Narita and Haneda to Central Tokyo: Trains and Buses

Haneda is the close one. Its own access page puts Shinagawa about 15 minutes away, Tokyo Station about 30 and Shinjuku about 50 by train or monorail. Narita is farther out, and the Keisei Skyliner reaches Ueno in 41 minutes. Both airports have a fast train, a cheaper slower train and an airport bus, and which one wins depends on where your hotel is.

Fares and times are as of October 2026, from the airport and the operators. Times are estimates and don’t include transfers. Check the operator before you travel, since schedules and fares change.

Narita to central Tokyo

Narita’s own rail page lists four ways in: the Keisei Skyliner, the Keisei Access Express and Main Line trains, JR’s Narita Express and other JR trains (Narita Airport). Terminal 1 is a 5 minute walk from Narita Airport Station, and Terminals 2 and 3 are a 5 and 10 minute walk from Narita Airport Terminal 2-3 Station.

Keisei Skyliner. A reserved-seat limited express that runs between Narita and Ueno and goes non-stop to Nippori, with three services an hour. Keisei’s pages for each destination give these times from Terminal 2-3 and one-way adult fares (Ueno, Akihabara, Tokyo, Ikebukuro, Shibuya).

Keisei lists these for the route with the fewest changes. Its Shibuya page shows a change onto the JR Yamanote Line, and puts that leg at 194 yen with an IC card. Nippori is the Skyliner’s first stop and the place to change for the Yamanote Line towards Shinjuku and Shibuya. Keisei says the Skyliner fare is 2,465 yen when you tap an IC card at the gate. Ueno is the end of the line and the Skyliner stop for the park, Ameyoko and the museums.

Keisei Access Express. A Keisei train that Keisei describes as a direct connection from Shinagawa, Shimbashi and Nihombashi, with no limited express fee (Keisei). Keisei’s page for Asakusa lists 50 minutes and 1,290 yen one way from Terminal 2-3, and 46 minutes and 1,170 yen to Oshiage (Skytree). That’s the cheaper option when your hotel is on that side of town.

Narita Express. JR East’s N’EX runs from the airport to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Yokohama and other stops, according to Narita’s rail page. JR East’s site wouldn’t load from here, so this guide doesn’t quote a fare or time. Check JR East’s page for the current ones. Pass holders should confirm with JR East that the Japan Rail Pass covers it, since Narita’s page doesn’t say.

Bus. Narita’s bus page lists direct buses to Tokyo City Air Terminal, Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Shibuya, Ginza, Asakusa, Roppongi, Haneda and other places, from bus stops 10, 11 and 12 by destination (Narita Airport). The operator pages that carry fares and journey times weren’t reachable from here, so check the operator for both. A bus can win when it stops at your hotel and you have bags, since you skip the transfers.

Haneda to central Tokyo

Haneda is connected by the Keikyu Line and the Tokyo Monorail, with the platforms on B1F of Terminals 1 and 2 (Haneda Airport). The airport’s estimates of the time required:

The airport says to check each company for fares and timetables, so this guide doesn’t quote one. Use Keikyu and the Tokyo Monorail. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on the Tokyo Monorail (conditions of use), which gets pass holders to Hamamatsucho and the Yamanote Line.

Bus. Haneda’s bus page gives about 35 minutes to Tokyo Station and about 35 minutes to Shinjuku Station West Exit. Tokyo Station buses leave from stop 3 at Terminal 1, stop 4 at Terminal 2 and stop 1 at Terminal 3 (Haneda Airport). A Shinjuku bus is the easy choice if you’re staying on the west side and arrive with luggage. Its late-night and early-morning access bus to Shinjuku and Ikebukuro leaves from stop 4 at Terminal 1, stop 5 at Terminal 2 and stop 3 at Terminal 3, so check its timetable.

Which one to take

• Staying in Asakusa or near Ueno. The Skyliner or the Access Express from Narita. See where to stay in Asakusa and Ueno.
• Staying in Shinjuku. From Haneda, a train or the bus both land close, and from Narita you’ll change at Nippori or ride a JR train or a bus. The Shinjuku hotel guide has the station exits.
• Landing late. Check the last train times in the airport and operator pages before you pick a hotel on the far side of town, and see Tokyo travel tips for the midnight problem.

Not sure of the area? The where to stay in Tokyo guide compares the options, and the first-timer’s area guide makes the call for you.

Planning your first days

If you land with an evening free, events lists what’s on across the city and this weekend shows the next two days. Live music lists the gigs and the map shows which neighbourhood is close to your hotel. The transport passes guide covers the cards and tickets to buy at the airport, and the trip cost guide adds up the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get from Narita to Tokyo?

On the Skyliner, 41 minutes to Ueno and 47 to Tokyo Station, according to Keisei. Other routes take longer. Times don’t include transfers.

Is Haneda or Narita closer to central Tokyo?

Haneda. Its own page puts Tokyo Station at about 30 minutes and Shinjuku at about 50 by train or monorail.

What is the cheapest way from Narita to Tokyo?

The Keisei Access Express doesn’t need a limited express fee, and Keisei’s Asakusa page lists 1,290 yen one way. A bus may beat it on a given day, so compare with the operator’s own fare.

Can I use the JR Pass from the airport?

Ask JR East about the Narita Express. On Keisei trains, no, since they aren’t JR services. At Haneda the pass is valid on the Tokyo Monorail but not on Keikyu. See the transport passes guide.

Is there a late-night way in from Haneda?

Haneda’s bus page lists a late-night and early-morning access bus to Shinjuku and Ikebukuro, from stop 4 at Terminal 1, stop 5 at Terminal 2 and stop 3 at Terminal 3. Check its timetable.

Places in this guide

Photos show the actual places, licensed under Creative Commons and credited to their photographers.

Togoshi Ginza Shinagawa · near Togoshi-ginza Station Photo: OiMax Tokyo Ramen Street Tokyo Station · near Tokyo Station Photo: laredawg Hanazono Shrine Shinjuku · near Shinjuku-sanchome Station Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ Yushima Tenman-gu Ueno · near Yushima Station Photo: bethom33 Akihabara Electric Town Akihabara · near Akihabara Station Photo: Kossy@FINEDAYS Sunshine 60 Ikebukuro · near Ikebukuro Station Photo: Morio / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Shibuya Sky Shibuya · near Shibuya Station Photo: Dick Thomas Johnson