Apparently Tokyo has two main international airports; Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND). Almost all international flights will arrive at Narita, except AirAsia and ANA (All Nippon Airways) which are currently flying to both Narita and Haneda. So which airport is better?
Many visitors mistakenly thought that Narita is within Tokyo city but the truth is, Narita is actually nearly 70km away northeast of Tokyo whereas the closest to the city is literally Haneda. So far, I only been to Haneda Airport once cause most of the times, I arrived at Narita International Airport since I flew with Malaysia Airlines.
NARITA AIRPORT TO DOWNTOWN TOKYO
Now, let's us start with Narita first since I more familiar with this airport rather than Haneda. Before deciding which is the best option to get to Tokyo from Narita, you should take these three factors into consideration; easiest, fastest and cheapest.
1) Easiest and Convenient Options
Airport Limousine Bus is the easiest and hassle-free way to reach almost all major destinations within Tokyo and surprisingly, Yokohama too. For a single trip costs ¥3,200 (adult) and ¥1,600 (child), the buses drop-off at train stations and major hotels in each area, making this a very fine-tuned and breeze service. Depending on your destinations, it takes roughly around 75-125 minutes to travel from Narita Airport. You can reserve your ticket for Airport Limousine Bus from the official website (here). Alternatively, you get from Klook, my most favourite travel platform.
Airport Limousine Bus Check-In Baggage Rules:
Each passenger can only check-in baggage for up to 2 pieces in the baggage compartment.
2) Fastest Transfer (Two Options)
If you want further info and details about Narita Airport to Tokyo, you can refer to this post. I summarise my post from there.
HANEDA AIRPORT TO DOWNTOWN TOKYO
Like I mentioned earlier, I have been to Haneda Airport only once. And what comes to my horror is that my flight was delayed and thus, I landed at Haneda almost reaching to midnight. So if you are planning to fly with AirAsia to Haneda, always make sure to come out with backup plan - what if the flight is delayed?
If your flight arrive Haneda Airport on time, you can easily take the Tokyo Monorail running to Hamamatsucho Station for ¥470, and from there you can connect to almost anywhere in Tokyo under the JR Yamanote Line. The ride is about 20 minutes from the airport and the last train is around 11.30pm. Although the monorail is not under JR line, but it is fully covered with either Japan Rail Pass, JR Tokyo Wide Pass and JR East Rail Pass.
The other option is by catching the private Keikyu train line which runs to northeast of Shinagawa Station (15 minutes for ¥410). Some Keikyu trains from the Haneda Airport continue on to the Toei Asakusa Line to Nihonbashi and Asakusa Station. However, JR Passes are not valid for Keikyu trains.
Last option in the case where your flight is delayed and didn't manage to catch any of the trains above, Airport Limousine Bus is your final resort. Thankfully, it's not that expensive and time-consuming comparing taking from Narita Airport as Haneda is considerably closer to central Tokyo. The bus fares are vary according to your destinations, from ¥620 to ¥2,000. The first bus starts around 4.30am and the last bus will be around 2am.
TRANSFER BETWEEN NARITA & HANEDA AIRPORT
Only two options are available at this moment:
1) Airport Rapid Express trains on the Keikyu Line. The cheapest way to travel between Narita and Haneda Airport for the fare of ¥1,760 within 90 minutes.
2) Limousine Bus. Although it is quite pricey for the costs of ¥3,200 one-way, but it operates more frequently than the train.
Wondering why I never talk about taking the taxi? Cause it's only cater for the crazy rich people. Taking taxi in Japan will cost you rather a lot of yen. For a ride less than 10-minutes, the fare is roughly around ¥1,000 (approx. to RM40). Imagine the distance from Narita Airport to Tokyo is about 70km away whereas for Haneda Airport is about 30km ride, I bet that even hasn't start your trip yet, you have already burned such a big hole in your wallet.
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Airport Limousine Bus Check-In Baggage Rules:
Each passenger can only check-in baggage for up to 2 pieces in the baggage compartment.
