Narita Airport to Central Tokyo
Narita is 60-90 minutes from central Tokyo with multiple transport options. Narita Express (N'EX): JR train direct to Tokyo (53min), Shibuya (75min), Shinjuku (80min). ¥3,250 one-way, ¥4,070 round-trip (foreigner discount). Comfortable, reserved seats, luggage space. Keisei Skyliner: Fastest to Ueno (36min) and Nippori (36min), ¥2,520. Connect to Yamanote Line for other stations. Keisei Access Express: Budget option to Asakusa (59min) and Nihonbashi (64min), only ¥1,270. Airport Limousine Bus: Direct to major hotels, ¥3,200, runs every 20min, 85-120min depending on traffic.
Tip: The round-trip N'EX ticket (¥4,070, valid 14 days) saves ¥2,430 versus two singles. Buy at the JR ticket counter in the arrivals hall.
Haneda Airport to Central Tokyo
Haneda is much closer to Tokyo — 15-30 minutes to most areas. Tokyo Monorail: To Hamamatsucho (13min, ¥500), connect to JR Yamanote Line. Fast and frequent. Keikyu Line: Direct to Shinagawa (11min, ¥300), Nihonbashi (25min), Asakusa (35min). Quick transfer at Shinagawa for JR lines. Airport Limousine Bus: Direct to Shinjuku (35min, ¥1,300), Shibuya (30min, ¥1,100), and major hotels. Taxi: Flat-rate fares from Haneda: ¥5,000-7,000 to central Tokyo — reasonable for 2-3 people sharing. Much better value than Narita taxis (¥20,000+).
Budget Options and Late-Night Transport
For Narita on a budget: Access Express (¥1,270) or Keisei Main Line (¥1,050, slower at 75min to Ueno). Tokyo Shuttle/TYO-NRT bus (¥1,300 advance, ¥2,000 on the day) runs early morning and late night. After midnight: When trains stop, night buses run limited schedules (¥4,000-5,000). Taxis from Narita cost ¥20,000-30,000 (avoid unless splitting 4 ways as last resort). Shared shuttle services (Airport Shuttle, Nearme): Door-to-door for ¥3,000-5,000, book 2 days ahead. For early morning flights: consider staying at an airport hotel (from ¥5,000) rather than risking missing the first train.
Which Airport Is Better for Your Hotel Area?
Haneda is better for: Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Odaiba, Roppongi, Ginza, and Tokyo Station. Closer, cheaper, and faster for virtually all central Tokyo destinations. Narita is better for: Budget carriers (LCCs mostly fly from Narita), connections to Chiba prefecture, and when transit fares do not matter (JR Pass holders get free N'EX). General rule: Choose Haneda whenever possible — the time and cost savings are significant. If arriving at Narita and heading to Kyoto/Osaka the same day, take the Narita Express to Tokyo Station and transfer directly to shinkansen.
Practical Arrival Tips
At both airports: Buy IC card (Suica/Pasmo) from machines in the arrivals area. Pocket WiFi/SIM: Pick up pre-ordered devices at airport counters or buy SIM cards at vending machines after customs. Currency: ATMs in arrivals accept foreign cards (7-Bank at convenience stores). Tourist info counters: Get free maps, activate JR Pass, and ask transport questions in English. Luggage forwarding: Ship bags to your hotel from the airport counter (arrives same evening for Haneda, next day for Narita). Travel light on the train and explore immediately.
