This post will show those who are on a self-planned trip to Japan how to commute from Tokyo’s two major international airports, Narita Airport and Haneda Airport, to downtown Tokyo. So, how to get to Tokyo from airport (Tokyo airport to Tokyo city) includes from Narita airport to Shinjuku, Haneda to Shinjuku, Haneda airport to Tokyo station, Narita airport to Tokyo station… and other subway stations in Tokyo. Let’s check it out our how to get from Tokyo airport to city guide on how to get from Haneda Airport to Tokyo (Tokyo Haneda airport to Tokyo city) and how to get from Narita Airport to Tokyo (Tokyo Narita Airport to Tokyo city) below.
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Self-planned trip to Japan and when referred to downtown Tokyo, the following stations are considered main destinations
1. Tokyo Station
2. Shinjuku Station
3. Shibuya Station
4. Ikebukuro Station
5. Ueno Station
6. Ginza Station
Depending on the time of arrival and luggage claim and the final destination, you may choose different means of transportation including bus, train (JR, Skyliner) or aerial tram (monorail).
You can purchase prepaid train tickets at most stations and ask ticket office staff for assistance in case you don’t know how to use the automatic ticket machine. Buying a prepaid card and top-up at automatic machines will help you save more time as you do not have to wait in line for train ticket purchase at each stop.
To find more information on the departure time and which line to take, you can visit the Jorudan English website. Jorudan also has a mobile app for iOS and Android, but you will need to check if the app is supported with an English version. Since both the app and website require wifi or 3G connection to access, I think the English website will be the fastest option. Remember to check the last train to avoid lateness and because the last train is always crowded, it is common to stand at the connection between the trains or being stuffed into a really little space.
Check out Jorudan webste here: https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en/?sub_lang=nosub
How to get from Narita Airport to Tokyo?
Narita is a Japan’s international airport located about 60km from downtown Tokyo.
1. Taking the train (Train from Narita Aiport to Tokyo city)
a) By JR (Japan Railway): If your airplane arrives in Terminal 1, the closest station to you will be Narita Aiport; and if it arrives in Terminal 2, you will need to get on the train at the “Airport Terminal 2” station. The time and ticket price to the below stations for Narita Airport and Airport Terminal 2 are the same, so I will just list them together as Narita Airport.
Departure Station | Destination Station | Line | Time | Ticket Price (Estimate) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Narita Airport | Tokyo Station | Narita Express | about 60 minutes | 3.020 JPY |
Narita Airport | Ikebukuro Station | Narita Express | about 90 minutes | 3.190 JPY |
Narita Airport | Shinjuku Station | Narita Express | about 80 minutes | 3.190 JPY |
Narita Airport | Tokyo Station | Sobu Line | about 90 minutes | 1320 JPY |
b) By Keisei (Keisei Electric Railway): Similar to JR, if you are in Narita Airport, get on the train at Terminal 1; and if you are in Terminal 2, get on the train at “Airport Terminal 2”.
Departure Station | Destination Station | Line | Time | Ticket Price (Estimate) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Narita Airport | Ueno Station | Narita SKY ACCESS Line Skyliner | about 44 minutes | 2.470 JPY |
Narita Airport | Haneda Airport | Access Express | about 93 minutes | 1.800 JPY |
2. Taking the bus (Bus from Narita Aiport to Tokyo city)
This is recommended for anyone with large or bulky luggage because you will not have to carry them up and down the elevator to board your train.
There are 2 types of bus, one is Limousine bus and one is Express bus:
Departure Station | Destination Station | Line | Time | Ticket Price (Estimate) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Narita Airport | Tokyo City Air Terminal | Airport Transport Service | about 60 minutes | 2.800 JPY |
Narita Airport | Haneda Airport | Airport Transport Service | 65-85 minutes | 3.100 JPY |
Narita Airport | Tokyo Station Yaesu Gate | Keisei Bus | about 80 minutes | 1.000 JPY |
Narita Airport | Tokyo Station Yaesu Gate | Heiwa Kotsu | about 80 minutes | 1.000 JPY |
Narita Airport | Ginza Station (Sukiyabashi) | Heiwa Kotsu | about 90 minutes | 1.000 JPY |