Here’s a look at the differences between Tokyo Narita and Haneda Airport. Tokyo, Japan houses two main international airports. Narita Airport and Tokyo International Airport-Haneda.These airports also serve as a major hub for flights across Asia and act as a layover destination for flights to the United States.
Haneda is located closer to the city of Tokyo Haneda is roughly 13 miles away from Tokyo Station, the main train station in the heart of the city.
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On the other hand, Narita airport is some 39 miles away from Tokyo Station. Many travelers take a taxi ride that usually spans over an hour to and from Narita Airport.
Haneda Airport was unveiled in 1931, while Narita Airport dates back to 1978. However, travelers at Haneda will undoubtedly notice the airport’s new terminal which was built in 2010.
Plus, Haneda Airport was named the second best airport in the world, according to SkyTrax, only behind the Singapore Changi Airport.
Haneda Airport has a higher ranking than Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, Hong Kong Intl Airport, Taiwan Taoyuan Airport, London’s Heathrow Airport, New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Charles De-Gaulle Airport in Paris.
Narita Airport was ranked as the 14th best airport globally, according to the aforementioned report. Some 40 million passengers reportedly traveled through Narita Airport last year, compared to roughly 79 million for Haneda Airport.
As for airlines, both airports deal closely with All Nippon Airlines and Japan Airlines, while Narita also operates flights for Jetstar Japan, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
As a reminder, if you need help to maximize using your credit card points or airlines miles for free flights to Tokyo, we recommend using the Juicy Miles award booking service, who can help you redeem for the lowest amount of miles for coach, business, or first class, as well as using partner airlines.
Have you been to Narita or Haneda Airport? Which one do you prefer? Let us know in the comments section!
I live in Tokyo and would NEVER take a taxi from Narita. Talk about $$$$.
Instead take a comfortable bus, JR Narita Express train or Keisei Skyliner train. The bus network from Narita is very extensive to all parts of Tokyo and the buses are comfortable, clean and with very polite staff.
If you want to save some money from Narita take the local trains from JR (goes to Tokyo Stations) and Keisei (goes to Ueno). The train lines start at Narita so can always get a seat on the local trains. The local train might be 30 minutes longer but get some nice scenery and get to experience how the local take the train.
By the way JR and Keisei are two train companies.
Remember never take a taxi in Tokyo … very $$$$.
Also once you are in Tokyo try out taking the local buses. Toei buses are great and can see the city from the bus. Can get an all day pass on the bus for 500 yen (around $4.60). The buses are comfortable, always on time, clean, people very polite and can most likely get a seat and they have free wifi. Beats the crowds on JR and Tokyo subway and walking around the maze that are the stations. Google search “toei bus sightseeing tokyo” and click on the “Tokyo Sightseeing on the Toei Bus” link. Great English website to tell you how to use the bus and see all of Tokyo!
Have fun!
you’ve a major point – the transfer experience
although HND has FAR FAR more domestic frequencies, in much larger gauge, it requires an annoying bus ride.
At NRT, it’s re-clearing security inside the same terminal if you’re within the same alliance.
i’ll only go out of my way to obtain HND flight i’m actually heading for Tokyo/Yokohama. For pretty much everything else, the convenience of NRT is still superb.