23. AIRPORTS

TOKYO AIRPORTS

Narita Airport (NRT)

📍 Location: ~60 km east of Tokyo, in Chiba Prefecture
🛫 Mainly serves international flights

Advantages:

• Offers a wide range of international flights

• More shops, restaurants, and services for long layovers

Disadvantages:

• Far from central Tokyo (about 60–90 minutes)

• Taxi fares are very expensive due to the distance

How to Get to Central Tokyo?

• 🚄 Narita Express (N’EX): The fastest option (~55 min to Tokyo Station)

• 🚅 Keisei Skyliner: Ideal for those staying in Ueno or Nippori (~40 min)

• 🚌 Budget-friendly buses: Cheaper but take longer (~1.5 hrs)

• 🚖 Taxi: Very costly (~¥20,000+), not recommended

Haneda Airport (HND)

📍 Location: ~15 km from central Tokyo
🛫 Handles both domestic and international flights

Advantages:

• Much closer to the city (~20-30 minutes)

• Lower taxi fares compared to Narita

• More convenient for short stays or quick transfers

Disadvantages:

• Fewer international flight options than Narita (but growing)

• Smaller selection of shops & entertainment for long layovers

How to Get to Central Tokyo?

• 🚝 Tokyo Monorail: ~20 min to Hamamatsucho Station (connects to JR Yamanote Line)

• 🚆 Keikyu Line: ~15 min to Shinagawa Station (good for Shinkansen connections)

• 🚖 Taxi: More affordable than Narita (~¥6,000 to central Tokyo)

Which One to Choose?

• For convenience & quick city access → Haneda

• For more flight options & services → Narita

KANSAI AIRPORT

Kansai International Airport (KIX)

📍 Location: Built on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, serving Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe

How to Get to Your Destination?

🚅 For Osaka:

• Nankai Rapi:t Express → 35 min to Namba (best if staying in the Namba area)

• JR Haruka Express / JR trains → Better for those heading to Osaka Station (Umeda area)

🚄 For Kyoto:

• JR Haruka Express → Direct, 75 min (~¥3,500)

• 🚌 Buses → More affordable but slower (1.5 hrs+ depending on traffic)

Best Options:

• For Osaka (Namba) → Nankai Rapi:t Express

• For Kyoto → JR Haruka Express