Tokyo stands as a consistently favored destination for tourists, drawing an unprecedented 36.8 million international visitors in 2024. Reflecting its status as a global hub, Tokyo is served by two major airports, catering to both a substantial volume of international air travel and extensive domestic routes.
Historically, Narita International Airport (NRT), established in 1978, was the primary gateway for long-haul international flights. However, this has shifted over time. Haneda Airport (HND) has emerged as the busier of the two, managing over 78 million passengers annually, while Narita accommodates more than 30 million each year.
The opening of Haneda’s international terminal in 2010 marked a significant change, and by 2023, it had ascended to the ranks of the world’s busiest airports. Since 2020, numerous U.S. airlines have introduced daytime services to and from Haneda. Airlines such as All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines have also transferred a significant portion of their international flight operations from Narita International to Haneda, predominantly due to its more convenient location.
Despite ample flight options to both airports, deciding which Tokyo airport best suits your travel needs can be challenging. To simplify your decision-making process, we’ve compared the key features of both Narita and Haneda airports, providing you with the information necessary to make an informed choice before you book your flights to Tokyo.
Distance to Downtown Tokyo and Transportation Options
Tokyo, the world’s most populous metropolis with over 37 million residents, sprawls across approximately 800 square miles. Its vast expanse makes pinpointing a definitive city center somewhat subjective. Tokyo is composed of over 20 wards, each encompassing numerous distinct districts.
For the purposes of this comparison, we will utilize the iconic Shibuya Crossing in downtown Tokyo as our central reference point. Renowned as the world’s busiest intersection, Shibuya Crossing sees up to 2,500 pedestrians crossing simultaneously during peak times.
Here’s a breakdown of how Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) airports compare in terms of distance, travel time, and transportation costs to reach downtown Tokyo, specifically Shibuya Crossing:
| Getting downtown | NRT | HND |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (by car) | 47 miles | 13 miles |
| Time (by car) | 1 hour and 30 minutes | 40 minutes |
| Average taxi cost | 23,000 to 30,000 Japanese yen (approximately $150 to $200) | 8,000 to 12,000 Japanese yen (approximately $50 to $78) |
| Public transit | Narita Skyliner Express/Yamanote Line (2,630 Japanese yen/approximately $17) | Tokyo Monorail/Yamanote Line (690 Japanese yen/approximately $4.45) |
While ride-hailing services such as Uber and GO operate in Tokyo, taxis are generally a more economical option.
The maps below visually illustrate the significant difference in location between Narita and Haneda, highlighting Narita’s greater distance from the city center:
Driving from NRT to downtown Tokyo can take 90 minutes or longer, contingent on traffic conditions as you approach the city. While readily available, taxi fares in Japan are notably high. A taxi journey from Narita to central Tokyo will likely cost between $150 and $200 or more. Public transportation presents a considerably cheaper alternative, although the journey involves transferring from the airport express line to Tokyo’s extensive metro system to reach your final destination, which may be daunting for some travelers.
Haneda enjoys a significantly closer proximity to downtown Tokyo. Situated on a peninsula just south of the city center, Haneda Airport is approximately 8.7 miles south of Tokyo Station, the city’s primary railway hub. Beyond the convenience of a shorter transfer, arrivals and departures from Haneda often offer stunning aerial views of the Tokyo skyline.
Reaching Shibuya Crossing by car from Haneda typically takes between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on traffic. However, even this shorter taxi ride can still incur a cost exceeding $100. Public transportation can get you to Shibuya in a comparable timeframe for under $5.
Downtown Access Winner: For travelers prioritizing time efficiency, whether for business or leisure, Haneda Airport emerges as the clear winner. Especially when visiting a city as rich in experiences as Tokyo, where time is always a precious commodity, HND’s proximity to the city center is a major advantage, making it the preferred choice for many.
Which Tokyo Airport is More Convenient for Business Travelers?
The distance from Tokyo Station to Haneda Airport is a mere 11 miles, in stark contrast to Narita International’s 43 miles. This difference translates into substantial time savings when traveling by car or bus. Reaching your hotel or business meeting from HND can take as little as 20 minutes in light traffic, whereas the commute from NRT is typically around an hour.
Haneda also presents a more convenient option for travelers heading to Yokohama, Japan’s second-largest city, located south of Tokyo along the coast.
Business Travel Winner: Due to its advantageous proximity to Tokyo’s central business districts, Haneda Airport is almost invariably the superior choice for business travelers with meetings or time-sensitive engagements in the city.
