Narita vs Haneda — which airport do you have?
Most long-haul international flights, especially from Europe and North America, still land at Narita (NRT). Budget carriers and many Asian routes increasingly use Haneda (HND), which is far more conveniently located. Check your ticket carefully — they are not interchangeable and getting to the wrong terminal is a painful mistake.
If you have a choice, Haneda is almost always preferable for convenience. Narita flights are often cheaper, but factor in the extra transport cost (around ¥3,000–4,000 / €19–25) and an extra 40–60 minutes in transit.
| Airport | Distance to centre | Cheapest train in | Fastest train in | Taxi to Shinjuku |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Narita (NRT) | ~65 km | ¥1,340 / €8 | 41 min (Skyliner to Ueno) | ¥20,000–25,000 / €125–156 |
| Haneda (HND) | ~20 km | ¥500 / €3 | 15 min (Keikyu to Shinagawa) | ¥5,000–8,000 / €31–50 |
Getting from Narita to Tokyo
Narita has three terminals. Terminals 1 and 2 are connected underground. Terminal 3 (budget airlines: Jetstar, Peach, Spring) is a short walk or free shuttle from T2. All train options depart from T1/T2 basement level — follow the signs for trains immediately after customs.
💡 Skyliner + Tokyo Metro Pass: Keisei sells a combo ticket — Skyliner return + 24/48/72-hour Tokyo Metro unlimited pass from ¥3,400. If you're spending several days sightseeing, this combination offers excellent value. Buy at the Keisei ticket counter in arrivals.
Narita — which option is right for you?
| If you're staying near… | Best option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ueno / Asakusa / Akihabara | Keisei Skyliner | Direct, fastest, no transfer |
| Shinjuku / Ikebukuro / Shibuya | N'EX | Direct to west Tokyo, one train |
| Any area, tight budget | Keisei Limited Express | ¥1,340, runs all day |
| Heavy luggage, hotel on bus route | Limousine Bus | No stairs, straight to hotel door |
| Group of 3–4 people | Taxi (split) | Per-person cost drops dramatically |
Getting from Haneda to Tokyo
Haneda has three terminals. Terminals 1 and 2 serve domestic flights and some international routes. Terminal 3 (International Terminal) handles most international arrivals. Both the Tokyo Monorail and the Keikyu Line have stations directly in the building — follow the signs from arrivals and you're on a train within minutes.
💡 Suica works on Keikyu and Monorail. If you set up a mobile Suica before leaving home (works on iPhone Wallet and Android), you can walk off the plane and tap straight onto the train with no queuing at ticket machines. See the Suica guide for how to set it up.
Tokyo Station is a major transit hub — the N'EX from Narita stops here before continuing to Shinjuku.
Late night arrivals
Train services in Tokyo end around midnight to 1am. If your flight lands after 11pm, trains are likely not an option and you'll need a bus or taxi.
Narita: The last N'EX departs around 21:40. After that, Airport Limousine Buses run until approximately 23:30 on some routes. After buses stop, taxis are the only option — expensive but there are no alternatives. Some travellers book a hotel near Narita for very late arrivals rather than paying ¥20,000 for a taxi.
Haneda: Far more manageable. Keikyu and the Monorail run until around midnight. Taxis are available 24 hours and are much less painful financially than a Narita cab.
⚠️ Late-night Narita arrivals: If you land at Narita after midnight and haven't pre-arranged transport, the taxi queue can be long and the fare to central Tokyo will be ¥20,000–25,000. Consider booking a Narita-area hotel for the night and taking the Skyliner in the morning — it will save money and stress.
JR Pass holders
If you have a JR Pass, the N'EX from Narita is fully covered — just make a seat reservation at the JR desk in arrivals (free with the pass). This is one of the most straightforward benefits of the JR Pass and makes Narita arrivals much smoother for pass holders.
The Keikyu Line from Haneda and the Keisei Skyliner from Narita are not covered by the JR Pass — both are private railways. The Tokyo Monorail is partially affiliated with JR East and is covered by the JR Pass on some configurations.
For a full breakdown of whether the JR Pass is worth it for your trip, see the Tokyo to Osaka guide.
IC cards — Suica and Pasmo
Both Suica and Pasmo are rechargeable IC cards that work on virtually all trains and buses in Tokyo. The Keikyu Line and Tokyo Monorail accept Suica, making Haneda arrivals seamless if you have one. The Keisei Skyliner does not accept IC cards — it requires a dedicated ticket. The N'EX requires a reserved seat ticket but can be used alongside your IC card for the onward journey.
You can add Suica to your iPhone or Android phone before leaving home via the Wallet app — meaning you don't need to queue at a machine at all. Full instructions in the Suica guide.
Book airport transport in advance
Klook offers pre-bookable Skyliner tickets, N'EX tickets and bus passes — sometimes at a small discount vs counter price, and with the convenience of having your ticket sorted before you land.
Browse airport transfers on Klook