Landing in Tokyo soon, but wondering how to reach Haneda from Narita Airport for a transfer? Whether if you need to catch a domestic or international connecting flight, we explain to you all the available options for a smooth transfer.
Narita and Haneda are the two largest airports in the Kantō area, with Haneda being the busiest. Narita Airport is located in Chiba Prefecture, about 60 kilometres east of Central Tokyo. Haneda Airport, on the other hand, lies approximately 18 kilometres south of Tokyo’s city centre, resulting in a total road distance of roughly 80 kilometres between the two airports.
Knowing what to expect when planning a transfer between Tokyo’s two major airports will help reduce stress on the day of your trip. To clear up all uncertainties that come with travelling between both, we created this guide with all the essential information for you.
Overview: Narita to Haneda Transfer
If you don’t have time to read the whole article or simply want a quick summary of the different transfer options, here’s an overview of the most important information:
| Travel time | Average price | Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train | 1 hour and 30 minutes on average, up to 2 hours | ¥1,500 – ¥3,000 | – Most affordable option – Trains in Japan are highly punctual and reliable | – Crowded trains during morning and evening rush hours – Lower comfort when travelling with heavy luggage – Requires changing trains most of the time. |
| Bus | 1 hour to 1 hour and 50 minutes (depending on airport terminal and traffic) | ¥3,600 (for adults) | – High comfort (spacious luggage trunks, direct connection = no need to change trains) | – Risk of unexpected delays due to traffic jams during rush hours. |
| Taxi | 1 hour to 1 hour and 50 minutes (depending on airport terminal and traffic) | ¥30,000+ | – Convenience and privacy – Not bound to fixed time schedules – Operating hours until late at night – Direct connection | – Very costly in comparison to trains and buses – Risk of unexpected delays due to traffic jams during rush hours – Less sustainable. |
If you haven’t booked your flights yet and are still contemplating whether to fly into Narita or Haneda, you might want to check out our airport comparison guide (Haneda vs Narita) first to see what facilities to expect. Transferring between Narita and Hanada is possible, but not ideal.
How to Transfer From Narita to Haneda Airport
First and foremost, both airports are well connected by different means of transportation, so transferring between the two is not too much of an obstacle. This is especially true considering the high reliability of public transport in Japan.
When transferring from Narita to Haneda, you have three major options: trains, buses or taxis. All of them come with advantages and disadvantages that depend on your unique circumstances when travelling, including budget, transfer time, time of day and amount of luggage.
Taking the Train From Narita to Haneda Airport
Trains are your best bet if you want to save money or if you are scared of ending up in a traffic jam when taking a bus or taxi. Since Tokyo is one of the biggest and busiest metropolises in the world, streets get clogged easily during rush hours twice a day.
Most trains will also be heavily crowded during these hours, but public transportation in Tokyo still runs smoothly even at busy times. Japanese trains are known for their outstanding punctuality for a reason.
There are various connections between Narita and Haneda, most of which require one or two transfers. An easy way for international travellers to find suitable train routes in Japan is by using Google Maps, which also shows the fares for all options. Usually, they range from ¥1,500 to ¥3,000.
Juggling heavy suitcases in full trains and rushing through crowded stations, however, could make your transfer from Narita to Haneda feel quite daunting. If you want to avoid changing trains too often, aim for one of the direct connection trains.
The Keisei Narita Skyaccess Line continues onto the Toei Asakusa Line and then onto the Keikyū Main Line/Airport Line without requiring you to leave the train. However, this service is available only a few times each day. Sometimes changing tracks is necessary. We recommend double-checking the train schedule beforehand.
You can use an IC card or buy a ticket from a machine at Narita Airport. The fare for this specific route is between ¥1,700 and ¥2,000 and is not covered by the JR Pass.
Taking the Bus From Narita to Haneda Airport
If you’re not familiar with the railway operator system in Tokyo, you might find taking the bus to be the more comfortable and hassle-free option to get from Narita to Haneda Airport (and vice-versa).
The Airport Limousine Bus conveniently stops at every terminal of both Narita and Haneda Airport. A ticket costs ¥3,600 for adults. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the bus ticket counters at Narita Airport.
Depending on your arrival and departure terminal (both airports have three terminals each), the time needed for the bus ride (including traffic delays) will range from roughly 1 hour to 1 hour and 50 minutes. You can check the timetable for buses departing from Narita Airport on the official website. The estimated travel time already includes potential rush hour delays.
The biggest advantages of taking the Airport Limousine are that you don’t need to worry about carrying (heavy) luggage through stations and changing trains during your trip. All buses have spacious luggage trunks and will take you directly from one airport to the other. You can just lean back and get some rest.
However, if you are still worried about traffic jams and if you are transferring on a really tight schedule, trains might be the more predictable option. Remember though, that you might have to carry your luggage through crowded train stations.