Airlines and Flight Options: Narita and Haneda Airports
Japan boasts the distinction of being the only nation with two Skytrax five-star airlines, All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, both consistently ranked within the top 10 carriers globally. Both airlines operate a mix of long-haul and short-haul flights from both NRT and HND. However, a discernible trend has emerged, with both carriers progressively shifting their long-haul operations towards Haneda. While Narita remains Japan’s largest airport in terms of land area, it now handles fewer international flights, increasingly focusing on medium-haul routes operated by All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, and other carriers.
Conversely, flight services from Haneda to the U.S. have expanded significantly since 2019, driven by its more convenient location closer to Tokyo, making it more appealing to passengers. In response to growing demand, the Japanese government has allocated additional slots for international flights at Haneda. In 2023, HND experienced record-breaking numbers of international passengers and flights.
American carrier United Airlines has substantially increased its flight frequencies from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to HND in recent years, while concurrently reducing its operations at NRT. Delta Air Lines, similarly, closed its NRT hub and redirected its entire Tokyo flight strategy to Haneda.
As Haneda’s international flight offerings have broadened, so too has the array of airlines serving international passengers at HND. Importantly, even if your preferred airline doesn’t directly serve your chosen airport, code-sharing agreements and airline alliances often provide alternative routes. For instance, Oneworld passengers traveling between Japan and Sydney have options with both Japan Airlines and Qantas, both of which offer flights from both HND and NRT.
Narita offers flights to 41 countries and 14 U.S. states. In comparison, Haneda, despite its expansion into long-haul routes, currently serves 27 countries and 15 U.S. states. For travelers originating from the U.S., this difference may be practically insignificant.
Haneda’s distinct advantage lies in its domestic flight network within Japan. As Tokyo’s primary domestic airport, Haneda provides flights to 50 destinations across Japan, offering unparalleled connectivity for onward travel within the country.
Flight Options Winner: Haneda now holds a slight advantage for travel to and from the U.S., attributed to the shift in flight operations by major carriers like Delta and United over the past five years. It also maintains a clear edge for domestic travel within Japan, offering a wider range of connection options to other regions of the country. However, Narita International remains valuable for its diverse portfolio of long-haul routes spanning the globe.
Airport Amenities and Perks at NRT and HND
Both Narita and Haneda airports feature first-class and business-class lounges operated by Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA). The lounges at both airports share similar design aesthetics and comparable food and beverage selections. Notably, Japan Airlines’ first-class lounge at NRT is renowned for its made-to-order sushi station, while first-class passengers at HND can enjoy a made-to-order teppanyaki bar.
Narita International also hosts a diverse collection of lounges and clubs operated by international partner airlines, including United Global First and United Club lounges, as well as an American Airlines Admirals Club.
Haneda, in turn, offers a substantial selection of lounge options, including a Delta Sky Club (opened in 2022) and the highly regarded Cathay Pacific Lounge. Furthermore, Haneda is slated to open an Amex Centurion Lounge later this year, further enhancing its premium offerings.
For passengers traveling in economy class, Narita might offer more appealing perks. Narita Airport features five Priority Pass lounges across its two terminals, while Haneda currently does not have any Priority Pass lounges. Narita is also one of only five international airports to host a United Club lounge, providing additional lounge access for eligible travelers.
Both airports provide a satisfactory range of shopping and dining options and are generally considered pleasant environments for extended layovers. Narita holds a slight edge for aviation enthusiasts, as the sheer volume and variety of aircraft present opportunities for engaging plane spotting. Rare aircraft sightings, such as Thai Airways’ Airbus A380, can be particularly captivating for travelers from the U.S.
Amenities Winner: While passengers traveling in premium cabins will find comparable lounge access at both airports, those in economy class may find Narita more advantageous. With its Priority Pass lounges and plane spotting opportunities, Narita can offer a more enjoyable layover experience for economy travelers.
Bottom Line: Choosing Between Narita and Haneda Airport for Your Tokyo Trip
Both Narita and Haneda are exceptional airports serving Tokyo. However, their distinct characteristics are becoming increasingly pronounced. Haneda’s closer proximity to downtown Tokyo has firmly established it as the preferred choice for business travelers. Moreover, Haneda is progressively accommodating more long-haul international flights, particularly to and from the United States.
Conversely, Narita continues to offer a broader spectrum of flights from a wider array of international carriers, potentially providing a greater diversity of global destinations. Narita also boasts a more extensive selection of airport lounges, particularly beneficial for economy class travelers with lounge access.
Ultimately, the “best” airport to fly into Tokyo depends on your individual travel priorities. Consider Haneda for quicker access to the city center, especially for business trips or domestic connections. If a wider range of international flights or lounge options are paramount, Narita might be more suitable. Carefully weigh these factors to determine which Tokyo airport best aligns with your specific needs and travel style.
