Haneda Airport to Tokyo

Why Haneda Is the Better Airport for Tokyo

Haneda Airport (HND) is Tokyo’s closer airport, located just 14 kilometers from central Tokyo compared to Narita’s 66 kilometers. This proximity means the journey into the city is faster, cheaper, and more straightforward than the Narita to Tokyo route in almost every case. If you have a choice between arriving at Haneda or Narita, Haneda is usually the better option for travelers staying in central Tokyo.

Knowing where to stay in Tokyo before reading this guide will help you choose the best transport option, since each route serves different neighborhoods most efficiently.

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Haneda Airport — Know Your Terminal

Haneda has three passenger terminals. Understanding which one you arrive at saves time and confusion.

Terminal 1 (第1旅客ターミナル): Used primarily by ANA domestic flights and some international carriers. Connected to the Tokyo Monorail (Haneda Airport Terminal 1 Station) and Keikyu Line.

Terminal 2 (第2旅客ターミナル): Used primarily by JAL domestic flights and some international carriers. Has its own Monorail and Keikyu stations.

Terminal 3 / International Terminal (国際線ターミナル): Handles international arrivals and departures. Has its own Monorail station (Haneda Airport Terminal 3) and Keikyu access. Most travelers reading this guide will arrive here.

A free shuttle bus connects all three terminals and runs every few minutes, 24 hours a day. Walking connections also exist between terminals. Terminal 3 is the main international hub and is where this guide primarily focuses.

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All Transport Options — Summary Comparison

Option	Destination	Time	Cost	JR Pass
Keikyu Line	Shinagawa	11 min	300 yen	No
Keikyu Line	Shinjuku (via transfer)	~35 min	~450 yen	No
Keikyu Line	Asakusa (direct)	~30 min	570 yen	No
Tokyo Monorail	Hamamatsucho	13 min	500 yen	No
Tokyo Monorail	Hamamatsucho (Rapid)	13 min	500 yen	Yes (some services)
Limousine Bus	Shinjuku	25–45 min	1,200 yen	No
Limousine Bus	Shibuya	25–45 min	1,200 yen	No
Limousine Bus	Various hotels	30–70 min	1,000–1,500 yen	No
Regular Taxi	Central Tokyo	30–50 min	5,000–8,000 yen	No
Private Transfer	Hotel door	30–60 min	8,000–15,000 yen	No

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Option 1: Keikyu Line (Recommended for Most Travelers)

The Keikyu Airport Line is the fastest and cheapest train from Haneda International Terminal to central Tokyo. It is the option most experienced Japan travelers choose.

Key Details

Operator: Keikyu Electric Railway Departure point: Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station (directly beneath Terminal 3, follow signs from arrivals)

Journey times and fares from Terminal 3:

Destination	Time	Fare
Shinagawa	11 min	300 yen
Daimon (Hamamatsucho area)	19 min	410 yen
Roppongi (via transfer at Daimon)	~30 min	~540 yen
Shinjuku (via transfer at Shinagawa or Sengakuji)	~35 min	~450 yen
Shibuya (via transfer)	~30 min	~420 yen
Asakusa (direct Asakusa Line service)	~30 min	570 yen
Ginza (via Toei Asakusa Line)	~25 min	530 yen

The Keikyu Airport Line connects seamlessly with the Toei Asakusa Line at Sengakuji, meaning many trains continue directly without a change of carriage. You stay seated while the train runs through to Shin-Kiba, Asakusa, or even further into the Keikyu Main Line network. This makes Keikyu particularly convenient for Asakusa-bound travelers — no transfer needed.

Types of Keikyu Airport Services

Not all Keikyu trains from the airport stop at the same stations:

• Airport Express: Fastest — stops at Keikyu Kamata, Sengakuji, then enters the Asakusa Line or runs to Shinagawa. Best for most city destinations.
• Limited Express: Stops at a few more stations. Still good for Shinagawa.
• Local: Stops at all stations. Slower but useful for intermediate stops.

Check the indicator boards at the station — services are in English and Japanese.

Paying

You can pay with a Suica or Pasmo IC card by tapping in and out. IC cards are strongly recommended — they are simpler than buying separate tickets and accepted on almost all trains and subways in Tokyo. See the how to use trains in Japan guide for full setup instructions.

You can also buy a paper ticket from the vending machines at the station (English interface available).

Pros

• Cheapest rail option
• Fastest to Shinagawa (11 minutes)
• Direct through-services to Asakusa, Ginza, and the Toei Asakusa Line network without changing trains
• Runs approximately every 10–15 minutes throughout the day
• Easy IC card payment

Cons

• Not JR Pass-compatible
• Requires a transfer at Shinagawa or Sengakuji to reach Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ikebukuro
• Transfer navigation can be confusing for first-time visitors

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Option 2: Tokyo Monorail

The Tokyo Monorail has been running between Haneda and Hamamatsucho since 1964. It is a comfortable, reliable option and particularly good for travelers heading to Hamamatsucho, Shiodome, or destinations well-served by the JR Yamanote Line at Hamamatsucho.

