Haneda Airport (HND) sits closer to central Tokyo than Narita, so the ride into town is usually faster—but you still need to ask: Which neighborhood are you staying in? How much luggage? What time do you land?
This guide helps you match Keikyu, Tokyo Monorail, airport bus, or taxi to your stay, and walks through what to do after landing. Schedules and fares change—confirm official sites before you go.
Pick in 30 seconds
- Shinagawa / Asakusa / Yokohama → prioritize Keikyu
- Hamamatsucho, then JR Yamanote → Tokyo Monorail
- Hotel next to a limousine stop, heavy luggage → airport bus
- Last trains gone → bus (if still running) or taxi
You’re ready when: before clearing customs you already know “which option I’m taking” and which terminal station or bus bay to walk to.
Official sites
- Keikyu: Haneda Airport Access Guide
- Tokyo Monorail (official)
- Haneda Airport passenger terminals: Access
- Airport Limousine Bus
- Keikyu Bus airport routes
- Japan entry process · Suica guide · Narita to Tokyo
How to choose (by hotel area)
| Option | Best for | Pros | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keikyu Line | Shinagawa, Asakusa (through-run Toei Asakusa Line), Yokohama | Fast; frequent; IC OK | Check train type / destination—don’t board the wrong one |
| Tokyo Monorail | Hamamatsucho, JR transfers | Clear terminal links | Shinjuku etc. still need another change |
| Airport bus | Hotel stops; heavy bags | Less hauling; sit until your stop | Traffic; some routes need prepaid tickets |
| Taxi | Late night; groups splitting; door-to-door | Door-to-door | Costs more than trains |
Staying in Shinjuku / Shibuya: Keikyu to Shinagawa then JR, or monorail to Hamamatsucho then Yamanote; if a limousine stops near your hotel and you have lots of bags, the bus is often less hassle.
After landing (step-by-step)
- Confirm which terminal you are in (most international arrivals use Terminal 3).
- Finish immigration and baggage claim (see the entry guide).
- Turn on mobile data / eSIM and open a map toward the train station or bus bay.
- For Keikyu / monorail: follow “Train / Keikyu / Monorail” signs; tap Suica if you have it (or buy a single ticket).
- Before boarding, read the platform board for train type, destination, and departure time—this step matters most.
- For buses: go to the ticket counter / boarding bay and confirm your hotel stop name.
Stuck: can’t find the station → ask the information desk for “Keikyu” or “Monorail”; multilingual signs and icons beat guessing shortcuts.
Keikyu Line (most independent travelers’ default)
International arrivals usually use the Terminal 3 Keikyu station; Terminals 1 and 2 have their own stations, with shuttles between terminals. Shinagawa is the most intuitive hub; for Asakusa, watch for through-services onto the Toei Asakusa Line (platforms show the destination).
Service names (Airport Rapid Limited Express, Limited Express, etc.) change how many stops you make: faster trains skip more stations, but if yours is skipped, ride a stopping train—or change at Shinagawa. With big luggage, avoid the most crowded doors and wait for the next train if needed.
You’re ready when: before boarding you can say “this train’s terminus is X, and it stops at the station I need.”
Stuck: boarded the wrong local/express → get off at the next station, read signs or ask staff; you can usually recover without returning to the airport.
Tokyo Monorail
It links to Hamamatsucho, where you can transfer to JR Yamanote or Keihin-Tohoku. Good if your plans already center on JR, or you stay near Tamachi / Hamamatsucho. Follow Monorail signs inside the terminals.
For Shinjuku / Shibuya: the monorail is only the first leg—after Hamamatsucho you still change to Yamanote. Timing is often more predictable than a stuck bus, but budget one more luggage transfer.
Stuck: can’t find JR gates at Hamamatsucho → follow “JR” signs; monorail and JR areas are color-coded—don’t exit to the street first.
Airport buses (Limousine / Keikyu Bus)
Routes serve Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Odaiba, and other hubs. Upside: less luggage hauling. Downside: traffic makes arrival times hard to predict. Some Haneda departures require buying a ticket first (even with a transit IC)—follow on-site notices and the operator site.
- Confirm the company and route stop at your hotel or nearest stop.
- After buying, match bay number and departure time.
- Stow large bags in the hold as directed; keep valuables with you.
Stuck: sold out or last bus soon → switch to a train backup immediately instead of waiting for an unknown next departure.
Late-night arrivals
- Check Keikyu / monorail last trains (official same-day times).
- If buses still run → match hotel stop and travel time.
- If everything has stopped → taxi (keep the receipt; splitting among several people helps).
Haneda taxi fares are usually lower than Narita into town, but still clearly higher than trains—treat them as a “late / last-train” backup.
Terminals and transfer tips
- Free shuttles between terminals; Terminals 1–2 also have an underground walkway (hours vary).
- Eligible connecting passengers can ask about Keikyu / monorail Transit Boarding Tickets (passport + boarding pass; details on the Haneda site).
- City riding details: Tokyo subway for first timers; data: Japan eSIM.
Flying into Narita instead? See Narita to Tokyo.
Shinagawa / Asakusa → Keikyu; Hamamatsucho / JR → monorail; hotel has a bus stop → limousine; late night → check last trains, then taxi. Recheck official timetables and terminal info before you fly.
