Tokyo Narita vs Haneda: which airport to choose

Haneda: the closest to the city centre

From Haneda airport the Tokyo Monorail reaches Hamamatsucho station, on the Yamanote line, in about 13 minutes with a 500 yen ticket; alternatively the Keikyu line connects Haneda to Shinagawa in similar times. It is the most convenient combination for those staying in Shibuya, Shinjuku or along the circular Yamanote line.

Narita: further away but with rapid connections

From Narita the Narita Express (N'EX) reaches Tokyo station in 53 minutes with a reserved seat for 3,070 yen, while the Keisei Skyliner arrives at Ueno in 41 minutes at about 2,470 yen (2,300 yen if booked online in advance). For those travelling on a tighter budget, the Limousine Buses connect Narita directly to dozens of hotels downtown at lower fares, useful for those who prefer not to change lines while carrying luggage.

Suica and Pasmo: one card for every means of transport

At both airports it is possible to obtain and recharge an IC Card such as Suica or Pasmo, usable with a tap on trains, metros and buses throughout Japan without having to calculate the exact fare for each individual journey.

If your flight lands at Narita in the evening, immediately check the time of the last useful departure for the exact date of your trip: the Narita Express generally stops departing around 21:40, while the Skyliner continues to serve up to about 23:00, after which the only alternative remains a taxi for several hundred dollars.