Taking a Taxi From Narita to Haneda Airport
Taking a taxi is by far the most expensive option to travel between Narita and Haneda. Fares can easily exceed ¥30,000. There may also be additional charges, such as highway tolls or late-night taxi fees.
If you share the price with a group of more than three people or simply appreciate the comfort and convenience of a taxi after a long flight, it is an option to take into consideration.
Similar to the bus, the time needed to get from Narita to Haneda by taxi varies according to the route and amount of traffic, ranging from 1 hour to 1 hour and 50 minutes.
A reservation in advance is usually not required. You can ask at the taxi stand or call a company directly. Narita Airport provides an overview of phone numbers for inquiries and fixed-fare taxis to Tokyo, including Ota-ku (Zone D) where Haneda Airport is located.
You can also pre-book a private transfer from Narita to Haneda Airport. Prices start from around ¥12,000, which makes this option cheaper than a regular taxi. Since Japan’s public transport system is highly efficient, opting for trains or buses instead of taxis is generally the most affordable and sustainable choice.
How Much Time Do You Need to Get From Narita to Haneda?
The fastest way to get from Narita to Haneda will depend on the time of day. Typically, you’ll need between 1–2 hours.
Outside of rush hours, buses and taxis tend to be the fastest option. Assuming you avoid peak traffic, you’ll need around 1 hour at minimum. This can go up to 1 hour and 50 minutes with heavy traffic. By train, it’ll take at least 1 hour and 30 minutes but no more than 2 hours.
Weekday traffic in Tokyo peaks in the early morning and evening hours. The morning rush hour lasts from around 7:30 am to 10 am, with inbound public transportation and roads leading to Central Tokyo being particularly crowded.
Conversely, the evening rush hour makes outbound trains leaving Tokyo between 6 pm and 8 pm overcrowded. You should keep this in mind when trying to reach either Narita or Haneda Airport.
If you’re travelling from the airport to Tokyo, you can use your guide on how to get to Tokyo from Haneda Airport or how to get to Tokyo from Narita Airport.
How Much Does It Cost to Transfer From Narita to Haneda?
The costs of transferring from Narita to Haneda Airport differ depending on the means of transportation. The cheapest way to get from Narita to Haneda is by train, costing between ¥1,500 and ¥3,000. Buses are the mid-range option at around ¥3,600, while taxi fares sit at approximately ¥30,000.
Additional Things to Keep in Mind Before Your Transfer
Aside from traffic and transportation time (whether by train, bus or taxi) you also need to calculate possible flight delays, as well as time used for immigration, luggage pick-up and customs.
Expect potentially long queues at immigration, depending on your arrival time and the time of year. With the recent tourism boom in Japan, getting through immigration and travelling between Narita and Haneda Airport can take longer – particularly during the high season in spring and autumn.
How Long is Public Transportation Running in Tokyo?
Public transportation in Tokyo runs from around 5 am until midnight, meaning you should carefully take the arrival and departure times of your flights into consideration when arranging your transfer. If you arrive at Narita Airport too late, chances are you might not be able to smoothly travel to Haneda the same day.
Be careful when planning to go to Haneda by Airport Limousine Bus, as it stops running earlier than trains. The Airport Limousine Buses from Narita to Haneda Airport operate from approximately 6:30 am to 8:30 pm. You can check the timetable for buses departing from Narita Airport on their website, if you haven’t already.
How Much Time Do You Need to Transfer from Narita to Haneda?
Considering the steps of getting through immigration, luggage pick-up, finding your way through the airport (especially if this is your first time in Narita or Haneda) and the transportation time of up to 2 hours, you should plan at least 4-5 hours for a domestic transfer.
Add some extra time if you need to catch an international flight from Haneda. Generally, you should be at the airport 2-3 hours before an international departure. So in total, the whole transfer could take up to 6-8 hours.
Do You Need a Visa for This Transfer?
In order to transfer from Narita to Haneda Airport, you have to pass through immigration. This means you might need to apply for an appropriate visa, depending on your nationality. We recommend checking the website of your local embassy in advance to see whether a visa is required for you or not.
For further information, you can also refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA). If your country is listed on their website, you can enter Japan without a visa for a short-term stay of between 15 to 90 days. In other words, you won’t need a separate transit visa.
Conclusion: Narita to Haneda Transfer
No matter if it’s by train, bus or taxi, means of transportation between Tokyo’s two biggest airports tend to run smoothly and reliably. However, taking flight delays, crowds at immigration, as well as potential traffic during rush hours into account, planning your transfer thoroughly and ahead of time is crucial for a stress-free journey.
Trains are especially a good option if you don’t have heavy luggage and want to save some money. They also offer the most predictable arrival times. Taxis are the most expensive option, but they provide the highest flexibility and are a last resort when landing very late.
For anyone valuing a mix of comfort and budget-friendly travelling, taking the bus is probably the most efficient option. It offers good value for money, as you neither have to worry about your luggage nor need to change trains.
