Getting from the airport to the city in Japan

Narita international airport (NRT) lies about 60 km east of central Tokyo. Transfer options span a range of price and comfort levels:

• JR Narita Express (N'EX): the most comfortable link to the main hubs (Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Shibuya). A single to Tokyo Station costs ~3,140 JPY; journey time 53–60 minutes. All seats are reserved. Foreign tourists can buy the discounted "N'EX Tokyo Round Trip Ticket" for 5,200 JPY, valid 14 days. Platforms are in the basements of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2/3. Operates roughly 6:00–21:45.
• Keisei Skyliner: the fastest link to northeastern Tokyo (Nippori and Ueno stations). Nippori takes just 36 minutes. Tickets cost 2,580 JPY, dropping to 2,310 JPY for foreign tourists buying online in advance. Platforms are in the basements of both main terminals. Operates 5:40–23:00.
• Keisei Access Express: a cheaper express running along the Narita Sky Access line directly to Asakusa, Ginza and Shinagawa. The trip takes about 60–75 minutes and costs 1,240 to 1,520 JPY. No seat reservations - it works like a standard commuter service.
• Airport Bus TYO-NRT: the best-value direct bus to Tokyo Station and Ginza. A daytime single costs 1,500 JPY; for night and early-morning departures (23:00–5:00) the price rises to 3,000 JPY. Journey time is 70–120 minutes depending on traffic. Board at the marked stands outside the arrivals halls of all terminals.
• Official taxis: a standard taxi to central Tokyo is extremely expensive and takes 60–120 minutes. A zoned fixed tariff applies, ranging from 23,500 to 38,500 JPY by target district, plus motorway tolls (about 2,000–3,000 JPY). A 20% night surcharge applies 22:00–5:00. Strictly avoid unofficial taxis (so-called "shirotaku", cars with white plates instead of green) - they operate illegally and overcharge.

Haneda airport (HND) sits just 14 km south of the city centre, which sharply cuts transfer time and cost.

• Keikyu Airport Line: the fastest rail link to the southern and western city. Shinagawa (transfer hub for JR Yamanote and the Shinkansen) takes about 15 minutes for 330 JPY. Some services continue directly onto the Toei Asakusa subway line (towards Ginza and Asakusa) without changing. Trains run 5:26–23:51.
• Tokyo Monorail: the elevated monorail from all three terminals to Hamamatsucho station (transfer to the JR Yamanote line). The express monorail covers the route in just under 15 minutes for 500 JPY; the all-stations service is 520 JPY. The monorail is fully integrated into the JR network, so it is free for holders of valid JR Pass network tickets. Operates 5:18–23:48. On weekends and holidays a discounted "Monorail & Yamanote Line Ticket" for 590 JPY covers the monorail plus a ride anywhere on the Yamanote loop.
• Limousine Bus: direct bus service to major hotels and hubs in Tokyo (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo Station). The trip takes 30–60 minutes depending on traffic and costs 1,000 to 1,400 JPY by destination. Buy tickets at machines or the counter on the 2nd floor of Terminal 3.
• Taxi (fixed fare): a taxi from Haneda to the centre takes 20–45 minutes. Fixed fares run 6,000–7,000 JPY to Ginza and Tokyo Station, and 7,000–8,000 JPY to Shinjuku and Shibuya, plus tolls and a 20% night surcharge between 22:00 and 5:00.