Haneda vs Narita: Which Airport Should You Fly Into? (2026 Guide)

People's number one location when landing in Japan from abroad is to land in Tokyo. But which airport should you land in?

Tokyo is served by two international airports: Haneda Airport (HND) in Ota, Tokyo, and Narita Airport (NRT) in Chiba Prefecture. Haneda is approximately 15 km from central Tokyo with a 20 to 30 minute train journey, while Narita is approximately 60 km away and requires 36 to 75 minutes by train depending on which service you take. For most travelers, Haneda is faster and cheaper to reach from the city. Narita offers more international routes, lower airfares, and is the preferred hub for budget airlines.

How many airports are there in Tokyo?

When flying to Tokyo, especially on an international flight, your plane can land at two airports: Haneda Airport and Narita Airport.

Both Haneda and Narita airports accommodate international and domestic flights. While Narita Airport is technically in Chiba, many public transportation systems take you to central Tokyo. 

Haneda vs Narita: a comparison table

What flights are available at Haneda and Narita airports?

Haneda Airport (HND) and Narita Airport (NRT) serve very different types of travelers and airlines. Understanding which airport your airline uses, and what routes each airport offers, is the most practical starting point for choosing between the two.

Side-by-side flight comparison

Haneda Airport: the full-service hub

Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) is the closer of Tokyo's two major airports to the city, located in Ota City just 15 km from central Tokyo.

For international travelers visiting Tokyo, it is often the preferred choice — trains from Haneda reach Tokyo Station in under 30 minutes, and the Tokyo Monorail connects the airport to the JR Yamanote Line at Hamamatsucho in just 13 minutes.

The airport handles both international and domestic flights across three terminals, with Terminals 1 and 2 serving domestic travel and Terminal 3 dedicated to international flights. As of March 2026, 45 airlines operate from Tokyo Haneda to 118 destinations worldwide, handling approximately 85.7 million total passengers in 2024, making it Japan's busiest airport and one of the top three busiest airports in the world by seat capacity.

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways (Nippon Airways) both use Haneda as their primary hub for premium international routes, and the Japanese government has deliberately positioned Tokyo Haneda for full-service, business-oriented flights.

Major carriers including Singapore Airlines, British Airways, American Airlines, Lufthansa, and United Airlines all operate long-haul flights from Terminal 3.

US-based travelers will find direct connections to cities including Los Angeles, New York JFK, San Francisco, and San Diego.

Business class lounges and first class passengers are well catered to, with JAL and ANA operating some of the best airport lounges in the world here. For travelers with Priority Pass, the TIAT Lounge in Terminal 3 is accessible 24 hours a day. Connecting flights between Haneda's international and domestic terminals are straightforward, making it a strong choice if your final destination is a Japanese city beyond Tokyo.

Narita Airport: the international gateway and budget hub

Narita International Airport (NRT), also referred to as Tokyo Narita, is the larger of Tokyo's two airports and Japan's primary long-haul international hub, located in Chiba Prefecture approximately 60 km from central Tokyo.

While further from downtown Tokyo than Haneda, Narita offers significantly more international flights across a wider range of airline companies, with 83 airlines serving 177 destinations as of March 2026.

Both Narita and Haneda serve international and domestic flights, but Narita has a particular strength in long-haul flights from further afield and handles the majority of budget airline routes into Tokyo.

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways operate from both airports, but carriers such as Jetstar Japan, Peach Aviation, Spring Airlines Japan, and Zipair Tokyo are based at Narita's dedicated Terminal 3 LCC terminal, making it the better option if you are looking for more international flights at a lower price point.

Getting from Narita to central Tokyo requires more planning than from Haneda. The fastest public transport option is the Keisei Skyliner, which reaches central Tokyo in 36 to 41 minutes. The Narita Express (N'EX) takes 53 to 75 minutes to reach Tokyo Station and other major hubs, and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass—an important advantage for travelers planning to use the rail network across Japan.

Airport limousine buses connect Narita to most major Tokyo stations and hotels, taking 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic, and are particularly convenient for passengers with heavy luggage who want to avoid changing trains.

While it takes longer to reach the city center from Narita, the airport's sheer scale of shopping and dining options, its extensive Priority Pass lounges across Terminals 1 and 2, and the practical amenities available for long layovers make Narita and Haneda genuinely comparable in terms of the airport experience itself.

If you land at the wrong airport for your itinerary, limousine buses connect both Narita and Haneda directly, with a journey time of approximately 75 to 90 minutes between the two airports.

Which airport should I choose: Haneda or Narita?

The right choice depends on three factors: your airline, your budget, and how much you value time.

Choose Haneda if your airline flies there, your hotel is in central Tokyo, and you want the fastest, simplest arrival experience. The train from Haneda to major Tokyo stations takes 20 to 30 minutes and costs as little as 310 yen. Haneda is consistently rated one of the world's best airports for efficiency and cleanliness.

Choose Narita if your airline only flies there, you are on a tight budget and found a cheaper fare, or you are travelling with a Japan Rail Pass—in which case the Narita Express (N'EX) is covered at no extra cost. Narita also serves more low-cost carriers, including Peach, Jetstar, and Scoot, which often offer significantly cheaper fares than airlines operating out of Haneda.

If both airports are an option for your route, Haneda is the more convenient choice for most leisure and business travellers. Narita makes more sense when the fare saving outweighs the extra 30 to 60 minutes of travel time.

Getting to Tokyo from the airport

Now that you've arrived in Japan, now it's time to get into downtown Tokyo.

