From Narita or Haneda Airport to central Tokyo: options, prices and travel times

If you arrive at Narita, the most efficient choice for most travelers is the Keisei Skyliner (to Ueno/Nippori, about 40-45 minutes) or the Narita Express (N'EX) if your hotel is near Tokyo Station, Shinjuku or Shibuya. If you land at Haneda, the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsuchō or the Keikyū line to Shinagawa will get you to the city center in 15-25 minutes for about 500 yen. The Airport Limousine bus is the comfortable option if you’re traveling with large luggage or children and your hotel is along its route.

This guide is useful if it’s your first trip to Japan and you don’t want to waste an hour comparing options on screens you don’t fully understand, or if you’ve already been and want to fine-tune your choice between Skyliner, N'EX and bus depending on the neighborhood where you’re staying. Prices are for 2026 and may vary slightly; times are each operator’s official figures under normal conditions.

Narita and Haneda: why it matters which one you’re assigned

Haneda (HND) is about 15 km south of central Tokyo, on the bay. Narita (NRT) is about 60-70 km east, in Chiba Prefecture. That difference in distance changes everything: from Haneda you reach the center in under half an hour for less than 700 yen; from Narita you need between 40 minutes and an hour and a half, and the cost multiplies.

Narita was built in the 1970s to absorb the international traffic Haneda could no longer handle. Since 2010, Haneda has been recovering long-haul flights, so many European airlines now land there. If you can choose, Haneda saves you time and money. If your flight arrives at Narita, it’s not a problem: the rail connections are excellent.

Comparison table: all the options at a glance

Option	Airport	Approx. price	Duration	Arrives at
Keisei Skyliner	Narita	2,580 ¥	40-45 min	Nippori / Ueno
Narita Express (N'EX)	Narita	3,070-3,250 ¥	55-90 min	Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Yokohama
Keisei Access Express	Narita	1,200-1,400 ¥	60-75 min	Asakusa, Nihombashi
Airport Limousine Bus	Narita	3,200-3,600 ¥	90-120 min	Major hotels
Tokyo Monorail	Haneda	520 ¥	15-20 min	Hamamatsuchō
Keikyū Line	Haneda	300-500 ¥	15-25 min	Shinagawa, Asakusa
Airport Limousine Bus	Haneda	1,200-1,800 ¥	30-60 min	Major hotels
Taxi	Haneda	6,000-8,000 ¥	30-45 min	Door to door
Taxi	Narita	20,000-25,000 ¥	60-90 min	Door to door

From Narita: Keisei Skyliner, the fastest option

The Keisei Skyliner departs every 20-40 minutes from Narita’s Terminals 1 and 2 (it has its own station beneath the airport). It stops at Nippori (about 36 minutes) and ends at Keisei Ueno (41 minutes). A one-way ticket costs 2,580 yen in 2026. It’s a train with reserved seats, luggage space and Wi-Fi.

Why is it a good choice? Because from Nippori you connect to the Yamanote line (the loop line that links almost all the main tourist areas) without changing stations. If your hotel is in Ueno, Akihabara, Tokyo Station or any Yamanote stop, the Skyliner is usually the fastest and most predictable option.

There’s a useful combo: the Skyliner + Tokyo Subway Ticket (24, 48 or 72 hours of unlimited subway travel) for 2,890-3,890 yen, depending on duration. If you’ll use the subway a lot in the first few days, it pays off.

From Narita: Narita Express (N'EX), when your hotel is far from Ueno

The N'EX is operated by JR East. It’s more expensive than the Skyliner but goes directly to Tokyo Station (about 55 min), Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and even Yokohama. Reference prices: 3,070 yen to Tokyo, 3,250 yen to Shinjuku or Shibuya.

If you have an active Japan Rail Pass, the N'EX is included at no extra cost. That’s the main reason to choose it if you plan to use the pass from day one. It’s also a good option if you’re staying in Shinjuku or Shibuya and don’t want to change trains with luggage in a station the size of a small town.

Frequency: every 30-60 minutes, with fewer trains at midday. Buy your ticket at the JR counters in the airport (basement of arrivals) or at automatic machines with an English menu.

From Narita: Keisei Access Express, the budget option

Keisei’s Access Express is the “poor relation” of the Skyliner: it uses part of the same track but stops at more stations and doesn’t require a reservation. It takes 60-75 minutes to Asakusa or Nihombashi and costs between 1,200 and 1,400 yen.

It’s the choice if you’re traveling on a tight budget and your hotel is along the Asakusa-Nihombashi-Shimbashi corridor. The drawback: it can be full at rush hour, there’s no reserved luggage space and the seats are side-facing like a subway. With large suitcases, I don’t recommend it.

From Narita: Airport Limousine Bus

The Airport Limousine goes directly to the entrances of the main hotels in Shinjuku, Ginza, Akasaka, Odaiba or the Tokyo Station area. Price: 3,200-3,600 yen. Duration: 90-120 minutes, depending on traffic (and in Tokyo, traffic can be merciless).

It suits you if you’re traveling with small children, with more luggage than you can carry up subway stairs, or if you arrive at night and don’t want to deal with transfers. Tickets are bought at the yellow counter in the arrivals hall; they load your luggage into the hold and give you a receipt.

