Quick Answer
Staying near central Tokyo? Haneda (HND) is usually faster and simpler—often 15–30 minutes into major hubs by Monorail or Keikyu, plus abundant buses. Narita (NRT) sits farther out but has fast express trains—Skyliner (~36–41 min to Ueno/Nippori) and N’EX (as fast as 53 min to Tokyo)—and more long-haul flights. (羽田空港旅客ターミナル)
Picking between Tokyo’s two gateways comes down to four things: where your hotel is, when you land, how much luggage you have, and how confident you feel with transfers. Haneda is the “city airport” with short rides and straightforward routes. Narita is farther, but its Skyliner and Narita Express are purpose-built to move you quickly to the right side of the city. (羽田空港旅客ターミナル)
Choosing by hotel area (step-by-step routes)
Tokyo / Marunouchi / Ginza / Nihonbashi
- From Haneda:
- Tokyo Monorail → Hamamatsuchō → JR to Tokyo / Yurakucho / Ginza; frequent, easy platform signage. (tokyo-monorail.co.jp)
- Keikyu → Shinagawa → JR to Tokyo; fast and simple with luggage. (haneda-tokyo-access.com)
- From Narita:
- JR Narita Express (N’EX) → Tokyo Station (direct), with reserved seating and dedicated luggage space. (JR East)
Shinjuku / Shibuya / West Tokyo
- From Haneda: Keikyu to Shinagawa → JR Yamanote Line to Shinjuku / Shibuya; or Monorail to Hamamatsuchō → JR. (haneda-tokyo-access.com)
- From Narita: N’EX runs direct to Shinjuku/Shibuya on specific departures; check timetable on your date. (JR East)
Ueno / Asakusa / Northeast side
- From Haneda: Keikyu with through-service via Asakusa Line is convenient for Asakusa/Nihombashi; or Monorail → JR/Metro. (haneda-tokyo-access.com)
- From Narita: Keisei Skyliner → Ueno/Nippori is usually the fastest rail move for this side of town. (keisei.co.jp)
Yokohama / Minato Mirai
- From Haneda: Keikyu operates direct service to Yokohama (or via Shinagawa). (haneda-tokyo-access.com)
- From Narita: N’EX also serves Yokohama on select runs; check the current schedule. (JR East)
Prefer one-seat rides to hotel districts?
- Airport Limousine Bus runs to major hubs and hotel clusters from both airports—often the least stressful option with strollers or multiple suitcases. From Narita, Airport Bus Tokyo/Narita (LCB) offers budget runs to Tokyo/Ginza/T-CAT (from ¥1,500; time varies with traffic). (limousinebus.co.jp)
Ticketing, passes, and how to pay
- IC cards (Suica/PASMO/Welcome Suica) work across local trains and subways. For seat-reserved expresses (Skyliner, N’EX), you still need a reservation/ticket even if you tap IC at gates for base fare segments. Check the operator pages for purchase methods and windows. (tokyo-monorail.co.jp)
- Value tickets to know:
- Monorail & Yamanote Line Discount Ticket (Haneda ↔ central Tokyo with JR add-on). (tokyo-monorail.co.jp)
- Skyliner Discount Ticket and Skyliner + Subway sets (Narita side). (keisei.co.jp)
- N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket—JR East notes the ticketing details and update date (e.g., page updated July 1, 2025). (JR East)
Time & cost comparison (at a glance)
USD shown at ≈ 1 USD = ¥{RATE}; check live rates.
| From | To | Route (example) | Typical time | Typical fare (JPY) | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HND | Tokyo/Marunouchi | Monorail → Hamamatsuchō → JR or Keikyu → Shinagawa → JR | ~20–30 min | ~¥300–¥600 | First-timers, light transfers | Short rides; frequent departures. (tokyo-monorail.co.jp) |
| HND | Shinjuku/Shibuya | Keikyu/Monorail + JR | ~35–45 min | ~¥500–¥700 | West-side hotels | One quick change en route. (haneda-tokyo-access.com) |
| NRT | Ueno/Nippori | Keisei Skyliner (reserved) | ~36–41 min | from ~¥2,310–¥2,580 | Ueno/Asakusa area | Fastest to NE Tokyo; frequent. (keisei.co.jp) |
| NRT | Tokyo/Shinjuku/Shibuya/Yokohama | JR Narita Express (reserved) | ~53–90 min (station-dependent) | Product fare | Direct to big JR hubs; luggage space | Check current timetable and ticket page (updated Jul 1, 2025). (JR East) |
| NRT | Tokyo/Ginza/T-CAT | Airport Bus Tokyo/Narita (LCB) | ~65–120+ min | from ¥1,500 (std hours) | Lowest cost | Traffic-sensitive; no-reservation boarding rules apply. (TYO-NRT〖公式〗│エアポートバス東京・成田) |
| HND/NRT | Hotel districts | Airport Limousine Bus | Varies by route | Route fare | One-seat with big bags | Check specific hotel stops and first/last buses. (limousinebus.co.jp) |
Last train reminders: late arrivals around 22:00–00:00 should confirm the final Skyliner/N’EX and the last Monorail/Keikyu/Asakusa Line connections for their date, then keep the Limousine Bus or LCB as a fallback if rail has ended. Always check the live timetable/route pages on the day. (tokyo-monorail.co.jp)
When each airport “wins”
Choose Haneda if… you’re sleeping in Marunouchi/Tokyo Station, Ginza, Shimbashi, Shinagawa, or Yokohama, landing late with kids, or you value shorter rides and fewer transfers over everything else. Haneda’s access hub spells out times to major stations and links straight to operator route searches. (羽田空港旅客ターミナル)
Choose Narita if… you land a great fare, your hotel sits near Ueno/Asakusa, or you like the certainty of reserved-seat expresses that go straight to big JR hubs. Skyliner is the east-side sprinter; N’EX targets Tokyo/Shinjuku/Shibuya/Yokohama directly. (keisei.co.jp)
Accessibility and luggage notes
