From Haneda, take the Keikyu train to Shinagawa for 330 yen (about approx. A$3) or the monorail to Hamamatsucho for 520 yen. From Narita, take the Keisei Skyliner to Ueno for 2,580 yen (approx. approx. A$24), or the Narita Express to Tokyo Station for 3,140 yen (approx. approx. A$29). Limousine buses and fixed-fare taxis cost more but spare you stairs with bags.
Fares in this guide are adult one-way prices from each operator’s own pages. Children aged 6 to 11 generally pay about half. We haven’t timed each route, so journey times are the operators’ published figures where we quote them.
Will I land at Haneda or Narita from Australia?
It depends on the airline and your city. Qantas lists direct flights from Sydney to Haneda, and from Melbourne and Brisbane to Narita. ANA lists daily Haneda to Sydney flights and a Narita to Perth service in its northern winter timetable to 27 March 2027. JAL’s winter notice shows daily Haneda to Sydney and daily Narita to Melbourne. Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo, so check which airport your ticket uses before you plan the first night.
Sources: Qantas international routes, ANA international route information, JAL Oceania winter schedule notice. Checked 14 November 2026 (Australia/Sydney).
How do I get from Haneda Airport to central Tokyo?
Haneda is the easy one. Two rail lines leave from the terminals, and buses and taxis cover the rest.
| From Haneda | Adult fare | Goes to | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keikyu Line train | 330 yen (approx. approx. A$3) (327 yen by IC card) | Shinagawa, with many trains running on to Asakusa | Cheapest. Change at Shinagawa for the JR Yamanote Line or Shinkansen. |
| Tokyo Monorail | 520 yen (approx. approx. A$5) (519 yen by IC card) | Hamamatsucho | Change to the JR Yamanote Line for Tokyo Station, Akihabara or Ueno. |
| Airport Limousine Bus to Shinjuku | 1,400 yen (approx. approx. A$13) (child 700 yen) | Shinjuku Station and Busta Shinjuku | Big bags, Shinjuku hotels, no stairs. |
| Fixed-fare taxi to Chiyoda ward (Tokyo Station area) | 7,600 yen (approx. approx. A$70) (10pm to 5am: 9,000 yen) | Door to door | Late arrivals, families, lots of luggage. |
| Fixed-fare taxi to Shibuya ward | 8,500 yen (approx. approx. A$78) (10pm to 5am: 10,000 yen) | Door to door | Shibuya hotels. |
| Fixed-fare taxi to Shinjuku ward | 9,000 yen (approx. approx. A$83) (10pm to 5am: 10,700 yen) | Door to door | Shinjuku hotels. |
| Fixed-fare taxi to Taito ward (Ueno, Asakusa) | 9,100 yen (approx. approx. A$84) (10pm to 5am: 10,800 yen) | Door to door | Ueno and Asakusa hotels. |
Sources: Keikyu Haneda Airport Access Guide (Haneda to Shinagawa 330 yen, IC 327 yen); Tokyo Monorail fare table (Haneda terminals to Monorail Hamamatsucho 520 yen, IC 519 yen); Airport Limousine Bus, Shinjuku and Haneda line; Haneda Airport fixed taxi fare table, from 20 April 2026 (PDF). Haneda Airport says expressway tolls are added to the flat taxi fare, and Chuo, Minato, Shinagawa, Ota, Meguro and Koto wards use the meter instead. Last checked 14 November 2026 (Australia/Sydney).
Our pick for most first-timers staying in Shinjuku or Shibuya is the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa, then the JR Yamanote Line. If you land late with kids or heavy bags, the fixed-fare taxi takes the stress out of it. Just remember tolls are added on top.
How do I get from Narita Airport to central Tokyo?
Narita is much further out, so the choice matters more. These are the main options.
| From Narita | Adult fare | Goes to | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keisei Skyliner | 2,580 yen (approx. approx. A$24) (online discount ticket 2,310 yen) | Nippori and Keisei Ueno | Ueno, Asakusa or Yanaka stays. As little as 36 minutes, per Keisei. |
| Narita Express (N’EX) | 3,140 yen (approx. approx. A$29) | Tokyo Station, with some trains to Shinjuku and Shibuya | Tokyo Station, Shinjuku or Shibuya stays. |
| N’EX Tokyo Round Trip Ticket | 5,200 yen (approx. approx. A$48) return | Same, valid 14 days | Visitors on a non-Japanese passport flying in and out of Narita. |
| Airport Limousine Bus to Shinjuku | 3,600 yen (approx. approx. A$33) (child 1,800 yen) | Shinjuku Station | Heavy luggage, no train changes. |
Sources: Keisei Skyliner and Skyliner fares (1,280 yen fare plus 1,300 yen Skyliner charge); online discount price of 2,310 yen from ANA, Keisei Skyliner discount tickets (prices as of 1 February 2026); JR East, N’EX; Airport Limousine Bus, Shinjuku and Narita line. Last checked 14 November 2026 (Australia/Sydney).
