Which airport are you landing at?
Tokyo has two international airports, and the way into the city depends on which one you land at. Haneda is in Tokyo itself, about 15 minutes by train from Shinagawa and about 30 from Tokyo Station. Narita is further out, in Chiba: even the fastest train takes over half an hour to reach the city. Check your ticket before you plan the ride in.
How do I get from Narita to Tokyo?
The Keisei Skyliner is the fastest train in, reaching Ueno in as little as 41 minutes, with a stop at Nippori where you can change to JR lines. Take it if you're staying around Ueno, Asakusa or Ikebukuro.
The Narita Express runs to Tokyo Station in as little as 53 minutes, then on to Shinagawa, Shibuya and Shinjuku without a change. Take it if you're staying near one of those stations.
Both trains need a seat ticket, sold at counters in the airport and online. The Airport Limousine bus runs from Narita to major stations and many large hotels. If your hotel is a stop, there are no train changes with your bags.
How do I get from Haneda to Tokyo?
The Keikyu line reaches Shinagawa in about 15 minutes, and Shinagawa connects to JR lines across the city. The Tokyo Monorail reaches Hamamatsucho in about 20 minutes, where you change to the JR Yamanote Line.
Both take Suica and PASMO, so you can tap through the gate with the card from Part 3. Airport Limousine buses run from Haneda too, to areas such as Shinjuku.
Where do I get a Suica at the airport?
Welcome Suica, the card made for visitors, is sold from Welcome Suica vending machines and JR East Travel Service Centers in the airport stations: at Narita, the JR stations for Terminal 1 and for Terminals 2 and 3; at Haneda, the Tokyo Monorail station at Terminal 3. On iPhone, the Welcome Suica Mobile app works too. Part 3 covers how the card works.
Should I take a taxi?
Both airports have fixed-fare taxis to central Tokyo, with expressway tolls on top. From Haneda it's a short ride. From Narita it's a long one and the most expensive way in. A late-night surcharge applies at Narita between 10pm and 5am.
What if I land late?
Narita's trains finish early. The last Narita Express leaves the airport before 10pm, and the last Skyliner and JR rapid trains to Tokyo leave around 11pm. After that, the options are a taxi or a night at the airport: Narita has 24-hour convenience stores and a capsule hotel at Terminal 2, which is worth booking ahead.
Haneda runs later. The last Keikyu train to Shinagawa leaves around midnight, and the first leaves around 5:30am. In between, late-night buses leave Haneda for Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Yokohama, though their times can change with flight schedules. Or take a taxi.
Timetables change, so check the latest one on the rail company's own website (Keisei, JR East or Keikyu) before you rely on a late train. Once you're in the city, Part 3 covers last trains home.
Where to next
Plan the days with Part 1's relaxed Tokyo itinerary, and read what you should know about IC cards, cash and last trains. For getting online in Japan, see our Japan eSIM guide. More destinations start from the Wakamo home page.
Sources
- Haneda Airport, rail access. Rail connections from Haneda into Tokyo.
- Keisei, Skyliner. Skyliner routes between Narita Airport and Tokyo.