Airport to City in Japan: Narita, Haneda and Kansai
Your first hour in Japan is usually spent getting from the airport into the city. The good news: all three main international airports have direct trains and buses, signs are in English, and you rarely need a taxi. This guide compares the options from Narita and Haneda (Tokyo) and Kansai (Osaka and Kyoto), so you can pick the right one before you land.
The short answer
- Narita, staying near Ueno, Asakusa or anywhere on the JR Yamanote Line: take the Keisei Skyliner to Nippori or Ueno.
- Narita, staying near Tokyo Station, Shinjuku or Shibuya: the JR Narita Express (N'EX) goes there without a change.
- Narita on a budget: the Keisei Access Express train or a low-cost bus to Tokyo Station.
- Haneda: it is close to the city. Take the Keikyu Line or the Tokyo Monorail; both accept IC cards.
- Kansai, going to Namba (south Osaka): the Nankai rapi:t or Airport Express.
- Kansai, going to Kyoto, Shin-Osaka or Tennoji: the JR Haruka limited express.
Fees and rules can change. The fares below are examples from the operators' official websites on the date shown at the end of this page. Check the operator's site before you travel.
Narita Airport to Tokyo
Narita is the farther of Tokyo's two airports, so allow more time than from Haneda. The train stations are underneath Terminal 1 and Terminal 2/3.
Keisei Skyliner
The Skyliner is the fastest train into the city. Keisei says it takes about 40 minutes to central Tokyo and runs three times an hour. It stops at Nippori (where you can change to JR lines, including the Yamanote Line) and ends at Keisei Ueno. Seats are reserved, so you are guaranteed a seat.
- Fare to Nippori or Keisei Ueno: 2,470 yen for an adult with a ticket (Keisei lists 2,465 yen when you use an approved IC card such as Suica or PASMO).
- Keisei also sells discount tickets for visitors, sometimes combined with subway passes. See Keisei's official Skyliner site for current offers.
Keisei Access Express and Main Line
If you do not mind a slower train with ordinary seating, Keisei's Access Express runs from the airport to Nippori and Ueno, and many trains continue onto the Toei Asakusa subway line toward Asakusa, Nihombashi and Higashi-Ginza. You can pay with an IC card.
| Access Express, Narita Airport to | Adult ticket | With IC card |
|---|---|---|
| Nippori or Ueno | 1,240 yen | 1,235 yen |
| Asakusa | 1,290 yen | 1,276 yen |
| Nihombashi or Higashi-Ginza | 1,330 yen | 1,318 yen |
The older Keisei Main Line is cheaper again but slower, and fares differ between the two routes. Check which line a train uses before you board.
JR Narita Express (N'EX)
N'EX is JR East's airport express. Its big advantage is that it goes straight to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya and Shinjuku, and some trains continue to Yokohama and Ofuna. JR East says the fastest train to Tokyo Station takes 53 minutes. Each car has overhead racks and a large-luggage area (first come, first served).
| N'EX one-way, Narita Airport to | Ordinary Car | Green Car |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 3,140 yen | 3,910 yen |
| Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku | 3,330 yen | 4,100 yen |
| Yokohama | 4,480 yen | 6,750 yen |
JR East also sells an N'EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket for 5,200 yen, valid for a round trip within 14 days. If you will fly out of Narita again, it costs less than two one-way tickets. Ticket machines at the airport stations have passport readers for same-day reservations.
JR East has announced that some N'EX services will be suspended for planned works on certain dates. Check JR East's N'EX page for notices before you travel.
Buses
Low-cost buses run from Narita to Tokyo Station and Ginza. Narita Airport lists the fare as 1,500 yen, except for buses that serve late-night and early-morning flights. Buses are a good choice if you have a lot of luggage, because you hand your suitcase to the staff and do not need to carry it through stations. Travel time depends on traffic. There are also airport limousine buses to many hotels and areas of Tokyo; buy your ticket at the bus counter in the arrivals hall.
Haneda Airport to Tokyo
Haneda is much closer to the city than Narita. According to the airport, typical travel times are about 15 minutes to Shinagawa, 30 minutes to Tokyo Station, 40 minutes to Ueno or Asakusa, and 45 to 50 minutes to Shibuya or Shinjuku. Two rail lines serve all three terminals.
Keikyu Line
The Keikyu Line runs to Shinagawa, where you can change to JR lines including the Yamanote Line and the shinkansen. Many trains continue onto the Toei Asakusa Line toward Higashi-Ginza, Nihombashi and Asakusa. Keikyu also runs toward Yokohama. You can pay with an IC card. At Terminal 3, the Keikyu gates for central Tokyo and Yokohama are on the 2nd floor (arrival lobby).
