Comparing Tokyo Haneda Airport and Tokyo Narita Airport
Tokyo is home to two major international airports, Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita. To help you understand the difference between the two when choosing which airport to use for your trip, and to also provide you with a guide on access into Tokyo from both airports, we have created this page! we hope you find it informative and it helps you plan your Tokyo Trip!
On this page, you will find the following information :
— A Guide to Tokyo Haneda Airport
— A Guide to Tokyo Narita Airport
— How to Get to Tokyo from Haneda and Narita Airport
A GUIDE TO TOKYO HANEDA AIRPORT
Tokyo Haneda Airport is abbreviated to HND. It is located closer to central Tokyo than Narita, and is only 14 kilometers away from the bustling and popular Tokyo station. This means you can gain extremely fast access into Central Tokyo. Even if you’re low on time and only have a short stay in the city, Haneda’s close proximity to many tourist attractions make it the best option for convenience and short stays. Why not check out our ’Tokyo Short Stay Guide : How to Make the Most Out of Your Short Time in the City’ page if you have a short visit coming up!
Haneda’s transportation is excellent. It offers quicker and cheaper transportation options to Central Tokyo, including the Tokyo monorail, Keikyu Line, buses and taxi services. The approximate travel time to reach the centre of Tokyo is around 15 – 30 minutes depending on traffic. Scroll down to the ’How to Get to Tokyo’ section for more information.
For flights and airlines, Haneda primarily handles domestic flights but in recent years has increased its international flight options, making it a popular option for both domestic and international travellers! The facilities at Haneda are excellent and high quality. It has a good reputation for its modern amenities, and boasts a wide range of shops, restaurants, and services which even include a popular observation deck!
If you’re after convenience, closer proximity, and faster transport is what you’re looking for then Haneda Airport is your best option. However, with convenience usually comes slightly higher prices but for a smooth experience its worth it!
Here are some tips on navigating Tokyo Haneda Airport!
— Using the Tokyo Monorail! This is a fast option to reach both central Tokyo from the airport and for return journeys to Haneda. The monorail is serviced from terminal 2 and will pick up and drop you at Hamamatsucho station. To get to popular areas of Tokyo from Hamamatsucho, many train lines are connected with the station. For example, can make a transfer to the JR Yamanote line and JR Keihintohoku line to reach popular areas such as Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Ueno. Of course if you have a lot of luggage be mindful of navigating the stations and trains.
— If you don’t want to use the Tokyo Monorail, the Keikyu Line is another convenient way to reach the city. The Keikyu Line is serviced from both terminal 1 and 2. It connects to many major train stations like Shinagawa, and you can even get a direct train to Asakusa if you’re heading there!
— If the train isn’t for you, Haneda offers Limousine Buses that offer direct services to many hotels and popular tourist areas in Tokyo. They are very convenient if you have a lot of heavy luggage! There is also the option of taxis, which of course are more expensive and can cost around 5,000 yen to 10,000 yen depending on where you’re going in Tokyo.
— If you want to avoid carrying your luggage completely then don’t worry, Haneda offers a great luggage delivery service. If you have a lot of luggage, we highly recommend this. It is called ’Takkyubin’ in Japanese, but there will be signs written in English as well. This service will deliver your luggage directly to your hotel and can be a lifesaver for tired travellers. Prices vary, so please enquire at the airport.
— Wifi and Connectivity is crucial for any travellers to stay connected. From the moment you arrive at Tokyo Haneda, you can enjoy free wifi which is available throughout the airport. There are also many places to buy temporary SIM cards and mobile wifi rental services if you require internet access during your trip. Remember not to forget returning your rental wifi at the airport before you get on your plane!
A GUIDE TO TOKYO NARITA AIRPORT
Tokyo Narita Airport is abbreviated to NRT. It is larger than Haneda Airport, and is located much further from central Tokyo than Haneda airport, around 60 kilometers east of Tokyo Station. It will therefore generally take a bit longer to reach central Tokyo, but if you’re not on a short stay to the city then Narita makes for an excellent choice. If you’re spending 5 or more days in Tokyo, why not check out our ’A First Timer’s Guide to Tokyo’ page where we provide our recommendations for the perfect 5 days in Tokyo!