Key Details

Operator: Tokyo Monorail Co. (affiliated with JR East) Departure point: Monorail stations directly attached to each Haneda terminal

Journey times and fares from Terminal 3:

Service Type	Destination	Time	Fare
Rapid (Rapid Service)	Hamamatsucho	13 min	500 yen
Airport Express	Hamamatsucho	14 min	500 yen
Local	Hamamatsucho	~20 min	500 yen

From Hamamatsucho, connect to the JR Yamanote Line to reach:

• Shinagawa: 5 min (170 yen)
• Tokyo Station: 10 min (209 yen)
• Shinjuku: 20 min (209 yen)
• Shibuya: 15 min (209 yen)
• Ikebukuro: 28 min (209 yen)

The Yamanote Line connection at Hamamatsucho is one of the most convenient in Tokyo — the Monorail platform and the JR platform are in the same building complex with good signage.

JR Pass and the Monorail

The Tokyo Monorail was acquired by JR East and JR Pass holders can use most Monorail services for free (all services except Local trains as of 2026 — check the JR East website for current coverage). If you have an active JR Pass, the Monorail becomes the best free option to Hamamatsucho, and you can then use the Yamanote Line (also JR, also free with your Pass) to reach almost anywhere in central Tokyo.

Pros

• Convenient and easy to navigate
• Fast Rapid service (13 minutes to Hamamatsucho)
• JR Pass compatible on most services
• Great views over Tokyo Bay during the ride
• Direct Yamanote Line connection at Hamamatsucho

Cons

• Costs more than the Keikyu Line (500 yen vs. 300 yen to Shinagawa)
• Terminates at Hamamatsucho — always requires a Yamanote Line transfer to reach most of Tokyo
• Runs every 4–10 minutes depending on service type; at off-peak times, gaps can be longer

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Option 3: Limousine Bus

The Airport Limousine Bus (operated by Limousine Bus Co. and partner operators) runs coach services from Haneda directly to major hotels and transit hubs across Tokyo. Unlike Narita limousine buses, Haneda’s buses are faster and more predictable due to the shorter distance.

Key Routes and Fares

Route	Journey Time	Fare
Haneda to Shinjuku Station	25–45 min	1,200 yen
Haneda to Shibuya (Cerulean Tower)	25–40 min	1,200 yen
Haneda to Akasaka/Roppongi area	30–45 min	1,200 yen
Haneda to Yokohama (YCAT)	25–35 min	580 yen
Haneda to various hotels in central Tokyo	30–70 min	1,000–1,500 yen

Haneda buses are faster and more reliable than the Narita equivalent because the highway distance is much shorter. Even with some traffic, most routes arrive within 45–50 minutes.

When the Bus Makes Sense

The limousine bus is particularly worth considering if:

• Your hotel is on or near a bus route (check the Limousine Bus route map for hotel stops)
• You have heavy luggage and want to avoid train transfers
• You are traveling with young children
• You are heading to Yokohama (the bus is often cheaper than the train)

If your hotel is not near a bus stop, the train options are faster and simpler.

Buying Tickets

Purchase at the Airport Limousine Bus counter in the Terminal 3 arrivals hall (well-signposted after clearing customs). Tickets can also be bought in advance online. IC cards are not accepted on the bus.

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Option 4: Taxi and Private Transfer

Regular Taxi

Taxis are available outside each terminal’s arrivals exit. Unlike Narita, the distances are manageable and the fares, while not cheap, are not prohibitive for groups.

Approximate taxi fares (metered, plus highway tolls):

Destination	Approximate Fare
Shinagawa	2,000–3,000 yen
Shibuya	3,500–5,000 yen
Shinjuku	4,500–6,500 yen
Asakusa	5,000–7,000 yen
Tokyo Station	3,500–5,000 yen

Highway tolls add 500–1,000 yen depending on the route chosen.

For two or three people splitting the fare, a taxi to Shinagawa costs less per person than the Keikyu train and requires no navigation at all. For solo travelers or those on a budget, the train is always the better value.

Late night surcharge: Taxis in Tokyo charge a 20% surcharge between 10 pm and 5 am.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked private transfers are available from approximately 8,000–15,000 yen for a private car to central Tokyo. Useful for families with multiple suitcases, travelers who have had long overnight flights and just want to sit in a car, or those visiting during peak holiday periods when train platforms are extremely crowded.

Note on Uber: Uber operates at Haneda Airport from Terminal 3’s designated Uber pickup point (follow airport signs). Prices are typically 4,000–8,000 yen to central Tokyo, higher during surge pricing. Uber Black and premium options are available.

