You have just landed in Japan. You are tired, confused, and need to get to your hotel. This guide tells you exactly how to get from both Tokyo airports to the city center — every option, every price, every travel time.
Quick Decision Guide
From Narita Airport (NRT)
| Option | Time to Tokyo | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narita Express (N’EX) | 60 min | ¥3,070 | Speed + comfort |
| Access Express (Keisei) | 60 min | ¥1,270 | Budget |
| Skyliner (Keisei) | 36 min | ¥2,520 | Fastest to Ueno |
| Airport Limousine Bus | 85-120 min | ¥3,200 | Direct to hotel |
| Shared shuttle | 90-180 min | ¥3,000-4,000 | Door to door |
| Taxi | 60-90 min | ¥20,000-30,000 | Never do this |
From Haneda Airport (HND)
| Option | Time to Tokyo | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monorail | 13-18 min | ¥500 | To Hamamatsucho |
| Keikyu Line | 11-20 min | ¥300-500 | To Shinagawa/central |
| Airport Limousine Bus | 30-60 min | ¥1,000-1,300 | Direct to hotel |
| Taxi | 20-45 min | ¥5,000-10,000 | Late night, groups |
Bottom line: Haneda is much closer and cheaper. If you have a choice of airport, choose Haneda.
From Narita Airport
Narita is 60-80km from central Tokyo. It takes 36-90 minutes depending on your transport choice. Do not take a taxi — it costs ¥20,000-30,000.
Option 1: Narita Express (N’EX) — Best Overall
What it is: JR East’s dedicated airport express train. Direct service to Tokyo, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Yokohama stations.
| Route | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Narita → Tokyo Station | 55 min | ¥3,070 |
| Narita → Shibuya | 75 min | ¥3,250 |
| Narita → Shinjuku | 80 min | ¥3,250 |
| Narita → Yokohama | 90 min | ¥4,370 |
Pros:
- Covered by JR Pass (free if you have one)
- Comfortable reserved seats, luggage space
- Direct to major stations (no transfers)
- English announcements and displays
Cons:
- Not the cheapest option
- Runs every 30-60 minutes (not as frequent as Skyliner)
Discount: “N’EX Round Trip” ticket — ¥4,070 for a round trip (foreigners only, buy at JR Travel Service Center in the airport).
How to ride: Buy ticket at the JR ticket office or machine in the airport basement. Follow “JR” signs from the arrivals hall.
Option 2: Skyliner (Keisei) — Fastest
What it is: Keisei Railway’s premium express. The fastest way to reach Tokyo — 36 minutes to Ueno.
| Route | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Narita → Nippori | 36 min | ¥2,520 |
| Narita → Ueno | 41 min | ¥2,520 |
Pros:
- Fastest train from Narita
- Comfortable, modern trains
- Connects to JR and Metro at Ueno and Nippori
Cons:
- Only goes to Ueno/Nippori (need to transfer for Shinjuku/Shibuya)
- Not covered by JR Pass
Best for: Hotels near Ueno, Asakusa, or anywhere on the JR Yamanote Line (transfer at Nippori or Ueno).
Option 3: Access Express (Keisei) — Best Budget
What it is: Keisei Railway’s regular express service. Same route as the Skyliner but makes more stops and costs half the price.
| Route | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Narita → Aoto | 55 min | ¥1,270 |
| Narita → Nihombashi | 60 min | ¥1,270 |
| Narita → Shinagawa | 70 min | ¥1,520 |
Pros:
- Cheapest train option
- Connects to Asakusa Line (direct to Nihombashi, Shinbashi, Shinagawa)
- No reservation needed — just tap your IC card
Cons:
- Slower than N’EX and Skyliner
- No reserved seats, no luggage space
- Can be crowded during peak hours
Best for: Budget travelers, anyone going to eastern Tokyo (Asakusa, Nihombashi area).
Option 4: Airport Limousine Bus
What it is: Direct bus service from Narita to major hotels and stations.
| Route | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Narita → Tokyo Station | 65-85 min | ¥3,200 |
| Narita → Shinjuku | 85-120 min | ¥3,200 |
| Narita → Shibuya/Roppongi | 75-120 min | ¥3,200 |
Pros:
- Drops you directly at major hotels (no walking with luggage)
- Comfortable seats, luggage stored underneath
- No transfers
- Good for travelers who are nervous about the train system
Cons:
- Affected by traffic (can take 2+ hours in rush hour)
- Less frequent than trains
- More expensive than most train options
Best for: First-time visitors with heavy luggage going directly to a hotel.
