If you’re booking a flight to Tokyo, you will probably see two airport options: Haneda Airport (HND) and Narita Airport (NRT).

Both are major international airports, and both can be good choices. But for most travelers staying in central Tokyo, there is one big difference:

Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo.

That doesn’t mean you should always choose Haneda. Flight price, schedule, airline, and where you are staying can make Narita a perfectly good choice too.

Here is the simple comparison.

Quick Answer

	Haneda Airport	Narita Airport
Airport code	HND	NRT
Location	Tokyo	Chiba Prefecture
Access to central Tokyo	Generally quicker	Generally longer
Good for	Most central Tokyo stays	Good flight deals and some destinations
Main train options	Keikyu Line, Tokyo Monorail	Narita Express, Keisei Skyliner

For most first-time visitors staying in central Tokyo, Haneda is usually the more convenient airport.

But don’t avoid a good flight just because it arrives at Narita. Narita has excellent train and bus connections to Tokyo.

Haneda Airport: The Convenient Choice for Central Tokyo

Haneda Airport is located within Tokyo and is relatively close to the city center.

According to Haneda Airport’s official access information, approximate travel times by train or monorail include:

• Shinagawa: about 15 minutes
• Tokyo Station: about 30 minutes
• Ueno: about 40 minutes
• Shibuya: about 45 minutes
• Shinjuku: about 50 minutes

Haneda is directly connected to both the Keikyu Line and Tokyo Monorail.

For many visitors, the shorter journey after a long international flight is a major advantage.

Read my full guide:
How to Get From Haneda Airport to Tokyo: The Easiest Options

Narita Airport: Farther Away, but Still Easy to Use

Narita Airport is located in Chiba Prefecture, about 60 kilometers east of central Tokyo.

Although it is farther away, it has several convenient transportation options.

The Narita Express (N’EX) connects the airport with major stations including Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya and Shinjuku.

The Keisei Skyliner is particularly convenient for Nippori and Ueno.

Airport buses are another useful option, especially if you have large luggage or your hotel is near a bus stop.

Read my full guide:
How to Get From Narita Airport to Tokyo: The Easiest Options

Which Airport Is Better for Shinjuku or Shibuya?

Haneda is generally more convenient if your main priority is getting into central Tokyo quickly.

From Haneda, the official airport guide gives approximate rail travel times of about 45 minutes to Shibuya and 50 minutes to Shinjuku.

Narita Express trains, however, provide direct service from Narita Airport to both Shibuya and Shinjuku.

So Narita can still be very straightforward — especially if you prefer a direct train instead of changing trains with luggage.

Which Airport Is Better for Ueno?

This is where Narita becomes particularly interesting.

The Keisei Skyliner connects Narita Airport directly with Nippori and Keisei-Ueno.

If you are staying around Ueno, Asakusa or the northeastern side of central Tokyo, Narita may be more convenient than you expect.

Should I Pay More for a Flight to Haneda?

Not necessarily.

If two flights are similar in price and schedule, I would usually choose Haneda for a trip focused on central Tokyo because of the shorter airport transfer.

But if the Narita flight is significantly cheaper or has a much better schedule, I wouldn’t reject it just because it lands at Narita.

Both airports have good public transportation.

Think about the total journey, not just the airport.

A slightly more expensive flight to Haneda might save you time after arrival. On the other hand, a cheaper or more convenient flight to Narita may easily be worth the longer transfer.

My Simple Recommendation

For a first trip to Tokyo:

Choose Haneda if the flights are otherwise similar.

Choose Narita if:

• The flight is significantly cheaper
• The schedule is better
• Your preferred airline uses Narita
• You are staying somewhere that is convenient from the Skyliner or Narita Express

There is no need to worry if your flight already arrives at Narita. Millions of travelers use Narita, and getting into Tokyo is straightforward.

Planning Your Airport Transfer?

I’ve written step-by-step guides for both airports:

How to Get From Haneda Airport to Tokyo: The Easiest Options

How to Get From Narita Airport to Tokyo: The Easiest Options

Last updated: September 2026