Tokyo Airport Guide: Why I Always Fly Into Haneda (And When Narita Is Actually the Better Pick)

The first time I flew to Tokyo from the US, I landed at Narita at 4pm on a Tuesday. I was jet-lagged, dragging a suitcase, and somehow it still took me almost two hours to get to my hotel in Shinjuku. The Narita Express, the transfer at Shinjuku Station, the crowds — by the time I got to my room I was completely done.

That was the last time I used Narita for a Tokyo trip.

I've flown into Haneda ever since, and the difference is night and day. But here's the thing — Narita isn't a bad airport. It's actually the right choice depending on where you're going. So let me break this down properly, because I get this question from friends almost every time someone's planning a Japan trip.

Haneda vs. Narita: The Quick Answer

Both airports serve Tokyo. The key difference is distance.

Haneda (HND) sits right on Tokyo Bay — it's practically inside the city. From the international terminal, you can be in Shibuya or Shinjuku in about 35–40 minutes. Ginza and Shinagawa are even closer, around 20–25 minutes.

Narita (NRT) is in Chiba Prefecture — technically a different prefecture entirely — and it's about 60 km from central Tokyo. On the Narita Express, that's 60–80 minutes to Shinjuku. On the limousine bus, figure 80–100 minutes depending on traffic.

If Tokyo is your destination, Haneda wins on convenience almost every time.

When Narita Actually Makes More Sense

That said, I don't want you to dismiss Narita entirely. There are real situations where it's the smarter pick:

• You have a JR Pass and want to use it immediately — The Narita Express (NEX) is fully covered by the JR Pass, which means you can ride from the airport to Shinjuku or Shibuya essentially for free. That's a ¥3,070 ticket you don't have to pay for. From Haneda, the main transit options (Keikyu Line and Tokyo Monorail) are private lines not covered by the JR Pass.
• You're heading somewhere northeast of Tokyo first — If you're going to Nikko, Sendai, Tohoku, or anywhere in Chiba itself, Narita puts you geographically closer to start. No sense backtracking.
• You scored a significantly cheaper flight — Narita often has better international flight options and pricing. An extra 45 minutes on a train versus saving $200 on your ticket? Do the math based on your own trip.
• You're visiting Naritasan — Narita City has the incredible Naritasan Shinshoji Temple complex, one of Japan's most-visited temples. If that's on your list, landing at Narita means you can visit on the way into or out of Tokyo.

Getting from Haneda to Central Tokyo

Haneda International Terminal (Terminal 3) has two main options, plus a bus. Here's how I think about each one.

Tokyo Monorail

The monorail runs from Haneda Terminal 3 to Hamamatsucho Station, where you transfer to the JR Yamanote Line. It takes about 13 minutes and costs ¥510 one way. Trains run frequently — every 4–10 minutes during peak hours. From Hamamatsucho, you're one stop from Shinagawa and two stops from Shibuya on the Yamanote. It's a smooth, reliable option, especially if you're heading to the east or south side of central Tokyo.

Keikyu Line

The Keikyu Line is my personal go-to. It runs directly from the Haneda Airport International Terminal Station and connects to Shinagawa (18 min, ¥310), Asakusa, and even Yokohama — all without a transfer. From Shinagawa you can jump on the Shinkansen or the Yamanote Line to go anywhere. It's fast, it runs late, and it accepts IC cards. If you're staying anywhere in the central or west side of Tokyo, this is the fastest door-to-door route.

Airport Limousine Bus

If you're staying at a major hotel or near a big station, the Airport Limousine Bus might be your easiest option — especially if you're traveling with a lot of luggage or with kids. No transfers, no escalators, no figuring out which train goes where at midnight after a 14-hour flight.

The buses run directly from the arrivals hall to specific destinations: Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza, Tokyo Station, Akasaka, and a bunch of major hotels. Fares run from about ¥1,100 to ¥3,100 depending on the destination. The ride takes 30–70 minutes depending on traffic. I've used this a few times when I've been with my mom, who doesn't love navigating train stations with rolling luggage — it's genuinely the most low-stress option.

IC Cards: Your Best Friend from the Moment You Land

If there's one thing I tell every single person visiting Japan, it's this: get an IC card before you leave the airport. Suica and Pasmo are the two main ones — they work identically, so grab whichever is easier.

An IC card is a rechargeable card (or app) you tap on every train, subway, bus, and ferry in Japan. It covers everything — JR trains, Tokyo Metro, Toei lines, the Monorail, Keikyu, you name it. You don't need to buy individual tickets or figure out which fare zone you're in. You just tap in, tap out, and the system does the math.

But it's not just transit. My Suica works at convenience stores (Family Mart, Lawson, 7-Eleven), vending machines, and even some restaurants. I rarely use cash in Japan anymore — Suica handles most of it.

Both cards are widely available and work the same way on transit. Learn more on their official English sites: Suica (JR East) and Pasmo.

Two ways to get one at Haneda:

• Digital Suica: If you have a newer iPhone or Apple Watch, you can add a Suica directly to Apple Wallet before you even land. Load money via Apple Pay. Done. This is what I do now.
• Physical Suica or Pasmo: Available at vending machines inside the Keikyu Station at Haneda Terminal 3. ¥500 deposit, then load whatever amount you want. I'd load at least ¥3,000–5,000 to start.

What About the JR Pass?

The JR Pass is worth its own article (coming soon!), but here's the short version as it relates to airports.

The JR Pass is a prepaid rail pass that covers all JR (Japan Railways) trains nationwide — including Shinkansen bullet trains to Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and beyond. It does NOT cover private lines like Keikyu or the Tokyo Monorail.

• From Narita: Narita Express (NEX) is included in Japan Rail Pass — it's JR, it's fast, and it goes directly to Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Yokohama.
• From Haneda: You'll still pay out of pocket for the Keikyu or Monorail to reach a JR station, then your pass kicks in from there.

This is one legitimate reason to choose Narita if you have a pass and are heading out of Tokyo quickly (say, straight to Kyoto on Day 1). But for most people who are spending their first night in Tokyo anyway, it's a minor cost — ¥310–510 on an IC card to reach a JR station is not going to break your budget.

The best place to buy or pick up a JR Pass is through Klook — you order online, pick up a voucher, and exchange it at the JR office right inside the arrivals hall at either airport. I always recommend ordering it before you leave home so you can activate it the minute you land.

A Few More Practical Notes on Haneda

• Terminal 3 is the international terminal — Terminals 1 and 2 are domestic. If you're connecting to a domestic flight the same day, check your terminal carefully — they're connected by a free shuttle bus, but it takes about 10 minutes.
• The airport is open 24 hours — Trains stop running after midnight, but there are buses and taxis if you land late. Late-night taxi from Haneda to central Tokyo runs about ¥4,000–7,000 depending on destination.
• Coin lockers are everywhere — If you want to drop your luggage and explore before check-in, there are lockers throughout the terminal and at most major train stations.
• Restaurants and convenience stores in the arrivals area are well-stocked and open early — I always grab an onigiri and a Pocari Sweat the second I'm through customs. After a long flight, it's the best thing.

Haneda is one of my favorite airports in the world, honestly — it's clean, efficient, calm, and connected. Getting from the gate to a Keikyu train takes about 20 minutes if you move with purpose. After years of long-haul flights, I really appreciate that.