How to get from airport to Tokyo?
The Two International Airports of Tokyo
While New York City has three international airports, JFK, Newark and La Guardia, Tokyo has two international airports, Narita and Haneda. Students often ask me which airport they should fly into, and generally, if it makes no difference to the ticket price, I recommend Haneda Airport, as it is closer to Tokyo city. (The distance from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station is 57 km, but from Haneda Airport it is only 15 km.) However, there are more arrivals and departures from Narita Airport and if you check flights from your country, you will probably find there are more Narita bound flights.
People visiting Japan for the first time often worry about getting to and from the airport. Below is a summary of the information you will need for each airport, so please take a look.
People visiting Japan for the first time often worry about getting to and from the airport. Below is a summary of the information you will need for each airport, so please take a look.
Narita Airport
Narita Airport has 3 terminals, called Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Terminal 3 is LCCs only, and other carriers use either terminal 1 or 2 depending on the flight.
Airport Wi-Fi
As soon as you arrive at the airport, you can connect to Free Wi-Fi.
Airport Information Center
If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to visit the airport information center. The staff at the information center speak fluent English and can help you with your concerns.
Buying a SIM Card
You can buy a SIM card at one of the convenience stores inside the airport. Also, there is a vending machine for SIM cards
Buying a converter
You can also buy converters at convenience stores in the airport.
Renting a portable Wi-Fi
The airport has a Wi-Fi rental company where you can rent a portable Wi-Fi. When you go home you can drop it in the return box at the airport.
Renting a mobile phone
You can rent a phone at the mobile phone rental counter.
Exchange Currency
You can exchange currency at the airport. As in most airports around the world, the exchange rates are not very good, so it’s best to exchange only a small amount of money.
ATMs
You can also use ATMs that allow debit withdrawal from overseas cards.
Travel guides and maps
Travel Guides and Maps are available for free in English and Chinese with Simplified Chinese characters, Traditional Chinese characters etc. and other languages.
Transportation to Tokyo (Buses)
Many travelers use either bus or train to get to accommodations in Tokyo City Center. If you are new to Japan, we recommend the bus. Getting in and out of trains and train stations with a suitcase is notoriously difficult, especially during the morning and evening rush hours. Buses can be reserved in advance, or you can purchase a ticket when you arrive. The following are three popular buses you can take from Narita Airport.
The Airport Limousine Bus
3,200JPY (About 29USD)
This is the most popular bus company with buses departing for major destinations such as Tokyo station, Ginza, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro etc. These buses generally don’t stop at just one place, for example, the bus to Shibuya doesn’t just stop at Shibuya station but also goes to popular hotels etc. in the area.
The easiest thing to do is take the bus to the stop nearest to your accommodations, then take a taxi from there. Then there is no need to walk around with heavy luggage. If your bus drops you off very early or very late, when it’s difficult to find a taxi, then get off at another hotel nearby. Even if it’s not your accommodations, the hotel staff will arrange a taxi for you. Buses have bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and charging outlets.
The travel time to Tokyo Station is approx. 80 to 100 minutes
Keisei Bus Tokyo Shuttle
1,000JPY (About 9USD)
For those who feel that 3,200 yen is too much to pay for a ride to Tokyo, a more economical bus is the Keisei Tokyo Shuttle which costs 1,000JPY (About 9USD) to get to Tokyo station (some buses stop in Ginza as well). You cannot make reservations for this bus; you must purchase tickets at the airport counter when you arrive. Buses have bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and charging outlets.
The travel time to Tokyo Station is approx. 70 to 100 minutes
The access Narita
1,000JPY (About 9USD)
Another bus for those who feel that 3,200 yen is too much to pay to get to Tokyo, this economical bus is similar to the Tokyo Shuttle and will take you to Tokyo station or Ginza station for 1,000 yen. You cannot make advanced reservations for this bus, and you can’t buy tickets at the Narita Airport counter. You need to go directly to the bus stop and pay in cash. These more economical buses are often very crowded, so it might take some time to get on a bus, but the 1000 yen price to Tokyo is good motivation.
Buses have bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and charging outlets.
