Tokyo has two airports, and they couldn't be more different. Haneda is 15 km from the city center; Narita is 60 km away. Your transport choice depends entirely on which one you land at—and whether you value speed, comfort, or saving a few thousand yen.
Narita Airport: The Long Haul
Let's be real: Narita is far. Built in 1978 after fierce protests made expanding Haneda impossible, it sits in Chiba Prefecture, a solid hour from central Tokyo. Here's how to tackle it:
JR Narita Express (N'EX)
Cost: ¥3,070 one way | Time: 60 minutes to Tokyo Station
The Narita Express is the comfortable, no-brainer option. Reserved seats, space for luggage, and direct service to Tokyo, Shinagawa, and Shinjuku. Japan Rail Pass holders ride free—one of the best uses of that pass.
Pro tip: The NEX Tokyo Round Trip Ticket (¥5,000) gives foreign tourists a discounted round trip valid for 14 days.
Keisei Skyliner
Cost: ¥2,580 one way | Time: 36 minutes to Ueno
The fastest train to Tokyo, period. The Skyliner rockets along at 160 km/h to Nippori and Ueno stations. From there, transfer to the JR Yamanote Line to reach other parts of the city.
Best for: Travelers staying in the Ueno, Asakusa, or eastern Tokyo areas.
Budget hack: Foreign tourists can get the Skyliner for ¥2,310 when booking online in advance.
Keisei Main Line (Access Express)
Cost: ¥1,270 one way | Time: 75-90 minutes
The budget option. Regular commuter trains that stop frequently but cost half as much as the Skyliner. No reserved seats, so it can get crowded during rush hour.
Airport Limousine Bus
Cost: ¥3,200 one way | Time: 85-100 minutes
Direct buses to major hotels and stations across Tokyo. The journey is slower, but you're dropped exactly where you need to be. Great if you have heavy luggage and your hotel has a designated stop.
The ¥1,300 Secret: TYO-NRT Bus
Cost: ¥1,300-¥1,500 one way | Time: 65-75 minutes
The "Airport Bus TYO-NRT" runs between Narita, Tokyo Station, and Ginza. It's cheap, it's frequent, and it's surprisingly comfortable. The only catch: late-night departures cost double.
Haneda Airport: The Convenient One
Haneda is where you want to land. Built on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay, it's so close to the city that you can be in Shibuya in 30 minutes.
Tokyo Monorail
Cost: ¥500 one way | Time: 18 minutes to Hamamatsucho
The classic Haneda connection. The monorail whisks you to Hamamatsucho Station, where you transfer to the JR Yamanote Line. It's reliable, scenic (you'll glide over Tokyo Bay), and cheap.
Keikyu Line
Cost: ¥300-¥500 one way | Time: 15-25 minutes
Keikyu trains connect Haneda directly to Shinagawa, Yokohama, and via through-service to Asakusa and beyond. For most travelers staying in central Tokyo, this is the fastest option.
Pro tip: Take the "Airport Express" for faster service with fewer stops.
Limousine Bus
Cost: ¥1,200-¥1,500 one way | Time: 30-60 minutes
Similar to Narita, buses run to major hotels and stations. Useful if you're heading somewhere not well-served by trains, like Shinjuku's western hotel district.
What About Taxis?
Let's address the elephant in the room. A taxi from Narita to central Tokyo costs around ¥25,000-¥30,000. That's $170-200 USD. Unless you're splitting with four people, it's hard to justify.
From Haneda, taxis are more reasonable at ¥5,000-¥8,000 to central areas. Still not cheap by global standards, but manageable if you're exhausted and your hotel isn't near a station.
The Verdict
From Narita:
- Best value: TYO-NRT Bus (¥1,300)
- Best comfort: Narita Express (¥3,070)
- Fastest: Skyliner (36 min to Ueno)
From Haneda:
- Best overall: Keikyu Line (fast, cheap, convenient)
- Most scenic: Tokyo Monorail
Both airports have excellent signage in English, helpful staff, and ticket machines with English options. You won't get lost. The train is almost always the right choice—save your yen for ramen.