Japan’s capital is serviced by two major airports, Narita and Haneda. Those flying from abroad are most likely flying into Narita, while domestic flights usually land in Haneda. Though they are located on different sides of Tokyo, it is very easy to reach the city from both.

From Narita
Narita Airport is located about 70km from Tokyo. Luckily there are various options available for reaching the city center from the airport.

Most Convenient:
AIRPORT LIMOUSINE BUS
This bus service offers pick up and drop off service to and from many major hotels. For travelers with a lot of luggage, or who are staying at or near one of the hotels on the bus route, this is a convenient, though slightly expensive option. One way tickets cost ¥3100 (¥1550 for children). The exact route as well as timetables can be found on the bus service’s website:
https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/bus_services/narita/index

Additionally, travel time will vary according to traffic conditions such as rush hour or accidents. A good estimate for travel time from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station is between 75-125 minutes; it will take longer to and from Shinjuku Station.

Tickets can be purchased at most hotel locations or from the Limousine Bus ticket counter at Narita Airport. Online reservation is currently possible only in Japanese.

Cheapest:
KEISEI EXPRESS BUS
The Keisei express bus runs every 20 minutes from 7am until 11pm. At just ¥900 one way it is a great budget option. Tickets can be bought at the Keisei Bus Counter in the arrival lobby of the airport. The bus then stops at Tokyo Station, Sukiyabashi (in Ginza), and Shinomeshako. The travel time estimate is the same as that of the Airport Limousine Bus.

KEISEI ELECTRIC RAILWAY
If highway buses are not your thing, another cheap option is the Keisei Electric Railway, offering two options to Nippori and Ueno train stations: Narita Sky Access Express and Keisei Main Line. The two lines are essentially the same, however certain Sky Access Express trains will transfer at Aoto Station. Those that do will bypass Ueno Station and continue down through Nihonbashi, Shinagawa, and eventually end at Haneda Airport. The complete timetable as well as route map can be found on the official Keisei website:
http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/timetable/index.php

The Narita Sky Access Express costs between ¥1,200 - ¥1,460 one way, stopping at major stations including either Ueno or Haneda Airport.

The Keisei Main Line costs between ¥1,000 - ¥1,280 one way, taking 70 minutes to Ueno Station.



Fastest:
KEISEI SKYLINER
The Keisei Skyliner is one of the newest options for getting from Narita to the city center. The train goes directly from the airport to Nippori and Ueno Stations in about 40 minutes.
The ticket is ¥2,400 one way, which is a good price for such a quick ride. From either of those two stations, you can take the Yamanote Line to Shinjuku, Shibuya, and many other destinations. Ueno Station also has two metro lines: Hibiya and Ginza Lines.

One important thing to note is that all seats for the Skyliner are reserved, so you will have to not only buy your tickets ahead of time, but also make sure you don’t miss your specific train.

JR NARITA EXPRESS (N’EX)
Another very quick option is the Narita Express (N’EX for short), which runs from the airport to Tokyo Station, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, and Shibuya, among others. As with the Skyliner, seats are reserved and must be bought ahead of time at one of the N’EX ticket counters.
The ride to Tokyo Station is ¥3020 one way, but buying a round trip ticket for ¥4000 can save some money.

If you are arriving late at night or you have an early morning flight to get to, transportation to the airport may be quite tricky as most transportation options are not available between midnight to 5am. Therefore, it may be necessary to spend a night in the nearby city of Narita.


From Haneda
Haneda Airport mostly serves domestic flights, with some international flights as well. However, at over 70 million passengers annually, it is one of the world’s busiest airports. Luckily, it is only about 20km from Tokyo, making it easy to get from one to the other.

Tokyo Monorail
By far the simplest way to get from the airport to the city is via the monorail to Hamamatsucho Station. The ticket gate of the monorail is located on the same floor as the arrival lobby, about a one minute walk away. The monorail runs between 5am and midnight. An exact timetable as well as more information can be found here: http://www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp/english/index.html

A ride to Hamamatsucho Station costs ¥490. From there, you can transfer to the Yamanote Line, which goes directly to Tokyo, Akihabara, Ueno, Shibuya, and Shinjuku Stations.

Keikyu Railways
Another option is the Keikyu Line, which connections Haneda with Shinagawa Station. From there, the Yamanote and Asakusa Subway Lines can take you to most places in the city. The approximately 15 minute ride to Shinagawa will cost ¥410. The first departure is about 5:30, with the last at midnight.

Limousine Bus
As with Narita Airport, a limousine bus with pickup and drop off service is available to various hotels in the city. A ride to Tokyo Station for a fare of ¥930 takes around 25-45 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Those going to Shinjuku Station will pay ¥1,230 for a 35-60 minute ride.

Taxi
Finally, as Haneda is in close proximity to the city, taking a taxi is a reasonable option. Especially at night when the trains and buses may no longer be running, a taxi would get you to your destination reliably. Expect a fare between ¥5,000 and ¥10,000 depending on your destination.