Stepping off a long flight at Narita or Haneda, jet-lagged and dragging a suitcase, the wall of train and bus signs can feel overwhelming. The reassuring news: both airports are well connected to central Tokyo, signs and ticket machines have English (and often 中文 / 한국어), and you really only need to pick one option. This guide gives you the shape of the choices so you can decide with confidence — then check the official site for the exact time and fare on your travel day.
From Narita Airport (NRT)
- Keisei Skyliner — the fast train to the northeast side of the city. Narita to Nippori is about 36 minutes and to Keisei-Ueno about 41 minutes, with easy transfers to the JR Yamanote Line. Great if you're heading to Ueno, Asakusa or nearby.
- JR Narita Express (N'EX) — a comfortable limited express that runs direct to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Yokohama. Roughly an hour to Tokyo Station; convenient if your hotel is on the JR/west side. For Ikebukuro, change to the JR Yamanote Line at Shinjuku or Tokyo.
- Keisei or JR local / rapid trains — the budget-friendly option. Slower and you may transfer, but they reach the city for much less than the express services.
- Airport Limousine Bus — boards right outside arrivals and drops you at major hotels and stations with no stairs or transfers. Times vary a lot with traffic (often 1.5–2 hours to central Tokyo).
- Taxi — the simplest door-to-door option but by far the priciest from Narita given the distance; usually only worth it for groups, lots of luggage, or odd hours.
From Haneda Airport (HND)
- Keikyu Line — direct to Shinagawa in about 15 minutes, continuing onto the Toei Asakusa subway line toward Asakusa and beyond. Fast and cheap for the south/east of the city.
- Tokyo Monorail — runs to Hamamatsucho (about 13–20 minutes depending on service), where you connect to the JR Yamanote Line. A scenic, easy ride toward the JR loop.
- Airport Limousine Bus — direct to many hotels and stations; the easiest choice when you don't want to handle stairs or transfers with bags.
- Taxi — Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo than Narita, so a taxi is more reasonable here, though still more than the train. Handy late at night or with a group.
Times here are rough ranges, and fares and timetables change. Always check the operator's official site for the current schedule, price, and last-train time on your travel day — especially if you land late, since trains and buses stop running around midnight while taxis run all night.
Tips to make it painless
- IC cards work everywhere. A Suica or PASMO (including the mobile versions in Apple Wallet) taps you straight through the gates on all these trains and the monorail — no need to buy a paper ticket each time. You can buy and top up a card at the airport station.
- Heavy bags or late arrival? Choose the limousine bus or a taxi — no stairs, no transfers, and the bus stops at major hotels. The bus is gentler on a tired body than wrangling a suitcase through transfers.
- Going to a JR-side hotel (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo)? From Narita the N'EX is direct; from Haneda the Monorail or Keikyu plus a quick Yamanote transfer works well.
- Reserved seats: the Skyliner and N'EX use reserved seating, so grab a seat ticket at the counter or machine before boarding.
- Check the last train before you fly. If your flight is delayed and the trains have stopped, the limousine bus may still run, and taxis always do.
- Can I just use my Suica or PASMO from the airport?
- Yes. IC cards work on the Keikyu Line, Tokyo Monorail, JR and Keisei local/rapid trains, and the city network beyond — just tap in and out. Note that the limited-express seats on the Skyliner and N'EX need a separate seat/express ticket on top of your IC fare.
- Which is best if I arrive late at night?
- Check the last-train time for your route first. If trains have stopped, the Airport Limousine Bus runs later on some routes, and taxis operate 24 hours. Haneda is closer to the city, so a late-night taxi there is far more affordable than from Narita.
- What's the difference between the Skyliner and the Narita Express?
- Both are fast trains from Narita, but they go to different sides of Tokyo. The Skyliner heads to Nippori and Ueno (northeast); the N'EX runs to Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Yokohama (central and west). Pick the one closer to where you're staying.
