What’s the best way to get from Haneda Airport (HND) to Tokyo? How can you get on airport trains without waiting on lines? Here are the tips for getting into Tokyo fast and easily.
The Takeaway
- Fast: Tokyo Monorail or Keikyu Line (depending on destination).
- Easy: Airport limousine bus.
- Private: Regular taxi, pre-booked taxi.
- Our Choice: Ship your bags and take the Monorail or Keikyu, or take a bus or taxi with your bags.
- Tip: Use a digital Suica to avoid lines for train tickets.
- Tip: Use luggage shipping services to travel bag-free.
- Scroll down for all the details.
What’s The Best Way to Get from Narita into Tokyo?
The answer is: It depends. First, which of the following best describes you?
- You want to get to Tokyo as fast as possible.
- You don’t want to carry your bags through train stations.
- You don’t want to carry your bags and/or you don’t like public transport.
Let’s discuss each of these one at a time.
1) You Want to Get There as Fast as Possible
If speed is your priority, then take one of the following trains:
- Tokyo Monorail: Direct service to Hamamatsucho Station (13 minutes on express, ¥520). Hamamatsucho is on the Yamanote Loop Line. Pros: suitcase racks, nice views, can usually sit down. Cons: Connects to crowded Yamanote Line. Best for those going to Ginza, Tokyo Station Area, Asakusa etc.
- Keikyu Line: Direct service to Shinagawa Station (19 minutes by express, ¥330). Shinagawa is on the Yamanote Loop Line and Tokaido Shinkansen Line. Pros: fast, frequent departures. Cons: no suitcase racks, frequently packed (ie, cannot sit down). Best for those going to Shibuya, Shinjuku and Kyoto via the shinkansen.
These trains operate from train stations located right in the terminals at Haneda (follow signs for trains). Buy tickets in the terminals or use a digital Suica card (see below). Consider shipping your bags so you don’t have to lug them on trains (see below).
2) You Don’t Want to Carry Your Bags Through Train Stations
Both the Tokyo Monorail and the Keikyu Line can be crowded. The Monorail at least has suitcase racks but they fill up quickly. So if you’ve got heavy bags, you should consider an airport limousine bus. They stop outside the arrival halls at Haneda; attendants stow your bags underneath the bus; and they drop you in front of many major hotels in Tokyo..
- Haneda limousine bus: between 60 and 100 minutes, ¥1400.
Buy your tickets from machines near the bus boarding points (street level).
3) You Don’t Want to Carry Your Bags and/or You Don’t Like Public Transport
If you don’t want to carry your bags and/or you don’t like public transport, then an airport taxi is the way to go.
- Regular taxi/van from rank: 20 to 40 minutes, ¥7,000 to ¥9,500.
- Pre-booked taxi/van: 20 to 40 minutes, from ¥10,948.
Grab a taxi from the ranks outside arrival halls or book a private taxi or van online.
Line for tickets at Haneda Airport. Photo by Chris Rowthorn
Get on the Monorail or Keikyu Without Waiting on Line
If you want to get right on the Monorail or Keikyu Line without waiting on line to buy a ticket from a machine or ticket counter, use a digital IC card like Suica. You just tap your iPhone on the turnstile and board the train. If you’ve got an iPhone and your Apple Wallet is linked to a MasterCard or American Express Card, you can install a digital Suica card on your phone. For details, see this page. You’ll need to have at least ¥330 on your Suica card to ride the Keikyu to Shinagawa, and you’ll need ¥520 to ride the Monorail to Hamamatsucho.
Don’t Carry Suitcases or Backpacks on Trains!
When you’re tired from a long flight and facing Tokyo’s public transport for the first time, you really don’t want to be lugging a heavy suitcase. Here’s the solution: You can ship your suitcase (or backpack) from the airport to your hotel and it will arrive the next day. You’ll need the right luggage to do this, of course. It’s cheap, reliable and they speak English at the counters. When you exit the arrivals hall, just walk to the end of the hall and you’ll find the luggage shipping counters. For more details, see our Luggage Shipping page.
More Information
Tokyo Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Tokyo guide
- Check Tokyo accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Tokyo
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Tokyo to Osaka and Tokyo to Hiroshima
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a Japan SIM card online for collection on arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda airports. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare airline flight prices and timings for the best Japan flight deals. Check my guides to arriving at Narita Airport and at Haneda Airport.
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Tokyo much easier - here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
