So you need to get from Narita Airport to Haneda Airport? Whether you’re self-transfering between airlines, or transfering from an international flight to a domestic flight, here’s everything you need to know to make the trek between Tokyo’s two airports.

Yes, we said trek. While Narita Airport and Haneda Airport are both widely considered to be airports in Tokyo, they’re absolutely nowhere near each other. In fact, Narita isn’t even technically in Tokyo — it’s across the border in the neighboring prefecture of Chiba. In short, the two airports are nearly 60 km apart as the crow flies, and transfering between them involves traversing the sprawling metropolis of Tokyo, making the journey less direct and much more complicated than you might have thought when you booked those tickets.

Narita International Airport Terminal 1 | Photo by woojpn/iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images.

What are the options for getting from Narita Airport to Haneda Airport

Haneda Airport

Look, we’re going to level with you — the best option for getting from Narita Airport to Haneda Airport by far is Limousine Bus, which you can book online, in English. It’s direct, comfortable, and does not cost an arm and a leg like a taxi would. That being said, a taxi could be a decent option if you’re traveling in a large enough group. If you’re concerned about the burden on your wallet, train options are certainly cheapest. However in our opinion, the savings generally won’t outweigh the stress of making transfers with luggage — especially if the clock is ticking away on your next departure.

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tldr; Limousine buses are the best all-round option, trains are the cheapest, and taxis are good for large groups.

Quick comparison of transport options from Narita Airport to Haneda Airport

ModeCost (approx)Travel timeFrequencyHow to bookNotes
Limousine Bus¥3,10060-90 mins~1-3 per hourOnlineSelect the Narita to Central Tokyo ticket
Train Route 1¥1,730~95-110 minutes9 per dayIn personNo transfers
Train Route 2¥1,560~115 minutes+7 per dayIn person2 transfers
Pre-booked private taxiFrom ¥25,12560-90 minutes+On demandOnline 
Regular taxiFrom ¥35,400*60-90 min*On demandIn person*Using toll roads
Pre-booked shared taxiFrom ¥5,980*90 min*On demandOnlineAllow plenty of time to spare

Limousine Bus: Our recommendation

60-90 minutes
¥3,100
0 transfers
Book here (Narita to Central Tokyo ticket)

Limousine bus picking up passengers at Narita Airport
Airport Limousine Bus | Photo by iStock.com/kuremo

For the most stress-free, comfortable, and value-for-money option we recommend taking a Limousine Bus from Narita Airport to Haneda Airport. Limousine Buses are essentially bright orange buses, with undercarriage luggage storage, comfy seats, and free WiFi. The schedule is the same for both weekdays and weekends, with 27 departures per day from Narita Airport Terminal 1. Services start at 7 a.m. and finish at 9:35 p.m.

The best part though, is that this option does not require transfers. Once you’re onboard you can switch your brain off — maybe even have a nap — and you don’t have to worry about missing your stop. What can we say? Peace of mind is well-worth the ¥3,100 one-way price tag. Oh, and to make things even more convenient you can book online in advance.

Note: You need to buy the Narita to Central Tokyo ticket to get to Haneda Airport.

Train options: Lower cost, potentially higher stress

Are you sure you want to lug your suitcase through a crowded train station? | Photo by bennymarty/iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images.

Traveling between Narita Airport and Haneda Airport via train is possible, but honestly it wouldn’t be our first choice. While some of our suggested train routes are certainly cheap options, they tend to involve transfers — which are never fun with luggage in tow. However, if you’re a light packer, kudos to you, save yourself some money and hop on that train.

Keep in mind though, that the train options are not particularly fast. The overall time of your journey can vary a lot depending on how the different train timetables align — there is no one fastest route. If you’re really committed to finding the fastest train route when you arrive, we suggest consulting a route planner like Jorudan.

Also, we highly recommend not making the transfer by train during rush-hours (about 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.). You see that photo up there of a rush-hour train station? It’s not an exaggeration. Add a suitcase, jetlag, and the pressure to arrive in time for your next flight to the mix and yeah, not fun.

Route 1: Low price and no transfers

~95-110 minutes
¥1,730
0 transfers
Tickets need to be purchased in person.

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There is one route option if you want to take a train from Narita to Haneda and don’t want to transfer. You can catch the Keisei Narita Sky Access Express from Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station and stay on the train all the way to Haneda Airport Terminal 1・2 Station. Technically, this route uses three different train lines; the Keisei Line we just mentioned, plus the Toei Asakusa Line and the Keikyu Main Line, but it doesn’t need transfers because the train is a through service.

