Haneda Vs Narita Airport: What Tokyo Airport Ought to You Fly Into?

Planning to fly to Japan and undecided what airport is greatest to fly to? We’re evaluating Tokyo’s airports beneath: Haneda vs Narita.

When flying to Japan, flying into Tokyo or Osaka is usually the simplest and most suitable choice (relying in your itinerary!). However since Tokyo has two airports, Haneda and Narita, you could surprise which one is greatest to fly to. Having flown into and from each airports myself, I assumed it’d be a good suggestion to share my expertise with each airports that will help you plan your subsequent journey.

Whereas it will depend on what flights can be found from your own home nation, it’s nonetheless good to know the distinction between these airports. Particularly since so many guides on-line urge you to fly to Haneda as a substitute of Narita…

That will help you make an knowledgeable determination, this information goes to check Haneda and Narita airports. We’ll check out what every airport has to supply in addition to the professionals/cons of flying there. This manner, you’ll be capable to fly into Tokyo with none points.

Narita vs Haneda Overview

If you happen to don’t have sufficient time to learn the total information, here’s a fast overview of Tokyo’s airports:

Haneda vs Narita

Each Narita and Haneda supply home and worldwide flights, so you need to use both to fly into Tokyo. In fact, most often, you gained’t have a alternative relying on what flights can be found from your own home nation. However for individuals who do, it’s price contemplating what airport is most handy for them.

Comfort is vastly essential to me after I journey, particularly after a 16+ hour flight, and presume that’s why you’re studying this information too. Fortunately, I’ve flown into and from each Haneda and Narita, and each are completely nice.

So must you fly to Narita or Haneda? In my view, it’s greatest to not fear about it an excessive amount of. As a substitute, evaluate the flights which can be accessible. How costly are they, what number of layovers have they got and what time do they arrive in Tokyo? These questions are far more essential on the subject of selecting the correct flight.

Both manner, I’ll define the most important variations between Narita vs Haneda, so that you’ll know what to anticipate out of your subsequent time touchdown in certainly one of Tokyo’s airports.

Location & Attending to Tokyo

Location is the principle distinction between Haneda and Narita Airport. To start with, Haneda is far nearer to central Tokyo because it’s round 18 km (11 miles) away, in comparison with 60 km (37 miles) from Narita.

For these on public transport, a journey from Haneda will take round half-hour, when you can count on a minimal journey time of about 50 minutes from Narita.

On this regard, Haneda is actually the higher choice as you’ll be in central Tokyo very quickly in any respect. In fact, you all the time wish to permit additional time simply in case of site visitors within the metropolis, so maintain that in thoughts.

Public Transport 

The most cost effective solution to get from both Haneda or Narita to Tokyo is by public transport. Each the practice and bus companies run like clockwork in Japan and supply an affordable but snug experience into town.

As talked about above, Haneda Airport gives a shorter journey on public transport in comparison with Narita. Resulting from this, ticket costs are lots cheaper (between $3–$10 for Haneda, and between $9–$20 for Narita).

Nonetheless, contemplating Narita is far additional away, I’d say that these costs are particularly reasonable for the service you’re getting.

One other factor to consider is that some bus companies from Haneda Airport are presently suspended (as of Sep 2023). It’s greatest to verify on their official timetables to verify the path to your vacation spot nonetheless runs. Nonetheless, you possibly can all the time get the practice too – it’s very simple and about the identical worth.

Each Narita and Haneda supply nice public transport choices for moving into town, though it can take a bit longer and value barely extra to journey from Narita.

Taxis

Personally, I’m not a fan of taking taxis from both Haneda or Narita airport as they’re extremely costly. Particularly when evaluating the costs to a budget public transport choices simply talked about.

Nonetheless, if you happen to’re travelling with a household or bigger group of individuals with tons of baggage, they could be a handy choice.

Whereas it will depend on the place you’re moving into Tokyo (it’s an enormous metropolis!), taxis from Haneda will set you again round $40 – $70. If you happen to cut up this with a bunch, it’s positively one thing to think about – particularly after a protracted and tiring flight.

From Narita Airport, however, the common taxi fare to get to central Tokyo is an eye-watering $215. Whereas comprehensible, contemplating it’s a 60 km drive, it’s not the best choice if you wish to do Japan on the cheap.

Usually, each fixed-fare taxis and commonplace taxis can be found from every airport. The costs will range relying on what area of Tokyo you’re staying in.

Variety of Flights

Whereas Haneda is Japan’s largest airport, Narita is taken into account to be the most important worldwide airport. However as Haneda companies extra home routes, they see extra passengers per day.

Narita encounters round 42,000 passengers per day, whereas data recommend that Haneda has anyplace over 200,000 travellers per day (the bulk are sometimes home travellers).

In addition to home places, Haneda companies round 55 international cities, together with these in Australia, the US, Canada, Europe, the Center East, and Southeast Asian nations. 

In comparison with this, Narita companies 101 international cities within 38 different countries together with the US, Mexico, China, India, New Zealand, France and Germany.

When reserving your flights, it’s essential to think about the time you’ll be touchdown. In fact, jet lag could be a problem as a result of time distinction and the prolonged flight, however you’ll additionally wish to take into consideration how late public transport companies run into Tokyo. After having seen the taxi costs, you could wish to make sure that the trains nonetheless run after you land.

Variety of Terminals

Each Haneda and Narita have three terminals. 