Option 5: Shared Shuttle (e.g., Airport Shuttle)
Door-to-door shared van service. They pick up multiple passengers and drop off at each hotel.
- Price: ¥3,000-4,000
- Time: 90-180 minutes (depends on how many stops)
- Book in advance online
Best for: Travelers going to hotels not near a train station. Not recommended if you value time.
From Haneda Airport
Haneda is Tokyo’s city airport — only 15-20km from the center. Getting to your hotel is fast and cheap.
Option 1: Keikyu Line — Best Overall
What it is: Private railway connecting Haneda to central Tokyo via Shinagawa.
| Route | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Haneda → Shinagawa | 11 min | ¥300 |
| Haneda → Nihombashi | 20 min | ¥480 |
| Haneda → Asakusa | 35 min | ¥500 |
Pros:
- Fast and cheap
- Direct connection to Shinagawa (transfer to JR Yamanote, Shinkansen)
- Through-service to Asakusa Line (Nihombashi, Asakusa, Oshiage)
- Tap your IC card — no ticket needed
Cons:
- Can be crowded
- Luggage on a packed train is stressful
Best for: Almost everyone. Shinagawa connects to everywhere.
Option 2: Tokyo Monorail
What it is: Elevated monorail connecting Haneda to Hamamatsucho Station.
| Route | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Haneda → Hamamatsucho | 13-18 min | ¥500 |
Pros:
- Covered by JR Pass
- Scenic ride with views of Tokyo Bay
- Connects to JR Yamanote Line at Hamamatsucho
Cons:
- Only goes to Hamamatsucho (need to transfer)
- Slightly more expensive than Keikyu
Best for: JR Pass holders (free ride), travelers going to Tokyo Station area.
Option 3: Airport Limousine Bus
Direct bus to major hotels and stations.
| Route | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Haneda → Shinjuku | 35-75 min | ¥1,300 |
| Haneda → Tokyo Station | 30-45 min | ¥1,000 |
| Haneda → Shibuya | 30-55 min | ¥1,100 |
Best for: Heavy luggage, going directly to a hotel.
Option 4: Taxi
From Haneda, taxis are actually reasonable:
- To central Tokyo: ¥5,000-8,000
- Late night: Add 20% surcharge after 22:00
- Fixed-rate available to some areas
Best for: Late-night arrivals (after trains stop around 00:00), groups of 3-4 (split the fare).
What to Do at the Airport
Immediately After Landing
- Immigration and customs — Have your Visit Japan Web QR code ready (register online before departure)
- Pick up pocket WiFi or SIM — Rental counters are in the arrivals hall
- Get a Suica/Pasmo IC card — Available at train station ticket machines in the airport. Load ¥2,000-3,000 to start. Works on all trains, buses, and convenience stores
If You Have a JR Pass
- Activate it at the JR Travel Service Center in the airport (Narita: basement level near JR tracks; Haneda: monorail station)
- Activate on your first travel day, not necessarily your arrival day
- The N’EX from Narita and the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda are both covered
Currency
- ATMs are available in the airport. 7-Bank ATMs (7-Eleven) accept all international cards
- Exchange rates at the airport are acceptable but not the best
- Bring at least ¥10,000-20,000 in cash for your first day
Late Night Arrivals
If you arrive after the last train (~23:30):
From Narita:
- Night bus services are limited. Consider staying at a Narita airport hotel and taking the first train in the morning
- Nine Hours capsule hotel is inside Narita Airport Terminal 2
From Haneda:
- Taxi to central Tokyo: ¥5,000-8,000 (reasonable for late night)
- Night buses run to Shibuya and other areas
- The Royal Park Hotel is directly connected to Haneda Terminal 3
Common Mistakes
- Taking a taxi from Narita — It costs ¥20,000-30,000. Take the train
- Not buying an IC card at the airport — You will need it immediately
- Exchanging all your money at the airport — Just get enough for the first day, then use 7-Eleven ATMs
- Dragging huge suitcases on trains during rush hour — Use the limousine bus or luggage delivery service (Yamato Transport) instead
- Not registering Visit Japan Web — Do this before your flight. It speeds up immigration significantly