Airport Guide
Haneda vs Narita:
Which Tokyo Airport Should You Use?
The honest comparison every Tokyo visitor needs — transit time, cost, airline coverage, and which airport serves your hotel neighborhood best.
✈️ Updated October 2026🚆 Full transit comparison💴 Costs in ¥
Alex Chen·Japan Travel Expert·10+ years in Tokyo
Reviewed September 2026
⚡ Quick Verdict
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Choose Haneda (HND) if…
- • You want the fastest, cheapest transfer into Tokyo
- • Your hotel is in Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Harajuku
- • You're arriving or departing late at night
- • You want to minimize time on trains with luggage
✅
Choose Narita (NRT) if…
- • Your flight only operates to Narita (check your ticket)
- • You're using the JR Pass (N'EX is free with JR Pass)
- • You're staying near Asakusa, Ueno, or Akihabara
- • You find a much cheaper fare to NRT
💡 Reality: most visitors don't get to choose — your airline decides which airport. Check HND and NRT fares on booking to see if both are served.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Haneda vs Narita
| Factor | HND Haneda | NRT Narita | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance to central Tokyo Haneda is 4× closer to the city | 18 km from Tokyo Station | 69 km from Tokyo Station | HND ✓ |
| Fastest train to Tokyo Haneda is dramatically faster | 13 min (Keikyu to Shinagawa) | 36 min (Skyliner to Nippori) | HND ✓ |
| Cheapest train to Tokyo Haneda transit costs 8× less | ¥300 (Keikyu to Shinagawa) | ¥2,520 (Skyliner) | HND ✓ |
| International flight options Narita still has more total international routes | Growing — all major carriers | More routes, especially long-haul | NRT ✓ |
| Budget carrier options Narita is the hub for low-cost Asian carriers | Limited | Many (Scoot, Jetstar, Peach, AirAsia) | NRT ✓ |
| Late-night / early morning Key for red-eye arrivals | Better — 24-hour train access | Trains stop around midnight | HND ✓ |
| Airport facilities Both are comfortable world-class airports | Excellent — modern Terminal 3 | Excellent — larger, 3 terminals | Tie |
| Getting to Asakusa / Ueno Narita is surprisingly convenient for east Tokyo | Keikyu → Asakusa direct (40 min) | Skyliner to Nippori → Asakusa (5 min) | Tie |
| Getting to Shinjuku / Shibuya Haneda wins for west Tokyo hotels | Keikyu → Shinagawa → 20 min | N'EX takes 80+ min to Shinjuku | HND ✓ |
Prices in Japanese yen (¥). 2026 fares — verify with your carrier.
How to Get from Haneda Airport to Tokyo
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Keikyu Airport Express — Best Option
Departs from under Terminal 1/2 and Terminal 3. Trains run every 10–15 minutes, 24 hours.
Shinagawa: 13 min / ¥300Asakusa: ~40 min / ¥750 (direct)Shinjuku: ~35 min / ¥540 (via Shinagawa + Yamanote)
💡 From Shinagawa, catch the Yamanote Line clockwise for Shibuya/Harajuku/Shinjuku or counter-clockwise for Tokyo Station/Ueno/Akihabara.
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Tokyo Monorail — Alternative
Runs from Haneda Terminal 1/2 to Hamamatsucho (JR Yamanote Line) in 20 minutes.
Hamamatsucho: 20 min / ¥500
💡 Covered partially by some JR Pass variations — check your pass type. Keikyu is usually faster.
🚌
Airport Limousine Bus
Runs direct to major hotels and Shinjuku / Shibuya / Tokyo Station.
Tokyo Station: 35–50 min / ¥1,200Shinjuku: 40–60 min / ¥1,300
⚠️ Buses are slow in traffic — only worthwhile if you have heavy luggage and a hotel stop.
How to Get from Narita Airport to Tokyo
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Keisei Skyliner — Best Option
Direct from Narita Terminal 1/2/3 to Nippori (east Tokyo) and Ueno. No luggage restrictions. Runs every 20–40 minutes, 5 AM–midnight.
Nippori: 36 min / ¥2,520Ueno: 41 min / ¥2,570
💡 From Nippori you can reach Asakusa in 5 minutes on the Keisei Asakusa Line. For Shinjuku, transfer at Nippori to the Yamanote Line (~20 more minutes).
🚅
Narita Express (N'EX) — JR Pass Users
Runs to Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Yokohama. Slower than Skyliner but free with JR Pass. Reserved seat required.
Tokyo Station: 53 min / ¥3,070 (free w/ JR Pass)Shinjuku: 80 min / ¥4,070
💡 If you have a JR Pass, N'EX is free. Reserve your seat at the ticket office in arrivals.
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Highway Bus — Budget Option
Runs to Tokyo Station (YCAT), Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, and major hotels. Cheapest option but subject to traffic delays.