- Airports: Both Haneda (T3/T1-2) and Narita (T1/T2-3) offer step-free routes, elevators, and signed accessible restrooms; the airport access hubs are the canonical references for facilities and wayfinding. (羽田空港旅客ターミナル)
- Transfers: Hamamatsuchō, Shinagawa, Nippori/Ueno, and Tokyo Station have elevators and clear signage. Add a few minutes in rush hours for crowd flow. (See operator station pages and diagrams linked from the access hubs.) (tokyo-monorail.co.jp)
- Seat-reserved expresses: Skyliner and N’EX have designated luggage spaces and overhead racks; buy the correct seat category (Ordinary/Green for N’EX). (JR East)
- Buses: Airport Limousine and LCB use under-floor holds; staff can assist at the stand. Check your exact stop name when you book or line up. (limousinebus.co.jp)
Late-night & early-morning edge cases
If a delay pushes you past the last express train, buses keep running later than some rail lines on select routes. Use the Limousine Bus timetable list to find the final departures to your district—or aim for T-CAT then hop a short taxi. Budget travelers can consider LCB during standard hours, noting any late-night surcharges. (limousinebus.co.jp)
Practical planning tips
- Decide by address, not by “Tokyo vs Narita/Haneda.” Put your hotel’s nearest JR/Metro station into the operator route search to see real times and transfers before you buy the flight. The Haneda and Narita access hubs link directly to rail/bus calculators. (羽田空港旅客ターミナル)
- Reserve when it helps. During Nov 1–30, 2025 foliage weekends and Dec 27–Jan 5, 2025 New Year travel, reserve Skyliner/N’EX and plan extra time for transfers. (JR East)
- Keep a bus backup. Screenshot is not enough—check the live timetable pages the same day for any suspension or congestion notes. (limousinebus.co.jp)
FAQs
Which airport is easier with a stroller and two suitcases?
Most families prefer Haneda for the shorter ride and simpler transfers. If you’re arriving at Narita, a Limousine Bus to your area or a reserved-seat express (Skyliner/N’EX) keeps the luggage wrangling manageable. (limousinebus.co.jp)
How do I pay if I just want to tap?
Use Suica/PASMO/Welcome Suica for locals and through-services. For Skyliner and N’EX, you still need seat reservations/tickets (Green Car requires the correct reserved-seat category on N’EX). (tokyo-monorail.co.jp)
Is there a clear winner for late arrivals?
Often Haneda, thanks to proximity and frequent Monorail/Keikyu services. From Narita late at night, check the final Skyliner/N’EX and keep Limousine Bus in mind if rail is finished by the time you clear immigration. (tokyo-monorail.co.jp)
What’s the cheapest way in from Narita?
The Airport Bus Tokyo/Narita (LCB) runs to Tokyo/Ginza/T-CAT with one-way fares from ¥1,500 during standard hours; time varies with traffic. (Narita Airport)
Can I go straight to Disney from the airport?
Yes—both Limousine Bus and rail combinations serve Maihama (Tokyo Disney Resort). Check the Limousine timetable list or plan via Tokyo Station/Keiyo Line with one change. (limousinebus.co.jp)
How do I move between Haneda and Narita on a changed itinerary?
Use Limousine Bus inter-airport services or combine rail (Keikyu/Monorail + JR/Keisei) depending on time of day and congestion. Verify the day’s schedules before you go. (limousinebus.co.jp)
Key Takeaways
- Haneda = fastest into the city; expect ~15–30 minutes to core hubs with simple transfers. (羽田空港旅客ターミナル)
- Narita = farther but efficient with Skyliner to Ueno/Nippori and N’EX to major JR hubs; reserve seats when it’s busy. (keisei.co.jp)
- Buses = low-stress with luggage; LCB is the budget Narita option, Limousine Bus covers many hotel stops. (TYO-NRT〖公式〗│エアポートバス東京・成田)
Sources used
- Haneda Airport (official) – Train & Monorail access hub: https://tokyo-haneda.com/en/access/train/index.html (羽田空港旅客ターミナル)
- Tokyo Monorail – T3 timetable & fares: https://www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp/english/timetable/1120.html and https://www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp/english/guidance/train_info.html (tokyo-monorail.co.jp)
- Keikyu (official) – Haneda access/route search: https://www.haneda-tokyo-access.com/en/ and line map/fare pages linked therein. (haneda-tokyo-access.com)
- Narita Airport (official) – LCB low-cost bus page: https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/access/bus/lcb/ (Narita Airport)
- Airport Bus Tokyo/Narita (LCB) – official site: https://tyo-nrt.com/en (TYO-NRT〖公式〗│エアポートバス東京・成田)
- JR East (official) – N’EX tickets & product page (updated Jul 1, 2025): https://www.jreast.co.jp/en/multi/nex/tickets/ and https://www.jreast.co.jp/en/multi/pass/nex.html (JR East)
- Keisei (official) – Skyliner fares & tickets: https://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/traffic/skyliner_fares.php and https://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/tickets/coupon.php (keisei.co.jp)
- Airport Limousine Bus (official): https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/ and timetable list https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/timetable/list/ (limousinebus.co.jp)
- GoTokyo (DMO) – Airport access overview: https://www.gotokyo.org/en/plan/airport-access/index.html (Go Tokyo)
All official pages were checked for accuracy on September 27, 2025. For specific travel windows—e.g., Nov 1–30, 2025—reconfirm last trains and any holiday schedule changes on the operator timetables before you go.
