N
Nele van Hout
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Most people start their Japan trip by flying into one of Tokyo’s two international airports: Haneda or Narita. I’ve flown to and from both airports many times, and ultimately both are good choices for arriving in Japan.
Since Haneda is closer to Tokyo, many guides urge you to fly there over Narita. However, both airports connect to a wide range of destinations, have excellent transport links into the city and offer a variety of services to help you start your Japan trip right.
In my opinion, your arrival airport is a pretty minor concern when you’re booking your flights to Tokyo. Having said that, there are a few differences between Haneda and Narita that are worth keeping in mind.
Read on to find out more about Haneda and Narita airports and make an informed decision about your journey to Japan.
Key Takeaways
– Haneda is closer to Tokyo and offers slightly cheaper transport links than Narita, but both airports offer good connections to the city.
– Haneda offers a quicker transit for stays in western Tokyo. For eastern Tokyo, the travel time from both airports is about the same.
– The price and arrival time of your flights will have a much larger impact on your arrival in Japan. Consider these before you choose which airport to fly into.
If you don’t have enough time to read the full guide, here is a quick overview of Tokyo’s airports:
Convenience is hugely important to me when I travel, especially after a 16+ hour flight, and presume that’s why you’re reading this guide too. So should you fly to Narita or Haneda? In my opinion, it’s best not to worry about it too much. I’ve flown into and from both Haneda and Narita, and both are perfectly fine.
Both Narita and Haneda offer domestic and international flights, so you can use either to fly into Tokyo. In most cases, where you fly to will depend on the flights available from your home country, so you may not actually have a choice of arrival airport in Tokyo.
It’s far more important to compare the flights that are available. How expensive are they, how many layovers do they have and what time do they arrive in Tokyo? These questions have a much larger impact on your flight into Japan.
Having said that, here are the biggest differences between Narita and Haneda, as well as what to expect when you land in one of Tokyo’s airports.
Location is the main difference between Haneda and Narita Airport. Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo as it’s around 18 km (11 miles) away, compared to 60 km (37 miles) from Narita.
On public transport, a journey from Haneda to Tokyo Station and other central hubs will take 30-40 minutes, while you can expect a minimum journey time of about 50 minutes from Narita.
Haneda is the better option for central and western destinations like Tokyo Station, Shinjuku or Shibuya, but if you’re heading to Ueno or Asakusa then there’s no real difference between the airports.
Here are the average transfer times from both airports to some of Kanto’s major hubs:
If you want to ensure a smooth and stress-free transfer to the city, check out our guides to getting into Tokyo from Haneda and from Narita for more information.
If you’re arriving at Narita, make sure to grab an express train like the Keisei Skyliner or Narita Express from the airport. These are more expensive but will save you at least 30 minutes on the train, which is definitely worth it after a long flight. You don’t need a reservation in advance; I usually just pick up a ticket for the next available train from the counter next to the ticket gate.
The cheapest way to get from either Haneda or Narita to Tokyo is by public transport. Both the train and bus services run like clockwork in Japan and offer a cheap yet comfortable ride into the city.
You can expect to pay between ¥500–¥800 for the train from Haneda and ¥2,500–¥3,500 for the express trains from Narita.
Haneda is cheaper since it’s a shorter journey. However, the prices are also fair from Narita when you consider the convenience of the rapid train. If you want to take the slow train from Narita, you’ll knock about ¥1,000 off the fee in exchange for an extra 30 minutes or so on the train.
If you’re planning to take a bus, you can check official timetables on the Haneda Airport website. However, it’s probably best to save the bus for late-night arrivals or for the convenience of travelling long-haul to other cities in Japan. For the vast majority of journeys into Tokyo, the train is much easier.
I’m not a big fan of taking taxis from either Haneda or Narita airport as they are incredibly expensive. With so many cheap public transport options on offer, it just feels like a waste of money. If you’re travelling alone or with a partner, a taxi should be your last resort.
However, if you’re travelling in a group, have a lot of luggage or simply don’t want to wait for the bus, they can be a convenient option.
Fares can vary widely depending on where you’re going in Tokyo, but you should expect a taxi from Haneda to set you back around ¥9,000–¥12,000. If you split this with a group, it’s worth considering after a long and tiring flight.