Tokyo Station: 60–90 min / ¥1,000Shinjuku: 70–100 min / ¥1,300
⚠️ Rush-hour traffic can push journey time to 120+ minutes. Not recommended for tight connections.
Which Airport Is Better for Your Hotel Neighborhood?
| Hotel Area | From Haneda | From Narita | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinjuku / Shibuya | 35 min / ¥540 | 80 min / ¥4,070 | HND |
| Harajuku / Omotesando | 40 min / ¥570 | 85 min / ¥4,100 | HND |
| Asakusa / Ueno | 40 min / ¥750 | 41–46 min / ¥2,520–2,570 | Tie |
| Akihabara / Kanda | 40 min / ¥590 | 60 min / ¥3,070 | HND |
| Tokyo Station / Ginza | 30 min / ¥540 | 53 min / ¥3,070 | HND |
| Ikebukuro | 45 min / ¥570 | 75 min / ¥3,600 | HND |
| Yokohama | 25 min / ¥560 | 90 min / ¥4,370 | HND |
Times are approximate and include waits. Traffic can add 20–40 min to bus options.
Book Your Tokyo Hotel
Staying near Shinjuku? Asakusa? Book early — Tokyo hotels fill quickly, especially during cherry blossom (late March–early April) and Golden Week (late April–early May).
Haneda vs Narita: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Haneda or Narita closer to Tokyo?▼
Haneda (HND) is dramatically closer — just 18 km from central Tokyo versus 69 km for Narita (NRT). The Keikyu Line from Haneda reaches Shinagawa in 13 minutes for only ¥300. The fastest Narita option is the Keisei Skyliner at 36 minutes to Nippori for ¥2,520. For most travelers, Haneda means less time and money on transfers.
Which airport has more international flights?▼
Narita still handles more total international routes, especially for long-haul flights from North America, Europe, and Australia. Most US and European flag carriers (United, Delta, American, BA, Air France, Lufthansa) fly to both airports. Budget carriers from Southeast Asia (Scoot, Jetstar, Peach, AirAsia) typically use Narita. Haneda has been expanding rapidly since 2020 — check both when booking.
Flying from the US or Canada — which airport will I use?▼
Most US and Canadian flights operate into Narita, though Haneda routes have expanded significantly since 2020. Airlines now flying direct to Haneda from North America include United, Delta, American, JAL, and ANA. Check fares for both HND and NRT — sometimes Haneda is cheaper due to less competition on routes. Either way, Narita is no hardship; the Keisei Skyliner is fast and easy.
What is the cheapest way to get from Narita to Tokyo?▼
The Keisei Skyliner is the best balance of speed and cost: 36 minutes to Nippori (¥2,520) or 41 minutes to Ueno (¥2,570). Highway buses are cheaper (¥1,000–1,800) but take 60–90 minutes and are subject to traffic. Avoid taxis — the fare from Narita to Tokyo city can exceed ¥20,000.
What is the cheapest way to get from Haneda to Tokyo?▼
The Keikyu Airport Express reaches Shinagawa in 13 minutes for ¥300 — one of the best transit deals in the world. The Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho takes 20 minutes for ¥500. From Shinagawa you can connect to the Yamanote Line for any Tokyo station. The Keikyu Line also runs direct to Asakusa (about 40 minutes, ¥750) without transferring.
Does Haneda have late-night trains?▼
Yes — Haneda is far better for late-night and early-morning arrivals. The Keikyu Line runs until about 1 AM, and buses operate 24 hours. Narita's trains stop around midnight, after which you'll need a bus or taxi. If your flight arrives or departs between midnight and 5 AM, Haneda is the significantly more convenient choice.
Which airport is better for hotels near Shinjuku?▼
Haneda, by a wide margin. From Haneda's Keikyu Line, change at Shinagawa onto the Yamanote Line and reach Shinjuku in about 35 minutes total for ¥540. From Narita, the N'EX to Shinjuku takes 80+ minutes (¥4,070) or a bus around 90 minutes. If your hotel is in Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Harajuku, the difference is roughly an extra hour each way — significant over a 1-week trip.
Which airport is better for hotels near Asakusa or Ueno?▼
This is where Narita becomes more competitive. The Keisei Skyliner stops at Nippori (36 min from Narita, ¥2,520), and Nippori to Asakusa is just 5 minutes on the Asakusa Line. From Haneda the Keikyu Line runs direct to Asakusa in about 40 minutes. Both are reasonable — the key advantage of Narita disappears when the destination is east Tokyo.
Can I use the JR Pass to get from the airport to Tokyo?▼
Yes for Narita — the Narita Express (N'EX) is fully covered by the JR Pass, making it free once your pass is active. For Haneda, the primary train options (Keikyu Line and Tokyo Monorail) are not covered by the JR Pass. The Tokyo Monorail is covered by the JR Pass on some variations (JR East-West Pass), so check your specific pass type.
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