The travel time to Tokyo Station is approx. 70 to 100 minutes
The location of the bus stop depends on the terminal, so please check the website of the Access Narita
Transportation to Tokyo (Narita Express)
3,020JPY (About 28USD)
This train stops at major stations in Tokyo such as Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo Shinagawa etc. This is a good option for those with backpacks instead of suitcases, or for those who will stay at hotels near the stations. You can buy tickets at the airport counter.
The travel time to Tokyo Station is approx. 90 minutes
Transportation to Tokyo (Taxi)
price starts from 20,000JPY (About 182USD)
If you are tired after flying, you can use a taxi, but it is more expensive than bus or train. The fixed fares from Narita Airport to Tokyo station are 20,000 yen during hours from 5:00 – 22:00, and 24,000 yen from 22:00 – 5:00. Additionally, there is a separate 3,000 yen highway toll fee.
The travel time to Tokyo Station is approx. 70 to 100 minutes
Haneda Airport
Also known as Tokyo International Airport, this airport is located 15 kilometers south of central Tokyo and faces Tokyo Bay.
By the way, from ancient times, the eel found off the coast of Haneda was renowned for being delicious, and is still sold in high-end sushi shops and Japanese restaurants. Haneda Airport has three terminals: Domestic Terminal 1, Domestic Terminal 2, and the International Terminal.
Airport Wi-Fi
As soon as you arrive at the airport, you can connect to Free Wi-Fi.
Airport Information Center
If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to visit the airport information center. The staff at the information center speak fluent English and can help you with your concerns.
Buying a SIM Card
You can buy a SIM card at one of the convenience stores inside the airport. Also, there is a vending machine for SIM cards
Buying a converter
You can also buy converters at convenience stores in the airport.
Wi-Fi Rental / Mobile Phone Rental
These can be rented either at the airport’s Wi-Fi rental company or mobile phone company.
Exchange Currency
You can exchange currency at the airport. As in most airports around the world, the exchange rates are not very good, so it’s best to exchange only a small amount of money.
ATMs
You can also use ATMs that allow debit withdrawal from overseas cards.
Travel guides and maps
Travel Guides and Maps are available for free in English and Chinese with Simplified Chinese characters, Traditional Chinese characters etc. and other languages.
Transportation to Tokyo
Many travelers use either bus or train to get to accommodations in Tokyo City Center. If you are new to Japan, I recommend the bus. Getting in and out of trains and train stations with a suitcase is notoriously difficult, especially during the morning and evening rush hours. Buses can be reserved in advance, or you can purchase a ticket when you arrive. The Airport Limousine Bus is easy to use from Haneda Airport.
* All the prices and estimated times listed below are for Tokyo Station in the Tokyo city center.
Airport Limousine Bus
930JPY (About 9USD)
This is the most popular bus company with buses departing for major destinations such as Tokyo station, Ginza, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro etc. These buses generally don’t stop at just one place, for example, the bus to Shibuya doesn’t just stop at Shibuya station but also goes to popular hotels etc. in the area. The easiest thing to do is take the bus to the stop nearest to your accommodations, then take a taxi from there. Then there is no need to walk around with heavy luggage. If your bus drops you off very early or very late, when it’s difficult to find a taxi, then get off at another hotel nearby. Even if it’s not your accommodations, the hotel staff will arrange a taxi for you. Buses have bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and charging outlets.
The travel time to Tokyo Station is approx. 40 to 60 minutes
Train
572JPY (About 5USD)
To ride the train, you need to buy either a ticket from an automatic ticket machine or purchase an IC card called PASMO. The automatic ticket machines default to Japanese, but you can select English on the screen. To buy a PASMO card, you need to select the buy PASMO button, then put cash into the machine and charge the IC card.
To get to Tokyo Station, go to Shinagawa Station by the Keikyu Line, then transfer to the JR line for Tokyo Station. The travel time to Tokyo station is about 30 minutes, and 572 yen is cheaper than the bus, but for overseas visitors, especially with luggage, the Tokyo train system can be very confusing and overwhelming during rush hour. So, until you have had some time to get used to it, I recommend taking the bus.
Taxi
5,900JPY (About 54USD)
The fixed fares from Haneda Airport to Tokyo station are 5,900JPY during hours from 5:00 – 22:00, and 7,100JPY from 22:00 – 5:00.
Additionally, there is a separate 1000 yen highway toll fee.