I took a late-night taxi from Haneda Airport once after a delayed flight and was pleasantly surprised at how quick the journey was on the highway. Just keep in mind that some taxis may charge you extra for the highway tolls.
From Narita Airport, on the other hand, the average taxi fare to central Tokyo is an eye-watering ¥30,000–¥40,000, not including the highway tolls. It’s a 60-kilometer drive, so definitely not the best option if you want to do Japan on the cheap.
Typically, both fixed-fare taxis and standard taxis are available from each airport. The prices will vary depending on which area of Tokyo you’re heading to.
While Haneda is Japan’s busiest airport, Narita hosts the largest number of international flights to Japan.
Narita receives around 42 million passengers per year, while records suggest that Haneda welcomes upwards of 91 million travellers per year. However, the majority of Haneda’s travellers are flying domestic.
As well as domestic locations, Haneda services around 50 international cities, including destinations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asian countries.
Narita services over 100 international cities in more than 40 different countries including the United States, Canada, China, India, New Zealand, France and Germany.
When you book your flights, make sure to consider the time you’ll be landing. Of course, jet lag can be an issue due to the time difference and the lengthy flight, but you’ll also want to think about how late public transport services run into Tokyo. Since taxi prices can be very steep, you should make sure the trains are still running for an hour or two after you land.
The last public transport services of the day from both airports into Tokyo are as follows:
Both Haneda and Narita have three terminals. At Narita Airport, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 service both domestic and international flights aligned around the major airline alliances, while Terminal 3 is a terminal for low-cost airlines. To get between the terminals, there are three lines of free shuttle buses: the Blue Line, Green Line, and Orange Line.
You can also walk between Terminals 2 and 3 on foot in about 13 minutes through an access corridor. On my last visit, the corridor design featured starter Pokémon from every generation of the games, so it might be worth stretching your legs if you’re a fan!
Terminal 1 of Haneda Airport only services domestic flights, while Terminal 2 offers both domestic and international flights. Terminal 3 is solely for international flights. You can transit between terminals via the free shuttle bus, the Tokyo Monorail, the Transit Ramp Bus or an underground passageway connecting Terminals 1 and 2.
Since Narita is Japan’s largest international airport, you’ll find a few more restaurants and shops here compared to Haneda.
There are several restaurants serving both Japanese and Western cuisine. You’ll also find a variety of shops selling everything from anime goods to Japanese handicrafts.
Although Haneda has fewer shops and restaurants, there are still more than enough options. Similar to Narita, you’ll have the choice of Japanese Western and fast food options. There are lots of shops at Haneda too, offering everything from books to toys.
In Japan, it’s common to buy a small gift of local snacks or sweets for friends, family and colleagues after a trip away. Known in Japanese as omiyage, these products are found at railway stations all across Japan, and the airports are no different. If you miss the chance to pick up some Japanese snacks during your trip, don’t worry! The airport offers plenty of options after security to browse before your flight, ranging from flavored Kit-Kats to local treats from across the country.
Here are the main pros and cons of flying into Haneda Airport:
Here are the main pros and cons of flying into Narita Airport instead of Haneda:
If you really can’t avoid a late-night arrival, consider booking a hotel in Narita City. The city is only 10-15 minutes away from the airport, and the hotels here are generally much cheaper than in Tokyo. After a long flight, you can sleep off your jet lag near the airport then head into the city proper in the morning.
If you’re planning to explore beyond Tokyo, you could also consider flying into Kansai Airport in Osaka. Not only is Osaka an amazing city to visit, but it’s also close to some of Japan’s most famous destinations including Kyoto, Kobe, Nara and Hiroshima. Depending on your Japan itinerary, it’s worth checking flights to or from Osaka as well, since there are some very affordable international flights to and from the city.
Many people choose to fly into Tokyo and then leave from Osaka. This allows you to explore both cities, while saving yourself the return trip on the Shinkansen. If you’re planning to visit Osaka during your trip anyway, it may be wise to fly there first and do the trip in reverse. After exploring the ‘Kitchen of the Nation’, you can catch the bullet train to Tokyo and fly home from Narita or Haneda.
While Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo, travelling from Narita really isn’t as bad as people online make it out to be. Public transport is efficient in Japan, and if you know what to expect, you won’t have any issues after you land.
Whether you’re flying to Narita or Haneda, the price and arrival times of your flights are way more important. If you can save money by booking flights to Narita, go for it!
When you’re booking flights, just make sure you check the arrival time in Japan and that public transport is still running after you land. You should also check that any shops you need to visit in the airport post-arrival are still open, as it will make it much easier to pick up your pocket WiFi, for example.
Of course, Narita and Haneda are just the gateway to a wide variety of Japan adventures. If you have a connecting flight to somewhere more remote, check out our guide to transferring between Narita and Haneda and get your trip off to a smooth start.
Since Haneda is closer to Tokyo, many guides urge you to fly there over Narita. However, both airports connect to a wide range of destinations, have excellent transport links into the city and offer a variety of services to help you start your Japan trip right.
In my opinion, your arrival airport is a pretty minor concern when you’re booking your flights to Tokyo. Having said that, there are a few differences between Haneda and Narita that are worth keeping in mind.
Read on to find out more about Haneda and Narita airports and make an informed decision about your journey to Japan.
Key Takeaways
– Haneda is closer to Tokyo and offers slightly cheaper transport links than Narita, but both airports offer good connections to the city.
– Haneda offers a quicker transit for stays in western Tokyo. For eastern Tokyo, the travel time from both airports is about the same.
– The price and arrival time of your flights will have a much larger impact on your arrival in Japan. Consider these before you choose which airport to fly into.
Overview of Haneda and Narita
If you don’t have enough time to read the full guide, here is a quick overview of Tokyo’s airports:
| Haneda Airport | Narita Airport | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Central Tokyo | Approx. 18 km (11 miles) | Approx. 60 km (37 miles) |
| Average travel time by train to Tokyo | 30 minutes | 50 minutes |
| Average travel time by bus to Tokyo | 30 – 45 minutes | 70+ minutes |
| Average cost of public transport to Tokyo | ¥500–¥800 | ¥2,500–¥3,500 |
| Average taxi cost to Tokyo | ¥9,000–¥12,000 | ¥30,000–¥40,000 |
| No. of terminals | 3 | 3 |
Haneda vs Narita
Convenience is hugely important to me when I travel, especially after a 16+ hour flight, and presume that’s why you’re reading this guide too. So should you fly to Narita or Haneda? In my opinion, it’s best not to worry about it too much. I’ve flown into and from both Haneda and Narita, and both are perfectly fine.
Both Narita and Haneda offer domestic and international flights, so you can use either to fly into Tokyo. In most cases, where you fly to will depend on the flights available from your home country, so you may not actually have a choice of arrival airport in Tokyo.
It’s far more important to compare the flights that are available. How expensive are they, how many layovers do they have and what time do they arrive in Tokyo? These questions have a much larger impact on your flight into Japan.
Having said that, here are the biggest differences between Narita and Haneda, as well as what to expect when you land in one of Tokyo’s airports.
Location and Getting to Tokyo
Location is the main difference between Haneda and Narita Airport. Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo as it’s around 18 km (11 miles) away, compared to 60 km (37 miles) from Narita.
On public transport, a journey from Haneda to Tokyo Station and other central hubs will take 30-40 minutes, while you can expect a minimum journey time of about 50 minutes from Narita.
Haneda is the better option for central and western destinations like Tokyo Station, Shinjuku or Shibuya, but if you’re heading to Ueno or Asakusa then there’s no real difference between the airports.
Here are the average transfer times from both airports to some of Kanto’s major hubs:
| Destination | From Haneda | From Narita |
| Tokyo Station | 30 minutes | 1 hour |
| Shinjuku Station | 50 minutes | 1 hour 5 minutes |
| Shibuya Station | 45 minutes | 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Ueno Station | 40 minutes | 45 minutes |
| Yokohama Station | 30 minutes | 1 hour 25 minutes |
If you want to ensure a smooth and stress-free transfer to the city, check out our guides to getting into Tokyo from Haneda and from Narita for more information.
