Tokyo International Airport
First stop. Tokyo international airport - otherwise known as Narita airport. If you're coming in on an international flight this will most likely be where you are landing. Ready to be confused? Tokyo Narita airport is not in Tokyo at all! It's roughly 60km away from the city and is actually located in the next prefecture, Chiba. FYI - for prefecture think state, province or county.
Once you've completed all the landing procedures and collected your baggage, you're going to need to get into the city. There are various options available depending on your budget, time and inclination.
Getting Into Tokyo
- Narita Express - a JR line that enables you to use your Japan Rail Pass if you purchased one before leaving home.
- Skyliner - another fast option but this one will take you to Ueno or Nippori only. These are in the Northern end of the city. If you need to get to Tokyo, Yokohama, or Ikebukuro areas, check out the other options for a one stop ride.
- Airport Limousine Bus - if you are staying in a major hotel, this is often a door-to-door service.
- Taxi - cost depends on traffic as well as distance. If you are in rush hour traffic expect to pay more. The average is said to be about ¥25,000 - ¥30,000. If you want to check these prices against your local currency, see the yen convertor available at the bottom of our Tokyo prices page.
- On a budget? JR Keisei Line or the Sobu Line - these are regular lines with no extra comforts, but if you're on a budget it's affordable which is what matters.
- Feeling like treating yourself? How about a helicopter ride! This one doesn't come cheap but hey - what an experience.
Narita Airport Tips
Tokyo International Airport is not a 24 hour airport. I have nearly been caught by this a couple of times myself. If you are landing at 8pm or afterwards, it may be worth checking into an airport hotel for the night and continuing your journey after a good and well earned sleep. If there is any delay on your flight then you may miss the transport options into the city and, as I already said, I wouldn't fancy paying a taxi, especially as the fares go up later at night. The last trains and buses run at around 9pm depending which line you want. Again if you've had a long journey or have little ones in tow, the hotel may be the ideal solution.
Carrying heavy bags? It is possible to arrange to have your baggage sent to your final destination once you get to Narita airport. There is a counter in the arrivals hall where you can arrange for this service. Just look for the signs and the staff will arrange the rest for you. Just make sure you have enough to keep you going in your hand luggage until your suitcases arrive. The baggage staff will arrange a suitable time for delivery with you.
For more information, here's the official Narita Airport page.
Haneda Airport
Haneda airport is another major hub for Tokyo but this is mostly for domestic flights. If you plan on flying internally to other areas of Japan during your stay in Tokyo, you will likely fly from here. Or you could try the shinkansen, otherwise known as the bullet train.
If you are flying in from Korea or Taiwan, it is possible that your final destination will be Haneda instead of Narita as some international flights have recently started terminating here. It is actually easier to get into Tokyo from Haneda so think of it as a bonus if this happens to be the case.
Transport in the City
Once you're in the city, you need to know your Tokyo travel options for getting around. Make sure you plan ahead to avoid any unnecessary headaches and stress.