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Getting to Specific Destinations

Shinjuku

Best option: Keikyu Line to Sengakuji, then Toei Asakusa/Shinjuku Line to Shinjuku (total ~35 min, ~450 yen). Alternatively, Keikyu to Shinagawa, JR to Shinjuku (~25 min, ~450 yen). Limousine Bus direct is also good (25–45 min, 1,200 yen) if you have heavy bags.

Shibuya

Best option: Keikyu Line to Shinagawa, then JR Yamanote Line to Shibuya (total ~20 min, ~420 yen). Or Limousine Bus (25–40 min, 1,200 yen).

Asakusa

Best option: Keikyu Airport Line direct via Toei Asakusa Line — no transfer needed, around 30 minutes, 570 yen. This is the standout convenience of the Keikyu system.

Ginza / Tsukiji

Best option: Keikyu to Higashi-Ginza via Toei Asakusa Line (~25 min, ~530 yen). Very direct and convenient.

Akihabara

Best option: Keikyu to Sengakuji, Toei Asakusa Line to Asakusabashi, then a short walk (~30 min, ~600 yen). Or Monorail to Hamamatsucho, JR to Akihabara (~25 min, ~700 yen).

Ikebukuro

Best option: Monorail to Hamamatsucho (13 min) then JR Yamanote Line north to Ikebukuro (~28 min, total ~45 min, ~700 yen). If you have a JR Pass, the whole journey is free.

Yokohama

Best option: Keikyu Line direct to Yokohama (about 25 minutes, 340 yen). The Keikyu Line runs directly from Haneda to Yokohama Station with no transfer required — it is one of the most convenient connections in the Tokyo area.

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Late Night and Early Morning

Haneda’s proximity to the city means late-night transport is much better than at Narita.

Last trains: Keikyu Airport Line runs until approximately midnight from Terminal 3. Tokyo Monorail last service to Hamamatsucho is around 11:40 pm.

All-night buses: Some bus routes run through the night, particularly toward Shinjuku and Shibuya. Check the Haneda Airport website for current night bus schedules.

Taxis and Uber: Available 24 hours. At 2–3 am, a taxi or Uber to central Tokyo is the most practical option if you have missed the last train. Fares are higher with the night surcharge but the distances from Haneda are not excessive.

Early morning flights: The Keikyu Line starts service around 5:30 am from central Tokyo to the airport. If your flight departs at 6 am or 6:30 am, a taxi is necessary from most central locations. Haneda’s domestic terminal handles very early morning domestic departures; the international terminal has later activity.

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Luggage Tips at Haneda

Traveling with large suitcases through Tokyo trains is manageable but worth planning. Two key options:

Coin lockers: Available throughout Haneda Airport and at major Tokyo train stations. Standard suitcase-sized lockers cost 500–700 yen per day. If you want to explore Tokyo before checking into your hotel, you can leave luggage at the station nearest your destination.

Luggage forwarding (takkyubin): Yamato Transport has a counter in Haneda Terminal 3’s arrivals hall. For approximately 1,500–2,500 yen per bag, your suitcase is delivered to your hotel the next morning. This is transformative for families or anyone with heavy luggage — you walk through the city with just a daypack. See our dedicated luggage forwarding and storage guide for full details.

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JR Pass Holders

If you have an active Japan Rail Pass:

The Tokyo Monorail Rapid and Express services are covered — you can use the Monorail for free. Show your pass at the staffed gate (do not tap an IC card).

The Keikyu Line is not covered by the JR Pass.

The JR Yamanote Line connecting from Hamamatsucho is covered by the JR Pass.

Strategy for JR Pass holders: Monorail to Hamamatsucho (free) → JR Yamanote Line to your destination (free). The only cost is any transfers onto non-JR lines.

If your JR Pass is not yet activated, note that Haneda Airport does not have a JR East Travel Service Center for activation (unlike Narita). You will need to activate at a major Tokyo station (Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya etc.) or at Narita if you transit there.

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One Final Recommendation

For most travelers arriving at Haneda Terminal 3 with a moderate amount of luggage and heading to a central Tokyo hotel:

Take the Keikyu Line. Buy or top up an IC card, follow signs to the Keikyu station below Terminal 3, board the Airport Express toward Sengakuji or Shinagawa, and transfer to the Yamanote Line or subway for your final stop. The journey costs 300–600 yen, takes 20–40 minutes total, and requires a single straightforward transfer.

Once you arrive, use the how to use trains in Japan guide to get around the city with confidence, and check where to stay in Tokyo if you haven’t yet chosen your neighborhood. If you are arriving at Narita instead, the Narita to Tokyo guide covers all transport options from that airport in the same detail. For your broader Japan trip planning, the plan a trip to Japan guide is the recommended next read.