If you’re arriving at Narita, make sure to grab an express train like the Keisei Skyliner or Narita Express from the airport. These are more expensive but will save you at least 30 minutes on the train, which is definitely worth it after a long flight. You don’t need a reservation in advance; I usually just pick up a ticket for the next available train from the counter next to the ticket gate.
Public Transport
The cheapest way to get from either Haneda or Narita to Tokyo is by public transport. Both the train and bus services run like clockwork in Japan and offer a cheap yet comfortable ride into the city.
You can expect to pay between ¥500–¥800 for the train from Haneda and ¥2,500–¥3,500 for the express trains from Narita.
Haneda is cheaper since it’s a shorter journey. However, the prices are also fair from Narita when you consider the convenience of the rapid train. If you want to take the slow train from Narita, you’ll knock about ¥1,000 off the fee in exchange for an extra 30 minutes or so on the train.
If you’re planning to take a bus, you can check official timetables on the Haneda Airport website. However, it’s probably best to save the bus for late-night arrivals or for the convenience of travelling long-haul to other cities in Japan. For the vast majority of journeys into Tokyo, the train is much easier.
Taxis
I’m not a big fan of taking taxis from either Haneda or Narita airport as they are incredibly expensive. With so many cheap public transport options on offer, it just feels like a waste of money. If you’re travelling alone or with a partner, a taxi should be your last resort.
However, if you’re travelling in a group, have a lot of luggage or simply don’t want to wait for the bus, they can be a convenient option.
Fares can vary widely depending on where you’re going in Tokyo, but you should expect a taxi from Haneda to set you back around ¥9,000–¥12,000. If you split this with a group, it’s worth considering after a long and tiring flight.
I took a late-night taxi from Haneda Airport once after a delayed flight and was pleasantly surprised at how quick the journey was on the highway. Just keep in mind that some taxis may charge you extra for the highway tolls.
From Narita Airport, on the other hand, the average taxi fare to central Tokyo is an eye-watering ¥30,000–¥40,000, not including the highway tolls. It’s a 60-kilometer drive, so definitely not the best option if you want to do Japan on the cheap.
Typically, both fixed-fare taxis and standard taxis are available from each airport. The prices will vary depending on which area of Tokyo you’re heading to.
Number of Flights
While Haneda is Japan’s busiest airport, Narita hosts the largest number of international flights to Japan.
Narita receives around 42 million passengers per year, while records suggest that Haneda welcomes upwards of 91 million travellers per year. However, the majority of Haneda’s travellers are flying domestic.
As well as domestic locations, Haneda services around 50 international cities, including destinations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asian countries.
Narita services over 100 international cities in more than 40 different countries including the United States, Canada, China, India, New Zealand, France and Germany.
When you book your flights, make sure to consider the time you’ll be landing. Of course, jet lag can be an issue due to the time difference and the lengthy flight, but you’ll also want to think about how late public transport services run into Tokyo. Since taxi prices can be very steep, you should make sure the trains are still running for an hour or two after you land.
The last public transport services of the day from both airports into Tokyo are as follows:
| Haneda | Narita | |
| Train | Tokyo Monorail: 12:05 AM Keikyu Main Line: 12:05 AM | Keisei Skyliner: 11:00 PM Narita Express: 9:44 PM |
| Bus | To Shinjuku: 12:10 AM – 2:20 AM, depending on terminal | To Tokyo: 11:20 PM |
Number of Terminals
Both Haneda and Narita have three terminals. At Narita Airport, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 service both domestic and international flights aligned around the major airline alliances, while Terminal 3 is a terminal for low-cost airlines. To get between the terminals, there are three lines of free shuttle buses: the Blue Line, Green Line, and Orange Line.
You can also walk between Terminals 2 and 3 on foot in about 13 minutes through an access corridor. On my last visit, the corridor design featured starter Pokémon from every generation of the games, so it might be worth stretching your legs if you’re a fan!
Terminal 1 of Haneda Airport only services domestic flights, while Terminal 2 offers both domestic and international flights. Terminal 3 is solely for international flights. You can transit between terminals via the free shuttle bus, the Tokyo Monorail, the Transit Ramp Bus or an underground passageway connecting Terminals 1 and 2.
Shops and Restaurants
Since Narita is Japan’s largest international airport, you’ll find a few more restaurants and shops here compared to Haneda.