If you go for this option though, you should know that the train will be a regular train — meaning no dedicated luggage storage, free WiFi or super comfy seats. Also, this particular service only runs all the way through about nine times per day. If you get it at a different time, you may need to transfer afterall. Finally, the time taken to make the journey can vary, even though this is a through-service the train will stop at some stations for up to 5 minutes.

Route 2: The cheapest option

~115 minutes + transfers
¥1,560
2 transfers
Tickets need to be purchased in person.

A Keisei Main Line train | Photo by winhorse/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images.

If you really want to save those pennies and don’t mind lugging suitcases around, this is the option for you. Take the Keisei Main Line from Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station to Nippori Station. At Nippori Station transfer to the JR Yamanote Line or Keihin Tōhoku Line for Shinagawa Station. Finally, at Shinagawa Station hop on board the Keikyu Main Line Airport Express to Haneda Airport Terminal 1・2 Station.

Like the previous route, don’t expect any creature comforts as these are all regular trains, but hey, you get what you pay for. In most cases, the train times align nicely and make this route viable about seven times per day. However, if you miss one of the transfers you may end up having to A) Wait longer, B) Make more transfers, or C) Pay more.

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Taxis

By far the priciest option, but also in some cases the fastest and most convenient, taxis are best for groups and families. Also, they are available 24/7 so if you’re arriving very late or very early, they might be one of your only options. Keep in mind that traffic conditions will of course impact how long it will take to get from Narita to Haneda. Similarly, nighttime surcharges may drive the price higher than you expect, and road tolls will impact both the price and length of time the journey takes.

However on the upside, you don’t have to worry about transfers and you’ll be traveling in relative comfort and privacy.

Pre-booked private taxi: For a personalized transfer

~60-90 minutes
Starting from ¥25,125
Book here

Groups and families with young children might want to consider a pre-booked private taxi. Like the Limousine Bus option, the main pro is that there is no need for transfers giving you peace of mind and a chance to switch off for a while. Also, this can be a good option if you’re arriving early in the morning or late at night when Limousine Bus and train services may not be running. You can book your ride online in advance too, so you don’t have to worry about miscommunication stemming from language barriers — your driver will be waiting for you when you arrive, and will already know exactly where you want to go.

Pre-booked shared taxi: Cheapest taxi, but allow for extra time

90~ minutes
Starting from ¥5,980
Book here

The cheapest taxi option (Narita to Haneda only – not the other way round) is taking a ride in a pre-booked shared taxi. Since you’ll quite possibly be waiting for other passengers to be dropped off, this option isn’t recommended if time is tight.

Regular taxi: For those with cash to spare

~60-90 minutes
¥35,400
If using toll roads

A regular Japanese taxi — not all of them are yellow though | Photo by superjoseph/iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images.

In general, we rarely recommend taking a regular taxi. While they are reliable and trustworthy, the prices can end up being very high. If you’re traveling in a group, you can split the cost and then it’s not too bad. Otherwise, the Limousine Bus or a private transfer have the same pros for a much lower price tag.

If you’re dead set on a taxi, keep in mind whether or not you want to pay a little extra to use toll roads. If not, you’ll save a few thousand yen, but the journey could take well over 2 hours. You can confirm this with the driver before setting off, but this may also throw up another hurdle — language barriers as not all taxi drivers can speak English.

Frequently asked questions

What about getting from Haneda to Narita? Transfering in the reverse direction is more or less the same, however we recommend double checking timetables.

Do I need a visa to transfer from Narita to Haneda? To make the transfer between Narita Airport and Haneda Airport you will need to pass through Immigration. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a visa in advance. Check our guide to arriving in Japan to get a better idea of what to expect.

How long do I need to transfer from Narita to Haneda? Both JAL and ANA recommend allowing at least 3 hours for travel between. However, don’t forget that the full process of disembarking from the plane, as well as going through baggage claim and Immigration could end up taking an hour or more, especially post-COVID. So in total, you’d probably need at least 4 hours between the first flight landing and check-in for the second flight. In case we haven’t said it enough, this endeavor is a trek and not one that should be taken lightly.

Can I use my JR Pass to transfer between Narita and Haneda? Well, yes if you go with one of the train routes you could use your JR Pass for some parts of the journey, but not all of it. Honestly, though don’t. It’s not going to be worth it. JR Passes should be used for long-distance travel on the Shinkansen in order to get the best bang for your buck.

Written by:
Maria's Tokyo favorites are: Sushi Oumi, Small Worlds Tokyo
Filed under: Getting around | Transport
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