Narita or Haneda to Tokyo: How to Choose a Train or Airport Bus

When you fly to Tokyo, deciding how to get from the airport to your hotel before you land can make arrival day much easier. Narita and Haneda are in different locations, and the best route also depends on where your hotel is.

Start with three details: your arrival airport and terminal, your hotel address, and your arrival time. From Narita, common options include the Narita Express, the Keisei Skyliner, and airport buses. From Haneda, you can use the Keikyu Line, the Tokyo Monorail, or an airport bus. Travel times and service conditions vary by date and time, so use this guide to narrow down your options, then check the operator’s current information before you travel. Transport information was checked on October 8, 2026.

First, check your airport and your hotel’s nearest station

Confirm the arrival airport on your flight details. Then open your hotel’s address on a map and find the nearest train station and bus stop. Hotels with similar names may be in different neighborhoods, so use the full street address from your reservation confirmation.

Your destination or situation	Options to compare first
From Narita to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, or Shinjuku	Narita Express and an airport bus
From Narita to Nippori or Ueno	Keisei Skyliner and an airport bus
From Haneda to Shinagawa	Keikyu Line and an airport bus
From Haneda to Hamamatsucho or a Tokyo Monorail connection	Tokyo Monorail and an airport bus
Traveling with large bags, with a direct bus stop near your hotel	Airport bus and train
Arriving late at night or early in the morning	The last or first service on your travel date, plus a backup plan

Use the table to make a shortlist, not as a promise of service. Bus stops, schedules, train destinations, and operating conditions can change. Search with your travel date, arrival terminal, and hotel address.

Getting from Narita Airport to Tokyo

Narita is farther from central Tokyo than Haneda, so choose between rail and bus based on your hotel’s location. Narita Airport’s rail access guide shows which stations serve each terminal.

Narita Express: Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, and Shinjuku

JR East’s Narita Express (N’EX) runs from Narita Airport to major destinations including Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Yokohama. It may be a convenient option when your destination is near one of its stops and you want to avoid changing trains. N’EX is a limited express service. In addition to the basic fare, you need a limited express ticket; check how tickets or passes apply to your trip. See JR East’s N’EX information for current routes, fares, and ticket options.

Keisei Skyliner: Nippori and Ueno

The Keisei Skyliner is a reserved-seat limited express between Narita Airport and the Nippori/Ueno area. At Nippori, you can connect to JR lines, which can make the Skyliner a useful option for hotels in northern or eastern Tokyo. The ride requires a base fare and a Skyliner ticket. Check current prices, purchase locations, and seat availability on Keisei’s official ticket page.

Airport buses: fewer transfers when a stop is near your destination

Narita Airport has direct bus services to destinations around Tokyo, including Tokyo Station/Nihonbashi, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ginza, Shibuya, and Asakusa. If a bus stops near your hotel, it can reduce the number of transfers you make with your luggage. Travel time depends on road traffic, and not every route runs at every time. Check the Narita Airport bus guide and the bus operator’s latest details, including where to buy a ticket.

Check which station serves your terminal

At Narita, Terminal 1 is served by Narita Airport Station. Terminals 2 and 3 use Narita Airport Terminal 2・3 Station. The walk from Terminal 3 to the station is about 10 minutes, according to the airport’s rail access information. Check your terminal and allow time to reach the station after collecting your bags.

Getting from Haneda Airport to Tokyo

Haneda is closer to central Tokyo than Narita, and both trains and buses serve the airport. The most useful route depends on your destination and terminal.

Keikyu Line: Shinagawa and through-service destinations

The Keikyu Line connects Haneda Airport with the Shinagawa area. Some trains continue onto other lines, including the Toei Asakusa Line, but destinations and stops vary by train and time. Do not assume a particular train will go directly to your hotel’s nearest station. Check the departure time and destination in a route search. Haneda Airport’s train and monorail guide lists station information and estimated travel times.

Tokyo Monorail: change to JR at Hamamatsucho

The Tokyo Monorail runs from Haneda Airport to Hamamatsucho, where you can transfer to JR lines. It can be straightforward if your hotel is near a station on a connecting line. Remember to allow time to change platforms at Hamamatsucho. Check the airport’s train and monorail guide for current station and route information.

Airport buses: look for a direct stop near your hotel

Airport buses from Haneda serve destinations such as Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro. A bus can reduce train transfers if it runs at your arrival time and stops close to your hotel. Traffic can delay the journey, and routes may be changed or suspended. Check the destination, stop, and travel date in Haneda Airport’s bus guide.