Tokyo Monorail
The Tokyo Monorail runs to Hamamatsucho, where you change to the JR Yamanote Line. The airport puts the trip at about 20 minutes. The Tokyo Monorail fare table lists an adult fare of 520 yen with a ticket, or 519 yen with an IC card, from any Haneda terminal to Hamamatsucho. The monorail is a good choice if your hotel is near Hamamatsucho, Tokyo Tower or on the Yamanote Line's east side.
Buses
Airport buses go from Haneda to Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Yokohama, Tokyo Disney Resort and many other places. Bus stops are on the 1st floor of each terminal. Buy your ticket before boarding, from the machines (Terminals 1 and 2) or the machines and counters (Terminal 3). Times depend on traffic, and some routes may be reduced or suspended, so check at the counter.
Kansai Airport to Osaka and Kyoto
Kansai International Airport (KIX) is on an island in Osaka Bay. Kansai Airport Station is connected to the 2nd floor of Terminal 1. If you arrive at Terminal 2, take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 1 first (about 7 to 9 minutes). Two railways serve the airport: Nankai and JR West.
Nankai rapi:t and Airport Express (to Namba)
Nankai trains go to Namba, the area around Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi in south Osaka. The limited express rapi:t has reserved seats and takes as little as 34 minutes. The Airport Express takes about 43 minutes with ordinary seating and needs no seat ticket.
The rapi:t has two classes, Regular and Super Seat. Nankai says tickets bought on board cost 300 yen more, and tickets bought through its ticketless online service cost 150 yen less, so buy before you board. Seats go on sale one month in advance.
JR Haruka (to Tennoji, Shin-Osaka and Kyoto)
The JR limited express Haruka is the direct train to Kyoto (about 75 minutes) and also stops at Tennoji (about 30 minutes) and Shin-Osaka (about 50 minutes), where you can change to the shinkansen. You need both a train fare and a limited express ticket. JR West and some travel agencies sell discounted Haruka tickets for overseas visitors; the conditions vary, so check JR West's official site.
JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service (to Osaka/Umeda)
The cheaper JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service runs to Tennoji (about 45 minutes) and Osaka Station in Umeda (about 65 minutes) with ordinary seating. The train splits at Hineno, so when you go to the airport, ride in the first four cars.
How to choose
| Where you are staying | Good option |
|---|---|
| Ueno, Asakusa, Akihabara (from Narita) | Skyliner, or Access Express |
| Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya (from Narita) | N'EX, or a bus to Tokyo Station |
| Shinagawa, Ginza, Asakusa (from Haneda) | Keikyu Line |
| Hamamatsucho, Shiba, Tokyo Tower (from Haneda) | Tokyo Monorail |
| Namba, Dotonbori (from Kansai) | Nankai rapi:t or Airport Express |
| Umeda / Osaka Station (from Kansai) | JR Kansai Airport Rapid, or Haruka plus a change |
| Kyoto (from Kansai) | JR Haruka |
A few rules of thumb: with heavy luggage, a direct train or a bus beats a cheaper route with changes. In the morning rush hour (roughly 7:30 to 9:30 on weekdays), commuter trains are crowded, so a reserved-seat train or bus is more comfortable. If you land late at night, check the time of the last train before you leave the arrivals area.
Tips for arrival day
- Get an IC card. A Suica, PASMO or ICOCA card, or one on your phone, lets you tap through gates on airport lines, subways and buses. See Suica vs ICOCA: which IC card?
- Reserved seat tickets are separate. On the Skyliner, N'EX, rapi:t and Haruka, you need a ticket for the seat as well as the fare, even if you pay the fare with an IC card.
- Too much luggage? You can send your suitcase from the airport to your hotel and travel light. See Luggage storage in Japan.
- Use the restroom before you leave the airport. Subway trains do not have toilets on board. Our free map shows public toilets near your destination.
- Check route planners on the day. Timetables, platforms and service notices can change, especially during works or bad weather.
Before you go: get mobile data
Route planners, maps and hotel directions all need data, and the airport is where you need them first. A prepaid eSIM that you install before your flight lets you go online as soon as you land. Check that your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM first.
Related: Suica vs ICOCA: which IC card? · Luggage storage in Japan
Sources: Narita Airport – Rail, Narita Airport – Low-cost bus, Keisei – Skyliner overview, Keisei – Skyliner fares, Keisei – Access Express fares, JR East – N'EX, JR East – N'EX tickets, Haneda Airport – Train & Monorail, Haneda Airport – Express bus, Tokyo Monorail – Fare table, Kansai Airport – Train, Nankai – Limited Express rapi:t, JR West – Usage guide from Kansai Airport. Checked on 5 November 2026.