There are several restaurants serving both Japanese and Western cuisine. You’ll also find a variety of shops selling everything from anime goods to Japanese handicrafts.
Although Haneda has fewer shops and restaurants, there are still more than enough options. Similar to Narita, you’ll have the choice of Japanese Western and fast food options. There are lots of shops at Haneda too, offering everything from books to toys.
In Japan, it’s common to buy a small gift of local snacks or sweets for friends, family and colleagues after a trip away. Known in Japanese as omiyage, these products are found at railway stations all across Japan, and the airports are no different. If you miss the chance to pick up some Japanese snacks during your trip, don’t worry! The airport offers plenty of options after security to browse before your flight, ranging from flavored Kit-Kats to local treats from across the country.
Pros and Cons of Using Haneda Airport
Here are the main pros and cons of flying into Haneda Airport:
| Pros of Haneda Airport | Cons of Haneda Airport |
| Haneda Airport is much closer to the centre of Tokyo than Narita. It’ll only take about half an hour to get to Tokyo from Haneda, compared to nearly an hour from Narita. | Haneda Airport is the busiest airport in Japan with hundreds of flights arriving daily. As such, you’ll want to prepare for queues at security and immigration. |
| Taxis from Haneda Airport to Tokyo’s centre are much more affordable compared to those from Narita. At around ¥9,000–¥12,000, it’s a good option for families or larger groups. | Narita has more restaurants and shops than Haneda, as it’s the largest international airport in Japan. |
| Public transport tickets from Haneda Airport to Tokyo are less than half the price of transport tickets from Narita Airport. |
Pros and Cons of Using Narita Airport
Here are the main pros and cons of flying into Narita Airport instead of Haneda:
| Pros of Narita Airport | Cons of Narita Airport |
| Narita is slightly less busy than Haneda Airport. Fewer flights arrive at the airport daily, so you may find that it’s quicker to get through security. | Compared to Haneda, Narita is located far from the city. You’re looking at a journey of around 50–70 minutes to reach the centre of Tokyo. |
| Flights to Narita are often a little cheaper than Haneda. Just make sure you factor in a couple of thousand yen for public transport when you’re looking for the best deal! | The average price of a taxi to Tokyo is ¥30,000–¥40,000, which is much more expensive than taxis from Haneda Airport. |
| Public transport is also more expensive as you’ll have to travel for longer. |
If you really can’t avoid a late-night arrival, consider booking a hotel in Narita City. The city is only 10-15 minutes away from the airport, and the hotels here are generally much cheaper than in Tokyo. After a long flight, you can sleep off your jet lag near the airport then head into the city proper in the morning.
Fly to/from Kansai Airport Instead
If you’re planning to explore beyond Tokyo, you could also consider flying into Kansai Airport in Osaka. Not only is Osaka an amazing city to visit, but it’s also close to some of Japan’s most famous destinations including Kyoto, Kobe, Nara and Hiroshima. Depending on your Japan itinerary, it’s worth checking flights to or from Osaka as well, since there are some very affordable international flights to and from the city.
Many people choose to fly into Tokyo and then leave from Osaka. This allows you to explore both cities, while saving yourself the return trip on the Shinkansen. If you’re planning to visit Osaka during your trip anyway, it may be wise to fly there first and do the trip in reverse. After exploring the ‘Kitchen of the Nation’, you can catch the bullet train to Tokyo and fly home from Narita or Haneda.
Fly to Either Haneda or Narita
While Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo, travelling from Narita really isn’t as bad as people online make it out to be. Public transport is efficient in Japan, and if you know what to expect, you won’t have any issues after you land.
Whether you’re flying to Narita or Haneda, the price and arrival times of your flights are way more important. If you can save money by booking flights to Narita, go for it!
When you’re booking flights, just make sure you check the arrival time in Japan and that public transport is still running after you land. You should also check that any shops you need to visit in the airport post-arrival are still open, as it will make it much easier to pick up your pocket WiFi, for example.
Of course, Narita and Haneda are just the gateway to a wide variety of Japan adventures. If you have a connecting flight to somewhere more remote, check out our guide to transferring between Narita and Haneda and get your trip off to a smooth start.