Narrow down your options by hotel area

Tokyo Station, Nihonbashi, or Ginza

From Narita, compare the Narita Express with buses serving Tokyo Station or Nihonbashi. From Haneda, compare a rail route using the Keikyu Line or Tokyo Monorail with a bus to the Tokyo Station area. Include the walk from the station or stop to your hotel, not just the ride from the airport.

Nippori, Ueno, or Asakusa

From Narita, the Skyliner is a natural option to compare for Nippori and Ueno. For Asakusa, check the transfer and the final route to your hotel. From Haneda, compare the train shown for your specific time with any bus serving your destination.

Shinjuku or Shibuya

From Narita, compare the Narita Express with airport buses serving Shinjuku or Shibuya. From Haneda, compare a Keikyu or Monorail rail connection with the buses running on your travel date. Search using your hotel’s nearest station or bus stop and arrival time, then compare transfers and total travel time.

Hotels far from a station or outside central Tokyo

If the hotel needs another bus or taxi from its nearest station, check whether an airport bus stops nearby. If there is no direct bus, plan the airport-to-station journey and the final leg separately. The airport-to-city travel time alone does not tell you how long it will take to reach your hotel.

Traveling with luggage? Compare transfers and the final walk

With large suitcases, a stroller, or children, the fastest route on a map may not be the easiest one. Compare:

• How many transfers you need and how far you will walk between platforms
• The station exit, stairs, slopes, and walking distance to the hotel
• The distance from a bus stop to the hotel entrance
• Whether you can avoid carrying bags on stairs
• Bus departure times and the possibility of road delays

An airport bus may reduce transfers, but it may not stop near your hotel and can be affected by traffic. Trains are less affected by road congestion, but you may have to walk through large stations or change platforms. If you are considering sending bags to your hotel, see our guide to luggage shipping costs in Japan.

If you arrive late at night or early in the morning

Do not plan from your flight’s landing time alone. Immigration, baggage collection, and the walk through the terminal all take time. Check the last train or bus on your travel date and allow for the time it may take to reach the platform or stop after landing.

It is also useful to have a backup plan in case a delay causes you to miss the last service. Consider the cost of a taxi or an overnight stay near the airport. Late-night and early-morning services can differ from daytime schedules. Check the latest guidance from Narita Airport or Haneda Airport, along with the transport operator.

Before-you-go checklist

• Confirm your arrival airport and terminal.
• Save your hotel’s full address, nearest station, and nearby bus stops.
• Search for a route using your arrival date and time.
• Check how to buy any limited express ticket or bus ticket you need.
• Include transfers, the walk to the hotel, and luggage in your comparison.
• If you arrive late or early, check the last or first service and a backup option.
• Check for service changes, construction, or disruptions.

If you plan to use trains after landing, our guide to IC cards in Japan explains payment options. An IC card alone does not cover every train or bus. Limited express services and some buses may require a separate ticket or reservation, so check the operator’s instructions.

Frequently asked questions

Is Haneda or Narita closer to central Tokyo?

Haneda is closer to central Tokyo. However, the best route and total travel time still depend on your hotel, terminal, and arrival time. Search all the way to your hotel rather than choosing based on airport distance alone.

Should I take the Narita Express or the Keisei Skyliner?

The Narita Express is worth comparing for Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, or Shinjuku. The Skyliner is worth comparing for Nippori or Ueno. Choose based on your hotel’s location, transfers, fare, and the departure time that works after you clear the airport.

Is an airport bus better if I have a large suitcase?

It may be easier if the bus runs at your arrival time and stops close to your hotel. But road traffic can cause delays, and you may still have a walk from the stop. Compare the complete route with a train, including transfers and the hotel’s nearest entrance.

What if my flight is delayed and I miss a reserved train or bus?

Change and refund rules depend on the operator and ticket type. Check the conditions before you buy. If you arrive late, ask the operator or check its official site for the next service and available change options.

Plan your airport-to-hotel route before you land

From Narita, compare the Narita Express, Keisei Skyliner, and airport buses based on where you are staying. From Haneda, compare the Keikyu Line, Tokyo Monorail, and airport buses. If you have a lot of luggage, also consider the number of transfers and the final walk to your hotel.

Once you know your airport, terminal, hotel address, and arrival time, you can narrow down the options. Fares, schedules, and services change, so confirm the latest details with the airport and transport operator before departure.

Official information

• Narita Airport: Rail access
• Narita Airport: Buses from the airport
• JR East: Narita Express
• Keisei: Skyliner ticket purchase
• Haneda Airport: Train and Monorail
• Haneda Airport: Express and route buses
• Narita Airport: Access information
• Haneda Airport: Access information

Schedules, stops, fares, and ticket conditions can change. Information was checked against official sources on October 8, 2026. Confirm current details for your travel date before departure.