2) Fastest Transfer (Two Options)
- Skyliner under Kensei Electric Railway - 36 minutes to Nippori Station and 41 minutes to Ueno Station. One way ticket costs ¥2,470; or
- Narita Express under JR East Company - Reach Tokyo Station under 55 minutes and also stops at other major stations such as Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Yokohama. A single trip costs ¥3,190 but if you bought the N'EX Tokyo Round Trip, the fare would be ¥4,000 for both return trip. Even more worth the value.
- Both of these two train stations situated on the basement floor of Terminal 1 and 2. As for Terminal 3, you need to walk to Airport Terminal 2 (the closest one) on foot for about 15 minutes, or catch the free shuttle bus which takes about 5 minutes.
3) Cheapest and Economical Transfer
- Airport Shuttle Bus - One way costs ¥1,000 (¥900 for advance booking from Tokyo Station and ¥2,000 for late night departure) heading to Tokyo Station and Ginza area.
- The Access Narita Bus - A single bus ride to Tokyo Station costs ¥1,000 (¥2,000 for late night fares).
- Kensei Limited Express/Access Tokkyu - The Access Express train will bring you to Oshiage Station under 47 minutes for the costs of ¥1,170 or to Nihombashi Station within an hour for a fare of ¥1,330. Another one, express train will can get you to Nippori Station (66 minutes for ¥1,030) or Ueno Station (70 minutes, ¥1,300) from Narita Airport.
If you want further info and details about Narita Airport to Tokyo, you can refer to this post. I summarise my post from there.
Like I mentioned earlier, I have been to Haneda Airport only once. And what comes to my horror is that my flight was delayed and thus, I landed at Haneda almost reaching to midnight. So if you are planning to fly with AirAsia to Haneda, always make sure to come out with backup plan - what if the flight is delayed?
If your flight arrive Haneda Airport on time, you can easily take the Tokyo Monorail running to Hamamatsucho Station for ¥470, and from there you can connect to almost anywhere in Tokyo under the JR Yamanote Line. The ride is about 20 minutes from the airport and the last train is around 11.30pm. Although the monorail is not under JR line, but it is fully covered with either Japan Rail Pass, JR Tokyo Wide Pass and JR East Rail Pass.
The other option is by catching the private Keikyu train line which runs to northeast of Shinagawa Station (15 minutes for ¥410). Some Keikyu trains from the Haneda Airport continue on to the Toei Asakusa Line to Nihonbashi and Asakusa Station. However, JR Passes are not valid for Keikyu trains.
Last option in the case where your flight is delayed and didn't manage to catch any of the trains above, Airport Limousine Bus is your final resort. Thankfully, it's not that expensive and time-consuming comparing taking from Narita Airport as Haneda is considerably closer to central Tokyo. The bus fares are vary according to your destinations, from ¥620 to ¥2,000. The first bus starts around 4.30am and the last bus will be around 2am.
TRANSFER BETWEEN NARITA & HANEDA AIRPORT
Only two options are available at this moment:
1) Airport Rapid Express trains on the Keikyu Line. The cheapest way to travel between Narita and Haneda Airport for the fare of ¥1,760 within 90 minutes.
2) Limousine Bus. Although it is quite pricey for the costs of ¥3,200 one-way, but it operates more frequently than the train.
Wondering why I never talk about taking the taxi? Cause it's only cater for the crazy rich people. Taking taxi in Japan will cost you rather a lot of yen. For a ride less than 10-minutes, the fare is roughly around ¥1,000 (approx. to RM40). Imagine the distance from Narita Airport to Tokyo is about 70km away whereas for Haneda Airport is about 30km ride, I bet that even hasn't start your trip yet, you have already burned such a big hole in your wallet.
Other Posts Of Tokyo:
Nice post it shares lots of information about Narita and Haneda Airports. Please keep sharing!
ReplyDeleteShuttle service in Narita and Haneda