From Haneda: Tokyo Monorail

The Tokyo Monorail leaves from the basement of each terminal and reaches Hamamatsuchō in 15-20 minutes for 520 yen. At Hamamatsuchō you transfer to the Yamanote line.

It’s comfortable, frequent (every 4-10 minutes) and the views over the bay at sunset are a small gift. If you arrive with a Japan Rail Pass, it’s included.

From Haneda: Keikyū Line

The Keikyū line connects Haneda with Shinagawa (14 min, 300 yen) and, with certain direct trains, with Asakusa, Nihombashi and Oshiage (near Tokyo Skytree) without a transfer. For Shinagawa or any hotel in the south-central area, it’s faster than the monorail.

Check the train type on the display: the Airport Limited Express trains (red) are the fastest and cost no more.

From Haneda: Limousine Bus and taxi

The Airport Limousine from Haneda costs 1,200-1,800 yen and takes 30-60 minutes depending on the hotel and traffic. A good option at night or with lots of luggage.

A taxi from Haneda to the center costs around 6,000-8,000 yen and takes 30-45 minutes without traffic. From Narita, on the other hand, a taxi can cost 20,000-25,000 yen: it only makes sense if there are four of you and you arrive when no trains are running.

Night trains and early-morning flights

Neither Narita nor Haneda has 24-hour trains to the center. The last Skyliner from Narita usually leaves around 23:00; the last N'EX a bit earlier. From Haneda, the monorail and Keikyū run until after midnight.

If your flight arrives later, you have three options: a night bus (about 2,000-3,000 yen from Haneda, 3,000-3,500 yen from Narita), a taxi, or waiting for the first train (around 05:00-05:30). Many travelers doze for a few hours in the arrivals seats; it’s safe and common, though uncomfortable.

Suica, Pasmo and Welcome Suica: the card you absolutely need

Buy an IC card (Suica or Pasmo) as soon as you arrive. It can be topped up at any machine and used at subway gates, JR trains, city buses and even vending machines. It saves you from queuing and calculating fares.

At Haneda and Narita there are Welcome Suica machines (a tourist version, no deposit, valid for 28 days). Load 2,000-3,000 yen to start. There’s also the digital Suica on your phone if you have an iPhone, which is even more convenient.

Common mistakes

• Taking the N'EX when your hotel is in Ueno or Asakusa. You pay more and take the same time or longer than with the Skyliner or Access Express.
• Choosing a taxi from Narita without being four people. The cost is disproportionate compared with the train.
• Not activating the JR Pass before the N'EX. If you plan to use it, exchange it at the JR office in the airport before boarding the train.
• Buying a monorail ticket at Haneda if you have a JR Pass. It’s included.
• Underestimating the time of the limousine bus. At rush hour it can double its duration.

Which option fits your case

• First time in Tokyo, hotel in Shinjuku or Shibuya, arriving at Narita: N'EX.
• Hotel in Ueno, Asakusa or Tokyo Station, arriving at Narita: Skyliner.
• Tight budget, arriving at Narita: Access Express.
• With small children and lots of luggage: Limousine Bus.
• Arriving at Haneda, hotel in Shinagawa or nearby: Keikyū.
• Arriving at Haneda, hotel on the north Yamanote: Monorail + Yamanote.

If you haven’t yet decided which neighborhood to stay in, it will help to read where to stay in Tokyo depending on the type of trip before booking your transport.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to get from the airport to central Tokyo? From Haneda, between 300 and 1,800 yen by public transport. From Narita, between 1,200 and 3,600 yen depending on the option. A taxi is much more expensive: 6,000-8,000 yen from Haneda and 20,000-25,000 yen from Narita.

What’s faster, Keisei Skyliner or Narita Express? The Skyliner is slightly faster to Ueno (about 41 min versus 55 min for the N'EX to Tokyo Station), but the N'EX takes you directly to Shinjuku, Shibuya or Yokohama without changing. Choose by final destination, not just by minutes.

Can I use the Japan Rail Pass from the airport? Yes, for both the Narita Express and the Tokyo Monorail at Haneda. It doesn’t work for Keisei (Skyliner or Access Express) because it isn’t a JR line.

Is there free Wi-Fi on the airport trains? Yes, on the Skyliner and the N'EX. Not always on the Monorail and Keikyū; use airport Wi-Fi before leaving or rent a pocket Wi-Fi.

Is it safe to arrive at Tokyo airport at night? Completely. Tokyo is one of the safest cities in the world. If you miss the last train, night buses and taxis are available, and the arrivals areas at Haneda and Narita are monitored 24 hours a day.

Is the Skyliner + Tokyo Subway Ticket combo worth it? If your hotel is near a subway line and you’ll make three or more trips a day for two or three days, yes. If your plan is to walk a lot or mainly use the Yamanote (which is JR, not subway), no.

My practical recommendation: book the Skyliner or N'EX online a few days in advance if you arrive in peak season (cherry blossoms in April, Golden Week in May, autumn in October-November). To fine-tune dates and prices by month, take a look at when to visit Tokyo before finalizing your ticket.

Tips Means of Transport #aeropuertos #consejos de viaje #guia practica #Tokio #transporte público #trenes