How to Get from Narita & Haneda Airport to Tokyo (2026)

The fastest way from Narita Airport to central Tokyo is the Keisei Skyliner — about 41 minutes to Nippori/Ueno for ¥2,570; the Narita Express (N'EX) reaches Tokyo Station in roughly 53 minutes for ¥3,070 and runs on to Shinjuku, Shibuya and Yokohama. From Haneda Airport, which is far closer to the city, the Keikyu Line reaches Shinagawa in about 13 minutes for ¥330, and the Tokyo Monorail reaches Hamamatsucho in ~14 minutes for ¥520. Budget travelers can take an airport limousine bus (¥1,000–3,600) door-to-door to major hotels, while a taxi from Narita costs ¥20,000–30,000 and from Haneda ¥6,000–8,000. Plan on 60–90 minutes total from Narita and 30–45 minutes from Haneda once you clear immigration and baggage. Below is every option compared by time, price and who it suits, plus how to pay with an IC card.

Narita vs Haneda to Tokyo: Every Option Compared (2026)

Times are from the airport station/stop to a central Tokyo hub; fares are one-way per adult in ordinary/non-reserved class unless noted.

Option (from Narita)	Time	Price	Rating	Best for
Keisei Skyliner (→ Nippori/Ueno)	~41–46 min	¥2,570	★★★★★	Fastest to NE Tokyo, Asakusa area
Narita Express N'EX (→ Tokyo/Shinjuku)	~53–90 min	¥3,070–3,250	★★★★☆	West-side hotels, heavy luggage
Access Narita / bus (→ Tokyo Station)	~65–85 min	¥1,300–1,500	★★★★☆	Budget, direct to Tokyo/Ginza
Airport Limousine Bus (→ hotels)	~85–120 min	¥3,200–3,600	★★★☆☆	Door-to-door with big bags
Keisei main line (limited express)	~75–90 min	¥1,050–1,240	★★★☆☆	Cheapest rail, no reservation
Taxi / private car	~60–90 min	¥20,000–30,000	★★★☆☆	Groups, late arrivals, no transfers

Option (from Haneda)	Time	Price	Rating	Best for
Keikyu Line (→ Shinagawa)	~13–15 min	¥330	★★★★★	Fastest & cheapest to south Tokyo
Tokyo Monorail (→ Hamamatsucho)	~14–18 min	¥520	★★★★★	JR Yamanote connections
Airport Limousine Bus (→ hotels)	~25–45 min	¥1,000–1,400	★★★★☆	Door-to-door, no stairs
Taxi / private car	~30–40 min	¥6,000–8,000	★★★★☆	Groups, late nights, comfort

Which is faster, Narita or Haneda to Tokyo?

Haneda is far closer — it sits inside Tokyo (Ota ward), so you can be in the city in 13–20 minutes by train, versus 41–60 minutes from Narita, which is actually in neighboring Chiba Prefecture, about 60 km east.

If you can choose your arrival airport when booking flights, Haneda saves roughly an hour each way and usually costs less to reach the center. That difference matters most on a short trip or a late-night landing, when the last trains from Narita stop around 11pm–midnight and a taxi becomes very expensive. Whichever airport you use, factor in 30–60 minutes to clear immigration, collect bags and buy tickets before your train time.

What's the cheapest way from Narita to Tokyo?

The cheapest rail option is the Keisei main line limited express (¥1,050–1,240) to Ueno, and the cheapest overall is a highway bus to Tokyo Station (¥1,300–1,500) such as the Access Narita or Airport Bus TYO-NRT services.

• Best value speed-to-price: the Keisei Skyliner (¥2,570) is only slightly pricier but roughly 30 minutes faster than the local train.
• Buses drop you right at Tokyo Station's Yaesu exit and Ginza — ideal if your hotel is on the east side and you have large suitcases.
• Avoid taxis from Narita unless you're splitting ¥20,000+ across a group; the trains are cleaner, faster and vastly cheaper.

How do I pay — do I need a JR Pass or IC card?

Get a Suica or PASMO IC card (or a mobile Suica) on arrival — it works on almost every train, subway, monorail and bus, so you just tap in and out without buying individual tickets.

For airport transfer specifically, a JR Pass is not worth activating just for the ride into town; both the N'EX and Monorail accept a JR Pass if yours is already active, but most travelers start the pass later for their intercity shinkansen trips. Buy Skyliner and N'EX tickets at the airport counters or machines (English available), and reserve N'EX seats in busy seasons. Note that fares can shift slightly with periodic revisions, so confirm current prices at the station before you travel.

FAQ

How long does it take from Narita to Tokyo? About 41 minutes on the Keisei Skyliner to Nippori/Ueno, or roughly 53 minutes on the Narita Express to Tokyo Station. Allow 60–90 minutes total including immigration and baggage.

How much is a taxi from Narita to central Tokyo? Expect ¥20,000–30,000 for a 60–90 minute ride, depending on traffic and destination. Trains are far cheaper and usually faster.

What's the best way from Haneda to Tokyo at night? Trains run until roughly midnight; after that, take the airport limousine bus if still running or a taxi (¥6,000–8,000), which is reasonable because Haneda is close to the city.

Can I use a Suica card for the airport trains? Yes for the Keikyu Line, Tokyo Monorail and Keisei local trains. The Skyliner and N'EX need a separate limited-express/reserved ticket on top of the base fare, which you buy at the counter.

Which airport should I fly into for Tokyo? Haneda if you want the shortest transfer and central/south Tokyo hotels; Narita is fine and often cheaper for flights, especially if you're heading to Ueno, Asakusa or onward by shinkansen.

Last updated: 2026-07-17