Getting to
Tokyo
Tokyo has two large airports: Narita for international flights, and Haneda for (mostly) domestic flights.
Narita International Airport
Narita International Airport (NRT) - handles Tokyo's international travel. This airport is the entry and exit point for most all visitors to Japan. For domestic flights in Tokyo, Haneda Airport (HND) is available. The airport consists of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, One side handles International travel and the other Domestic flights in Japan. Located in the town of Narita nearly 70 kilometers northeast of Tokyo.
Transportation to and from Narita Airport is largely done by either the Narita Express Train (stops at Tokyo, Shinagawa, Yokohama, Shinjuku) Departing stations average 30-60 minutes and around ¥3000. This is a fast and reliable method of transportation to Narita.
There are two train lines from Narita and both will get you into Tokyo. Note that if coming to the airport, each terminal has its own station and it is imperative that you get off at the right one JR Line - From Narita Airport, the fastest and most expensive way (by rail) into Tokyo is the Japan Railways (JR) Narita Express (N'EX) into central Tokyo Station. The ride takes 55 minutes, costs ¥2,940 and offers the best connections to Shinkansen (bullet train) services or the JR Yamanote loop line. Trains run every half-hour during peak hours, hourly off-peak. As of December 2005, smoking is not allowed on Narita Express trains.
Keisei Line - The private Keisei line has trains to central Tokyo and a few that go directly to Haneda airport.
Keisei's Skyliner with reserved seats costs ¥1920 and goes directly from Narita Airport to Ueno or Nippori in one hour. Smoking is permitted in the train's end cars (car 1 and car 8).
At Keisei Ueno Station, you can walk over to JR Ueno station to connect to the JR Yamanote line and northbound Shinkansen trains. A faster transfer to the Yamanote line can be done at Nippori Station, as both Keisei and JR share one station.
Haneda Airport
Haneda Airport (HND) - consistently ranks among the world's busiest passenger airports (ranking fourth in 2005), even though nearly all of its flights are to destinations within Japan. By passenger throughput, Haneda is the busiest airport in Asia, handling 62.3 million passengers in 2004. For cargo, it often ranks as the world's busiest airport.
Haneda Airport has three terminals. The main terminals, 1 and 2, are connected by an underground walkway; a free shuttle bus runs between the main terminals and the smaller International Terminal every five minutes.
Although Haneda Airport is open 24 hours, the two main passenger terminals are only open from 5 AM to 11:30 PM. The terminals may be extended to 24-hour operation due to StarFlyer's late-night and early-morning service between Haneda and Kitakyushu, which began in March 2006.
Location
Haneda Airport is located about 30 minutes south of central Tokyo. It consists of three terminal buildings: terminal 1 which is mainly used by JAL, terminal 2 which is mainly used by ANA and the international terminal which is used by a small number of international flights.
The easiest way from Haneda to the city is the Tokyo Monorail or the Airport. Limousine bus service (which stops at a variety of hotels in Tokyo. Service can be found at most large hotels in Tokyo.
By Train
Haneda Airport is served by the Keihin Kyuko Railway and Tokyo Monorail.
Keikyu Line - offers trains to Shinagawa Station (19 min., ¥400) and Yokohama Station (27 min., ¥470), and through service to the Toei Asakusa Line, which makes several stops in eastern Tokyo. Some Keikyu trains also run through to the Keisei Oshiage Line and Keisei Main Line, making it possible to reach Narita International Airport by train. Although a few direct trains run in the morning, a transfer along the Keisei Line is generally necessary to reach Narita. The train ride to Narita takes about 2 hours and costs ¥1,560.
Tokyo Monorail - offers trains to Hamamatsucho Station (19 min., ¥470), where passengers can connect to the Yamanote Line to reach other points in Tokyo.
By Bus
There is also regular bus service to many points in the Kanto region. The following travel times are scheduled, and may be longer due to frequent traffic jams around Tokyo.
Tokyo By Train
Tokyo can be reached from other large cities in Japan by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) and from there you can easily connect pretty much anywhere in Tokyo on the JR Yamanote or Metro Marunouchi lines.
Tokyo By Bus
Highway bus services link Tokyo to other cities, resort areas and the surrounding prefectures. There are JR and private bus companies. Bus service may be cheaper, but the train is probably more convenient. If you have a JR pass, then stick with the trains.
Long-distance buses use a number of terminals scattered throughout the city, but the main JR depot is at Tokyo Station's Yaesu-minamiguchi exit, while Keio and some other private companies use the Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal, opposite Yodobashi Camera near the West Exit.
