by zone rather than the meter, which is worth asking for.
- Cost: fixed fares from around ¥21,000 up to ¥30,000 depending on the zone, plus expressway tolls of up to ¥3,700; late-night trips outside the 5:00-22:00 window run a higher surcharged rate.
- Duration: about 60-90 minutes depending on traffic.
- Good for: late-night arrivals after the trains stop, groups of 3-4 splitting the fare, or anyone with heavy luggage.
Getting from Haneda Airport to Tokyo
Haneda Airport to Tokyo is a much shorter trip, and every option here is faster and cheaper than its Narita equivalent.
Tokyo Monorail
The Tokyo Monorail runs along Tokyo Bay to Hamamatsucho Station, where you can change onto the JR Yamanote Line. The fastest Haneda Express service takes as little as 13 minutes.
- Cost: ¥520 one-way (adult).
- Duration: 13-19 minutes depending on the service.
- Good for: anyone connecting onward via the Yamanote Line to Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Tokyo Station.
Keikyu Line
The Keikyu Airport Line reaches Shinagawa Station in around 13-20 minutes, and many trains continue straight through onto the Toei Asakusa subway line. That means no change at all if you’re headed toward Asakusa or Ginza.
- Cost: around ¥330 one-way to Shinagawa.
- Duration: roughly 13-20 minutes.
- Good for: travelers heading toward Shinagawa, Asakusa, or anywhere on the Toei Asakusa Line without changing trains.
Airport Limousine Bus
Just like at Narita, the Airport Limousine Bus runs direct from Haneda to major stations and hotels with no transfers. It’s slower than the train but simpler if you’re going straight to a hotel.
- Cost: around ¥1,200-1,400 one-way, depending on the destination.
- Duration: about 40-55 minutes depending on traffic.
- Good for: travelers going directly to a hotel in Shinjuku or near Tokyo Station.
Taxi
Haneda’s fixed-fare taxis are far more reasonable than Narita’s, since the airport is so much closer to the city. Ask for the flat zone rate rather than the meter.
- Cost: fixed fares of roughly ¥6,900-9,100 depending on the zone (for example, around ¥7,600 to Tokyo Station or ¥9,100 to Asakusa), plus tolls of up to ¥1,950.
- Duration: about 30-45 minutes depending on traffic.
- Good for: late-night arrivals, groups, or anyone with heavy luggage who wants a direct door-to-door ride.
Which Transfer Option Fits You?
Cost and speed matter, but the right choice also depends on your luggage, your group size, and your arrival time. Use these quick profiles to decide.
Practical Tips for Your Tokyo Airport Transfer
A few small preparations make any of these options smoother, whichever airport you land at.
- Get an IC card: a Suica or Pasmo card lets you tap through ticket gates on trains, the monorail, and buses without buying separate tickets each time. Visitors can buy the Welcome Suica at JR East Travel Service Centers in both airports, loaded with your choice of ¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥3,000, ¥4,000, ¥5,000, or ¥10,000, valid for 28 days.
- Reserve seats where needed: both the Narita Express and Keisei Skyliner require a reserved seat, so book online or at the airport counter before boarding.
- Plan around luggage: station transfers involve stairs and escalators, so if you’re carrying multiple large bags, the direct Limousine Bus or a taxi is usually less hassle than a train change.
- Watch the clock on late arrivals: Narita Express and Skyliner services stop running well before midnight, so a flight landing late at Narita likely means a night bus or taxi rather than a train.
- Research your Japan trip in advance: if this is part of a wider itinerary, our Japan travel guide covers visas, seasons, and city-to-city planning beyond the airport transfer.
If you haven’t booked your flight yet, our guide to cheap flights to Tokyo covers the best time to book and which airport your route is likely to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Narita or Haneda closer to central Tokyo?
Haneda is much closer, around 15km from central Tokyo compared to Narita’s roughly 60-70km. That’s why Haneda’s train transfers take under 20 minutes while Narita’s fastest trains take around an hour.
How much does a taxi cost from Narita or Haneda to Tokyo?
Fixed-fare taxis from Narita run roughly ¥21,000 to ¥30,000 depending on the zone, plus tolls. From Haneda, expect around ¥6,900 to ¥9,100 depending on your destination, plus tolls.
What’s the fastest way from Narita Airport to Tokyo?
The Keisei Skyliner is the fastest option overall, taking about 36-41 minutes to Nippori or Ueno. The JR Narita Express is the fastest direct option to Tokyo Station itself, taking about 53 minutes.
Can I use Suica or Pasmo on the airport trains and buses?
Yes, both IC cards work on the Tokyo Monorail, Keikyu Line, Airport Limousine Bus, and even the Narita Express and Skyliner at their standard IC fare. Visitors without a card can buy a Welcome Suica at either airport.
What if my flight lands late at night?
Once the last Narita Express and Skyliner trains have gone, your options at Narita are a night bus, a fixed-fare taxi, or staying at one of the airport-area hotels. At Haneda, a taxi into the city stays relatively affordable given the shorter distance.
Ready to Book Your Trip to Tokyo
Whichever airport you land at, a bit of planning turns your Tokyo airport transfer into the easiest part of the trip. Compare flights and find a place to stay near your preferred station or airport link on Wego, and browse hotels in Tokyo close to the transfer option that suits you best.
Sources
- JR-EAST — N’EX (Narita Express) Tickets & Fares
- Keisei Electric Railway — Skyliner Fares from Major Stations
- Tokyo Monorail — Fare Table
- Haneda Airport Access Guide — Fare and Time Search (Keikyu Line)
- Haneda Airport Passenger Terminal — Train & Monorail Access
- Narita International Airport — Fixed Fare Taxi
- Tokyo MK — Airport Fixed Fare Taxi Rates
- Airport Limousine Bus (Tokyo Airport Transport) — Official Site
- JR-EAST — Welcome Suica for Visitors
- TYO-NRT — Late-Night Airport Bus Timetable (Narita)
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
