Best Tokyo Airport to Fly Into in 2026:
Haneda or Narita?
Planning the perfect Japan trip can feel very daunting (trust me, I’ve been there), and it often starts with figuring out the right airport to fly into. If you are planning to start your trip in Tokyo and confused about which airports there are and which is the best to fly into, this is the post for you.
From Narita to Haneda, we will discuss point like distance to the city, airlines, prices, amenities and more. Let’s get into it:
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Overview and comparison of the airports in Tokyo
Tokyo has 2 airports: Narita and Haneda. They are both technically airports of Tokyo, though Narita is in the neighbouring prefecture Chiba. Here are some comparative facts about the airports:
| Airport | Distance to Tokyo | Cost of public transit | Int. Airlines |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Haneda |
14 km |
Cheapest: 510 yen (38 min) |
over 40 different airlines |
|
Narita |
80 km |
Cheapest: 1,179 yen (1.5 hrs) |
over 60 different airlines |
As you can see, Haneda is much closer to Tokyo making it a lot cheaper and quicker to get to central. Even by taxi, you’d likely spend about 3x as much coming from Narita than Haneda.
I have personally only flown out of Narita, as that is where the vast majority of international airlines, especially budget airlines, go. All my budget flights were out of Narita, which is fine as the transport is reliable, even if it takes a little longer. Google Maps works great to figure out all available transport options.
Choosing which airport to fly into:
If your airline has the option to fly into Haneda without adding much cost, I would recommend doing so for convenience sake. Transport is just so much shorter to the city centre.
Use Skyscanner and input Tokyo (all airports) to find the cheapest and most convenient flights for you, whether that ends up being Narita or Haneda should not be the deciding factor in my opinion. For Air China for example, flights to Narita and Haneda ended up being the same price for my booking dates. For other flights, Narita was much cheaper and hence the easy choice.
Amenities at Narita vs Haneda:
Both airports are pretty modern and easy to navigate, though Narita is bigger so may take a little more time to reach gates etc. Narita has a little more shopping and lounges that work with memberships and Priority Pass.
How to get to Tokyo from each airport:
Haneda Airport:
The cheapest way from Haneda Airport to the city centre is either by Monorail (6-700 yen) or by Keikyu Airport Line (about 500 yen to city centre). Both will take around 45 minutes to an hour depending on where in Tokyo you are headed.
You can also get the Limousine Bus for a more convenient journey. It costs around $10 and takes 45 minutes to most hotels.
Narita Airport:
The cheapest way to and from Narita Airport is the Asakusa/Keisei Narita Line. It will get you to central for around 1,400 yen ($9.40) and takes a bit more than an hour.
Alternatively, you could take the Narita Express Train which takes 50ish minutes and costs ~3,250 yen ($22), or the Keisei Skyliner which takes around 40 minutes and costs ~2,470yen ($16.60). Your destination within Tokyo will depend on which one is better.
There is also an Airport Limousine Bus which is really convenient if you have heavy luggage as you will not need to drag it through Tokyo’s stations. The bus takes +/- 90 minutes and costs roughly $25.
Where to stay in Tokyo?
Tokyo has an extensive public transportation network, however, it stops between ~midnight and 5am. That means if you are out late, you should be really careful with timing or pick the right neighbourhood. Taxis are available but pricy.
I’d say for anyone wanting to try the nightlife, definitely stay near Shinjuku. Otherwise, good areas are Shibuya, Asakusa, Ginza and Tokyo Station.
Related article: Where to Stay in Tokyo, Japan
🛏️ Unplan Shinjuku
🏬 Super Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho
🏩The Aoyama Grand Hotel
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
I would recommend at least 5 days in Tokyo. There is just so much to do and Tokyo is huge!! This does not include daytrips to Mount Fuji and Kamakura, so you may want to plan 7 days+.
Here is my itinerary for 5 days in Tokyo: The Ultimate 5-Day Tokyo Itinerary on a Budget
Hi, I'm Bell
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