Tokyo has two airports, and which one you land at makes a real difference to your first hour in Japan. The good news: both are well connected, spotlessly run, and easy to navigate with clear English signage — so getting into the center is straightforward even when you're jet-lagged and hauling luggage. Here's how to do it from each.
First, know your airport
Tokyo's two gateways are Haneda (HND) and Narita (NRT). The key difference for arriving travelers: Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo, while Narita sits well outside the city in neighboring Chiba. If you had a choice when booking your flight, Haneda usually means a shorter, cheaper, quicker transfer. Either way, both airports are well connected by multiple rail and bus options, so you'll get into the city smoothly regardless of where you land.
Set yourself up before you leave the airport
Two quick things to do on arrival, before you head into the city, make everything easier:
- Pick up a Suica or Pasmo IC card at a station ticket machine (English option available) — you'll tap it for every train, subway, bus, and many shops.
- Sort mobile data — activate an eSIM, or grab a SIM card or pocket WiFi at an airport counter — so you have maps and translation from the moment you arrive.
With a tap card and data, the transfer (and the whole trip) becomes far less stressful.
From Haneda to central Tokyo
Haneda is the easy one — it's close, so the transfer is quick, roughly 30 minutes to central areas. Two main rail options carry you in:
- Tokyo Monorail — connects to the JR Yamanote loop line at Hamamatsucho, useful for reaching stations around the loop.
- Keikyu Line — links directly toward Shinagawa and onward into the network, convenient for many central hotels.
Both are affordable and fast, and your IC card works on them. A taxi or rideshare is an option that's merely pricey (not astronomical) from Haneda — worth it if you're exhausted or in a group with lots of bags.
From Narita to central Tokyo
Narita is farther out, so plan on roughly 60 to 90 minutes into the center. The two standout train options:
- Narita Express (N'EX) — a comfortable JR limited-express train running directly to major hubs like Tokyo, Shinjuku, and Shibuya stations. The simplest choice if your hotel is near one of those.
- Keisei Skyliner — a fast train to Ueno and Nippori in the city's east, great if you're staying around Asakusa or that side of town.
There are also cheaper but slower local trains, and limousine buses that go directly to many hotels — handy if you have heavy luggage and want zero transfers. Avoid a straight taxi from Narita unless money is no object; the distance makes it extremely expensive.
Which to use
From Haneda, take the monorail or Keikyu and you'll be at your hotel fast. From Narita, match the train to your neighborhood — the N'EX for the Tokyo/Shinjuku/Shibuya side, the Skyliner for the Ueno/Asakusa side, or a limousine bus if your hotel is a direct stop and you're laden with bags. Note that these airport express trains need their own ticket (your IC card alone doesn't cover the N'EX or Skyliner). Get your IC card first, follow the clear English signs, and the rest is just tapping in.
Bottom line
Whichever airport you land at, getting into Tokyo is easy: sort an IC card and data on arrival, then take the train that matches your hotel's location. From Haneda you'll be in the center in about half an hour; from Narita, plan for an hour or more via the N'EX, Skyliner, or bus. With the airport transfer sorted, you're ready to dive into the city.