At Narita Airport, T1 is the most important terminal and it companies solely worldwide flights. T2 companies each home and worldwide flights, whereas T3 is a terminal for low-cost airways. To get between the terminals, there’s a free shuttle bus which consists of three strains; the Blue Line, Inexperienced Line, and Orange Line.

T1 of Haneda Airport companies home flights solely, whereas T2 companies each home and worldwide flights. T3 is solely for worldwide flights. To get between the completely different terminals right here, there’s a free shuttle bus, the Tokyo Monorail, an underground passageway connecting T1 and T2, and the Transit Ramp Bus.

Outlets and Eating places

As Narita is taken into account to be Japan’s largest worldwide airport, you’ll discover barely extra eating places and outlets right here in comparison with Haneda.

There are a number of eating places serving each Japanese and Western delicacies. You’ll additionally discover a wide range of outlets promoting every thing from electrical merchandise to Japanese items.

Though Haneda is taken into account to have fewer outlets and eating places, there are nonetheless greater than sufficient choices. Like with Narita, you’ll have the selection of each native and Western meals, in addition to some quick meals choices.

There are many outlets at Haneda too, and these supply every thing from stationery to toys. Each airports have loads of services.

Professionals and Cons of Utilizing Haneda Airport

Listed here are the principle professionals and cons of flying into Haneda Airport as a substitute of Narita:

Professionals of Flying into/from Haneda Airport

1. Haneda Airport is a lot nearer to the centre of Tokyo in comparison with Narita. It’ll solely take about half an hour to get to Tokyo from Haneda, in comparison with practically an hour from Narita.
2. Taxis from Haneda Airport to Tokyo’s centre are rather more inexpensive in comparison with these from Narita. At round $40 – $70, it’s a superb choice for households or bigger teams.
3. Public transport tickets from Haneda Airport to Tokyo are lower than half the worth of transport tickets from Narita Airport. They solely price just a few {dollars}.

Cons of Flying into/from Haneda Airport

1. Haneda Airport is the busiest airport in Japan with a whole bunch of flights arriving each day. As such, you’ll wish to put together for queues at safety and immigration.
2. A few of the bus companies from Haneda Airport are presently suspended, so that you’ll must both take the practice or analysis one other manner.
3. Narita is taken into account to have extra eating places and outlets than Haneda, because it’s thought of to be the most important worldwide airport in Japan.

Professionals and Cons of Utilizing Narita Airport

Listed here are the principle professionals and cons of flying into Narita Airport as a substitute of Haneda:

Professionals of Flying into/from Narita Airport

1. Though nonetheless busy, Narita isn’t as busy as Haneda Airport. Fewer flights arrive on the airport each day, so you could discover that it’s faster to get by way of safety.
2. For these arriving late, it could be smart to simply ebook a lodge in Narita. Resorts right here could be half the worth of these in Tokyo, after which you possibly can head into town very first thing.
3. You’ll discover that flights to Narita are sometimes cheaper than Haneda. Though this can be a big bonus, ensure you take into account the worth of public transport to Tokyo as properly.

Cons of flying into/from Narita Airport

1. In comparison with Haneda, Narita is positioned removed from town. You’re a journey of round 50–70 minutes to succeed in the centre of Tokyo.
2. The common worth of a taxi to Tokyo is a pricey $215 which is much more costly than catching a taxi from Haneda Airport.
3. Public transport can also be costlier as you’ll need to journey for longer.

Fly to/from Kansai Airport As a substitute

There’s lots to consider when Narita vs. Haneda. Nonetheless, I’m going to throw a spanner within the works…

For many who aren’t simply planning to discover Tokyo, it could be smart to think about Okansai Airport in Osaka too. Not solely is Osaka an incredible metropolis to go to, but it surely’s additionally close to Kyoto, Kobe, Nara and Hiroshima. Relying in your full Japan itinerary, it’s price checking flights to or from Osaka Worldwide Airport too.

If you happen to’re planning to visit Osaka throughout your journey anyway, it could be smart to fly there first. Then after exploring the ‘Kitchen of the Nation’, you possibly can catch the bullet practice to Tokyo. Once more, you’ve then bought the choice of Narita or Haneda. 

Likewise, many individuals select to fly into Tokyo after which go away from Osaka. Not solely will you get to discover two cities, however it can save you your self the Shinkansen journey again to Japan’s capital. A single Shinkansen experience from Tokyo to Osaka will simply set you again round $100. And with the costs of the Japan Rail Pass having elevated in October 2023, this might prevent fairly some huge cash.

Both manner, yow will discover some very inexpensive worldwide flights to and from Osaka! 

Haneda vs Narita – Conclusion

Deciding between Haneda vs Narita can usually appear overwhelming as there’s lots to consider. Each airports supply worldwide flights to and from a wide range of locations and have improbable services, together with outlets and eating places.

So will it’s Narita or Haneda? In my view, go along with no matter flights go well with you. Whether or not they’re flying to Narita or Haneda, the worth and arrival occasions of your flights are far more essential. If it can save you just a few hundred {dollars} by reserving flights to Narita, go for it!

Although Haneda gives extra comfort because it’s a lot nearer to central Tokyo (permitting for extra inexpensive transport), travelling from Narita actually isn’t as dangerous as folks on-line make it out to be. Public transport is environment friendly in Japan, and if you recognize what to anticipate, it gained’t trigger any points.

When reserving flights, ensure you verify the arrival time in Japan and ensure public transport nonetheless runs. It’s additionally price checking whether or not any outlets are open that you simply want on the airport, to select up your pocket WiFi, for instance. This stuff are extra essential than deciding what airport it is best to fly to.

Comfortable travelling!