In this guide
- Narita Airport to Tokyo
- Haneda Airport to Tokyo
- Train vs shared shuttle vs taxi: which to pick
- Arrival tips that save time
- FAQ
Narita Airport to Tokyo
Narita (NRT) sits about 60 km east of central Tokyo, so the ride is longer than people expect. Your main choices:
- Narita Express (N’EX) — direct to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Yokohama. ~¥3,070, 60–90 min depending on destination. Comfortable, reserved seats, big luggage racks.
- Keisei Skyliner — fastest to the east side: ~41 min to Nippori/Ueno, ~¥2,570. Great if you’re staying near Ueno/Asakusa.
- Limousine Bus — direct to major hotels, ~¥3,200, 85–120 min depending on traffic. Easiest if your hotel is a stop.
- Door-to-door shuttle — a NearMe shared ride takes you airport-to-hotel without lugging bags through transfers; ideal after a long-haul flight.
Haneda Airport to Tokyo
Haneda (HND) is the easy one — only ~15 km from the city. Options:
- Keikyu Line — to Shinagawa in ~12 min, ~¥330, with easy onward connections.
- Tokyo Monorail — to Hamamatsucho (JR Yamanote) in ~15 min, ~¥520.
- Taxi / shuttle — reasonable from Haneda given the short distance; a NearMe transfer is stress-free with luggage or a late arrival.
Either way, set up your transit card first — see our Suica & IC card guide — and get online on arrival with an eSIM (or grab a Japan travel eSIM here).
Train vs shared shuttle vs taxi: which to pick
Pick the train if you’re travelling light and your hotel is near a major station — it’s cheapest and immune to traffic. Pick a shared shuttle if you have big suitcases, kids, or arrive jet-lagged and just want a seat to your door. A straight taxi from Narita is expensive (often ¥20,000+); from Haneda it’s far more reasonable. Whichever you choose, having a place booked makes arrival calmer — compare Tokyo hotels on Agoda before you fly.
Arrival tips that save time
- Fill in the Visit Japan Web immigration/customs QR before landing to skip paperwork queues.
- Charge your IC card or set up Mobile Suica at the airport so you can tap straight through.
- If you land late, confirm the last train time — trains stop around midnight. After that, a shuttle or taxi is your only option.
First trip overall? Start with our first-timer tips.
Frequently asked questions
Which is faster from Narita, N’EX or Skyliner? Skyliner to Ueno (~41 min) is fastest to the east side; N’EX is best if you’re heading to Shinjuku/Shibuya directly.
Can I use Suica on these trains? Yes for regular lines; the N’EX and Skyliner need a separate reserved ticket.
Is a taxi from Narita worth it? Rarely — it can top ¥20,000. A shared shuttle is far better value for door-to-door.
How do I get to my hotel with big luggage? A door-to-door shuttle avoids transfers entirely; otherwise consider luggage forwarding (takkyubin).
What about late-night arrivals? After the last train (~midnight), use a pre-booked shuttle or taxi.
Going to Japan? Talk to locals with confidence.
Hirameki Japanese — instant offline translation, camera translation, furigana + romaji, and 314 free flashcards. No login. Works without internet.
Plan your Japan trip
Two things every first-timer should book
Some links are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
