If you’re planning a trip to Japan, specifically to Tokyo, you most likely have been stuck with the following question: Which airport should I pick as my destination, Narita or Haneda?
Well this article is here to help you make the decision. Let’s compare a few things between those two airports.
- Distance to central Tokyo
HANEDA: only 15km away from Tokyo and takes about 30 minutes.
NARITA: it isn’t in Tokyo at all, 65km away and takes an hour.
2. Transport options and costs to Tokyo
HANEDA: It offers cheaper transportation, but a transfer is required. Most people take the Tokyo Monorail to the JR Yamanote Line, by transferring through Hamamatsucho Station first. Or, you can take the Keikyu Airport Line and transfer through Shinagawa Station. The total cost should be under ¥700.
NARITA: It offers more transportation choices but more expensive as well. The fastest rail connection to the city center would be Narita Express to Tokyo Station, costing ¥3,020 per ticket.
Note: if you are planning to stay in Japan for a longer period of time, you may consider getting a JRP (Japan Rail Pass), for either 7, 14 or 21 days. For instance, a one-week JRP for an adult will cost ¥29,110. It can be used both for both Narita Express and Tokyo Monorail.
3. Flight options
HANEDA: It mainly serves as a domestic airport, so if you have a connection within Japan this would be a better choice. However, it is one of the busiest airports in the world, so check-ins and immigration will definitely take longer!
NARITA: It has a larger selection of international airlines and less domestic ones, so everything goes faster here.