Haneda Airport Transport

What’s the best way to get from Haneda Airport (HND) to Tokyo? How can you get on airport trains without waiting on lines? Here are the tips for getting into Tokyo fast and easily.

[Tokyo Monorail: Markus Mainka / Shutterstock.com]

The Takeaway

• Fast: Tokyo Monorail or Keikyu Line (depending on destination).
• Easy: Airport limousine bus.
• Private: Regular taxi, pre-booked taxi.
• Our Choice: Ship your bags and take the Monorail or Keikyu, or take a bus or taxi with your bags.
• Tip: Use a digital Suica to avoid lines for train tickets.
• Tip: Use luggage shipping services to travel bag-free.
• Scroll down for all the details.

What’s The Best Way to Get from Haneda into Tokyo?

The answer is: It depends. First, which of the following best describes you?

Let’s discuss each of these one at a time.

[Tokyo Monorail at Haneda: Anotai Y / Shutterstock.com]

1) You Want to Get There as Fast as Possible

If speed is your priority, then take one of the following trains:

• Tokyo Monorail: Direct service to Hamamatsucho Station (13 minutes on express, ¥520). Hamamatsucho is on the Yamanote Loop Line. Pros: suitcase racks, nice views, can usually sit down. Cons: Connects to crowded Yamanote Line. Best for those going to Ginza, Tokyo Station Area, Asakusa etc.
• Keikyu Line: Direct service to Shinagawa Station (19 minutes by express, ¥330). Shinagawa is on the Yamanote Loop Line and Tokaido Shinkansen Line. Pros: fast, frequent departures. Cons: no suitcase racks, frequently packed (ie, cannot sit down). Best for those going to Shibuya, Shinjuku and Kyoto via the shinkansen.

These trains operate from train stations located right in the terminals at Haneda (follow signs for trains). Buy tickets in the terminals or use a digital Suica card (see below). Consider shipping your bags so you don’t have to lug them on trains (see below).

[Airport limousine bus at Haneda: retirementbonus / Shutterstock.com]

2) You Don’t Want to Carry Your Bags Through Train Stations

Both the Tokyo Monorail and the Keikyu Line can be crowded. The Monorail at least has suitcase racks but they fill up quickly. So if you’ve got heavy bags, you should consider an airport limousine bus. They stop outside the arrival halls at Haneda; attendants stow your bags underneath the bus; and they drop you in front of many major hotels in Tokyo..

• Haneda limousine bus: between 60 and 100 minutes, ¥1400.

Buy your tickets from machines near the bus boarding points (street level).

[Taxis waiting at Haneda: MAHATHIR MOHD YASIN / Shutterstock.com]

3) You Don’t Want to Carry Your Bags and/or You Don’t Like Public Transport

If you don’t want to carry your bags and/or you don’t like public transport, then an airport taxi is the way to go.

• Regular taxi/van from rank: 20 to 40 minutes, ¥7,000 to ¥9,500.
• Pre-booked taxi/van: 20 to 40 minutes, from ¥10,948.

Grab a taxi from the ranks outside arrival halls or book a private taxi or van online.

[Line for tickets at Haneda Airport. Photo by Chris Rowthorn]

Get on the Monorail or Keikyu Without Waiting on Line

If you want to get right on the Monorail or Keikyu Line without waiting on line to buy a ticket from a machine or ticket counter, use a digital IC card like Suica. You just tap your iPhone on the turnstile and board the train. If you’ve got an iPhone and your Apple Wallet is linked to a MasterCard or American Express Card, you can install a digital Suica card on your phone. For details, see this page. You’ll need to have at least ¥330 on your Suica card to ride the Keikyu to Shinagawa, and you’ll need ¥520 to ride the Monorail to Hamamatsucho.

[Suitcases on train in Tokyo: eakkarat rangram / Shutterstock.com]

Don’t Carry Suitcases or Backpacks on Trains!

When you’re tired from a long flight and facing Tokyo’s public transport for the first time, you really don’t want to be lugging a heavy suitcase. Here’s the solution: You can ship your suitcase (or backpack) from the airport to your hotel and it will arrive the next day. You’ll need the right luggage to do this, of course. It’s cheap, reliable and they speak English at the counters. When you exit the arrivals hall, just walk to the end of the hall and you’ll find the luggage shipping counters. For more details, see our Luggage Shipping page.

More Information

• Arriving at Haneda Airport
• Haneda Airport Guide
• Tokyo Airport Transport

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