How to get into Tokyo from Narita airport?

Narita International Airport is approximately 60 km from central Tokyo and is served by four main transport options: the Narita Express train, the Keisei Skyliner, the Keisei Access Express, and the Airport Limousine Bus.

• JR Narita Express (N'EX): Reservation is required. The N'EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket is available for foreign travelers and provides discounted round-trip travel on the Narita Express between Narita Airport and central Tokyo destinations including Tokyo, Shinjuku, and Shibuya. The ticket also covers connecting JR lines within a defined zone. Check the current price directly with JR East before traveling, as fares were revised upward in March 2026.

• Limousine Bus Narita Airport Line: A ticket is required, and you can buy one at the ticket machine. A one-way fare on the Airport Limousine Bus from Narita to central Tokyo is approximately 3,200 yen for adults, with children under 12 traveling at half price. A cheaper low-cost bus option, the Airport Bus TYO-NRT, runs to Tokyo Station and Ginza for around 1,500 yen one way but has fewer stops and no luggage amenities.

Additionally, there are many Keisei trains that leave Narita Airport for Tokyo every 30 minutes to an hour, depending on which line you take. You can use your IC Card to access these lines; just make sure you have enough to tap out of the train station.

Keisei Skyliner route | Keisei

• Keisei Skyliner: The fastest rail option from Narita Airport to central Tokyo, reaching Nippori Station in 36 minutes and Keisei Ueno Station in 41 minutes. The flat adult fare is 2,580 yen (or 2,575 yen with an IC card). Discounted tickets around 2,310 yen are available online. The Skyliner is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

• Keisei Narita Sky Access: A mid-range option that runs between Narita Airport and central Tokyo via the Narita Sky Access Line. The adult fare is 1,280 yen. Travel time to Keisei Ueno is approximately 60 to 75 minutes. Cheaper and slower than the Skyliner, but faster and slightly more expensive than the Keisei Main Line.

• Keisei Main Line: The cheapest rail option from Narita, with an adult fare of approximately 1,060 yen. It is also the slowest, taking around 80 to 90 minutes to reach Keisei Ueno Station. Trains are frequent, but seats are not reserved, and trains can be crowded during peak hours.

If you don't have an IC card, you can purchase a ticket at the ticket machine nearby. 

How to get into Tokyo from Haneda airport?

Train line access to and from Haneda airport | Tokyo Haneda

If you land at Haneda Airport, you could take this transportation:

• Limousine Bus Haneda Airport Line: Stops at major Tokyo stations and hotels including Shinjuku, Tokyo Station, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and Asakusa. Fares range from approximately 2,800 to 3,200 yen for adults depending on your destination, with children under 12 traveling at half price. Tickets can be purchased at the bus counter in the arrivals hall or booked online in advance.

• Keikyu Airport Line: Reaches Shinagawa Station in as little as 11 minutes, where you can transfer to the JR Yamanote Line or Shinkansen. Also connects to Yokohama and, via the Asakusa subway line, to Asakusa and central Tokyo. Fares to Shinagawa are approximately 310 to 410 yen depending on the service type.

• Tokyo Monorail Airport: A little simpler train route. You can travel from the airport to Hamamatsucho Station to transfer to the Yamanote Line in Tokyo's city center.

Frequently asked questions

Is Haneda or Narita nearer to the city?

Haneda Airport is approximately 15 km from central Tokyo, while Narita Airport is approximately 60 km from central Tokyo.

Is Tokyo Haneda the best airport?

Many people prefer landing at Haneda airport due to its proximity to Tokyo

Can you take the bus to the airport?

There are many airport limousine buses at major stations in Tokyo, such as Shinjuku or Tokyo station, Hotels, and even Tokyo Disney.

Is it easy to get a taxi at Tokyo airport?

It is relatively easy to get a taxi from the airport. After exiting, find the nearest taxi stand where many taxis will be waiting. Wait in line, if needed, and provide your location to the taxi drive in Japanese. Depending on the ward and time, there might be a flat rate.

Is the JR Pass valid on the Narita Express?

Yes. The Japan Rail Pass covers the Narita Express (N'EX) in full, including the seat reservation, at no extra cost. This makes Narita a very cost-effective option for travelers who have already purchased a JR Pass for their wider Japan trip. The JR Pass is not valid on the Keisei Skyliner or the Keisei Main Line, as these are operated by a private railway company.

Which Tokyo airport has more international flights?

As of 2026, Narita handles a larger number of international routes overall, including a higher concentration of long-haul and low-cost carrier flights. Haneda has significantly expanded its international capacity since 2010 and now serves most major global carriers, but Narita remains the larger international hub by total route count.

How long does it take to get from Narita to central Tokyo?

The fastest option is the Keisei Skyliner, which reaches Nippori Station in 36 minutes and Ueno Station in 41 minutes. The Narita Express (N'EX) takes 53 to 75 minutes depending on your destination. The Airport Limousine Bus takes 60 to 90 minutes or more depending on traffic.

Which Tokyo airport is closer to Tokyo Disneyland?

Narita Airport is technically closer to Tokyo Disneyland in Urayasu, Chiba, though both airports are well connected to the resort. From Narita, the journey takes approximately 60 minutes. From Haneda, it takes approximately 40 minutes. Direct limousine buses operate from both airports to Tokyo Disney Resort.

In closing

Despite pitting Haneda vs Narita against each other, both are great airports to land at when you come to Japan. Pick one Tokyo airport and have a wonderful time in Japan.