Despite being further away from central Tokyo, Narita Airport’s transportation options are truly excellent! They include the Narita Express (N’EX), Keisei Skyliner, buses and taxi services. The Narita Express takes approximately 60 minutes to reach central Tokyo, while the Keisei Skyliner takes approximately 40 – 45 minutes to reach central areas such as Ueno. Scroll down to the ’How to Get to Tokyo’ section for more information.
For flights and airlines, Narita Airport has always been Tokyo’s main international gateway, and as a result has crafted excellent services and facilities over the decades to ensure a great experience for all international travellers. It handles more long haul international flights than Haneda, so it is highly likely you will be flying into Narita if you’re coming from continental Europe, the UK and America. It does also offer some domestic flights, but much fewer than Haneda. Narita’s facilities are great, with a good range of shopping including souvenir shops for that last minute purchase, and dining options. It is not as compact as Haneda, so everything is more spread out.
Despite the longer distance from Central Tokyo, Narita still makes for an excellent choice of airport for your Tokyo trip! It is the gateway for most international travellers, so you can expect high quality and smooth service through the airport.
Here are some tips on navigating Tokyo Haneda Airport!
— Using the Narita Express (N’EX)! This is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to get into central Tokyo. It is serviced from both terminal 1 and 2. It is connected to major stations such as Tokyo, Shibuya and Shinjuku, and you will reach these destinations in about an hour. On arrival, simply follow the signs for ’Narita Express’ which will take you to its information counter and the station.
— The Keisei Skyliner is another fast train option for travellers. It will take you to major stations such as Ueno in about 40 minutes. The Keisei Skyliner is serviced from terminals 1, 2 and 3. Ticket counters are located on ‘basement level 1’ (B1F) in terminal 1. In terminal 2, the ticket counter is also on B1F. Please note if you’re arriving at terminal 3, you will need to either walk terminal 2 (5 – 10 minutes) or take a shuttle bus there.
— Relaxation and Amenities! Narita airport has several lounges where travellers can relax. They include a pay per use option if you choose to use one at the airport. Shower rooms are also available in terminals 1 and 2 if you want to freshen up before or after your flight.
— Like Haneda, Narita also offers limousine buses, taxis, luggage delivery and wifi/SIM card options!
HOW TO GET TO TOKYO FROM HANEDA AND NARITA AIRPORT
As Japan’s sprawling capital, Tokyo is the start and end point of numerous train lines and express bus services making it easy to reach from all over the country. Our ‘How to Get to Tokyo’ page includes detailed information about how to get there from popular starting points including Tokyo Haneda airport and Tokyo Narita.
BEST TOURS IN TOKYO
This page would not be complete without us recommending our Tokyo tours to make your trip as memorable and fun as possible! Tokyo is steeped in history. The city has faced many hardships from earthquakes, fires and the air raids of WW2, and unfortunately many of its oldest buildings and structures have disappeared over time. However, Tokyo does a fantastic job at celebrating and retaining much of its character and culture, with stunning renovations of temples and shrines, museums housing some of Japan’s finest artefacts, and pockets of neighbourhoods that have managed to preserve its original architecture despite the many challenges its faced. Pop culture lovers will rejoice at Japan’s modern aesthetic, with its bright lights and neon signs that make the city glow at night. There is so much to see and do in Tokyo. Check out our ’Best Tours in Tokyo’ page which will give you information on our best tours available. Please note, our Tokyo tours generally run anywhere between 8.15am to 5.00pm. We do not provide evening or night time tours.
WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING TOKYO
There is no shortage of accommodation in Tokyo ranging from luxury hotels, mid-range to budget, youth hostels and even capsule hotels! The areas of Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Tokyo are among the most popular with tourists, all of which have excellent public transport links, shopping, bars and restaurants. Therefore they make excellent bases for a short stay in the city. Check out our Tokyo destination page which includes everything you need to know about the city, and our ‘Where to Stay in Tokyo’ page for what areas to book your hotels and find the right accommodation for you