If you’re flying both ways through Narita, the N’EX return ticket is good value: 5,200 yen against 6,280 yen for two single tickets. If your hotel is near Ueno or Asakusa, the Skyliner is quicker and cheaper. Every Skyliner seat is reserved, and Keisei adds a 300 yen surcharge if you board without a Skyliner ticket.
Which is the best way to get into Tokyo for my hotel?
- Shinjuku: from Haneda, Keikyu then JR, or the limousine bus. From Narita, the N’EX or the limousine bus.
- Shibuya: from Haneda, Keikyu to Shinagawa then the Yamanote Line. From Narita, the N’EX.
- Tokyo Station or Ginza: from Haneda, the monorail then JR. From Narita, the N’EX.
- Ueno or Asakusa: from Haneda, Keikyu (many trains run straight through to Asakusa). From Narita, the Skyliner.
Still choosing a base? Our Tokyo guide compares neighbourhoods for a first stay.
Should I buy a Suica card at the airport?
An IC card makes the first train ride far easier, and it works on most Tokyo trains, subways and buses. JR East’s Welcome Suica for visitors has no deposit, loads 1,000 to 10,000 yen at a time and lasts 28 days from purchase. Any credit left at the end isn’t refunded, and it’s topped up with cash only. On Keikyu and the monorail, the IC fare is a few yen cheaper than a paper ticket.
Source: JR East, Welcome Suica, checked 14 November 2026 (Australia/Sydney).
What if I land late at night?
Check the last train and bus for your arrival day before you fly, because timetables change and late flights can miss them. From Haneda, the fixed-fare taxi is the safe fallback; the late-night rate applies only if the whole ride falls between 10pm and 5am. From Narita, a taxi into the city is a long, expensive ride, so if you land very late, a night near the airport can be the calmer choice.
Make sure your phone works the moment you land. Our eSIM vs pocket WiFi guide compares the options, or grab an Airalo Japan eSIM before you fly.
Is there a video on getting from Narita into Tokyo?
Video published by Tokyo Cheapo, walking through the cheaper train and bus options from Narita. It’s a few years old, so use the fares in the tables above rather than the ones on screen. Embedded only.
What should I plan next?
Once you’re in the city, the first-time Japan guide covers money, etiquette and IC cards, and our trip cost guide shows where transport sits in a real budget. Heading west after Tokyo? See Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen. You can also book Tokyo tickets and tours on Klook.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way from Haneda Airport to Tokyo?
The Keikyu Line to Shinagawa, at 330 yen for an adult (327 yen with an IC card). The Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho costs 520 yen.
How much is the Skyliner from Narita to Tokyo?
The Keisei Skyliner from Narita Airport to Keisei Ueno or Nippori costs 2,580 yen for an adult: a 1,280 yen fare plus a 1,300 yen Skyliner charge. An online discount ticket was 2,310 yen.
How much is the Narita Express to Tokyo Station?
JR East lists the Narita Express from Narita Airport to Tokyo at 3,140 yen for an ordinary reserved seat. Visitors on a non-Japanese passport can buy a N’EX Tokyo Round Trip Ticket for 5,200 yen, valid for 14 days.
How much is a taxi from Haneda to Shinjuku?
The Haneda fixed fare to Shinjuku ward is 9,000 yen, or 10,700 yen if the whole ride falls between 10pm and 5am, from the fare table effective 20 April 2026. Expressway tolls are added on top.
Is Haneda or Narita better for Tokyo?
Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo, with trains from 330 yen. Narita is further out, and fares into the city start around 2,580 yen on the Skyliner.
Is there an airport bus from Narita to Shinjuku?
Yes. The Airport Limousine Bus runs between Narita and Shinjuku for 3,600 yen per adult and 1,800 yen per child.
Photo credits
- Hero image: Photo: Banbam1029, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
